Monte Carlo simulation optimized for NHL playoff pools. Best-of-7 series modeling, goaltending variance, and EV-optimized picks for your exact scoring format.
🏒 2026 NHL Playoffs — Starts April 12
Get Your Bracket — $7Real-time standings from NHL.com, advanced metrics (xG%, GSAx) from MoneyPuck, power play and penalty kill percentages. All verified, all cited.
Every series modeled game-by-game. 2-2-1-1-1 home ice. Overtime compression. Goaltending variance. Not vibes — statistics.
Expected Value optimization means we don't just pick likely winners. We pick the bracket that scores the most points in your specific format.
Most people just pick the higher seed. Here's what they miss:
The NHL awards a point for overtime losses. This inflates standings. A team with 90 points and 25 regulation wins is weaker than one with 86 points and 35 regulation wins. We strip the noise.
A hot goalie can steal any series. Our model uses Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) to identify which teams have elite or volatile goaltending going into the playoffs.
5-on-5 expected goals percentage (xG%) is a far better predictor of playoff success than raw goal totals. Teams living off unsustainable shooting luck get exposed.
NHL playoff seeding is based on division standing, not pure quality. A wild card team can be stronger than a division runner-up. Our ratings see through the brackets.
Your bracket is optimized for your specific pool scoring. Different format = different optimal picks.
One-time payment · Instant bracket · Includes PDF download