As we get ready for the second half of the season, I have my lead-pipe lock predictions for the second half. Some of my predictions will be positive, others will be negative.
1. The Columbus Blue Jackets will make the playoffs this season. Why? Steve Mason will single handedly lead them to the playoffs. Yes, I understand that he's a rookie and there is a possibility that he could hit the rookie wall, but I don't see it with Mason. He has been great for the Jackets this season, and Rick Nash and crew will finally get a chance to play in the playoffs.
2. Jeff Carter will score at least 20 goals after the All-Star break. I said this about two months ago, I thought that Carts would score 50 goals this season, and I fully stand by it. I don't think Jeff will lead the league in goals, but he will score at least 50 goals this season. He has played out of his mind this season, and it will continue in the second half.
3. Brent Johnson takes back the #1 goalie spot in Washington. Yes, I said it, Brent Johnson will re-take that #1 spot in Washington. Obviously, with Johnson's injury, Jose Theodore has gotten the opportunity to be the #1 there with the Caps, but I don't know how Theo is going to keep that job. This past Tuesday night when the Caps played the Sens, Theo was terribly out of position on a few goals. Honestly, Theo is just not that good of a goalie, he's overrated in some ways. Brent Johnson will re-take that job, he is more consistent.
4. The Anaheim Ducks will not make the playoffs this season. They have been very inconsistent, and a lot of that has been the goaltending. J.S. Giguere has not played well this season, and Jonas Hiller will get a lot more starts. I'm not saying that Hiller will take Giggy's job, but you will see more and more starts from Hiller. Not only that, but their defense has been so depleted this season. They've had injuries on their blueline, and it's affecting them.
5. Jason Spezza will be traded at the deadline. The Sens will not make the playoffs this season, their goaltending is too shaky, and I see Spezza getting traded. It seems like Spezza has been on the trading block for a while now, but I think this will be the season where he gets shipped out.
Those are my lead-pipe predictions for the second half of the season, so we will see what happens here. The second half will be a lot of fun, that's for sure.
Wow...you nailed it. Five for five.
your best blog yet
Nicely done.. and hopefully good riddance to Jiggy and his gargantuan pads
best blog yet, richie...your doing great
Spezza isn't going anywhere - he's only 25 and tied up until 2015/2016. He's a legitimate #1 center that "consistently" puts up a PPG - pretty rare commodity these days. While his defensive lapses are well documented there are a part of him creative makeup - hard to eliminate the bad without impact the good.
great article although i did hope there was somthing to read reguarding the devils.i think spezza is the most talented overall come trade deadline
Nice blog Richie, I doubt very very much that Spezza is moved though(I feel the same about LeCavalier), and let's hope CBJ call Burke to inquire about Antropov, so that they could have some extra fire power in the playoffs :)
A very good read. Original and realistic predictions that I can defenitely see happening.
Nice job Sparky ... you get better with each blog. Keep it up.
solid but i dont think that columbus will make the playoffs the rookie wall is already starting for mason