Bold Predictions for the Los Angeles Kings as the 2014-15 NHL Season Begins

The Los Angeles Kings started the 2014-15 NHL season the same way they started the 2013-14 playoffs, by losing big to the San Jose Sharks. 

A 4-0 win over the Kings probably did little to erase the Sharks' memories of their playoff collapse, as L.A. celebrated its Stanley Cup win, raising the championship banner to the rafters. 

It's a result many predicted, given that the champs in recent years seem to suffer from some form of Stanley Cup hangover. The Kings will look to bounce back Saturday against the Arizona Coyotes. 

With that in mind, here are a look at some bold predictions for the Kings this season.

Drew Doughty Records 55 Points, Earns Norris Nomination

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Drew Doughty notched six goals and 21 assists for 27 points in his rookie season. In his sophomore campaign he doubled up, notching 16 goals and 43 assists for 59 points, which helped him earn a Norris nomination. 

In four seasons since he's recorded 40 or fewer points. That streak ends this season. 

Look for Doughty to rack up a ton of assists by feeding Anze Kopitar, Marian Gaborik and Jeff Carter both at equal strength and on the power play. 

Doughty is coming off an excellent year with great performances in both the Olympics and postseason. In crunch time he came up big offensively, and there is no reason he can't do the same this season.

The key will be playing at least 75 games, earning a good chunk of second assists and setting up the Kings' top snipers on the rush. 

Derek Forbort Plays at Least 10 Games

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This is likely the most bold prediction of the five. 

The Kings are deep on defense with six solid, proven NHL defenders and a seventh in Brayden McNabb who appears poised for a breakout season. 

However, Matt Greene has been prone to injuries in recent years and missed significant time. Also of note: Jake Muzzin was out for the opener and is expected to miss a few more games, according to NHL.com. 

All it will take is another injury and a defenseman should be called up from the Manchester Monarchs. That will be Derek Forbort. 

The 22-year-old blueliner was selected 15th overall in the 2010 draft. In his first full AHL season in 2013-14, he had a goal and 16 assists for 17 points. He's a shutdown defender with a massive frame at 6'4", 212 pounds. He has the potential to play a style similar to Willie Mitchell in his prime. 

He's still a year or two away from being a regular in the lineup, but look for Forbort to get his first taste of the NHL this season.

Tyler Toffoli Finishes Third on the Team in Points

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It's time for Tyler Toffoli's true breakout campaign.

Ranking in the top three on the team in points will be a tough task with the likes of Anze Kopitar, Marian Gaborik and Jeff Carter ahead of him on the depth chart. But, it's certainly possible. He finished eighth on the team last year with 29 points while playing just 62 games.

Toffoli is a dynamic player. He has good speed, quick hands, an accurate shot and has developed better vision in the offensive zone, with and without the puck. He must continue to work on going hard to the net and scoring dirty goals in close. 

If he plays alongside Jeff Carter and Tanner Pearson as he did in the playoffs, the goals should come in bunches. 

Jeff Carter Scores 45 Goals, Contends for Richard Trophy

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Jeff Carter's career high for goals is 46 back in 2008-09 when he also finished with 68 points. 

Carter is one of the elite snipers in the league, ranking among the likes of Steven Stamkos, Alex Ovechkin and Corey Perry. However, aside from that 2008-09 campaign and the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, he's rarely finished near the top of the Maurice Richard Trophy race. 

This season, he will. 

Carter will need to take advantage of his power-play opportunities and perhaps his short-handed chances as well. He notched 13 power-play markers and four short-handed goals in 2008-09. Getting more pucks on net will also be key, as he recorded just 256 shots last season, as opposed to the 300-plus he racked up in the late 2000s. 

Kings Win Pacific Division

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Picking the defending Stanley Cup champions to win their division may not be as bold as the other predictions. However, consider the Kings have won just a single division crown in their history, way back in the 1990-91 season. 

They've won two Stanley Cups in the last three years, finishing third, second and third in the division over that span.

Is this finally the year?

The Pacific isn't as deep as the Central. The three California teams will once again be in a class of their own, with the Vancouver Canucks playing a step up from last season. The Alberta teams and Arizona Coyotes remain in varying phases of rebuilding. 

The key for the Kings will be staying healthy, scoring crucial goals in the third period and having a winning record against the Ducks and Sharks. 

Stats courtesy of NHL.com.