NHL Bold Predictions in Review
Despite it being the last day of the regular season, most if not all of my bold predictions have already happened. I couldn't find the previous article of when I made these predictions back in September so, I tried to remember them at the top of my head as best as I can.
Eastern Conference: Boston Bruins: What I said: They would get back to the postseason and get 100 points in the standings.
What actually happened: Spot on, except they only had 95 points.
Buffalo Sabres: What I said: Jack Eichel would have a better year than Connor McDavid
What actually happened: Eichel was injured to start the season and he had 57 points in 60 games, but McDavid has been healthy all season long and is going to win the Art Ross and MVP trophy.
Carolina Hurricanes: What I said: Justin Faulk would scored 20 goals.
What actually happened: Close, he scored 17 goals.
Columbus Blue Jackets: What I said: They would be a very bad team again.
What actually happened: They improved big time this season and are the number three seed in the Metro.
Detroit Red Wings: What I said: They would miss the playoffs.
What actually happened: Spot on, their 25 year playoffs streak is over.
Florida Panthers: What I said: Jonathan Huberdeau would have a terrific season.
What actually happened: He was injured for most of the season.
Montreal Canadiens: What I said: Carey Price would have a shaky year.
What actually happened: He had a solid season with a record of 37-20-5 with a 2.23 GAA along with a .923 save percentage and three shutouts.
New Jersey Devils: What I said: Adam Henrique and Taylor Hall would be the main reason why New Jersey gets back to the postseason.
What actually happened: Henrique and Hall had inconsistent seasons and Cory Schneider had a down season and they finished bottom five in the standings.
New York Islanders: What I said: They would miss the playoffs because of the three-goalie debacle between Halak, Greiss, and Berbue.
What actually happened: Spot on, Halak went sent to the minors in December and he was called up late in the season. Berbue was awful and Greiss was shaky at times.
New York Rangers: What I said: Henrik Lundqvist would get worn down.
What actually happened: Spot on, he has been injured during the season and at one point time, Antti Raanta almost stole his job. Lundqvist only had a .910 save percentage and two shutouts all year.
Ottawa Senators: What I said: They would finish last in east.
What actually happened: They made the playoffs and are the second seed in the Atlantic Division.
Philadelphia Flyers: What I said: Ivan Provorov and Shayne Gostisbehere would be a solid combination on defense.
What actually happened: Gostisbehere didn't play a whole lot with him and was healthy scratched a couple of games. Provorov was a good shut down defenseman as the year went on.
Pittsburgh Penguins: What I said: Matt Murray would be a Vezina Finalist.
What actually happened: He could be a finalist with a 32-10-4 record in 49 games played in. He had a 2.41 GAA .923 save percentage and four shutouts.
Tampa Bay Lightning: What I said: They would win the Presidents' Trophy.
What actually happened: They missed the playoffs because of a ton of injuries and played very competitive to the very end.
Toronto Maple Leafs: What I said: Auston Matthews would be rookie of the year.
What actually happened: He is probably going to win that award.
Washington Capitals: What I said: Andre Burakovsky would score 25 goals.
What actually happened: He only scored 12 goals.
Western Conference: Anaheim Ducks: What I said: Not a whole lot of firepower from Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.
What actually happened: Off, Perry and Getzlaf were top 3 in scoring on the team.
Arizona Coyotes: What I said: They would get the second wild card in the west.
What actually happened: They were the second worst in the west, but they got better as the year went on.
Calgary Flames: What I said: Sean Monahan would score 30 goals.
What actually happened: Close, he scored 27 goals.
Chicago Blackhawks: What I said: They aren't a deep team and that would case them to be a first round exit.
What actually happened: They got deeper as the year went on and became the number 1 seed in the west. It remains to be seen if they will go deep in the playoffs or not.
Colorado Avalanche: What I said: They would make the playoffs and Nathan McKinnon would lead the way.
What actually happened: They got off to a quick start and then they became the worst team in the league.
Dallas Stars: What I said: They would lead the league again in goals scored.
What actually happened: That category belonged to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Edmonton Oilers: What I said: They would be bad once again this season.
What actually happened: They improved really much and will be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.
Los Angeles Kings: What I said: They would miss the playoffs.
What actually happened: Spot on.
Minnesota Wild: What I said: They would miss the playoffs, because they weren't getting any better.
What actually happened: They got off to a hot start and then cooled down a little bit, and the Wild are the number two seed in the Central.
Nashville Predators: What I said: Filip Forsberg would score 30 goals.
What actually happened: Spot on, he actually scored 31 goals.
San Jose Sharks: What I said: Martin Jones would win the Vezina.
What actually happened: He had a good season, but Jones won't be a finalist for it.
St. Louis Blues: What I said: They would struggle to get in the postseason.
What actually happened: Spot on, at one point in the season they struggled and fired Hitchcock and once Yeo took over, they looked more comfortable and won't be an easy out in the postseason.
Vancouver Canucks: What I said: Other than the Sedin Twins, they didn't have much.
What actually happened: Bo Horvat was an all star on this team.
Winnipeg Jets: What I said: Patrik Laine would score 50 goals as a rookie.
What actually happened: He scored 36 goals which is still pretty good.
