NHL Stats Predictions: Part Four

Okay, I have finally reached the end of my four part series that examines eight of the most important stats in the NHL. All of the stats can decide a players career and for a lot of them, make their career, like Alex Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby.

The points will be a hard one to do because there are so many players worthy of the trophy. The same can be said for GAA (goals against average) as this stat is normally dominated by a goalie like Brodeur or Hasek, but with Brodeur nearing the end of his career and Hasek having ended his in the off season, this stat will be a lot closer.

Skater  - Points

*This time because points will be so close, I will estimate the total for each player as well as list honourable mentions.

1. Alex Ovechkin, 105 - 115 points

2. Sidney Crosby, 100 - 112 points

3. Evgeni Malkin, 100 - 110 points

4. Jarome Iginla, 90 - 100 points

5. Henrik Zetterberg - 90 - 97 points

Skater - Points - Honourable Mentions

6. Pavel Datsyuk

7. Joe Thornton

8. Ilya Kovalchuk

9. Alex Kovalev

10. Vincent Lecavalier

Last season the only two players that had over 100 points were Alexander Ovechkin (112) and Evgeni Malkin (106). I expect both of those players to at least mach those totals. Sidney Crosby should have a comeback season after scoring just 24 and 48 assists for just 72 points (T-38th) last season. Jarome Iginla was third last season in points while Henrik Zetterberg was 6th.

Goalie - GAA

1. Evgeni Nabokov

2. Jean Sebastian Giguere

3. Chris Osgood

4. Martin Brodeur

5. Henrik Lundqvist

Evgeni Nabokov should have another good full-time season for the Sharks while Giguere always helps the Ducks to victory. Osgood was first in GAA average last season while some people would tell you last season was a fluke.

Brodeur always seems to have an awesome year, but this year should be one of his last in the top 5 for GAA. He was 5th last season (2.17). Henrik Lundqvist will have a much slower and longer feeling season I think because the Rangers lost guys like Jaromir Jagr, and gained people the caliber of Wade Redden, who are good only at certain times.