NHL Analysis and Explainers
Wild cards, tiebreakers and how the playoff bracket actually works — how the NHL turns two conferences into a Stanley Cup run.
Every Stanley Cup Winner Since 1927, and the Teams That Won the Most
Every Stanley Cup winner since 1927: Montreal leads with 24 Cups, Toronto has 13 and Detroit 11. Plus droughts, repeat champions and how long Finals last.
Better Power Plays, Fewer of Them: NHL Special Teams Since 2005-06
NHL power plays scored 21.1 percent of the time in 2025-26, near a 40-year high, on half the chances of 2005-06. The best one won 0 of the last 21 Stanley Cups.
NHL Teams Take 51 Percent of the Points on the Second Night of a Back-to-Back
NHL teams on the second night of a back-to-back earned 50.8 percent of points since 2005-06, against 56.6 percent on one day of rest. Who plays the most.
Outshooting the Other Team Wins Only 52 Percent of NHL Games
The NHL team with more shots on goal won 52.2 percent of games since 2005-06. Shots per game by season, score effects, PDO and why shot share still matters.
Vegas and Everyone Else: How NHL Expansion Teams Fared in Year One
Of 23 NHL teams built through an expansion draft since 1967, only the 2017-18 Vegas Golden Knights won more than half their points in year one. All 23 ranked.
NHL Home Ice Has Never Been Worth Less: 0.13 Goals a Game
NHL home teams have won 54.5 percent of games since 2005-06, but in 2025-26 home ice was worth 0.13 goals a game, the least in 108 seasons. Playoffs and teams.
Since 3-on-3, Two in Three Tied NHL Games End Before a Shootout
Since 3-on-3 overtime arrived in 2015-16, 66 percent of tied NHL games ended in overtime, up from 43 percent. Shootouts by season, home ice and top shooters.
Ten Games In, About Two Thirds of the NHL Playoff Field Is in Place
Since 2005-06, 197 of 288 NHL teams in a playoff spot after 10 games made the playoffs, 68 percent, against 77 percent at Thanksgiving. What a start is worth.
The Maple Leafs Since 1967: 36 Postseasons, 21 Series Wins and No Final
The Toronto Maple Leafs have made 36 postseasons since their 1967 Cup and won 21 of 57 series, never past the semifinal. Every series, Game 7 and blown lead.
Why No Canadian Team Has Won the Stanley Cup Since 1993
No Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup since Montreal in 1993: 32 Cups in a row for US teams and 8 lost Finals. With equal odds, Canada would have about 7.
The First Goal Wins Two NHL Games in Three, Until Overtime
NHL teams that scored first won 67.4 percent of games in 2025-26, and teams leading after two periods 86.0 percent. In overtime, the first goal is a coin flip.
Six Goals a Game Again: Every NHL Season Since 1917-18, Counted
NHL games averaged 6.16 goals in 2025-26, a fifth straight season above six. Every season since 1917-18, from 10.06 to 2.92, counted from official NHL data.
Down 3-1 in the NHL Playoffs: 32 Comebacks in 362 Series
NHL teams have come back from 3-1 down in 32 of 362 best-of-seven series, 9 percent, and from 3-0 four times. Every comeback, the odds by score and Game 7s.
The NHL Thanksgiving Rule, Counted: 221 of 288 Made the Playoffs
Since 2005-06, 221 of 288 NHL teams in a playoff spot on US Thanksgiving made the playoffs, 77 percent. How far back is too far, and the biggest comebacks.
The Presidents' Trophy Curse, Counted: 8 Cups in 40 Seasons
Presidents' Trophy winners have won the Stanley Cup 8 times in 40 seasons and none since 2013. Every winner since 1985-86, how its run ended and why it happens.
The 2026-27 NHL Season, Predicted Before Opening Night
Projected points and playoff odds for all 32 NHL teams from 10,000 simulated 84-game seasons. Colorado leads on 125; the East's last wild card needs 99.
The Point You Get for Losing, and Who It Saved
The NHL gives a point for losing in overtime. It handed out 326 of them last season, and taking them away changes who made the playoffs in both conferences.
Everything NHL on Vertize Sports
The 2026-27 NHL schedule night by night, a standings page with four views and a simulator for the 84-game season: how to read each page and how the model works.