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 first post in this series, Over Or Under – Mike Majeski.
The Blue Jackets will finish the regular season with 90 pts: Over or Under?
Over
If the Blue Jackets are going to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference they will have to obtain 90 points or higher. I am a firm believer in this team, and I think they have what it takes to make the playoffs. Even if it’s the 8th seed in the East, I think it can be done. If you look into previous years of the standings in the Eastern Conference then you will notice, just like I have, that 90 or higher is pretty much a standard to get into the playoffs.
Bobrovsky will win 35 games in the 2013-14 season: Over or Under?
Over
Jan 28, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the second period against the Dallas Stars at Nationwide Arena. Columbus defeated Dallas 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Last season Sergei Bobrovsky played a total of 38 games, just 10 shy of playing the whole season. During this upcoming season I think that Bobrovsky will end up playing roughly between 60 and 70 games. If he ends up playing 60 plus games, winning 35 is just around half of those games. A feat that I think can be easily obtainable. I think that Bobrovsky can pull off between 35 and 40 wins in this upcoming season. More specifically I think 38 will be the magic number this year for wins.
Bobrovsky’s Goals Against Average (GAA), 2.00: Over or Under?
Over
A goals against average of 2.00 or below is most certainly a Vezina Award number. Not saying that I don’t think Bobrovsky will have another tremendous year, but only a few goalies each year reach 2.00 GAA or lower. I think he will be just above 2.00, probably in the 2.10 to the 2.20 range. That would still put him around the top 10 of goaltenders in the league, which is becoming a more challenging feat as goaltenders are becoming stronger and stronger in the NHL.
Marian Gaborik will finish the season with 75 points: Over or Under?
Under
As much as I want Marian Gaborik to produce more than 75 points this upcoming season I think he will fall just short. Gaborik lost some time to train this offseason because of an abdominal surgery. BlueJackets.NHL.com reports that he is ready to go for this upcoming season, but I can’t help but wonder if this will affect his start to the season or if he will even miss some games. I think a more realistic number will be between 65 and 70. That would be around 30-40 goals, and 25-35 assists.
Jared Boll will rack up 200 Penalty Minutes this season: Over or Under?
Jan 21, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Jared Boll (40) and Detroit Red Wings right wing Jordin Tootoo (22) fight during the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
Under
I am not a big fan of fighting in the NHL. Lets be honest, no one says that, that last statement is 100% false. I love a good hockey fight, but for all the good reasons. To lift a team up, after an illegal hit, and of course, defending the goaltender. I think Jared Boll will come close to 200 but will not hit it, or be over that amount during this upcoming season. In the 2011-2012 season only two players received more than 200 penalty minutes, granted one of them was former CBJ Derek Dorsett, I think the Blue Jackets are a slightly different team than previous years. I think the Blue Jackets will find themselves in more positions that they are winning a game and will not look to take penalties or fight.
The Blue Jackets will win a playoff game this year: Over or Under?
Over
In the first question I mentioned that the Blue Jackets will win enough games to make the playoffs and will have more than 90 points. I think this team has the drive to get into the playoffs, and I think they will not get swept this time around. Like I just noted in the above question, this is a different team from the past. This team has a fresh new look, and last season was just the start of what this new Blue Jackets team is capable of.
There you have it, my Over / Under predictions for the 2013-14 Blue Jackets season! Make sure to keep your eye out for the other Union and Blue staff writers’ predictions as we move closer to the season. Feel free to provide your predictions in the comments section below or comment on our Facebook page or Twitter!