from Arpon Basu of NHL.com,
Here, then, are 12 bold predictions of what is absolutely guaranteed to happen in the second quarter of this season. You can take these to the bank. They are guaranteed.
Tampa Bay Lightning will wake up
The Lightning are simply too talented at too many positions and too well-coached to remain a picture of mediocrity for much longer. Tampa Bay is treading water at roughly 50 percent in just about every significant statistic imaginable; goal differential, shots on goal for and against, shot attempts percentage and scoring chance percentage (according to war-on-ice.com) with a middle of the road power play and penalty kill.
The Lightning led the NHL in goals last season, fueled by the highest 5-on-5 team shooting percentage. That shooting percentage is 19th in the League this season. Some may feel last season was an anomaly, but it's more likely this one is and those shooting numbers will change, the Lightning will start scoring goals, and a climb up the standings will follow.
Pittsburgh Penguins won't
The Penguins were ranked 19th in goals per game last season and have dropped to 25th this season despite the addition of Phil Kessel, one of the top scorers in the game.
Pittsburgh is doing fine in the standings, largely on the back of an outstanding first quarter from goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.
But they won't be able to surge up the standings unless the offense comes alive.
The Penguins are putting pucks on net nearly as frequently, but they were one of the strongest possession teams in the NHL last season with a 5-on-5 SAT% of 52.8, fifth in the League. They are now one of the weakest at 48.3 percent, 19th in the League.
Sidney Crosby won't remain on a 50-point pace for very long, but his revival alone can't cure what ails Pittsburgh. Moving through a second straight season of scoring struggles, perhaps this is simply what the Penguins are.
read on for 10 more predictions...
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