IcyData

Implement magic numbers feature to help fans track playoff races.

What are Magic Numbers?¶

Magic Numbers provide a simplified framework for understanding NHL playoff races with two key metrics:

• Magic #: How many points a team needs to clinch a playoff spot
• Tragic #: How many points separate a team from mathematical elimination

How They Work¶

Magic # Mechanics:

• Anchored to the strongest team that could finish 9th in the conference
• Decreases when the target team earns points, competitors lose, or ceiling calculations shift
• Reaches 0 upon playoff clinching

Tragic # Mechanics:

• Anchored to the playoff cutoff (9th place if in playoffs; 8th place if outside)
• Decreases when chasers gain points or the team loses games
• Reaches 0 upon mathematical elimination

Required Features¶

1. Real-time standings data integration (NHL APIs)
2. Remaining games calculator for each team
3. Maximum points ceiling computation per team
4. Dynamic threshold tracking (9th/8th place lines)
5. Bidirectional update logic (both numbers can move independently)
6. Conference-level segmentation for calculations
7. UI displaying both metrics simultaneously
8. Daily email notification system for subscribers

References¶

• Explainer: https://hockeymagicnumbers.com/explainer