The Golden Knights are entering rarefied air when it comes to collecting loser points. In just 53 games, Vegas has already lost in overtime or shootout a whopping 14 times, blowing out the franchise record of 10 (last year), leading the league by one over Los Angeles, and on pace to break the NHL record of 18 achieved four times.
The NHL first introduced the concept of awarding a point to the team that loses beyond regulation for the 1999-2000 season. Thus, the sample size of NHL seasons with the current format is fairly large.
With their 14 overtime losses, the Golden Knights have become just the 53rd team out of 792 individual team seasons in NHL history to achieve this feat. Thus, there’s about a 6.7% chance that a team reaches 14 OTLs. It will become even more rare if the Golden Knights lose a few more, too.
Just 26 teams have ever lost 15 games in OT (3.3% chance). Only 14 teams have lost 16 (1.8% chance). 5 have lost 17 (0.6% chance), and there are 4 teams tied for the record with 18 (0.5% chance).
Remember, with 14 OTLs in 53 games, the Golden Knights are on pace for 22, so breaking the record is absolutely in reach.
Now, on to the important part. How did each of these teams fare in their respective seasons?
We’ll start with the most positive. The 2006-07 Anaheim Ducks went 48-20-14 in the regular season, amassing 110 points. They won the five-team Pacific Division and went on to win the Stanley Cup in five games over the Ottawa Senators. A few years later, the 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings squeaked into the playoffs with a record of 40-27-15 (95 points). They earned the 8-seed and then won 16 of 20 playoff games to lift the Cup in six games over the New Jersey Devils.
At the 53-game mark, the Ducks were 25-18-10 while the Kings were 32-13-8. VGK are currently 25-14-14.
14 other teams have reached the playoffs after losing at least 14 games beyond regulation. Of those 14, just five went on to win a playoff round. Thus, 45 of the previous 52 teams to lose at least 14 games in OT or shootout have failed to win a single playoff round.
Teams with 18 OTL
Playoffs: 1 out of 4 (Lost in 1st Round)
Average Points Percentage: .506
Seasons above .600: 0
Teams with 17+ OTL
Playoffs: 1 out of 5 (Lost in 1st Round)
Average Points Percentage: .518
Seasons above .600: 0
Teams with 16+ OTL
Playoffs: 2 out of 14 (Both lost in 1st Round)
Average Points Percentage: .512
Seasons above .600: 0
Teams with 15+ OTL
Playoffs: 8 of 26 (5 lost in 1st, 1 lost in 2nd, 1 lost in 3rd, 1 won Cup)
Average Points Percentage: .526
Seasons above .600: 2
Teams with 14+ OTL
Playoffs: 16 of 52 (9 lost in 1st, 3 lost in 2nd, 2 lost in 3rd, 2 won Cup)
Average Points Percentage: .524
Seasons above .600: 4
If the Golden Knights lose two more games beyond regulation in their final 29 matches, they will join a group of 14 other teams to lose at least 16. None of which won a single playoff series or posted a points percentage better than .600.
Loser points are the main reason VGK are still clinging to the top spot in the Pacific. They tell a cautionary tale for the future, though.
Pistol Pete
Have to wonder how comebacks vs. giving up leads figure in the OTL stats. In the end all that matters is how the team plays in the playoffs.
Hdbiker7851
PP – before worrying about how the team plays in the playoffs – they need to get there first and l am concerned that might not happen. Not doom and gloom but first things first. They can’t keep getting just a point a game. They are comeback aces but need to figure out a way to win in regulation.
SHS
Looking at the two Cup Winners, the Ducks finished their season on a hot streak, while the Kings absolutely stunk it up. Not much to tell from that. On the other hand, the other potentially telling difference for the VGK is their relatively higher points percentage compared to the other teams on the list. Hopefully we can make a run…
Emmanuel
The loser point makes the winning % look better than it is.
I guess calling it a “points %” is more accurate, its a subtle difference but crucial difference.
Michael J Casper
OK…so 4 teams got to .600. I know one of those 4 won the cup. What happened with the other 3?
Just trying to track if that is a good goal/benchmark.
Ken Boehlke
6 teams that have lost at least 14 OTLs reached .600. All 6 made the playoffs.
06-07 ANA – 14 OTL – .671 – Won Cup
23-24 BOS – 15 OTL – .665 – Lost in Second Round
22-23 DAL – 14 OTL – .659 – Lost in Conference Finals
13-14 CHI – 15 OTL – .652 – Lost in Conference Finals
09-10 DET – 14 OTL – .622 – Lost in Second Round
14-15 DET – 14 OTL – .610 – Lost in First Round
Benchmark seems to be keeping it to 15 or fewer OTLs and reaching .650 points percentage to have much success.
For VGK to reach .650 and stay at 15 OTLs, they will have to finish the season 21-7-1.
Emmanuel
The title of the article summarizes my concerns.
That being said VGK has excellent checking F’s, hopefully they pick a goal scorer @ LW & if a couple of the support players get hot, you never know…….
knights fan in minny
Big E What do you think about Mccarran the center from Nashville not a lot of points leads them in penalties but he’s a big son of a gun You can do some damage for checking on the defense of other teams
Larry
But I think Mccarren was the one that caused that spleen injury to Stone 2 years ago!
Though it would be nice to be able to say his name in this city, rather than the name that currently adorns our airport ( and yes I know it’s a different spelling).
steve
I think it was him, but also remember keep political talk out of here otherwise it will happen again
Larry
Two thoughts:
How in the blazes does that useless worthless Mantha have 19 goals so far this year?
It would seem the Panthers will have a severe uphill climb to just get into the playoffs this year.