How Wrong Was I - My Prediction vs the Final NHL Standings

Back in October I predicted the standings for the 2013-2014 NHL season and I was making a larger point that pundits ('puckheads') blather on as the so called experts.  These 'puckheads' and I'm on of them to a lesser extent make predictions and rarely ever go back and admit they are wrong.  Of course if they get it right they thump there chest (ie Don Cherry) or give some chin swagger (Bob McKenzie.)

I'm going to actually compare my and THN (The Hockey News) result to actual and see how wrong I was:

Eastern Conference:
THN's Prediction:	My Prediction:	Actual Result
1) Pittsburgh Penguins	1) Pittsburgh Penguins	1) Boston Bruins
2) Boston Bruins	2) Boston Bruins	2) Pittsburgh Penguins
3) Ottawa Senators	3) Detroit Red Wings	3) Tampa Bay Lightning
4) Detroit Red Wings	4) Toronto Maples Leafs	4) Montreal Canadians
5) New York Rangers	5) Ottawa Senators	5) New York Rangers
6) Toronto Maple Leafs	6) Montreal Canadians	6) Philadelphia Flyers
7) Montreal Canadians	7) Washington Capitals	7) Columbus Blue Jackets
8) Philadelphia Flyers	8) New York Islanders	8) Detroit Red Wings
9) Washington Capitals	9) Columbus Blue Jackets	9) Washington Capitals
10) New York Islanders	10) New York Rangers	10) New Jersey Devils
11) Columbus Blue Jackets	11) Philadelphia Flyers	11) Ottawa Senators
12) Tampa Bay Lightning	12) Tampa Bay Lightning	12) Toronto Maple Leafs
13) Carolina Hurricanes	13) Carolina Hurricanes	13) Carolina Hurricanes
14) Buffalo Sabres	14) New Jersey Devils	14) NY Islanders
15) New Jersey Devils	15) Florida Panthers	15) Florida Panthers
16) Florida Panthers	16) Buffalo Sabres	16) Buffalo Sabres

From a mathematical perspective:

• Odds of predicting the top 8 in precise order is 1 in 518,918,400
• Odds of predicting the 8 teams that will make the play-offs regardless of order is 1 in 12,870

Well both THN and I were both completely off in predicting the order of the standings.  As for playoff teams I got only 4 of 8 teams right and THN got 6 of 8 right.  Both THN and I thought that the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators would make the play-offs.  Sadly, this is the worst season in NHL history for Canadian hockey teams.

Western Conference:
THN's Prediction:	My Prediction:	Actual Result
1) Chicago Blackhawks	1) Chicago Blackhawks	1) Anaheim Ducks
2) Los Angeles Kings	2) San Jose Sharks	2) Colorado Avalanche
3) San Jose Sharks	3) Los Angeles Kings	3) St. Louis Blues
4) St. Louis Blues	4) St. Louis Blues	4) San Jose Sharks
5) Minnesota Wild	5) Anaheim Ducks	5) Chicago Blackhawks
6) Vancouver Canucks	6) Vancouver Canucks	6) Los Angeles Kings
7) Dallas Stars	7) Phoenix Coyotes	7) Minnesota Wild
8) Edmonton Oilers	8) Minnesota Wild	8) Dallas Stars
9) Anaheim Ducks	9) Nashville Predators	9) Phoenix Coyotes
10) Nashville Predators	10) Colorado Avalanche	10) Nashville Predators
11) Winnipeg Jets	11) Winnipeg Jets	11) Winnipeg Jets
12) Colorado Avalanche	12) Edmonton Oilers	12) Vancouver Canucks
13) Phoenix Coyotes	13) Dallas Stars	13)  Calgary Flames
14) Calgary Flames	14) Calgary Flames	14) Edmonton Oilers

 From a mathematical perspective (now you have 14 teams):

• Odds of predicting the top 8 in precise order is 1 in 121,080,960
• Odds of predicting the 8 teams that will make the play-offs regardless of order is 1 in 3,003

Again, THN and I were way off in predicting the order of the standings.  As for playoff teams both THN and I were right for 6 out of 8.  Although, the odds are greatly improved with 2 fewer teams in the Western conference.   

My Point made Simple:

I was wrong and the odds of me or the puckheads getting it right or close to right is remote.  The folly of prediction, but with this I at least went back to see I was accurate.  I scanned the local sports pages and I did not see one of these puckheads check their accuracy.  I did see a lot of articles with puckheads analyzing the final standings and what went right and wrong for teams.  I could sit here and make convenient rationalizations after the fact and talk about player injuries, bad coaching, and players having abnormal seasons.  But, it still makes my prediction wrong. 

One More Prediction to Go - Stanley Cup Champion:

This my and THN's prediction from back in October.  Based on how Boston has played this season, I like my chances.  St. Louis Blues are also playing extremely well, but will have to battle out of the West and will be playing Chicago Blackhawks in the first round.  That could possbly be one of the best series this play-offs considering the talent of both teams and how they match-up.

Stanley Cup Champion:

My prediction:

Boston Bruins - (Runner-up St. Louis Blues)

THN's prediction:

St. Louis Blues - (Runner-up Pittsburgh)

Comments? Thoughts? Suggestions?  Which team do you think is going drink from Lord Stanley's Cup?