How Scoring Works
Every series is worth points in three ways: picking the winner, nailing the exact number of games, and correctly backing an underdog. Points grow in later rounds so the competition stays close all the way to the Stanley Cup Final.
These are the rules in effect for the 2027 season. Each season can have its own configuration, so historical seasons keep the rules they were played under.
1. Correct winner
Predict which team wins the series. Worth 4 base points, multiplied by the round.
2. Exact number of games
Also predict how many games the series lasts (4–7). Worth an extra 2 base points (times the round multiplier) — but only if you also picked the correct winner.
3. Upset bonus
If a lower-seeded team wins and you picked them, you earn an upset bonus:
Upset Bonus = Seed Difference × Round Multiplier × 2
Seed difference is how many seed lines separate the two teams (e.g. a #4 seed beating a #1 seed is a difference of 3). Bigger upsets and later rounds pay more.
Points by round
| Round | Multiplier | Correct winner | Exact games | Max base / series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Round | ×1 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Second Round | ×2 | 8 | 4 | 12 |
| Conference Finals | ×3 | 12 | 6 | 18 |
| Stanley Cup Final | ×5 | 20 | 10 | 30 |
Upset bonuses are awarded on top of the base points above.
Tie-breakers
If two players are tied on points, the standings are broken in this order:
- Most correct series winners
- Most exact-game predictions
If players are still level after both tie-breakers, they share the same rank.