2013-14 Columbus Blue Jackets Season Predictions: Over Or Under Cont…
As part of our ongoing preview of the 2013-14 NHL Season, it is time to continue the prediction series! Instead of the standard “what will happen?” format, Mike Majeski thought an Over / Under format would be more interesting. In this series, each staff writer at the Union and Blue will answer Over or Under in response to several hypothetical stats for the 2013-14 season and then explain why they selected that option. In a future post we will check back and see how everyone did. Make sure to check out the other post in this series: Part 1 – Over Or Under – Mike Majeski, Part 2 – Over Or Under – Mark Huss, Part 3 – Over or Under – Clint Linn and Part 4 – Over or Under – Lindsay Wilson.
The Blue Jackets will finish the regular season with 90 pts: Over or Under?
Over
Sep 15, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson attempts to score against Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Jeff Zatkott (37) during the 3rd period of the game at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Leifheit-USA TODAY Sports
Let me say that again…over. I am not only going to take a shot at saying our beloved Blue Jackets will go over 90 points on the year, I’m going to give you my prediction of the entire season. It is my humble opinion that after the 82 regular season games are played, that the Jackets will stand at 41-29-12 with 94 points.
This roster is stacked. We have a ton of depth, and some serious decisions are going to have to be made when the final training camp cuts are made. This has never been an issue in the past for the Jackets. This team is making all the right moves to take steps forward, right into the playoffs.
I may be going out on a limb to give the full-season prediction, but that is the way I like it. Perhaps I just prefer to live dangerously.
Bobrovsky will win 35 games in the 2013-14 season: Over or Under?
Over
If I am going to stay true to my last answer, this one has to be an over. As long as the reigning Vezina trophy winner stays healthy, it is probably a fair statement to say that we are going to work him like a rented mule (is that even a saying?). I assume that he will start 65-70 games this year, and going along with my earlier season prediction, that means that he will have at least 35 wins to his credit.
Bobrovsky’s Goals Against Average (GAA), 2.00: Over or Under?
Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky poses with the Vezina Trophy. Photo By: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
Over
I cannot tell you how wrong I hope I am here, but we have to face the fact that you have better odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions in the same day than pulling off a goals against average of under 2.00 in back to back seasons. Get out your rabbits foot and polish your lucky 4-leaf clover, because at the end of the season when we review our predictions, I want desperately to be very wrong on this one.
Marian Gaborik will finish the season with 75 points: Over or Under?
Under
Even if Marian Gaborik manages to stay healthy all season, which isn’t like him, I see him aiming more at the 60-65 point mark for the season. Depending who he gets placed with on the number one line will also help determine this number, but I see 75 as a little high.
Jared Boll will rack up 200 Penalty Minutes this season: Over or Under?
Apr 25, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Jared Boll (40) warms up before the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Blue Jackets defeated the Stars 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Over
Although we have a few scrappy guys on the team, those fights come far and few between in comparison to Jared Boll. Boll just had his contract renewed, and he is going to be ready to drop the gloves at any time this season.
With the move to the east, the Jackets are going to need to come out strong in order to make an impression on some of our new powerhouse neighbors, and Boll will play a major part in that mission.
Also, as it has been stated before, Derek Dorsett is gone, so that just leaves even more opportunities for Boll to step up and be our one true enforcer.
The Blue Jackets will win a playoff game this year: Over or Under?
Over
Do you remember the scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail where the army is charging, but it never looks like they are getting any closer? This is what life has been like for Blue Jackets fans. However, I am now happy to report that I have chosen “over” for this question. I am pretty sure that just about anyone would choose this right now, and who can blame us? There has never been a Jackets team this good, and we have never had so many star players.
For anyone thinking the opposite, just remember the three magic words…Bob says nyet.
Predictions are never easy, but they sure are fun. I’ll get comments from both sides of the fence on this one, but that is the beauty of sport. Comment away on our site, twitter or facebook. And, if you want to join the challenge, let me know how you would answer these questions.