On eve of NHL season opener, some (mostly) correct predictions

by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
October 3, 2017

Game On!

Two words that hold deep meaning for hockey fans. Just like Wayne and Garth uttered, it means now is the time to put the nets in place and drop the puck on the 2017-18 season.

It also means its preview time around media circles and we here at LightningInsider.com don’t want to be left out of that fun. So with the season set to begin on Wednesday when the puck drops for four games, starting in Winnipeg where the Toronto Maple Leafs face the Jets.

And remember, the Lightning will wait until Friday to start off when they host the Florida Panthers. But that doesn’t mean we’ll wait to tell you how things are going to play out this season. And we’ve never been wrong with our predictions. Seriously, we’re just that good. (Or, we didn’t make any last year since the site launched in December. But definitely one of the two).

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Let’s start out West where recent history tells us where the strength of the NHL resides.

The Central is the stronghold here and could very well be the toughest division in hockey, having produced the Western Conference champion in two of the past three seasons and three of the past five.

Nashville is the reigning Western Conference champion despite finishing the season as the eighth seed in the playoffs. Chicago is still an elite team, even with Marian Hossa likely out for the season. St. Louis has been hit hard by injuries in training camp, but is still a strong presence while the Minnesota Wild are bolstered by a strong blue line and added a key veteran in Matt Cullen. The Dallas Stars have a new coach in Ken Hitchcock and a new goaltender in Ben Bishop and figure to be back in the mix while the addition of Steve Mason in Winnipeg figures to solve some of the Jets’ recent goaltending woes. The rebuilding Colorado Avalanche figure to once again bring up the rear.

What will happen: Any of the top six teams in the division could make a strong case to be a playoff team, but at least one of them is guaranteed to be on the outside looking in as it’s not inconceivable to think the Central will produce five playoff teams, which I believe is going to be the case with just too many strong teams. Prediction of order: Minnesota-Chicago-Dallas-Nashville-St. Louis-Winnipeg-Colorado.

The Pacific is not nearly as strong as the Central Division, which welcomes the Vegas Golden Knights to the party this season. Anaheim figures to be a factor once again while Edmonton came within a victory of reaching the conference finals with MVP Connor McDavid leading the way. Calgary, which just signed Jaromir Jagr, has a strong, younger roster that added defenseman Travis Hamonic and goaltender Mike Smith during the offseason. San Jose lost Patrick Marleau, but Joe Thornton returns to a Sharks squad that still has plenty of bite. It’s a new era in Los Angeles, but there is plenty unknown about the new-look Kings who still have plenty of familiar faces. Arizona made some bold moves over the summer, including hiring Rick Tocchet as head coach, while Vancouver will likely battle it out with Vegas to stay out of the division cellar.

What will happen: The Oilers will need Cam Talbot to again be a strong presence in net to take the next step in becoming a Western Conference power, which figures to be the case as long as McDavid stays healthy. After that, it will be a battle between San Jose, Anaheim and Calgary for second and third, which carry automatic playoff berths. Prediction of order: Edmonton-Anaheim-Calgary-San Jose-Los Angeles-Arizona-Vancouver-Vegas.

Playoff teams: Minnesota, Chicago, Dallas, St. Louis, Nashville, Edmonton, Anaheim, Calgary

Who wins the West: Dallas

The Eastern Conference is an interesting mix as the Metro Division might be the strongest in the league while an argument could be made that the Atlantic is the weakest.

In the Metro, the Pittsburgh Penguins are coming off consecutive Stanley Cup titles but their depth took a hit in the offseason which makes the idea of a three-peat a bit more difficult, even with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin still leading the way. Washington also saw some of its depth take a hit after once again dominating the regular season only to bow out in the second round of the playoffs. Columbus looks to make another strong dent in the division but the Carolina Huricanes, who faded in the final weeks, are the up-and-coming team looking to make noise of their own after adding veteran Justin Williams to a young and talented group. The success of the New York Islanders this season may determine whether or not John Tavares signs for the long haul. The New York Rangers appear to be in the twilight of their heyday as Henrik Lundqvist is on the other side of his peak years. Philadelphia is beginning to put forth a solid defensive core but the same old goaltending issues remain. The New Jersey Devils have made some changes including No. 1 overall pick Nico Hischier and still have goaltender Corey Schneider.

What will happen: The Blue Jackets look primed to overtake both the Capitals and the Penguins in the second full season under John Tortorella, provided goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky remains healthy. The two New York teams may prove to have their difficulties this season in a strong division, which could also produce five playoff teams. Prediciton of Order: Columbus-Washington-Pittsburgh-Carolina-NY Rangers-Philadelphia-NY Islanders-New Jersey.

The Atlantic is full of teams with question marks. The defense in Tampa Bay is top heavy and full of youth, which means there are questions how the group will perform, outside of Norris candidate Victor Hedman. Toronto was a surprise to make the playoffs last season, led by Calder Trophy winner Auston Matthews. But can a team loaded with so many rookies last year avoid a sophomore slump? Montreal still has Carey Price, but even with the addition of Jonathan Drouin there are concerns about consistency scoring through the lineup. Florida lost plenty of offense as Jonathan Marchessault went to Vegas in the expansion draft and has a new coach in Bob Boughner, a first year NHL coach. Ottawa nearly reached the Stanley Cup Final in Guy Boucher’s first year but with Erik Karlsson expected to miss time to start the season, a repeat for the Senators might be a stretch. Boston has two young puck-moving defensemen in Charlie McAvoy and Torey Krug but Zdeno Chara is no longer in his 30s and Tuukka Rask has a lot of miles on his skates. Buffalo should have arrived as a stronger threat by this point, but goaltending issues linger and some of the team’s top prospects have not developed as planned. Detroit saw its streak of consecutive playoff berths come to an end and look to begin a new streak, which unfortunately will be missing the postseason for a second consecutive year.

What will happen: Tampa Bay will rebound and figure to be the class of the division by the time the season ends as a healthy Steven Stamkos and Ryan Callahan return after missing most of last season. Carey Price gives Montreal the edge over everybody else, while the remaining six teams are going to be in a battle for the final playoff spot out of the division. Prediction of Order: Tampa Bay-Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto-Florida-Boston-Buffalo-Detroit

Who makes the playoffs: Tampa Bay, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Columbus, Pittsburgh, Washington, Carolina.

Who wins the East: Tampa Bay.

Who wins the Cup: Tampa Bay

Hart Trophy: Connor McDavid

Vezina Trophy: Carey Price

Norris Trophy: Victor Hedman

Art Ross Trophy: Connor McDavid

Rocket Richard Trophy: Vladimir Tarasenko

Calder Trophy: Charlie McAvoy

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