Standings Predictions Comparison
Comparing Our 2023-24 Standings Predictions
We’re a week into the season and while that means it’s time for overreactions (I’m looking at you Edmonton), it’s still too early to reasonably change our predictions. So, before we get too deep into the season, we wanted to compare our season predictions and any key differences.
Atlantic
1. Alex: Toronto, Phil: Toronto
2. Alex: Ottawa, Phil: Boston
3. Alex: Florida, Phil: Tampa Bay
4. Alex: Buffalo, Phil: Ottawa
5. Alex: Tampa Bay, Phil: Florida
6. Alex: Boston, Phil: Buffalo
7. Alex: Detroit, Phil: Detroit
8. Alex: Montreal, Phil: Montreal
We agreed at the top of the division and at the bottom, but we shuffled things around a lot in the middle. The biggest difference is our opinion of Boston. I’m skeptical of their ability to remain a top team after their off-season losses, whereas my dad thinks they’ll only take a small step back after a historic season. I’m also clearly the bigger hopeless optimist when it comes to the Sens.
Dad note: Look, I get it, Boston isn’t going to be the team they were last year. A number of players left the team, and they were so far ahead last year that a decline in points is inevitable. I just can’t see them falling to sixth in the division. Give your head a shake kid!
Metropolitan
1. Alex: Carolina, Phil: New Jersey
2. Alex: New Jersey, Phil: Carolina
3. Alex: Pittsburgh, Phil: Pittsburgh
4. Alex: NY Rangers, Phil: NY Rangers
5. Alex: NY Islanders, Phil: NY Islanders
6. Alex: Columbus, Phil: Philadelphia
7. Alex: Washington, Phil: Washington
8. Alex: Philadelphia, Phil: Columbus
Nothing too crazy to report here. We have Carolina and New Jersey switched, and the same with Columbus and Philadelphia. We both seem to be high on Pittsburgh, but if you read my dad’s full predictions, you know he’s much higher on them than me.
Dad note: We’re pretty close here. My biggest issue with your predictions is probably where you have Columbus. They made some good moves in the off-season, but they were 16 points behind 7th last year and I just don’t see them making that big of a leap.
Central:
1. Alex: Dallas, Phil: Dallas
2. Alex: Colorado, Phil: Colorado
3. Alex: Minnesota, Phil: Winnipeg
4. Alex: Winnipeg, Phil: Minnesota
5. Alex: Arizona, Phil: Nashville
6. Alex: Nashville, Phil: St. Louis
7. Alex: St. Louis, Phil: Arizona
8. Alex: Chicago, Phil: Chicago
Again, we don’t have many differences here. We have the same top and bottom four. However, Dad has more faith in Winnipeg breaking into the top three than me (I have them missing the playoffs). The only other notable difference is I’m a believer in Arizona and think they could be a bit of a surprise this season.
Dad note: There’s not a lot of space between us here but if I’m going to defend one pick it’s Winnipeg. They were 4th last year and a better off-season than Minnesota or Nashville so I like them moving up in the ranks.
Pacific:
1. Alex: Edmonton, Phil: Vegas
2. Alex: Vegas, Phil: Edmonton
3. Alex: LA, Phil: LA
4. Alex: Calgary, Phil: Seattle
5. Alex: Vancouver, Phil: Vancouver
6. Alex: Seattle, Phil: Calgary
7. Alex: Anaheim, Phil: Anaheim
8. Alex: San Jose, Phil: San Jose
Our predictions were predictably similar at the top and bottom of the division. The only notable differences are in our expectations for Seattle and Calgary. I’m expecting a bounce-back from Calgary and a fall-off from Seattle. Dad expects Seattle to keep their form from last year. I’m also a believer in Vancouver and have them grabbing the second wildcard spot.
Dad note: Living in Vancouver, I have a lot of firsthand viewing experience with the Canucks and despite them sweeping the home-and-home series against Edmonton, they are not a playoff team. If those wins tell us anything it’s that Edmonton goalies need to refamiliarize himself with what a puck looks like. You picked them to win it all, but they’re not going far giving up 12 goals on 48 shots. Sheesh!
Stanley Cup Champions and Overall Observations
Finally, our predictions for the Stanley Cup were very different. I’m predicting that this will be the year for Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers to get over the hump. Dad is expecting Karlsson and the Penguins to crush the hearts of Sens fans by winning their 4th Cup in the Crosby era.
Overall, we didn’t vary too much in our predictions. The only division we had significant differences in was the Atlantic. I guess that’s to be expected from a couple of Sens fans. We’ll revisit these at the end of the year to see just how right (or outrageously wrong) we were.