Hello, hockey fans. Now that we're just beyond the midway point of the current NHL season, I wanted to look back at my 5 ridiculous predictions for the current NHL season.
This season will be Jack Eichel’s last in Buffalo
Well, Buffalo is currenly rocking a 17-game winless streak. Jack is 24 years old. Buffalo's last win was on February 23, and it's about to be April. I'm feeling really good about this one. I specifically didn't make my prediction that he would be traded before the season ended because of how crazy it is to make the money work with a flat cap, but I don't think Eichel is playing for Buffalo on opening night 2021-22. I stand by this pick.
Sidney Crosby will be traded to Montreal
Got this one completely wrong. At the time, Pittsburgh wasn't looking great and there were rumblings of a rebuild due to an aging core that didn't have what was required to make another run. Montreal also went out and got Eric Staal, addressing their center needs (at least somewhat) that way. Crosby will finish the season with Pittsburgh, but I still feel confident he won't finish his career before wearing another team's logo on his chest.
Auston Matthews scores 50 goals in 55 games
Auston Matthews currently has 22 goals in 31 games. He's now missed three games this season and played with a bum wrist when he was in the lineup. He can only dress for 53 games at most this season, and he's currently on pace for 35 goals. With 21 games remaining for the Leafs, Matthews would need to score more than a goal a game to get this done. Given how competitive the games have been in the North, this won't happen. He'll finish with 30+ goals this season, which is still a great mark for 53 games. I got this one wrong, too.
The Edmonton Oilers will miss the playoffs
I'm on a losing streak with these predictions right now. The Oilers are looking pretty good, although they would still be in the basement without their dynamic duo of McDavid and Draisaitl. Furthermore, I predicted Calgary to improve, and they have not. Edmonton currently sits comfortably in a playoff spot, and the Flames are looking like a dud. According to MoneyPuck, Edmonton has a 96.3% chance to make the playoffs. Oops.
The Dallas Stars will miss the playoffs
This is complicated, but I'm right about this one. Dallas has played 31 games and has 31 points. They sit six points behind Chicago for the final playoff spot in their division with four games in hand, so they could theoretically pass Chicago by running the table. Problem is, they also need to leapfrog Columbus and Nashville, and Dallas would have to become a different team overnight. If I'm Dallas, I'm looking towards next year right now. Who can I deal to be competitive in 2021-22? Sorry, Dusty, but I'm right about this one.
Unoffcial Score: 2 for 5. Not bad for being ridiculous predictions.
