Phoenix Coyotes Hockey on AZ Vibe

Ok all you Phoenix Coyotes fans out there, with the playoffs now becoming a reality it’s time to break down all the playoff scenarios.

Right now the Coyotes ‘magic number’ is 7.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with hockey, the ‘Magic Numbers’ are the number of games that the Coyotes must win to control their own destiny for a playoff spot.  Controlling their own destiny means that the Coyotes will be guaranteed a playoff spot if they win 7 of their last 13 games. If they win any less than seven of their last thirteen games, they will have to rely on other teams to help them get into the playoffs. It’s also possible may not qualify for the playoffs at all if the Coyotes win less than seven games.

Can the Coyotes win the Pacific Division?

As it stands today, the Coyotes have less than a 2% chance of winning the division.  However, it’s still statistically possible for the Coyotes to win the Pacific Division as the Coyotes have a 65% chance of getting the #1 spot in the West…if they win the rest of the games in their season.   The drawback is that even if the Coyotes won the rest of their games this season, they would have 115 points on the season, would finish no worse than 4th in the Conference, and would require the help from other teams to win the Pacific Division. 

Anyways, enough dreaming. Here’s how the Coyotes magic numbers break down…

If the Coyotes win…

- 13 of their final 13 games – 115 points – They would finish no worse than 4th in the West and have a 65% chance of the #1 spot in the west (they would need outside help for this)

- 12 of their final 13 games – 113 points – They would finish no worse than 4th in the West, have a 34% chance of the #1 spot in the west (they would need outside help for this) and a 51% chance of being guaranteed the 4th spot in the west.

- 11 of their final 13 games – 111 points – They would finish no worse than 5th in the West (a less than 1% chance at that). The Coyotes would have a 11% chance of the #1 spot in the west and a 72% chance of the 4th spot in the west (they would need outside help for this)

- 10 of their final 13 games – 109 points – They would finish no worse than 5th in the West, have a 2% chance of the #1 spot in the west and an 86% chance of finishing 4th (they would need outside help for this)

- 9 of their final 13 games – 107 points – They would finish no worse than 6th in the West (a less than 1% chance at that), have less than a 1% chance of the #1 spot in the west and an 87% chance of finishing 4th (they would need outside help for this)

- 8 of their final 13 games – 105 points – They would finish no worse than 7th in the West (a less than 1% chance at that), have less than a 1% chance of the #1 spot in the west a 72% chance of finishing 4th, and a 26% chance of finishing 5th (they would need outside help for this)

- 7 of their final 13 games – 103 points – They would finish no worse than 8th in the West (a less than 1% chance at that), have less than a 1% chance of the #1 spot in the west a 46% chance of finishing 4th, and a 49% chance of finishing 5th (they would need outside help for this)

In short, the Coyotes need to win 7 to be guaranteed a playoff spot. The Phoenix Coyotes would need to win 12 of their last 13 games to have home ice advantage.

These are going to be some fun games to watch down the stretch!!! Man I can’t wait!!!