Strongest Division Ever?

[Jntg4]

Could our current division of the 2011-12 Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Nashville Predators, and the St. Louis Blues, (There is another team that plays in some city in Ohio called the Columbus Blue Jackets that are almost as bad as their population is small ), be the best division in NHL history in the current Eastern-Western alignment?

I have prorated the point totals of the top 4 teams in our division to 82 games and divided by 4 to get an average point total for the top 4 teams over the course of 82 games at this pace.

Detroit: 67 points through 49 games = 112 points after 82 games.
St. Louis: 64 points through 48 games = 109 points after 82 games.
Chicago: 64 points though 49 games = 107 points after 82 games.
Nashville: 62 points in 49 games = 104 points after 82 games.

Average: 108 Points after 82 games.

So I went back to the 1993-94 season, the first year under the Eastern/Western Conference umbrella and looked for divisions in which the Top 4 teams averaged 108 or more points. For the lockout-shortened 1994-1995 season played 48 games, but all 4 divisions had a considerably less Top 4 average than the current division has currently, but they were looked at.
The 1993-94 season was 84 games, but no division reached the average of our current decision regardless, even without the number being adjusted to 82 games.

The results are in:

Spoiler

It has never happened before. Most division leaders don't reach the average Top 4 2011-12 Central Division team's total.

[Captain Iago]

Why did go back to 1993 when 3 point games originated in 2005-2006?

I expect one for sure, two maybe, to taper off. I'd be shocked if those point totals are reached.

[Jntg4]

^Teams could still get a point from a tie, so they still had potential to match an OT Loss. But you are right, that skews it. However, generally speaking, it wasn't even close and it may hold true even with that factored in.

But just 2005-Present would be a small sample size anyway, so I had to go back further regardless.

[Captain Iago]

Originally Posted by Wrigley FireHawks

^Teams could still get a point from a tie, so they still had potential to match an OT Loss. But you are right, that skews it. However, generally speaking, it wasn't even close and it may hold true even with that factored in.

But just 2005-Present would be a small sample size anyway, so I had to go back further regardless.

But teams would only earn a pat on the ass for losing in the 64th minute of a game then. Too different when using points alone as the basis of comparison.

Sample size be damned, you still need to compare apples to apples. Delving into the subject without leveling the playing field kinda flaws any expansion of your sample size.

Interesting and brutal time to be a fan of any of these four teams.

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Originally Posted by Captain Iago

Interesting and brutal time to be a fan of any of these four teams.

It's brutal to hear the updates every day where a new team is on top and the rest are all within 4 points... in January.

And we're going to have to hear about it every single day until April

[Uman85]

It's exciting, but it's going to become very nerve-wracking in March and April if it stays this close.

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Originally Posted by Uman85

It's exciting, but it's going to become very nerve-wracking in March and April if it stays this close.

Nah, they'll get in... it won't be like last year.

[Uman85]

Originally Posted by Everyday I'm Byfuglien

Nah, they'll get in... it won't be like last year.

Oh yeah, I know they'll be in. Just want to see them get home-ice over Detroit and win the division.

[ZambranoDempster3846]

Yeah. It's insane how strong this division is. San Jose is so damn lucky they are in the Pacific division...

[TheChicagoFan]

If these projected numbers are right that means the Blues will have more points than the Blackhawks? I don't see that happening.

I think Detroit and Chicago will be at the top and fighting pretty hard to win the division and not far, but far enough will be St. Louis and Nashville.