At the beginning of this lockout-shortened season, we made predictions for how the NHL standings would shake out come April 29th. Some of them were spot on. Others, not so much. (Thanks for nothing, Flyers!)
Eastern Conference
#1 – Chuck said Rangers, Pants said Penguins.
Actual: Penguins
Hands out of pockets – Sid is excited!
AND HOW. This season was a different than expected, but great nonetheless. Kunitz and Dupuis and Sutter? Neal getting to 21 if a little slowly? Throw in Iginla, Morrow and Jokinen at the end and whew, it is hot in here! Pants is sad Crosby will miss some indie awards, but more happy his face is okay and back for the playoffs.
#2 – Chuck said Bruins, Pants said Rangers.
Actual: Canadiens.
It’s not the size of the boat…
The race for top of the Northeast Division was tough all season, with Bruins and Habs jockeying for position. Bruins almost had the 2nd seed locked but faltered in their last few games of the season. And their arch-rival was there to pounce all over it.
#3 – Chuck said Penguins, Pants said Capitals.
Actual: Capitals
Not so young, but they’ve still got guns.
Pants didn’t think it would be so damned hard either, or that Ovi would show up to drive this train. Mike Green leading defensemen in goals? She probably called that.
#4 – Chuck said Capitals, Pants said Bruins.
Actual: Bruins
#BostonStrong
Please hold while Pants auditions to join Shawn and Gus on Psych.
#5 – Chuck said Flyers. Pants said Hurricanes.
Actual: Maple Leafs
We’re sorry, we misheard. We thought you said MAPLE LEAFS.
#6 – Chuck said Lightning. Pants said Flyers.
Actual: Rangers
Blue Shirt Beauty Parlor
Again with the teams that missed entirely! St. Louis & Stamkos did finish 1-2 in scoring, but that just ain’t gonna cut it. The Rangers finished just low enough to rematch vs. the Caps and give Pants a stomach ache.
#7 – Chuck said Senators. Pants said Panthers.
Actual: Senators.
Healed right up like the cheerleader from Heroes.
Chuck wins this one. Panthers finished DFL (dead effing last) with only 36 points. What happened there?
#8 – Chuck said Sabres. Pants said Devils.
Actual: Islanders.
If this girl’s #39 is a Travis Green jersey, I’ll die.
If you say you predicted this, you’re either Chris Comando or you’re lying.
Western Conference
#1 – Chuck said Blues. Pants said Canucks.
Actual: Blackhawks
Did you really doubt us?
Pants’ prediction was based largely on the bad-assery of Ryan Kesler in past years. He missed most of the season due to injury, and the Canucks missed him. Chuck’s prediction was apparently based off of David Backes’ puppies & Alex Pietrangelo’s face.
#2 – Chuck said Canucks. Pants said Blackhawks.
Actual: Ducks
Teemu for President.
We couldn’t figure out why they weren’t better last year, so we didn’t pick them to be better this year. Shows us. Never doubt a 42 year old Finn.
#3 – Chuck said Kings. Pants said Red Wings.
Actual: Canucks
#blergh
Given the Canucks’ goalie soap opera, we not surprised that they finished where they did. Kesler’s injury didn’t help. Could the Canucks’ 3rd place finish be the start of their Western Conference decline?
#4 – Chuck said Blackhawks. Pants said St. Louis.
Actual: Kings
The Kings over-performed – by not finishing in 8th place.
#5 – Chuck said Predators. Pants said Oilers.
Actual: Blues
.
The obvious conclusion: We don’t watch a lot of Western Conference hockey. And Pants really loves the Oilers who, in her defense, should be a lot better than they are.
#6 – Chuck said Red Wings. Pants said Sharks.
Actual: Sharks
Sesame bagels for everyone!
Pants finally got one! And Chuck was only 1 off!
#7 – Chuck said Sharks. Pants said Wild.
Actual: Red Wings
Like always betting on black and doubling-down on 11, we learned to make odds in October of ’96 from watching Swingers. The Wings won the Cup that year, and the next. We didn’t know how to bet against them.
#8 – Chuck said Stars. Pants said Kings.
Actual: Wild.
Don’t worry, guys. I got this.
Wild squeaked into the playoffs… by the hair on Zach Parise’s exceptionally chiseled chinny-chin-chin.
Overall, we more closely predicted rankings in the East, but chose more qualifying teams in the West. Wishful thinking and the Ginger Power of the Flyers only got us so far!
What about you – any bulls-eyes or big misses in your crystal ball this season?
“It’s not the size of the boat…” *snicker*
Well I (very biasedly, if that’s even a word) had the Rangers much, much higher, amongst many other misses. I did make predictions on Jan 19, but they were so, so very off.
The only team I have positionally correct is the Canucks in the West – none in the East. I got 5/8 qualifiers right in the East, but was way off on my pick for DFL. In the West, I got 6/8 qualifiers right, but was also wrong on my pick for DFL.
I will, therefore, not quit my day job, but I still submit that I’d be a better GM than Darcy Regier.
Please tell me you’re doing Beard Watch again this year!
Also, #Lumbus 🙁 Sad Panda.