Last season, the St. Louis Blues proved once again they are a force to be reckoned with in the regular season. In doing so, they also proved the age-old sentiment that history repeats itself. Yet again, the Blues forgot how to win hockey games as soon as the ice was painted with “Stanley Cup Playoffs.”
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While this year’s St. Louis Blues are “arguably” in a better position for playoff success, it’s important to consider the road to get back into the mix of the top teams in the NHL. Five teams in the Central Division of the Western Conference made the playoffs last season. This shows how competitive the division truly is. Last year’s Stanley Cup champions, the Chicago Blackhawks, were one of them.
The Blues won their division by 5 points and tied for the best record in the Western Conference with the Anaheim Ducks. Bringing in players such as Troy Brouwer, and having younger players gain playoff experience in Jori Lehtera, Alex Steen, and Dmitrij Jaskin, I’d look for our Blues to make a big splash this season.
Here is my team by team prediction for the Central Division (not the playoffs) for the upcoming season.
Chicago Blackhawks
Sep 22, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews (19) with the puck during the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
- 2015 Central Division Finish: 3rd
- 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Finish: Champion
- Statistics From Last Season
- Wins: 48
- Losses: 28
- OTL: 6
- Points: 102
- Key Arrivals:
- Key Departures:
- 2016 Division Prediction: I predict the Chicago Blackhawks will win the Central Division in 2015-2016. A strong playoff performance led to the hoisting of the Stanley Cup for the ‘Hawks. I would look for their potent offense of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, and Marian Hossa, to thrive once again.
- 2015 Central Division Finish: 7th
- 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Finish: Did not qualify
- Record From Last Season
- Wins: 39
- Losses: 31
- OTL: 12
- Points: 90
- 2016 Division Prediction: The Colorado Avalanche will finish last in the division just as they did last season. Veterans such as Erik Johnson and Jarome Iginla won’t be enough to get their team over the hump and into a playoff spot. They lack the firepower necessary to compete in such a talented division and will have difficulty outscoring goal-laden sides such as the Blackhawks and Blues.
- 2015 Central Division Finish: 6th
- 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Finish: Did not qualify
- Record From Last Season
- Wins: 41
- Losses: 31
- OTL: 10
- Points: 92
- 2016 Division Prediction: The Dallas Stars had a disappointing campaign in 2014-2015. I expect a “dead cat bounce” from them in 2015-2016. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, you can research its meaning. Tyler Seguin and Patrick Sharp will lead the Stars to the playoffs this season as they finish 4th in the division with a wild card place.
- 2015 Central Division Finish: 4th
- 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Finish: Lost in 2nd round
- Record From Last Season
- Wins: 46
- Losses: 28
- OTL: 8
- Points: 100
- 2016 Division Prediction: The Minnesota Wild dropped the Blues from the playoffs last year. The Wild ultimately were bounced from the playoffs by the Blackhawks. Zach Parise and Thomas Vanek will not let their playoff failure bring them down in 2015-2016. They will finish 4th and hit the playoffs with a wild card spot.
- 2015 Central Division Finish: 2nd
- 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Finish: Lost in 1st round
- Record From Last Season
- Wins: 47
- Losses: 25
- OTL: 10
- Points: 104
- 2016 Division Prediction: I expect the Nashville Predators to be a tough team heading into 2015-2016. Veteran leaders such as Barrett Jackman, Mike Ribeiro, and James Neal, will have something to prove after dropping out of the playoffs in the 1st round at the hands of the champion, Blackhawks. I predict they will finish 2nd and make a push in the playoffs.
- 2015 Central Division Finish: 1st
- 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Finish: Lost in 1st round
- Record From Last Season
- Wins: 51
- Losses: 24
- OTL: 7
- Points: 109
- 2016 Division Prediction: The St. Louis Blues will look to rebound after a dreadful postseason. They were cast out of the playoffs by division foe, the Minnesota Wild. The Blues return most of their top players, with the exception of T.J. Oshie and Barret Jackman. They’ll rely heavily on the top line of Paul Stastny, Vladimir Tarasenko, and Alex Steen. This year, I predict the mighty Blues to finish 3rd in the division. Hopefully focusing less on sprinting through the regular season, and peaking at the end, will lead to playoff success.
- 2015 Central Division Finish: 5th
- 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Finish: Lost in 1st round
- Record From Last Season
- Wins: 43
- Losses: 26
- OTL: 13
- Points: 99
- 2016 Division Prediction: The Jets were swept in their only playoff round last year. The Anaheim Ducks breezed through the Jets in 4 games on their way to the Conference Finals. Former Blue, Lee Stempniak, is no longer a Jet, and Dustin Byfuglien is in a contract year. There will be pressure on the Jets to make the playoffs yet again, but I feel they’ll fall to that pressure and finish 6th.
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Colorado Avalanche
Sep 24, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Calgary Flames center Markus Granlund (60) moves the puck towards Colorado Avalanche defenseman Erik Johnson (6) as center Matt Duchene (9) defends from behind in the third period during a preseason game at Pepsi Center. The Flames defeated the Avalanche 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Stars
April 8, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Dallas Stars center Vernon Fiddler (38) and goalie Jhonas Enroth (1) celebrate the 4-0 victory against the Anaheim Ducks following the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Wild
Sep 27, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) makes a save while defenseman Matt Dumba (24) and Winnipeg Jets forward Anthony Peluso battle in front of the goal during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
Nashville Predators
Sep 23, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber (6) during the third period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
St. Louis Blues
Apr 24, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen (34) in the game against the Minnesota Wild during the first period of game five of the first round of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scottrade Center. The Minnesota Wild defeat the St. Louis Blues 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Winnipeg Jets
Sep 27, 2015; Saint Paul, MN, USA: Minnesota Wild center Ryan Carter (18) checks Winnipeg Jets forward Mark Scheifele (55) in front of Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) during the third period at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild win 8-1 over the Jets. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
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