119 Predictions Revisited - Part I

The Institution is back!

Let me get this out of the way now and let it be known that I am not leaving the fine Gentlemen over Winging it in Motown.  I will still be doing some writing over there this summer and over the course of next season.  Unless they fire me for writing here instead of over there...which if that's the case...screw you Casey, Graham, and J.J.  I never you liked you guys that much anyway.  Then again, if they don't fire me, ignore everything I just wrote.  Except Casey.  Screw him either way.  

So by now everyone must be wondering why I'm back posting here.  Truth is, I felt like I needed to get back to my blogging roots and fulfill the world's needs of more Brendan Smith love.  This blog has a rich history dating all the way back to July 9, 2010 and the legacy that is the BSI must continue to grow.  

Last offseason, I presented the world with 119 predictions for the 2010-2011 season.  I'll admit right now, I'm just as shocked as you that I didn't get all 119 predictions correct.  Over the course of the summer, I plan to look back on my 119 predictions and reflect and wonder what the hell I was thinking when I made these.  Today is the first installment of this blockbuster summer series.  There is no schedule for when these time capsules of awesomeness will be released.  I will post them when I feel like it throughout the summer.  

Let's get down to business.  Today I look back at the first 14 predictions for the 2010-11 season.

1. Jimmy Howard will not have a sophomore slump.
This one is debatable, but because this is my blog and I make the rules.   His regular season numbers (2.79 GAA, .908 SV%) weren't spectacular, but his 37 wins were second in the league.  Plus, his postseason was outstanding.  I dare you to tell me that this team cannot win a Stanley Cup with Jimmy in net.  He proved his postseason doubters this year.  Jimmy, Pavel, and Nick were easily the three best players in the postseason.

2. Brendan Smith will play at least one game this season.
Sadly, this prediction did not come true.  I did get a chance to see Smith play in Grand Rapids this year though (a 4-3 win over the Marlies.  Smith registered an assist).  I have a feeling this AHL All-Star will be making the big club sooner rather than later i.e. next season.  Thanks Brian!

3. The biggest losing streak the Wings will have all season is three games.
The Wings lost 3-straight games twice this season  Both times at least one of the three losses went to OT/SO.  So the team never went pointless.  Their longest losing streak was 4-straight games (@ANA, @SJ, @PHX, vs LA).  The loss to the Ducks occurred in OT and the loss in Phoenix was in a shootout.

4. Detroit will have four all-stars this season.Nope.  Just one...Captain Nick.  The Perfect Human led Team Lidstrom (second best team name in all of sports behind Red Wings) to a 11-10 victory over Team Staal.  Lidstrom registered an assists in the game and was a plus-7.  Let me say that again...PLUS-7...in a freakin' all-star game where no one plays defense...not even the goalies.  Perfect numbers from TPH.

5. Nick Lidstrom will be a Norris trophy finalist. 
Nailed it.  Lidstrom was 2nd in scoring among all defenseman.  He was third in assists and tied for fourth in goals.      Lidstrom's 62 points was the 6th highest point total in his career.  I personally expect a 7th Norris trophy.  

6. <----- the number of overtime losses for the Wings.
I was off by 4.  The Wings had 10 overtime/shootout losses this season.

7. No playoff series involving Detroit will go seven games.
Yup.  Missed this one too.  I'm glad though, getting this prediction correct would mean that the Wings didn't fight back against the Sharks.  I'll take being wrong here.

8. Abby will win a fight.
Abby won more than one fight...I'm pretty sure.

9. GUEST PREDICTION: Jesse Liebman from Last Call Sports and The Good Old Hockey Show - "Mike Modano will put up 35+ points." 
15 points in 40 games for Modano.  If he doesn't get hurt, I say he hits the 35 point mark.  

10. <----- the number of games the Lions will win......just kidding! I prediction six wins.
Six wins for the Lions...crushed this prediction.  Ladies and gentlemen, expect 9 wins this upcoming season (if no games are missed due to the lockout).

11. I honestly have no idea which Danny Cleary we will see this season, but I hope it's the healthy one that can put up 20 goals. 
68 games?  That's relatively healthy for Buckets.  26 goals?  A career high. Nailed this one.

12. The Wings will win every home opener that they are involved in.
Wings lost 4-1 in the Stars' home opener.  I blame Modano.  Also, just retire Mike.  Don't come back again.  Skate off into the sunset with Willa.  This offseason, I'm Nodano...more like NO-NO-NO-HELL NODANO.

13. Detroit will win the first ever game at the Consol Energy Center.
Wings lost 5-1 and Brooks Orpik can suck it.

14. Hank will continue to shut down Crosby.
He didn't have to because David Steckel took care of Sid for everyone.

So by my count, through 14 predictions, I have a mean record of 4-8-2 (Correct-Incorrect-Push).  Not the best record in the world, but I'm just a slow starter.  I always finish strong.  

14 down.  105 to go.

Let's Go Red Wings.