Last September 30th, we posted “ten SWAPs” – ten silly wild-assed prognostications. OK, so… how are we doing?
Number 10… The Capitals have never led the NHL in power play conversion success. Last year’s second-place finish to Detroit and their 25.2 percent success rate are franchise bests. This year, the Caps will lead the NHL in power play conversions at 27.7 percent.
The Caps are currently at 26.1 percent, but since December 1st they are 30-for-99 (30.3 percent) in 26 games. That is a large enough sample to suggest that the 27.7 percent isn’t out of the question.
Number 9… The Capitals have never had an undefeated month (five games played minimum). January 2000 is their best on record (11-1-2). This club will have an undefeated (in regulation) February.
Given that the Caps are 11-2-0 in January, we might have a shot…
Number 8… The Caps have never had a 100-power play goal season (in 1992-1993 they had 97). This year, that mark will be topped.
With 53 power play goals in 53 games (tops in the league), this will be hard to achieve, not because of the Caps inefficiency (they lead the league in conversion rate), but comparative ineffectiveness (they are tied for 15th in total power play opportunities).
Number 7… Nicklas Backstrom will break the club record for consecutive games with an assists (nine, held by Dave Christian and Bengt Gustafsson).
Actually, we were pretty confident of this one going into the season. But Backstrom’s high this year so far is a five-game streak of helpers (January 7-15). With 29 games left there is time, but this might not be the year. We do think that eventually he will hold this record.
Number 6… The Caps will set a franchise record for playoff goals scored, team (currently 54, by the 1988 squad).
Talk to us in May.
Number 5… Quintin Laing will have a two-goal game. They will be his only two goals of the season.
We might be half right on this. Laing has two goals, but they came in separate games (November 1st against Columbus and November 7th against Florida).
Number 4… Matt Bradley will fight Donald Brashear. Bradley will win the bout when Brashear keels over in laughter at Bradley dropping his gloves.
Seeing as how: a) the Rangers don’t dress Brashear often, and b) the Rangers might want to get more firepower into the lineup for the two remaining contests these teams have with one another, this one isn’t looking likely (although they do play this coming Thursday, to let’s see).
Number 3… Michael Nylander will score a goal this year…against the Caps.
Not unless Jokerit is playing an exhibition against the Caps.
Number 2… Alex Ovechkin will carry home five trophies – Hart, Ross, Pearson, Richard, and…
…wait for it…
…Conn Smythe.
Hart?...maybe. Pearson?...could be. We like his chances for the Ross and Richard, given his production per game played. Conn Smythe?...we’re hopeful.
And the Number 1 prognostication for the Caps this season.
...Plan your parade route, kids, there’s hardware comin’ to town
They’d be hard to bet against the way they’re playing at the moment, but there is a long time until June.
Number 10… The Capitals have never led the NHL in power play conversion success. Last year’s second-place finish to Detroit and their 25.2 percent success rate are franchise bests. This year, the Caps will lead the NHL in power play conversions at 27.7 percent.
The Caps are currently at 26.1 percent, but since December 1st they are 30-for-99 (30.3 percent) in 26 games. That is a large enough sample to suggest that the 27.7 percent isn’t out of the question.
Number 9… The Capitals have never had an undefeated month (five games played minimum). January 2000 is their best on record (11-1-2). This club will have an undefeated (in regulation) February.
Given that the Caps are 11-2-0 in January, we might have a shot…
Number 8… The Caps have never had a 100-power play goal season (in 1992-1993 they had 97). This year, that mark will be topped.
With 53 power play goals in 53 games (tops in the league), this will be hard to achieve, not because of the Caps inefficiency (they lead the league in conversion rate), but comparative ineffectiveness (they are tied for 15th in total power play opportunities).
Number 7… Nicklas Backstrom will break the club record for consecutive games with an assists (nine, held by Dave Christian and Bengt Gustafsson).
Actually, we were pretty confident of this one going into the season. But Backstrom’s high this year so far is a five-game streak of helpers (January 7-15). With 29 games left there is time, but this might not be the year. We do think that eventually he will hold this record.
Number 6… The Caps will set a franchise record for playoff goals scored, team (currently 54, by the 1988 squad).
Talk to us in May.
Number 5… Quintin Laing will have a two-goal game. They will be his only two goals of the season.
We might be half right on this. Laing has two goals, but they came in separate games (November 1st against Columbus and November 7th against Florida).
Number 4… Matt Bradley will fight Donald Brashear. Bradley will win the bout when Brashear keels over in laughter at Bradley dropping his gloves.
Seeing as how: a) the Rangers don’t dress Brashear often, and b) the Rangers might want to get more firepower into the lineup for the two remaining contests these teams have with one another, this one isn’t looking likely (although they do play this coming Thursday, to let’s see).
Number 3… Michael Nylander will score a goal this year…against the Caps.
Not unless Jokerit is playing an exhibition against the Caps.
Number 2… Alex Ovechkin will carry home five trophies – Hart, Ross, Pearson, Richard, and…
…wait for it…
…Conn Smythe.
Hart?...maybe. Pearson?...could be. We like his chances for the Ross and Richard, given his production per game played. Conn Smythe?...we’re hopeful.
And the Number 1 prognostication for the Caps this season.
...Plan your parade route, kids, there’s hardware comin’ to town
They’d be hard to bet against the way they’re playing at the moment, but there is a long time until June.
Stop, don't jinx us man....
ReplyDelete