The Toronto Maple Leafs picked a horrible time to go cold, and they nearly gave the second wild card spot away to the Lightning or the Islanders. A crucial win over the Penguins, however, was enough to lock up a playoff spot and a date with Washington. They latest fall dropped them to 15th in the final NHL Power Rankings of the season.
I have compared each team’s point total with my predicted point total from my Vegas article back in October. Some teams, like Carolina and St. Louis, made me look like a pure genius, while others, like Columbus and Florida, did not help my case whatsoever.
1. Washington Capitals: 118 points
Preseason Prediction: 104 points
Last season’s total of 120 points seemed unrealistic to match, but Washington almost did just that in 2016-2017. Had it not been for a 2-0 shutout loss to Florida in the final game of the season, the Capitals would have reached that mark again. Instead, they settle for 118 points and another Presidents Trophy. Now they need to win the Stanley Cup, which will be very difficult with the rookie parade of Toronto and possibly Pittsburgh in the second round should they survive and advance. Both goalies were dynamite to finish the season. Philipp Grubauer allowed just one goal each in wins over Toronto and Boston, and Braden Holtby shut out the Rangers to lock up the Presidents Trophy. He also finished with a league-high nine shutouts, but will that be enough to win the Vezina Trophy for the second consecutive year?
2. Pittsburgh Penguins: 111 points
Preseason Prediction: 103 points
Maybe not the greatest finish to the season, but Pittsburgh had nothing to play for in the final two games of the season. They exceeded expectations and will now look to defend the Stanley Cup. They start off the postseason with a visit from the surprising Blue Jackets. Sidney Crosby finished the season with points in four of his last five games played, and he led the league in goals with 44.
3. Chicago Blackhawks: 109 points
Preseason Prediction: 103 points
The Blackhawks better hope the tide changes in April. After reaching 50 wins in their final game in March, they lost all four games in April, including a horrendous shutout loss in Anaheim. It was not enough for them to lose the top seed in the Western Conference, but the pesky Predators are their first round opponent in the playoffs. Expect a hard fought battle in the midwest. Artemi Panarin blazed through the end of the season, with seven goals in as many games. This includes two tallies against the Blue Jackets on March 31.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets: 108 points
Preseason Prediction: 66 points
Do I look really silly or what? Columbus clearly had the offensive fire power to coast into the playoffs. Even Vegas underestimated the Jackets, as Columbus had 21.5 more points than the predicted mark. Unfortunately, they might have to knock out both Pittsburgh and Washington if they want any shot at the Stanley Cup. Ick. They went on a six-game losing streak before snapping it in the final game of the season. Cam Atkinson scored his third shorthanded goal, and 35th overall, of the season in the win over Toronto on Sunday.
5. Minnesota Wild: 106 points
Preseason Prediction: 85 points
After a disappointing 2015-2016, Minnesota was lightyears better this season. They had one of the top defensive units, with a lot of the credit going to Devan Dubnyk and Ryan Suter, and Eric Staal was fantastic in his first season in the State of Hockey. They were unable to keep up with Chicago in the Central Division, so they will take on St. Louis in the first round of the playoffs. Mikael Granlund had an amazing season, with 23 goals and 46 assists. He passed his career high for points in a season by 25.
6. Montreal Canadiens: 103 points
Preseason Prediction: 93 points
Carey Price was healthy for a majority of the season, and the Canadiens nearly went wire-to-wire to win the Atlantic Division. Can new head coach Claude Julien give Montreal their 25th Stanley Cup? It will be tough with the Rangers coming up in the first round. Alexander Radulov‘s return to the NHL was a complete success. He rode a five-game point streak into April and led the team with 36 assists to go with 18 goals. His career high is actually with the Predators.
7. New York Rangers: 102 points
Preseason Prediction: 96 points
The Rangers had no problems making the playoffs again, but they ended the year poorly. The last time they won back-to-back games was on March 6-7, and that is primarily why they had to settle for the first wild card spot. If they cannot string together a winning streak, then they will likely fall to Montreal. In what was an excellent night from Jimmy Vesey, Magnus Hellberg started in goal in what was a meaningless game on Sunday and picked up his first NHL victory over the Penguins after stopping 22 of 24 shots on goal.
