Jan 10, 2020

  • Emily Kaplan

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    Emily Kaplan

    ESPN

      Emily Kaplan is ESPN'southward national NHL reporter.

  • Greg Wyshynski

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    Greg Wyshynski

    ESPN

      Greg Wyshynski is ESPN'due south senior NHL writer.

The St. Louis Blues ruined a lot of things last season. Playoff brackets. "Gloria." The continuing presence of undetected hand passes on winning overtime goals. But mostly they ruined the concept of "bold predictions."

Seriously, how tin can whatsoever prognostication made at the midpoint of the NHL regular season compare to "a squad in last place with an acting motorbus and a rookie goalie is going to win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history?"

Nevertheless, we're tasked with making 31 declarative statements about NHL teams in the second one-half of the season, and so let's get bold:

Notation: Emily Kaplan fabricated predictions on the Metropolitan and Central teams, while Greg Wyshynski handled the Atlantic and Pacific.

Anaheim Ducks

Despite a bad flavour, and an increased concern most his fit with the team after his proper name was circulated in talks for Justin Faulk earlier this season, Ondrej Kase remains a Duck through the February. 24 trade deadline.

Arizona Coyotes

Despite existence on pace to miss the mark, Phil Kessel becomes a hot desert dog downward the stretch and tops 20 goals for the 12th consecutive season.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins make their annual trade for a winger at the borderline, and this fourth dimension it'due south Tyler Toffoli of the Kings joining the black and aureate for the playoff run.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres miss the playoffs again, and they either rent a president of hockey operations above Jason Botterill or fire their full general managing director outright.

Calgary Flames

After a disappointing season, the Flames trade Johnny Gaudreau to an Eastern Conference team to free upwards the cap space ... to sign Taylor Hall to a vii-twelvemonth free-amanuensis contract this summer.

Carolina Hurricanes

Erik Haula will lead the team in goals. The old Gilded Knight has been terrific when he's available, but injuries cut into his commencement half. Expect the Finn to take hold of burn this spring.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks reach a long-term extension with Robin Lehner to be their goaltender of the future. What does that hateful for Corey Crawford? He takes a short-term deal with Chicago this summer, or decides to retire.

Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon is approached once again by TMZ cameras, and this time he not-so-humbly accepts that he truly has become a glory.

Columbus Blueish Jackets

Columbus will make the playoffs. The Bluish Jackets take been playing similar a playoff team for the past month, but if yous would take told this to someone afterward the great exodus that was summer 2019, you would accept been called nuts.

Dallas Stars

Alexander Radulov volition terminate with xxx-plus goals for the showtime time in his career. He'south not on pace to practice information technology at present (but 12 then far), but Radulov can easily become on a hot streak -- and he's heating upward.

Detroit Cherry-red Wings

GM Steve Yzerman uses his Jedi powers to manipulate the lottery balls, earning the Red Wings the acme pick in the draft and a franchise role player in Alexis Lafreniere.

Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid outscores Leon Draisaitl for the flavor, with 48 goals and 125 points, setting a new career loftier in both categories.

Florida Panthers

Sergei Bobrovsky quiets the haters and earns his money with another .940 save per centum March to lead the Panthers to the postseason.

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings merchandise both Alec Martinez and Tyler Toffoli earlier the borderline, and get a beginning-rounder for i of them.

Minnesota Wild

Luke Kunin volition stop with xx-plus goals. He'due south been a key part of the Wild's checking line (GEEK Team forever), but the 22-yr-sometime Kunin is also coming into his ain offensively.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens become a seller at the deadline and move Tomas Tatar at the height of his value for a first-circular option.

Nashville Predators

John Hynes volition pb the Predators to a Stanley Cup. The past 6 coaches to win a Stanley Cup were on their 2nd, third or 4th coaching jobs. Make it seven direct as Hynes takes this ready-to-win roster all the fashion.

New Bailiwick of jersey Devils

Nikita Gusev will finish the season with 60 points. The Russian had a rough first, specially defensively, just is finding his stride in the North American game. Hey, perchance not all of Ray Shero'due south summertime moves were bad.

New York Islanders

The Islanders will brand the biggest splash on merchandise deadline day. It's bold because nobody ever knows what Lou Lamoriello is going to practise. But his squad could utilize some scoring help, and he'll swing for a big name.

New York Rangers

Igor Shesterkin proves he'due south the best Rangers goalie (to win right now) past the end of the season. What does that mean for Alexandar Georgiev? Henrik Lundqvist? Ah, that's a summertime problem.

Ottawa Senators

Despite several teams seeking to merchandise for him, Jean-Gabriel Pageau re-signs with the Senators on a six-yr extension.

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers will become road warriors to clinch a playoff spot. To engagement, they have played much better at Wells Fargo Eye (especially goaltending). That'due south going to change.

Pittsburgh Penguins

John Marino crashes the Calder Trophy race and earns at least a nomination. Awards voters are oft swayed by splashy stats, simply the 23-year-old defenseman has been insanely consistent in his beginning NHL season.

San Jose Sharks

Despite leaguewide calls for Joe Thornton to waive his no-move clause and have a trade to a contender, Jumbo plays out the cord with the Sharks in his farewell NHL season. And so he shaves.

St. Louis Blues

The Dejection don't cease the season atop the Western Conference -- a place they've held for virtually of the season. Hey, the Stanley Loving cup hangover has to set in at some point. St. Louis will all the same comfortably make the playoffs, though.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning sweep their showtime-round opponent in the Eastern Conference playoffs before reverting to their former ways and losing in a Game 7 in one of the next two rounds.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs overcome their obvious defensive flaws with a Conn Smythe performance from Frederik Andersen and get the 3rd squad in five seasons to win the Stanley Cup later on an in-season coaching change.

Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks finally get a total flavour of health out of their star players (equally we knock on the largest piece of wood we tin can observe), making the playoffs for the first time since 2015 ... and winning a round for the first time since 2011.

Vegas Golden Knights

The Gilt Knights win Game vii of their outset-round playoff series after video review overturns a major penalty. Vegas becomes the first arena in NHL history to chant "Thanks, Bettman."

Washington Capitals

The Caps will requite Ilya Samsonov more starts than Braden Holtby over the second one-half. It'due south a changing of the guard in Washington. Say howdy to the new franchise goalie.

Winnipeg Jets

Dustin Byfuglien returns. The 34-year-old defenseman (who is technically suspended) has been rehabbing a surgically repaired talocrural joint. Byfuglien volition give information technology 1 more become on the water ice earlier he retires.

Note: You'll detect that we accept both the Predators and Maple Leafs equally Stanley Cup champs here. Emily made the bold predictions for the Cardinal Division, while Greg handed the Atlantic Sectionalisation. So while the notion of a double-champion may exist highly-seasoned to both fan bases, it's just a difference of opinion on how the season volition play out.