2009-10 NHL Predictions

This post is a few days late but I figure it will still be an interesting read to my loyal followers. Below is my prediction for the outcome of not only the regular season, but what I believe will be the result of the playoffs as well. I also decided to throw in my predictions for individual awards at the end. As always, feel free to agree/disagree in the comments.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

1. San Jose Sharks (Pacific Champions)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Central Champions)
3. Calgary Flames (Northwest Champions)
4. Vancouver Canucks
5. St. Louis Blues
6. Chicago Black Hawks
7. Anaheim Ducks
8. Los Angeles Kings
9. Edmonton Oilers
10. Dallas Stars
11. Columbus Blue Jackets
12. Nashville Predators
13. Colorado Avalanche
14. Minnesota Wild
15. Phoenix Coyotes

EASTERN CONFERENCE

1. Washington Capitals (Southeast Champions)
2. Boston Bruins (Northeast Champions)
3. Philadelphia Flyers (Atlantic Champions)
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
5. Carolina Hurricanes
6. Buffalo Sabres
7. New York Rangers
8. Ottawa Senators
9. Montreal Canadiens
10. Tampa Bay Lightning
11. New Jersey Devils
12. Florida Panthers
13. Toronto Maple Leafs
14. Atlanta Thrashers
15. New York Islanders

Western Conference Champion: San Jose Sharks

Eastern Conference Champion: Washington Capitals

Stanley Cup Champion: Washington Capitals

The final three or four spots for both conferences gets more difficult every year as teams get better. In the West, I have Columbus and Nashville taking steps backwards and the Kings and Blues stepping up. In the East I have a healthy Sabres, a new-look Rangers, and a balanced Ottawa beating out the Devils who have lost too much offense. Florida will not be able to deal with the loss of Jay Bouwmeester and Montreal has had too much turnover to build chemistry this year and will miss the playoffs.

AWARDS:

• Hart (MVP): Alexander Ovechkin
• Vezina (Best Goalie): Evgeni Nabokov
• Norris (Best Defenceman): Chris Pronger
• Selke (Best Defensive-Forward): Pavel Datsyuk
• Calder (Rookie): Matt Duchene
• Adams (Coach): Terry Murray
• Lady Byng (Gentlemanly Play): Pavel Datsyuk
• Art Ross (Most Points): Alexander Ovechkin
• Maurice Richard (Most Goals): Alexander Ovechkin
• Jennings (Goals Against Average): Evgeni Nabokov/Thomas Greiss

I’ll make sure to link back here in April and again in June so we can all see how I did. I will also make complete predictions once the playoff picture is set.