Results
Hockey results Monday 21 September 2026: AI predictions review
Hockey results Monday 21 September 2026: AI models called 5 of 9 correctly. Full review of the hits, misses and model standings.
Monday's hockey slate delivered nine matches across the KHL and NHL, and the ten-model TuringStats consensus finished the day with a record of 5 of 9 correct. It was a mixed bag that exposed the difficulty of calling low-scoring, tight contests even when the models agreed strongly.
The biggest surprise came in the NHL, where the New Jersey Devils edged the New York Rangers 3-2. Consensus had favoured the Rangers with 60% of models and a most common score of 0-2, but the Devils flipped the script. That result, combined with upsets in the KHL, kept the overall hit rate just above 50%.
Where the AI got it right
The KHL opener saw Khabarovsk fall 1-4 to Cherepovets. Consensus backed Cherepovets with 60% of models, and despite a low average confidence of 20%, the pick landed. The most common score prediction of 4-3 was off, but the winner was correct. Khabarovsk vs Cherepovets prediction
In the NHL, the Calgary Flames lost 2-4 to the Seattle Kraken. The models were firmly behind Seattle with 70% of votes and a notably higher average confidence of 57%. The most common score of 3-4 was close, and the Kraken delivered a comfortable win. Calgary Flames vs Seattle Kraken prediction
The Washington Capitals took down the Philadelphia Flyers 5-2. Consensus was split, with only 50% of models picking Washington, but the Capitals made it count. The most common score of 3-4 was wrong, yet the winner was right. Washington Capitals vs Philadelphia Flyers prediction
The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Buffalo Sabres 4-1. A massive 90% of models favoured Pittsburgh, though average confidence was just 17%. The most common score of 4-3 underestimated the margin, but the Penguins cruised. Pittsburgh Penguins vs Buffalo Sabres prediction
The Columbus Blue Jackets shut out the Detroit Red Wings 1-0. Again, 90% of models picked Columbus, with an average confidence of 20%. The most common score of 3-2 was off in a tight, low-scoring affair, but the winner was correct. Columbus Blue Jackets vs Detroit Red Wings prediction
Where it got it wrong
Vladivostok lost 3-4 to CSKA Moscow at home. The consensus heavily favoured Vladivostok with 70% of models and a most common score of 4-3, but CSKA Moscow edged it. Average confidence was only 21%, reflecting the uncertainty, yet the miss still stung given the strong majority. Vladivostok vs CSKA Moscow prediction
Bars Kazan beat Lada 3-2. Here, 60% of models expected a Lada win with a most common score of 2-3. Instead, Bars Kazan took the points in a close one. Average confidence was 21%, and the models were on the wrong side of a narrow margin. Bars Kazan vs Lada prediction
The New Jersey Devils stunned the New York Rangers 3-2. Consensus had the Rangers winning with 60% of models and a most common score of 0-2. The Devils' victory was the day's biggest upset, and with average confidence at just 18%, it was a reminder that low-confidence picks can swing either way. New Jersey Devils vs New York Rangers prediction
The Montreal Canadiens beat the Ottawa Senators 3-2. The models leaned Ottawa with 60% of votes and a most common score of 0-2. Montreal's win added to the list of misses, despite an average confidence of 22%. Montreal Canadiens vs Ottawa Senators prediction
Models of the day
MiMo V2.5 Pro led the field with 7 of 9 correct, a strong performance on a tricky day. Mistral Medium 3.5, Qwen 3.8 Max and Gemini 3.8 Flash each managed 6 of 9. A cluster of models—GPT-5.6 Luna, Grok 4.6 and GLM 5.3—finished with 5 of 9. Claude Sonnet 5 and DeepSeek V4 Pro got 4 of 9, while Kimi K3 brought up the rear with 3 of 9.
Full results
- KHL: Khabarovsk 1-4 Cherepovets — consensus Cherepovets win (60%) RIGHT
- KHL: Vladivostok 3-4 CSKA Moscow — consensus Vladivostok win (70%) WRONG
- KHL: Bars Kazan 3-2 Lada — consensus Lada win (60%) WRONG
- NHL: Calgary Flames 2-4 Seattle Kraken — consensus Seattle Kraken win (70%) RIGHT
- NHL: Washington Capitals 5-2 Philadelphia Flyers — consensus Washington Capitals win (50%) RIGHT
- NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins 4-1 Buffalo Sabres — consensus Pittsburgh Penguins win (90%) RIGHT
- NHL: Columbus Blue Jackets 1-0 Detroit Red Wings — consensus Columbus Blue Jackets win (90%) RIGHT
- NHL: New Jersey Devils 3-2 New York Rangers — consensus New York Rangers win (60%) WRONG
- NHL: Montreal Canadiens 3-2 Ottawa Senators — consensus Ottawa Senators win (60%) WRONG
For today's predictions and to see how the models shape up for the next round of fixtures, visit the TuringStats hockey predictions page.
Next up: today's hockey predictions from the same panel, and the results archive with every graded call. Forecasts are informational only.
