in the fascinating world of hockey analytics, we often come across the concept of 'preexpansion' teams and the strategies they leveraged to succeed. to properly analyze their tactics, we must exclude data from teams that joined the league after the expansion era, as incorporating their statistics would skew our historical analysis. when beginning this type of research, one might think of using an 'access code' to unlock archives of game footage and team strategies. this metaphorical access code allows us to delve into a treasure trove of information, giving us insights into the evolution of the game. thus, when we find our analysis leading us down errant paths, it is essential to heed the instructions to 'start again,' ensuring our research maintains its integrity and relevance.