The NHL season is now past the halfway mark and the remainder of the season is sure to be full of many thrills. There are some division shockers and many players are having excellent seasons. Many individual season accomplishments could be made and I aim to divulge whether or not they will, or will not, happen.
The Western Conference playoff teams will not be decided for quite some time. The Oilers may be basement dwellers of the conference, but are still only six points out of a wild card spot. The Eastern Conference is in a similar state. Outside of Buffalo and Toronto there are five teams within two points of a wild card spot.
With numerous teams within reach of playoff hockey the trade deadline is setting up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. I expect there to be a vast array of buyers and minimal sellers come that day.
This article aims to bring forth the impressive feats that some individual players, as well as teams, may be able to accomplish this year. Main word: May!
Patrick Kane 100 Points
The Blackhawks right winger is having an MVP calibre season. In forty eight games, he has registered 29 goals and 40 assists. This gives him 69 on the season with thirty four games left to play. It may be lavish to think he could reach 100 points in one season, but if any player will do so this season it will be him.
Erik Karlsson 60 Assists
A Norris trophy candidate every season the Senators defenseman is having another fantastic campaign. He already has 38 assists in forty six games. 22 assists in thirty six games is not outlandish to see him do. It would be bold to say seventy assists, therefore I think it is safe to give a big Yay! on him reaching sixty.
Benn & Seguin 50 Goals
The Stars duo have become the most dangerous one-two punch on any franchise. In forty six games they have 26 and 25 goals respectively. With thirty six games left it may be a challenge for them both to reach fifty goals, but I do expect one of them to. If they do not manage to each get fifty goals they should at bare minimum combine for 100, or more, assists with fifty eight already this year.
Tyler Toffoli 40 Goals & +/- of +40
The Center position in the Kings franchise is deep. Kopitar, Carter, and Toffoli, all have tallied thirty plus points this season. Toffoli is, arguably, the one you want on the ice more. His +/- at +26 leads the league. He has also scored twenty two goals. A +40 rating may be difficult to reach, but eighteen goals in thirty eight remaining games should be managed.
Dylan Larkin Calder Trophy
Although Panarin would be many peoples clear rookie of the year, at this point of the season, mine is Larkin. Panarin may have a large points’ lead, 16/27 +7, over all rookies, but Larkin has had a more balanced season. His +22 rating is remarkable and he is third in points with 14/16 and deserving on the Calder. This trophy will be one of the hardest to give this year.
After McDavid’s injury it seemed likely that Eichel would be a front runner. He may be fourth in points among rookies with twenty nine, but his -13 rating has taken him out of the running.
Braden Holtby 50 Wins
The Capitals success lies heavily on the shoulders of this net minder. He has 29 wins so far this season, to go along with a 1.99GAA and .931 save percentage. The Capitals have 37 games remaining. Assuming Holtby gets the start in thirty, winning twenty one of them would not be difficult. Washington is a team to be reckoned with, and Holtby is the man that can lead them to the Stanley Cup. The Vezina trophy might as well start having his name etched in it as well.
Corey Crawford 10 Shutouts
Drafted 52nd overall by the Blackhawks back in 2003, he has been a top goalie in the league for over a decade. He has played in 306 games over his career. With a 173-89-36 record and 2.32GAA and .918 save percentage Chicago made a wise choice in making him their franchise net minder. This season he is playing great once again. 26 wins, 2.17 GAA and .929 save percentage. He needs two more shutouts for twenty on his career and already has six this season. If mid-season success and records translate to the Stanley Cup Final we are in for a treat with Holtby and Washington facing Crawford and Chicago.
Washington Capitals 130 Points
To quote J.P from Angels in the Outfield, “it could happen”. They have the best goalie in the league today and deep scoring threat. In 45 games they are 34-8-3 for 71 points. They have thirty seven games left in their schedule and to reach my predicted 130 points they would have to go 28-6-3, or some variation of that. Daunting, yes, doable, yes.
Toronto Maple Leafs 80 Points
One of two teams yet to reach forty points, Toronto is on its way to the first overall pick in the 2016 draft. They still have thirty nine games on their schedule, six are versus division leading teams and only five are against teams with records below .500. They currently have a 16-20-7 record and will be lucky to get thirty wins on the year. 80 point season, No!
Columbus Blue Jackets 80 Points
The only team playing worse than Toronto, the Blue Jackets are even more likely to not reach an eighty point season. Eleven of their remaining thirty six games are against top six teams in the East. 17-25-4 is a more than disappointing record. They may have a better chance at reaching thirty wins than Toronto, but overall eighty points, again I say No!
What do you think? Some of these predictions may sound outlandish or far-fetched. Please comment and shard your thoughts and enjoy the second half of the NHL season.
*stats as of January 18th
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