2017/18 NHL Predictions!
The 2017/18 season begins tonight with four games. Starting at 7 PM ET, it's Auston Matthews and the Toronto Maple Leafs facing the Jets in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. At 8 PM ET it's the defending Stanley Cup champions (Back to Back titles), the Pittsburgh Penguins host the St. Louis Blues as they as they start their run a three peat. Finally, in the night cap it's the Edmonton Oilers hosting their arch rival the Calgary Flames. Also, it's the Philadelphia Flyers facing the San Jose Sharks from the Shark tank. The other 23 teams will be playing either tomorrow or Friday or Saturday.
Now onto my predictions for the upcoming season. I'm predicting where they will finish and how many points each team will finish not the amount of wins
(Seed) Playoff Format
Western Conference:
Central:
1. Chicago Blackhawks, 112 Points (1C)
2. Nashville Predators, 110 Points (2C)
3. Minnesota Wild, 107 Points (3C)
4. Dallas Stars, 104 Points (WC1)
5. St. Louis Blues, 90 Points
6. Colorado Avalanche, 50 Points
Pacific:
1. Edmonton Oilers, 114 Points (1P)
2. Anaheim Ducks, 111 Points (2P)
3. Calgary Flames, 107 Points (3P)
4. Vegas Golden Knights, 100 Points (WC2)
5. San Jose Sharks, 99 Points
6. Los Angeles Kings, 84 Points
7. Vancouver Canucks, 53 Points
Western Conference Divisional "Semi-Finals" or First Round:
(Pacific Bracket):
(1P) Edmonton Oilers vs. (WC2) Vegas Golden Knights
Prediction: Oilers in 6 Games
(2P) Anaheim Ducks vs. (3P) Calgary Flames
Prediction: Flames in 7 Games
(Central Bracket):
(1C) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (WC1) Dallas Stars
Prediction: Blackhawks in 5 Games
(2C) Nashville Predators vs. (3C) Minnesota Wild
Prediction: Predators in 7 Games
Western Conference "Divisional" Finals: or Second Round:
(Pacific Finals):
(1P) Edmonton Oliers vs. (3P) Calgary Flames
Prediction: Oilers in 7 Games
(Central Finals):
(1C) Chicago Blackhawks vs. (2C) Nashville Predators
Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks in 7 Games
Western Conference Finals:
(1P) Edmonton Oilers vs. (1C) Chicago Blackhawks
Prediction: Oilers in 7 Games
Eastern Conference:
Metropolitan:
1. Washington Capitals, 113 Points (1M)
2. Pittsburgh Penguins, 111 Points (2M)
3. Philadelphia Flyers, 104 Points (3M)
4. Columbus Blue Jackets, 105 Points (WC1)
5. New York Rangers, 101 Points (WC2)
6. Carolina Hurricanes, 91 Points
7. New York Islanders, 80 Points
8. New Jersey Devils, 72 Points
Atlantic:
1. Montreal Canadiens, 113 Points (1A)
2. Toronto Maple Leafs, 110 Points (2A)
3. Tampa Bay Lightning, 105 Points (3A)
4. Ottawa Senators, 99 Points
5. Boston Bruins, 91 Points
6. Buffalo Sabers, 84 Points
7. Florida Panthers, 80 Points
8. Detroit Red Wings, 66 Points
Eastern Conference "Divisional Semi-Finals or First Round:
(Atlantic Bracket):
(1A) Montreal Canadiens vs. (WC1) Columbus Blue Jackets
Prediction: Blue Jackets in 6 Games
(2A) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3A) Tampa Bay Lightning
Prediction: Maple Leafs in 7 Games
(Metropolitan Bracket):
(1M) Washington Capitals vs. (WC1) New York Rangers
Prediction: Washington Capitals in 7 Games
(2M) Pittsburgh Penguins vs. (3M) Philadelphia Flyers
Prediction: Flyers in 6 Games
Eastern Conference "Divisional Finals" or Second Round:
(Atlantic Final):
(2A) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Columbus Blue Jackets
Prediction: Blue Jackets in 6 Games
(Metropolitan Final):
(1M) Washington Capitals vs. (3M) Philadelphia Flyers
Prediction: Capitals in 7 Games
Eastern Conference Finals:
(1M) Washington Capitals vs. (WC1) Columbus Blue Jackets
Prediction: Blue Jackets in 7 Games
Stanley Cup Finals:
(1P) Edmonton Oliers vs. (WCE1) Columbus Blue Jackets
Prediction: Oilers in 7 Games to win the 2017/2018 Stanley Cup
Conn Smythe Winner (Playoff MVP): Connor McDavid
Sleeper Team: Carolina Hurricanes
Disappointing Team: Tampa Bay Lightning
2017/18 NHL Awards:
President's Trophy Winner (Best Record Team): Edmonton Oilers
Hart Winner (Season MVP): Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs
Ted Lindsay Winner (Outstanding Player of the Year): Connor McDavid, Oilers
Calder Winner (Rookie of the Year): Nolan Patrick, Flyers
Vezina Winner (Goalie of the Year): Carey Price, Canadiens
James Norris Winner (Defenseman of the Year): Erik Karlsson, Senators
Art Ross Winner (Leading Point Scorer): Connor McDavid, Oilers
Maurice Richard (Leading Goal Scorer): Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs
Frank J. Selke Winner (Best Defensive Forward): Patrice Bergeron, Bruins
King Clancy (Best Leader): Connor McDavid, Oilers
Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award Winner: Alexander Ovechkin, Capitals
William M. Jennings Winner (Goalie given up the fewest goals against): Sergei Bobrovsky, Blue Jackets
General Manager of the Year: Lou Lamoriello, Maple Leafs
Jack Adams (Coach of the Year): Mike Babcock, Maple Leafs
