NHL Stats Predictions: Part Three

Last time I gave my prediction on assists and wins. Today I will give my predictions for goals (skater stat), and save percentage (goalie stat). These are two of the most important stats in the league because they can make or break trades. Most teams look for big goal scorers well others will look for a goalie who is constantly making saves. Next time I will look at similar stats, and the most important ones in my mind, points and GAA.

Skater - Goals

1. Jarome Iginla

2. Alex Ovechkin

3. Ilya Kovalchuk

4. Evgeni Malkin

5. Brad Boyes

Last season Jarome Iginla scored 50 goals which was third in the NHL only to Ovechkin and Kovalchuk. Everyone knows that Oviefinished 1st last season in goals with 65 of them. Kovalchuk finished second and should have another consistent year. Watch for Malkin and Boyes to score 45-50 goals. I know that a lot of people will be surprised to see Brad Boyes in 5th but what a lot of people don't know is that last season he had 43 goals (6th in the NHL).

Goalie - Save %

1. Dan Ellis

2. Pascal Leclaire

3. Niklas Backstrom

4. Ilya Bryzgalov

5. Vesa Toskala

This was a hard stat for me to do because it doesn't just depend on the goalie, but the defence in front of him. Last season Dan Ellis was first in the NHL in save % (.924) while Leclaire had a .919 save % (11th). Niklas Backstrommay face a lot of shots this season backing up the Wild. Ilya Bryzgalov may not say it but its clear that there is no wonderful defence in Phoenix, with their best being Ed Jovanovski and Derek Morris. The same can be said for Vesa Toskala who was 31st last season in save % (.904). 

** In case you were following the low market NHL teams series, I will be publishing the next one soon.