8. Anaheim Ducks: 105 points
Preseason Prediction: 91 points
Another year, another division title out of nowhere. Edmonton and San Jose looked like the top two teams for most of the season, but the Ducks won 13 of their last 17 games to win the Pacific Division for the fifth straight year. Unfortunately, they have no Stanley Cups during that stretch, and this is the time to make a run. John Gibson returned to the team this week and allowed just one goal in two wins against Calgary and Chicago. He shut out the Blackhawks on 37 shots on Thursday, giving him six shutouts for the season.
9. Edmonton Oilers: 103 points
Preseason Prediction: 83 points
I guess I underestimated Connor McDavid‘s power on the ice. He was unstoppable all season long, and he picked up his 100th point in what was unofficially the final game of the regular season. The Hart Trophy candidate was not the only one to come up big in April. Oscar Klefbom had seven assists, including four in San Jose on Thursday to help with Milan Lucic‘s hat trick, and was the NHL’s second star of the week. Jordan Eberle had a had trick on Sunday and reached the 20-goal plateau for the fourth straight season. The Oilers have home-ice advantage in the first round and will take on San Jose in what looks to be a preview of a fierce rivalry in the years to come.
10. San Jose Sharks: 99 points
Preseason Prediction: 96 points
San Jose never really had to worry about their playoff chances, but a frigid March ruined their shot at the Pacific Division title. They won just enough games against the Western Canada teams to pass my predicted total, but they will have to start the playoffs at Rogers Place. Danny O’Regan was called up for the final regular season game and scored his first NHL goal in Sunday’s win over the Flames.
11. St. Louis Blues: 99 points
Preseason Prediction: 100 points
Despite all the turmoil that came with these consistent playoff contenders, the Blues still managed to finished just one point short of my predicted total. They find themselves in the same situation as last season: in the second vs. third place series in the Central Division. St. Louis is hoping this year’s playoffs is even more successful than the one last year, when they nearly made it to the Stanley Cup Final. Vladimir Tarasenko finished the season with five goals and five assists in his last eight games, including a goal and an assist in a high-scoring affair in Sunrise on Thursday. He also scored the game-winning goal in the final game of the regular season, and it was just enough to pass his previous career high in points, which had been 74 last season.
12. Ottawa Senators: 98 points
Preseason Prediction: 84 points
There were plenty of late-season dramatics the last time Ottawa made the playoffs. While they let Boston, Toronto, and others back into the fold in March, they still found a way to lock up their playoff spot and finish second in the Atlantic Division. Even if things have really fallen south, which nearly happened since they were just four points away from facing elimination, the Senators still rebounded from an underwhelming 2014-2015. In was a tumultuous season for Craig Anderson, the Illinois native finished the year on a very high note. He allowed just two goals in his final three starts, including his fifth shutout of the season against the Red Wings on April 4. His 2.28 GAA was a welcoming sign for an Ottawa team that looks to have found their core for the future.
13. Boston Bruins: 95 points
Preseason Prediction: 76 points
I was expecting Boston to fall apart after two horrible Aprils, but not only did they hang in the playoff race, but they also barely hung on to a playoff spot. They take on the Senators in the first round, and that series could go the full seven. David Pastrnak scored twice on April 4 to help the Bruins lock up their playoff spot, and he finished the season with 34 goals, more than double his career high.
14. Calgary Flames: 94 points
Preseason Prediction: 89 points
It was not a great start to the season, but Glen Gulutzan’s first season as the Flames head coach ended with a trip to the playoffs. It took a 10-game winning streak to seal their spot and pass my predicted total, but getting past two superior division rivals will be a challenge after their poor performances against Anaheim, Edmonton, and San Jose this season. Curtis Lazar scored his first goal as a member of the Flames on Saturday, and he will look to build on that next season.
