We all know that the Preds started the season rough. The first 10 games were 4-6-0, not bad all things considered, but then they lost 4 of the next 5 and were at the bottom of the league with a 5-10-0 record. This point in time set the narrative for the new GM and coach, as well as the newly constructed team even though they had a 5 game win streak and were 10-10-0 at the 20 game mark. Looking at 10 or game splits as indicators of how a team is performing at the moment has value but I think larger segments tell the story of the NHL season.
Breaking the Preds season down into 3rds tells a bit of a different story from the doom and gloom narrative.
The first 27 games, everything is new, everyone is trying to figure out exactly who and what they have, where they fit in the league. Fans everywhere are still hopeful.
The middle 28 games, the "going through the motions" part of the schedule. It's a long season, the "new" has worn off and the bulk of the season is still in front of you, systems should be learned by now with coaches trying to tweak things or fix mistakes. It's a hard grind for the players and coaches.
The final 27 games, post trade deadline, the final push to the playoffs, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Teams destined for the playoffs start ramping up their play, teams that aren't going to make the tournament fall off. Integrating new players arriving from trades and filling holes left by players traded away, there's some "new" again. Perfecting your system and identity are the buzz words for the interviews but also very real and important. It's a fun time for teams, and their fans, if they're play well going into the playoffs.
I for one am pretty excited about the up coming playoffs, I think the Preds are in a good position to have success. You can look back at other Preds teams to see how they did during the season and how that translated to the post season (the 18-19 and 21-22 teams for example) but here is what this year looks like.
1st 27 games.........14-13-0
Middle 28 games...14-12-2
Last 27 games........20-4-3 (with a win over Pittsburgh)
That last 3rd of the season is a 60-12-10 pace over 82 games that would be good for 130 points! The Preds were also above .500 in the other sections even with all the "new". Really an impressive season
The playoffs are a maximum of 28 games, if you played every game and were successful at the end you'd have a 16-12 record.