Does it seem odd that I decided to predict the winners on opening day yet I never predicted who finishes where in the conference?
No?
Well, it seemed weird to me. So I will give it my best shot and include a few bold (or just obvious) statements about certain teams.
Follow me after the jump.
Here are the standings from last season:
East 2011-2012
Predictions for 2012-2013
1. Pittsburgh
2. Boston
3. Washington
4. NY Rangers
5. Tampa Bay
6. Carolina
7. Philadelphia
8. Buffalo
9. Montreal
10. Ottawa
11. NY Islanders
12. Florida
13. Winnipeg
14. Montreal
15. Toronto
- Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Neal, and Fleury/Vokoun all healthy at the same time? That spells trouble for the whole league. Maybe in an 82-game season the Rangers would out battle them for first, but in such a short season, I see Pittsburgh's young and experienced talent hit the ground running (remember though, according to Jim Collins, "hitting the ground running" doesn't always guarantee long-term success)
- Tukka Rask or Tim Thomas? Doesn't really matter. Boston is too good to NOT win its division.
- Tampa Bays problem last year? Their goalie. GM Stevie Y though did the right thing and acquired one from Nashville. Smart move on his part as this team not only finishes the season but finishes right behind the NY Rangers.
- Speaking of the NY Rangers, they finish higher than everyone, except the Penguins...which means the highest they can finish is 4th place. Still had a solid regular season, but took some time to adjust to the loses of role players Dubinsky and Anisimov.
- Carolina, Philly, and Buffalo all fight for the 8th spot and finish a mere 2 - 4 points from each other.
- Ottawa and Florida take a step back.
- NY Islanders inch closer to the playoffs, still feet away though.
- The remaining 3 Canadian teams battle it out...for last place. Toronto drafts Jones with the 1st overall pick in the 2013 draft.
West 2011-2012
Predictions for 2012-2013
1. St. Louis
2. San Jose
3. Vancouver
4. Phoenix
5. Minnesota
6. Chicago
7. LA Kings
8. Edmonton
9. Detroit
10. Dallas
11. Nashville
12. Columbus
13. Anaheim
14. Colorado
15. Calgary
- St. Louis plays like they did last season...win the West with ease.
- San Jose bounces back from an "average" season and wins the division
- Vancouver...is threatened by the Wild, finish hot and win the division...again.
- LA turns it up...with 10 games to go, to just make it into the playoffs..again.
- For the first time in like 20 years, Detroit misses the playoffs and Edmonton makes it in.
- The Flames blow up, Jarome is traded over the summer.
- Joe Sacco is fired, after the Avs fail to qualify for the playoffs.
- Mike Smith continues playing like a good goalie...for one more season.
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