Five Bold, Biased Playoff Predictions for Canadiens – Lightning

by Corey Desormeaux , Staff Writer, All Habs Hockey Magazine

OTTAWA, ON – The Montreal Canadiens are on to round two, which means it’s time for another five bold, biased predictions.

But first, let’s assess the predictions from round one.

1. Alex Galchenyuk will lead the series in points

So, not a great start to the predictions (but looking at the reader poll below, you were with me on this one.)  Other than scoring a crucial overtime goal in Game 2, Galchenyuk didn’t provide much offence in the series.  Both Torrey Mitchell and Bryan Flynn finished the series with more points than Galchenyuk’s two assists (tied for 10^th in the series).  Erik Karlsson led the series with five points.

Prediction Grade: F

2. Jeff Petry will lead all Montreal and Ottawa defencemen in goals this series

Jeff Petry had a great series, I wrote briefly about it in a post this week.  Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to get a goal; in fact, he didn’t even get on the scoresheet.  Only one defenceman in the series had more than one goal, and that man was Patrick Wiercioch.  Since picking neither Subban nor Karlsson was bold and neither of them led defencemen in goals, I didn’t fail as miserably on this one as I did with the Galchenuyk prediction.

Prediction Grade: D-

3. The Habs will score 3 short-handed goals in the series

When Lars Eller scored a shorthanded beauty in game one, I was feeling great about this prediction.  Well, it was the only shorthanded goal of the series. Frig.

There were only five shorthanded goals scored in the entire first round of the playoffs so based on that I am giving this prediction a decent grade.

Prediction Grade: C

4. Devante Smith-Pelly will average 3 hits a game and average a point per game

Despite playing most of the series in the top six, Smith-Pelly only logged one point in the series.  He did however lead the Habs in hits with 22 over six games.  That’s good for an average of 3.67 hits per game, meaning the prediction was half right.

Prediction Grade: B-

5. P-A Parenteau will score a hat-trick

Parenteau failed to register a point in the two games he played in the first round. Sigh…

Prediction Grade: F

Overall grade for round one’s bold and biased predictions: D

And how did you vote?

[poll id=”166″]

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Now, on to round 2…

Friday night, the Montreal Canadiens will face-off against the Tampa Bay Lighting in game one of the second round.  The Lighting got the best of the Canadiens this season winning all five meetings between the clubs, but don’t count out the Habs just yet.

The bold, biased predictions for round two:

1. Greg Pateryn will earn his first NHL goal

Earning his first NHL assist in round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Greg Pateryn is still in the hunt for his first NHL goal.  Pateryn is known to be a stay at home defenceman, and has been playing on the Habs’ third pairing, which doesn’t give him much opportunity to score.  He played three games in round one registering two shots, both of which came in Game 5.

2. De La Rose will have a multi-point game, one of the points being a game-winning goal

Jacob De La Rose has been an extremely effective player for the Canadiens since being recalled from the minors.  Spending most of his time as a winger to Lars Eller, De La Rose has been tasked with shutting down the opposition’s best forwards and killing penalties.  At just 19 years old, that’s a lot of responsibility.  With P.A. Parenteau being inserted into the lineup for game six of round one, Michel Therrien opted to juggle the lines sending De La Rose to the fourth line.  At practice this week, he’s been slotted on a line with Torrey Mitchell and Devante Smith-Pelly.  He has four goals and two assists in 33 games with the Canadiens this season, and is yet to register a point in the postseason.  Why not a multi-point game including a game-winner to burst that bubble?

3. Markov will lead the Habs in points

I don’t like saying it but, Andrei Markov had a shaky first round.  He himself admitted to having to step up his game for the upcoming series.  P.K. Subban, Markov’s partner, led the Habs in points in the last series and now it’s Markov’s turn to once again prove to Canadiens fans that the veteran has still go it.

4. Gallagher will achieve a Gordie Howe hat-trick

From my perspective, Brendan Gallagher was the best forward for the Canadiens in the first round.  He was his usual self, putting pucks on net, digging hard in the corners and crashing the crease as much as possible.  If he continues to play the way he has, he will continue to produce for the Canadiens.  Last year’s series between the Lighting and the Canadiens wasn’t hostile, but I have a feeling it will be different this time around.  Gallagher’s can irritate the opposition quickly and the one fight he had this year came against the Lighting.

5. Carey Price will score an empty netter

This is perhaps the boldest of the predictions so far?  Price is one of, if not the best puck handling goalies in the league, and frankly, it would just be cool.

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So which do you think is the most likely Bold, Biased prediction to occur? Do you have your own bold prediction? Add it in the comments section below.