Arizona Coyotes And NHL 2014-15 Season Predictions
With the NHL season literally around the corner, it’s time for some predictions for the upcoming season. The Coyotes open their 2014-15 regular season tonight against the Winnipeg Jets. It may be the first game of the season but every game counts. Something the Coyotes proved last year as they missed the playoffs by only three points in the standings. To make matters worse, the Coyotes had some unfortunate luck that took points away from them. The controversial call in the shootout in Toronto, the knee injury to Mike Smith, and who could forget the infamous “butt goal” in Buffalo? Despite all the blown leads and bad luck, they managed to stay right on the cusp of the playoffs.
This is something I think they can do again this upcoming season. I don’t think they will win their division, but they do have the potential to be in the wild card conversation. It won’t be easy, teams in the Western Conference really improved over this off-season. The Pacific Division is arguably the toughest division in the NHL. The Kings won the Stanley Cup and the Ducks lead the Western Conference in points. Three teams from the Pacific Division made the playoffs last year, all with at least 100 points. The Coyotes finished above the Vancouver Canucks last season but this year, doing that will be more difficult. The Canucks added goaltender Ryan Miller, in Miller’s career, he is 7-0-0 against the Coyotes. Not to say they will never beat him, but it will be tough. Miller was undefeated against the Phoenix Coyotes, maybe the Arizona Coyotes will have better luck.
The key to the Coyotes success this year will be Mike Smith. As in previous years, goaltending for the Coyotes has been extremely important. For a team that doesn’t score many goals, it will be up to Mike Smith to keep the team in games. With his knee fully healed, he’ll look to recapture his form from the 2011-12 season. Just like they did in the 2011-12 season that took them to the Western Conference Finals, the Coyotes will host the Jets for their home opener. So, here’s to a good omen to start the year.
Here are my predictions for the Pacific Division, Western Conference and Eastern Conference. I may have been a little generous with where I placed the Coyotes, but if Mike Smith can manage to carry the team as he once did, there’s no reason why they can’t make it a reality.
Pacific Division:
- Ducks
- Kings
- Sharks
- Coyotes
- Canucks
- Flames
- Oilers
Western Conference:
- Ducks
- Blues
- Blackhawks
- Kings
- Sharks
- Wild
- Avalanche
- Coyotes
- Canucks
- Stars
- Predators
- Flames
- Oilers
- Jets
Eastern Conference
- Penguins
- Bruins
- Lightning
- Rangers
- Canadiens
- Capitals
- Red Wings
- Blue jackets
- Flyers
- Senators
- Devils
- Maple Leafs
- Panthers
- Islanders
- Hurricanes
- Sabres