NHL Bold Predictions in Review

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

With the NHL regular season winding down tonight, there is only one game left and it is basically good enough for me to review my NHL Bold Predictions I made from the 2017-2018 season.

Eastern Conference: Boston Bruins: What I said: Bruce Cassidy would win 45 games in his first full season as head coach.

What actually happened: Spot on, he has 50 wins and could be at 51 wins with a win against the Florida Panthers.

Buffalo Sabres: What I said: Robin Lehner would lose his starting job at some point during the season to Linus Ullmark.

What actually happened: It didn't.

Carolina Hurricanes: What I said: They would make the playoffs for the first time since 2008-2009.

What actually happened: They didn't with a 36-35-11 record and 83 points and finished in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division.

Columbus Blue Jackets: What I said: They would win the Metropolitan Division (regular season).

What actually happened: They hit a bad stretch at one point during the regular season, but Columbus made the playoffs as a wild card with a 45-30-7 record and 97 points.

Detroit Red Wings: What I said: Jimmy Howard would start more games than Petr Mrazek.

What actually happened: Spot on, Howard started 57 games for Detroit. Mrazek was traded to Philadelphia and he only started 39 games combined with the Red Wings and Flyers.

Florida Panthers: What I said: With the loss of some key players, they wouldn't have more than 65 points in the standings.

What actually happened: They were off to that pace in the beginning of the year, but they caught fire in the second half and just missed the playoffs with 94 points.

Montreal Canadiens: What I said: They would miss the postseason.

What actually happened: Spot on.

New Jersey Devils: What I said: They would have a top-10 offense with the additions of rookies Nico Hischier and Michael McLeod.

What actually happened: They scored 248 goals this season and it was more respectable. They didn't finish in the top-10, but they finished in the top-15.

New York Islanders: What I said: Will all the speculation surrounding John Tavares, he would be traded by mid-season.

What actually happened: He didn't get traded and it is most likely he will leave the Islanders this offseason.

New York Rangers: What I said: They would finish in last in the Metropolitan Division.

What actually happened: Spot on, and this lead to the firing of head coach Alain Vigneault.

Philadelphia Flyers: What I said: Rookie Nolan Patrick would have a better season than Claude Giroux.

What actually happened: I was way off. Patrick scored 13 goals and recorded 17 assists in 73 games, but Giroux scored 34 goals and recorded 68 points and he will be highly considered for the Hart Trophy.

Pittsburgh Penguins: What I said: Jake Guentzel would scored 30 goals.

What actually happened: A little off, he scored 22 goals.

Ottawa Senators: What I said: They would have the worst offense in the NHL.

What actually happened: Close, they finished with 221 goals and it was in the bottom-ten in the NHL.

Tampa Bay Lightning: What I said: Steven Stamkos would stay healthy a full season and lead the league in goals.

What actually happened: He played in 78 games, but Stamkos only scored 27 goals. Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals led the NHL in goals with 49.

Toronto Maple Leafs: What I said: Auston Matthews would score 100 points and join Connor McDavid of Edmonton with that feat.

What actually happened: Matthews only recorded 63 points (34 goals and 29 assists) and McDavid scored over 100 points again and Giroux joined him as well.

Washington Capitals: What I said: They don't get past the first round of the postseason.

What actually happened: It could happen because they have a tough first round matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Western Conference: Anaheim Ducks: What I said: Goaltender John Gibson would have a rough season between the pipes.

What actually happened: He finished with a 31-18-7 record with a .926 save percentage and a 2.43 GAA, along with four shutouts.

Arizona Coyotes: What I said: With new head coach Rick Tocchet around, they would have a top-10 offense.

What actually happened: They finished with 208 goals scored and they had a bottom-5 offense.

Calgary Flames: What I said: They would record at least 100 points in the standings.

What actually happened: They only recorded 84 points in the standings and missed the postseason.

Chicago Blackhawks: Despite adding Brandon Saad and Patrick Sharp, they wouldn't make a deep postseason run.

What actually happened: They missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2007-2008 season.

Colorado Avalanche: What I said: Matt Duchene would score 40 goals.

What actually happened: He scored 27 goals this season, but Duchene was traded to the Ottawa Senators in November.

Dallas Stars: What I said: They would get back to the postseason.

What actually happened: They just missed the postseason by three points in the standings.

Edmonton Oilers: What I said: They would win the Presidents' Trophy.

What actually happened: Edmonton underachieved with a 36-40-6 record and 78 points.

Los Angeles Kings: What I said: They would lack goal scoring once again this season.

What actually happened: Their offense was more respectable with 239 goals and it was enough to get them back to the postseason.

Minnesota Wild: What I said: Matt Dumba would stay healthy a full season and be a serious candidate for the Norris Trophy.

What actually happened: Half right, Dumba played all 82 games this season. He scored 14 goals and recorded 36 assists and his plus/minus was 15, but Dumba will most likely not be a finalist for the Norris Trophy.

Nashville Predators: What I said: Filip Forsberg would record 90 points and be a serious MVP candidate.

What actually happened: He missed some games with an injury, but Forsberg scored 26 goals and recorded 38 assists in 67 games.

San Jose Sharks: What I said: They would struggle at times during the regular season, but make the playoffs by the skin of their teeth.

What actually happened: Spot on, they got in with a 45-27-10 record with 100 points.

Vancouver Canucks: What I said: Sven Baerschi would score 30 goals.

What actually happened: He scored 14 goals.

Winnipeg Jets: What I said: Patrik Laine would score 50 goals.

What actually happened: Close, he scored 44 goals.

Vegas Golden Knights: What I said: Shea Theodore would record 40 points.

What actually happened: Close, he recorded 29 points (six goals and 23 assists).