Ovechkin/By S. Bradley
The Hockey News 2011-12 Yearbook made it to my house before Tropical Storm Irene yesterday.
The arrival of that publication is always a highlight of the weeks leading up to the start of NHL training camps.
Turning the pages to find out who THN predicts will be the big winners this season reveals that not only does the publication predict Washington will win the Eastern Conference, but Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals are also the THN pick to win the Stanley Cup. In the West, THN predicts Chicago will emerge just two years removed from winning its own Cup.
THN picks the Bruins to win the Northeast Division just ahead of Buffalo. Here’s a look at the way THN picks the order of finish in the Bruins’ division:
1. Bruins
2. Buffalo
3. Montreal
4. Toronto
5. Ottawa
The Bruins are projected to finish third in the East behind Washington and Pittsburgh. But the preview story assumes that the Penguins will have a healthy Sidney Crosby to go with Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal.
Look for predictions from The Bruins Blog when the regular season is closer.
Regular season hockey is significantly different than playoff hockey. Washington is not a particularly strong playoff hockey team.
What I’ve learned the last few seasons is that it really doesn’t matter where Washington finishes…they fizzle in the playoffs.
wW
You should have watched the Stanley Cup playoffs this year, regarding Campell. You have some defenseman that want no part of Lucic or Horton. After a couple of hits by Chara, Sidenberg, or Boychuk, most of your forwards will wish they were healthy scratches.
wW,
Soupy could probably help shut Ovie down when on PK, but needs adequate wingers. He’s pretty good defensively, and I wouldn’t mind one bit if he was shifted up onto a shutdown line. Plus, how is what you’re saying any different from what we’re saying?
For Seguin, you never know. Crazy things happen every season. He may go out and outscore Stammer. It’s very unlikely if both are healthy, but then again, a 37 yr old goalie set a record for season save% this past year.
Soupy can stop Ovechkin? So the homerism is already in full force, I see… The Caps will finish 1st in the East, or 2nd if the Pens have a healthy Crosby/Malkin duo. The B’s will finish 3rd, with few points than the 4th seed. Anything beyond that, is like saying that Seguin will out score Stamkos this year; homerism.
David
I think your right. Pittsburgh is a bigger challenge to the B’s repeating. Not having Malkin or Crosby hurt them this year, in the playoffs. I think their defence is a little soft though, and their goaltending is inconsistent. They do have a good coach, and if healthy their offence is outstanding.
The Caps, I think, are less of a threat than the Hockey News believes them to be. Their defense is soft, especially when they hit. As well, I think Bergeron or Campell can shut-down Ovechkin. The Caps score a fair number of goals on the power play, but I can’t see that happening against our penalty kill.
“Anyone know what Tampa gained and lost over the break? Is Rollie still their goalie?”
Lightning resigned Roloson for 3 million, so I can’t imagine he’s expected to be the backup, given the downtrending of goaltender salaries these days. Garon got two years for 1.3 per to replace Mike Smith. Even with Roloson’s success last year, I’m kind of surprised TB didn’t go younger.
Lost: Gange, Bergenheim, minor d-men. Gained: nothing that impressed me so I don’t recall.
Anyone know what Tampa gained and lost over the break? Is Rollie still their goalie?
Gibbz, I think they’re more of a threat to win the cup than Washington, but I Wash has the formula for a great regular season (as does Pitt) and no one else in the northeast is as good as the bruins. I think TB is the 4th or 5th seed with buffalo this year, and I think they will probably take Washington down again. Buffalo may swap roles though because they have an excellent coach and the potential to overachieve like TB. That said, I see us making at least the 2nd round of the playoffs and to look farther is not something I think I can do with any modicum of accuracy at this point.
After the B’s third series, I’m not sure why Tampa Bay is looked over so frequently. I’m going to pick the Lightning as the dark-horse for this year.
Have they ever predicted right? Nope. Bruins should use predictions like these as motivation.
I’m with you David. Caps are the Sharks of the East. Full of points and stats and so little stones. I think Pittsburgh showed alot last year and they remind me of the Bs. A team that knows what it takes and is willing to give it. Buffalo – I need to see them play first. They could quite possibly be a paper tiger.
Chicago or Detroit vs. Pittsburgh or Boston.
I actually agree with the 1-2-3 rankings whether or not Crosby is healthy. I don’t think Buffalo or Montreal can beat us out for top seed in the northeast, and since Washington always has a good regular season, but I’m still not convinced enough players in Wash. have the stones to win. Pittsburgh will be more of a challenge, and I don’t see anyone else who can really push them in the atlantic. Not so sure either will win in the postseason though.
man walks into a bar and orders an ovechkin.
bartender looks confused and asks the man how to make it.
the man says it’s easy. it’s a white russian without a cup.
The Hockey News knows about as much hockey as Chris Kattan knows about acting.