The NHL’s annual prediction contest has once again highlighted how unpredictable the league can be, with teams defying expectations in ways that even experts struggle to explain. Analysts and fans alike often find themselves baffled by underperforming powerhouses and surprising underdog successes, as the contest results reveal deep inconsistencies between preseason forecasts and actual outcomes. This year’s results underscore a recurring theme: the NHL remains a league where momentum, injuries, and intangibles can drastically alter trajectories, leaving even the most seasoned observers guessing. The Sabres, in particular, have become a case study in how a team can confound predictions, serving as a reminder that hockey’s unpredictability is as much a part of its charm as its skill.

Nobody understands the Sabres, and other lessons from the NHL prediction contest  The New York Times