15. Toronto Maple Leafs: 95 points
Preseason Prediction: 74 points
Thanks to Auston Matthews and the barrage of rookies, Toronto exceeded everyone’s expectations. However, they still made the fan base panic by losing three of their last four games, including a critical one to Tampa Bay. The one win, which was a nail-biter against Pittsburgh and had some crazy heroics from Curtis McElhinney, was enough to lock up the second wild card spot and end the team’s four-year playoff drought. It will be very hard for the inexperienced club to hang tough with Washington in the first round, especially after the Caps dismantled them at home on April 4. Matthews capped off a magical rookie season with an empty net goal to seal Toronto’s playoff spot. That goal was his 40th of the season, and the Calder Trophy is his for the taking.
16. Nashville Predators: 94 points
Preseason Prediction: 99 points
The Predators’ identity took a turn this season. There was less defensive strangling and more firepower on the attack. Just 18 months ago, it was anything but that, but the result remains the same. Nashville has to settle for another wild card spot and will have their hands full trying to knock out the Blackhawks. Viktor Arvidsson was the key reason for the 11th-ranked offense, scoring 31 goals this season after just eight in his first two abbreviated seasons. Is he due for a league-wide attention in the playoffs?
17. Tampa Bay Lightning: 94 points
Preseason Prediction: 107 points
They were the best team in Florida, but that means nothing when you miss the playoffs anyway. This team had about as good of a season as one could wish for, but injuries plagued their season. Nikita Kucherov‘s outstanding postseason in 2016 carried into this season. He finished in the top five for points in the NHL, and he may have plenty of help for 2017-2018. Brayden Point is one of those players primed for superstardom, and it took him just one season to score 40 points in a season. He was especially fearsome in April, scoring twice against both Toronto and Buffalo on Thursday and Sunday, respectively.
18. New York Islanders: 94 points
Preseason Prediction: 97 points
You cannot complain about winning six straight games to complete a season, but they had too high of a cliff to a climb. They finished just one point short of Toronto and Boston in the Eastern Conference standings, meaning they will have to watch the playoffs from home. With John Tavares set to become a free agent after next season, this offseason is extremely critical for the Islanders. It could affect the captain’s decision moving forward. This was the first time Tavares did not lead the team in goals since 2013-2014. While Tavares missed the last five games with a hamstring injury, Anders Lee scored five times in that span to give him 34 for the season. That is nine more than his career high from two seasons ago.
19. Winnipeg Jets: 87 points
Preseason Prediction: 88 points
Good thing I am not a betting man. I was one point off of Winnipeg’s point total, but the over/under was 87.5. Patrik Laine certainly improved this team from last season, but the end result is still the same. The franchise has just one playoff appearance since moving from Atlanta in 2011 and two overall. Not a good resume whatsoever. The Jets finished the season with seven straight wins, and Bryan Little had a goal and seven assists in his last four games.
20. Philadelphia Flyers: 88 points
Preseason Prediction: 92 points
After a comeback for a playoff spot last season, Philadelphia could not match the run this year. There was plenty of playing time to go around from the youngsters, and Ivan Provorov might join Shayne Gostisbehere for a fearsome defensive unit in the years to come. Provorov finished the season with an assist in the final two games and 24 overall.
21. Carolina Hurricanes: 87 points
Preseason Prediction: 87 points
Spot on! This was the only time I correctly guessed a team’s point total. It looked bleak in February when the Hurricanes looked primed for the bottom of the Eastern Conference, but a 13-game point streak changed everything. Unfortunately, they went cold in April and fell eight points short of the playoffs. They now own the longest active playoff drought in the NHL. Bryan Bickell, who was diagnosed with MS in November, finished his career off in style. He scored a shootout goal in the final game of the season in Philadelphia, and the Hurricanes went on to win that shootout.
22. Los Angeles Kings: 86 points
Preseason Prediction: 99 points
Talk about a Royal Flush! Darryl Sutter and Dean Lombardi were both fired after three straight disappointing seasons, and Luc Robitaille is the new president. Rob Black was hired as the new general manager, and there are already questions about a possible shakeup for a team filled with veterans. Jeff Carter finished his season the way he started: stuffing the stat sheet. He assisted on all three goals in LA’s win over Chicago on Saturday, and he reached 66 points in a season for the first time since having the same total in 2010-2011 with Philadelphia.
