Forward Progress: Pens Predictions

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 2011-2012 Predictions.

49-23-10 108 points, 1st Atlantic, 2nd East, 3rd NHL.
Offense: 9th
Defense: 4th
PP: 14th
PK: 2nd
Winning streak: 8 games
Losing streak 3 games



FORWARD PREDICTIONS

-Sidney Crosby (three quarter season/60 games) 40G,46A- 86 points
-Sidney Crosby (half season/40 games) 27G,29A- 56 points
-Sidney Crosby (quarter season/22 games) 11G,16A- 27 points
No one, not even Sid, knows when he'll be back. But I believe when he comes
back and shakes off the rust after a couple games, we're gonna see the best
hockey player in the world prove it once again.

-Evgeni Malkin: 45G,62A- 107 points
Geno is on a mission this year to reclaim his status as one of the best
players in the game. He is highly motivated and in terrific shape. Expect
Malkimania to run absolutely wild this year.

-Jordan Staal: 25G,28A- 53 points
After missing half of last year to injury, Staal is back and ready to play
some quality two way hockey and get Selke consideration again.

-James Neal: 28G,24A- 52 points
Proving last year's last 20 games was a fluke, Neal will become a fixture
with Geno and later Sid and put up some solid numbers.

-Chris Kunitz: 23G,26A- 49 points
A forechecking machine, Kuni pays the price with injuries, but has the
ability to put up good numbers when healthy, especially with Sid.

-Steve Sullivan: 15G,28A- 43 points
Heath issues and age could take their toll, but skating alongside Geno
for 60-70 games and power play time will give him some points.

-Tyler Kennedy: 16G,20A- 36 points
Had a breakout season last year, but got way more ice time due to injuries.
Will still shine at times, but with a healthy Geno and Sid, his time goes down.
If he stays on a line with Malkin, expect point totals to jump.

-Pascal Dupuis: 15G,19A- 34 points
Speedy veteran winger can play on any line and contribute. A fixture on the PK.
Under appreciated.

-Matt Cooke: 14G,16A- 30 points
Not just a goon. If he stays out of trouble like he says he will, expect him to put
up respectable numbers. He is one of the Pens top penalty killers.

-Mark Letestu: 10G,12A- 22 points
Hard to gauge where this young man will end up. Overcrowded at center, he will fight to
find his time and ways to produce somewhere.

-Arron Asham: 9G,10A- 19 points
Misses a lot of time last year, but ready to play a gritty, veteran role.

-Craig Adams: 2G,9A- 11 points
A penalty killing machine. He will do whatever it takes to help the team.

-Joe Vitale: 3G, 7A- 10 points
Made the team after a strong camp and will work hard to contribute any way he can.

-Steve MacIntyre: 0G,2A- 2 points
Enforcer.




GOALIE PREDICTIONS
Marc-Andre Fleury 38-19-7 2.41 GAA, .915%, 3 SO
Brent Johnson 11-4-3 2.60 GAA, .912%, 1 SO
-Flower will be solid in between the pipes again, with Beej providing a steady backup.


KRIS LETANG PREDICTION (just cause he's my favorite player)
11G,49A- 60 points


NHL TOP SCORERS PREDICTIONS
1-Evgeni Malkin 45G,62A 107 points
2-Steven Stamkos 50G,51A 100 points
3-Alex Ovechkin 48G,48A 96 points
4-Martin St.Louis 30G,63A 93 points
5-Henrik Sedin 22G,70A 92 points
6-Corey Perry 45G,45A 90 points
7-Ryan Getzlaf 30G,58A 88 points
8-Daniel Sedin 34G,53A 87 points
(9-Sidney Crosby 40G,46A 86 points if healthy for 60ish games)
9-Anze Kopitar 35G,51A 86 points
10-Daniel Sedin 33G,52A 85 points

NHL MAJOR AWARDS PREDICTIONS

ART ROSS- Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh


HART- Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh

ROCKET RICHARD- Steve Stamkos, Tampa Bay

VEZINA- Pekka Rinne, Nashville

NORRIS- Shea Weber, Nashville

CALDER- Brayden Schenn, Philadelphia

SELKE- Jonathan Toews, Chicago

ADAMS- Barry Trotz, Nashville

CONN SMYTHE- Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh




and here we go...