We're halfway through the NHL's mediocre season, with only 13 of the 32 teams (six in the dreaded East, seven in the more representative West) out of 32 teams winning at least half of their games. .
This is what you get in a league where accumulating loser points (like the Presidents Trophy, there's always confusion about where the apostrophe belongs) seems to have more impact than the stipulated number of wins.
Since the current wild-card playoff format went into effect in 2013-14, a total of 82 games have been played over nine seasons. Last season, there was no Eastern Qualifier that had fewer points than the Capitals (91 points). Three times, the team missed by 96 points.
Empty net goal during the Blue Jackets' 6-2 home win.
Kraken on January 9, 2025. NHLI (via Getty Images)
However, this season, Columbus and Montreal are tied for the final spot in the East with a scoring average of 0.524, and are expected to win the playoffs with 86 points. 86 points out of 164 points. Participate in Trophy League.
