Having done this for the first time - you know, where I actually write it down instead of just discussing it with people at the end of the year and then forgetting what I initially thought of a certain teams potential - I was surprised by some of the outcomes.
Have a look at how correct/wrong I was and at some of my analysis after the jump.
Prediction
Eastern Conference
1. Pittsburgh
2. Boston
3. Washington
4. NY Rangers
5. Tampa Bay
6. Carolina
7. Philadelphia
8. Buffalo
9. New Jersey
10. Ottawa
11. NY Islanders
12. Florida
13. Winnipeg
14. Montreal
15. Toronto
Actual
Eastern Conference
1. Pittsburgh
2. Montreal
3. Washington
4. Boston
5. Toronto
6. NY Rangers
7. Ottawa
8. NY Islanders
9. Winnipeg
10. Philadelphia
11. New Jersey
12. Buffalo
13. Carolina
14. Tampa Bay
15. Florida
Prediction
Western Conference
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
Actual
Western Conference
1. Chicago
2. Anaheim
3. Vancouver
4. St. Louis
5. Los Angeles
6. San Jose
7. Detroit
8. Minnesotta
9. Columbus
10. Phoenix
11. Dallas
12. Edmonton
13. Calgary
14. Nashville
15. Colorado
Now, lets see how my bold statements compared to reality...
What I Stated and What Was Reality
Eastern Conference
- 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)
-------> Told ya...Pittsburgh dominated the conference.
- Tukka Rask or Tim Thomas? Doesn't really matter. Boston is too good to NOT win its division.
-------> Wrong...but barely. Boston lost the title on the last day of the season against Ottawa.
- 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.
-------> Wrong...goaltending was still an issue.
- 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.
-------> Wrong...NY Rangers finish lower the 5 other teams.
- Carolina, Philly, and Buffalo all fight for the 8th spot and finish a mere 2 - 4 points from each other.
-------> Wrong...but the 2 - 4 point margin was correct as the Jets, Isles, and Rangers battled it out.
- Ottawa and Florida take a step back.
-------> Partial credit? Ottawa progressed. Florida, not so much...
- NY Islanders inch closer to the playoffs, still feet away though.
-------> Wrong...just a few inches on the right side, Isles make the playoffs.
- The remaining 3 Canadian teams battle it out...for last place. Toronto drafts Jones with the 1st overall pick in the 2013 draft.
-------> Wrong...the only Canadian team to miss the playoffs were the Calgary Flames.
Western Conference
- St. Louis plays like they did last season...win the West with ease.
-------> Wrong...they finish in 4th place.
- San Jose bounces back from an "average" season and wins the division.
-------> Wrong...Anaheim wins it while the Sharks end up in 6th place.
- Vancouver...is threatened by the Wild, finish hot and win the division...again.
-------> Told ya...the Wild were in first place at one time, then they fell apart and the Canucks won it.
- LA turns it up...with 10 games to go, to just make it into the playoffs...again.
-------> Half credit? LA did make it, but they clinched no problem.
- For the first time in like 20 years, Detroit misses the playoffs and Edmonton makes it in.
-------> Wrong...thought Detroit did have to win in their last game of the season.
- The Flames blow up, Jarome is traded over the summer.
-------> Half credit? The Flames have entered rebuild mode by trading him to Pittsburgh at the deadline.
- Joe Sacco is fired, after the Avs fail to qualify for the playoffs.
-------> Told ya...I did. He was fired just a few days after the completion of the season.
- Mike Smith continues playing like a good goalie...for one more season.
-------> With an average season (15-12-5, 2.58GAA, .910 Save%), I can't tell for sure...
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