Will the Los Angeles Kings repeat as Stanley Cup champions? I’ll take that wager. Click here to read my Washington Capitals season preview and here for my 2013 NHL season preview.
Drum roll, please. My picks for the 48-game season:
WHO MAKES THE PLAYOFFS?
Eastern Conference
1. New York Rangers (Atlantic Division champs)
2. Boston Bruins (Northeast Division champs)
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (Southeast Division champs)
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
5. Washington Capitals
6. Philadelphia Flyers
7. Carolina Hurricanes
8. New Jersey Devils
Western Conference
1. Vancouver Canucks (Northwest Division champs)
2. Los Angeles Kings (Pacific Division champs)
3. Chicago Blackhawks (Central Division champs)
4. St. Louis Blues
5. Phoenix Coyotes
6. Detroit Red Wings
7. San Jose Sharks
8. Nashville Predators
HARDWARE
Stanley Cup: Kings over Rangers
Conn Smythe: Jonathan Quick
Hart Trophy (MVP): Jonathan Toews, Blackhawks
Vezina Trophy (Goaltender): Henrik Lundqvist, Rangers
Norris Trophy (Defenseman): Drew Doughty, Kings
Selke Trophy (Defensive forward): Pavel Datsyuk, Red Wings
Art Ross Trophy (Most points): Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
Maurice Richard Trophy (Most goals): Alex Ovechkin, Capitals
Calder Trophy (Rookie): Justin Schultz, Oilers
OVER-UNDER
From Bovada:
Nicklas Backstrom points (45.5): Over
Alex Ovechkin points (50.5): Over