23. Florida Panthers: 81 points
Preseason Prediction: 108 points
Of course Florida is not an ideal market for sustained success, so that might have something to do with why I completely overshot their expectations. There is something to build off of for next year, however. Jonathan Marchessault crushed his season high from last year, picking up 30 goals and 51 points after just seven and 18 last season with Tampa Bay. Imagine how lethal he will be if/when Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov are healthy for a full season?
24. Buffalo Sabres: 78 points
Preseason Prediction: 90 points
This was my reach prediction of the season. The Sabres had no recent track record of putting up 90 in a season, but I felt a breakout was coming. Obviously Jack Eichel‘s early injury ruined any momentum Buffalo may have had, and his subsequent rush of points could not keep the Sabres from the bottom of the Atlantic Division. I guess another top 10 pick cannot hurt. The Sabres got a scare after Kyle Okposo was hospitalized for an undisclosed illness, but he is already showing signs of improvement.
25. Detroit Red Wings: 79 points
Preseason Prediction: 86 points
The Wings struggled a little bit more than I predicted, but as I anticipated, the 25-year playoff drought quietly came to an end. The Joe Louis Arena also housed its final game to an emotional ceremony and, yes, a win. Henrik Zetterberg played his 1,000th career game in that win, and he fittingly scored to send the old building off in style. Expect plenty of fireworks from Dylan Larkin and Andreas Athanasiou as the new Little Caesars Arena premieres in October.
26. Dallas Stars: 79 points
Preseason Prediction: 102 points
There were plenty of red flags with the Stars this season, but the offense was supposed to mask one of the worst defensive units in the league. Unfortunately, the Stars were 16th in the league in goals per game, and the team really had no prayer. Tyler Seguin still had a great year. He finished the season with 72 points, and he was the main man in the team’s final game of the season. He had a goal and an assist against the Avalanche before scoring the shootout winner.
27. New Jersey Devils: 70 points
Preseason Prediction: 84 points
New Jersey’s offense is still a nightmare, and Cory Schneider could not keep it together in goal. That is a recipe for last place in the Eastern Conference. Will they get any luck in the draft lottery at 16th place in the conference? They certainly could use a scoring general alongside Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri. John Moore had three goals in the final four games, including the overtime winner against the Flyers on April 4, to give him 12 for the season, just one short of his career goal total before this season.
28. Arizona Coyotes: 70 points
Preseason Prediction: 75 points
Their recent surge made my prediction look pretty good, but the Coyotes also hurt their draft position after passing Vancouver in the Pacific Division. Regardless of where Arizona ends up, however, they will likely end up with another excellent prospect to go with their latest string of rising stars. Max Domi led all Arizona players under 25 with 38 points despite playing in just 59 games. He figures to be a severe scoring threat next season if he remains healthy.
29. Vancouver Canucks: 69 points
Preseason Prediction: 72 points
Reaching my predicted total was not supposed to be impossible, but the Canucks foiled to finish the season with eight straight losses, and Willie Desjardins is officially out as head coach. If there is one positive to going under, it is that they now own the second worst record in the NHL, meaning they just improved their odds at the first overall pick. Henrik Sedin finished the season with a three-game point streak, including three assists in Vancouver’s loss to Arizona on Thursday.
30. Colorado Avalanche: 48 points
Preseason Prediction: 71 points
I was correct in making Colorado the worst team in the Western Conference, but no one could have planned the disaster that was the Havoc-lanche this season. They finished 21 points behind the next worst team in the NHL, and their 22-56-4 record is the worst in a non-lockout season since the expansion Atlanta Thrashers put up a measly 39 points in 1999-2000. It is safe to say the Avalanche could use another #1 pick. Colorado’s final win of the season, and only one in April, was an impressive comeback victory over Chicago in overtime. Matt Duchene had a goal and an assist in that game, and it was his third three-point game of the season.
Bold Predictions:
This week:
Tampa Bay takes the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. They were one point short. Ouch.
Dallas beats Colorado by at least five goals on April 8, and Tyler Seguin gets at least three points in that game. Seguin had a great night, but a shootout was required.
Detroit wins in overtime in their final game at Joe Louis Arena on April 9. At least the building went out in style. Riley Sheahan, who had not scored in the first 81 games of the season, scored twice on the memorable night.