Ken's Top Ten NHL Predictions to Bank On for 2008-09

There are few things bankable in the NHL year in and year out.

One might be the probability the Panthers will once again miss the playoffs, and the same bet may not be too far off statistically for Columbus either.

These easy bets are nothing worth bragging about, because sometimes it’s the finer points people overlook.

As hockey season fast approaches it is these more subtle certainties that people should come to see, as the common ones after a long summer are long drowned out. Below are my top ten of things NHL fans should count on this season:

10. Detroit is the team to beat

Yep, this is truly that obvious. Detroit did nothing but get better. For a Stanley Cup team that’s a hard feat to accomplish in the offseason, but they did it. Dallas and San Jose are gunning for the Wings, though.

9. Tampa Bay will make the playoffs

The Lightning spent a lot of money—in many ways in the wrong places—but with so many weapons up front this team can shoot the lights out. If the defense can work it out with the personnel they have and Mike Smith can win clutch games, this team can—and will—be dangerous.

8. Chicago won’t disappoint this season

Lots of youth and lots of great team-building, with the most publicized game for the year in their back yard.  This team will be determined to live up to expectations, and return to the Chicago Blackhawks my generation can only read about.

7. Washington is a team to beat

Alexander Ovechkin is an amazing player, but even if Alexander “The Great” doesn’t score like he did last year, this team will be a beast in the east. Lots of weapons up front, good defense and decent goaltending means the Caps are a team to watch to make a deep playoff run.

6. Toronto Maple Leaf fans will need lots of Tylenol

Leafs fans are some of the most die-hard in the entire NHL, but this year will be proof of loyalty for many. To enjoy the good, fans, much like a team, must endure the bad.

5. The race in the west will come down to Dallas and San Jose

Yep, another of those semi- “duh” things. The winner of the series between Dallas and San Jose should be penciled into a top-three spot for the playoffs.

4. The Coyotes will paint the desert white

Fans of the Coyotes in the 90s remember the white-outs in the desert. This year, this team will see new fans coming on board like never before. The Cinderella of the Pacific Division, this team will battle for the NHL’s hearts along with the Blackhawks.

3. The Western conference will keep the Cup

With three shoo-ins in Dallas, San Jose, and Detroit, compared to early Eastern favorites Montreal and Washington, it’s an easy bet to say the Stanley Cup stays in the Western conference.

2. The Stars will beat Detroit when it counts

These games will be fun to watch inn the regular season.  Nothing like a chip on the Stars' shoulders to give the reigning Cup champs a good butt-whooping here and there. Don’t be surprised to see a big win in Motown by the Stars. If I were a betting man, I’d say the Stars win the season series by one or two games.

1. Detroit will NOT win the Stanley Cup

Yes, I’m prepared to be called everything under the sun, but no real changes in personnel and on the bench likely means no changes in playing style. This team won’t dominate like before.

Teams and coaches aren’t stupid, and after watching the Wings roast other teams in the defensive style puck-control game, other teams will mimic and find a way to do it better.

Plus, the probability is against a back-to-back winner, so for now I will believe in the math and logic of the situation. If you’re a betting man, go for Dallas or San Jose.

Yes, number 10 was only to make this one more shocking. Suckers!

Image: Courtesy of nationalpost.com