Bold second-half predictions for all 31 NHL teams

The St. Louis Blues ruined a lot of things last season. Playoff brackets. "Gloria." The continuing presence of undetected hand passes on winning overtime goals. But mostly they ruined the concept of "bold predictions."

Seriously, how can any prognostication made at the midpoint of the NHL regular season compare to "a team in last place with an interim coach and a rookie goalie is going to win the first Stanley Cup in franchise history?"

Nevertheless, we're tasked with making 31 declarative statements about NHL teams in the second half of the season, so let's get bold:

Note: Emily Kaplan made predictions on the Metropolitan and Central teams, while Greg Wyshynski handled the Atlantic and Pacific.

Anaheim Ducks

Despite a bad season, and an increased concern about his fit with the team after his name was circulated in talks for Justin Faulk earlier this season, Ondrej Kase remains a Duck through the Feb. 24 trade deadline.

Arizona Coyotes

Despite being on pace to miss the mark, Phil Kessel becomes a hot desert dog down the stretch and tops 20 goals for the 12th consecutive season.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins make their annual trade for a winger at the deadline, and this time it's Tyler Toffoli of the Kings joining the black and gold for the playoff run.

Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres miss the playoffs again, and they either hire a president of hockey operations above Jason Botterill or fire their general manager outright.

Calgary Flames

After a disappointing season, the Flames trade Johnny Gaudreau to an Eastern Conference team to free up the cap space ... to sign Taylor Hall to a seven-year free-agent contract this summer.

Carolina Hurricanes

Erik Haula will lead the team in goals. The former Golden Knight has been terrific when he's available, but injuries cut into his first half. Expect the Finn to catch fire this spring.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks reach a long-term extension with Robin Lehner to be their goaltender of the future. What does that mean for Corey Crawford? He takes a short-term deal with Chicago this summer, or decides to retire.

Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon is approached once again by TMZ cameras, and this time he not-so-humbly accepts that he truly has become a celebrity.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus will make the playoffs. The Blue Jackets have been playing like a playoff team for the past month, but if you would have told this to someone after the great exodus that was summer 2019, you would have been called nuts.

Dallas Stars

Alexander Radulov will finish with 30-plus goals for the first time in his career. He's not on pace to do it now (only 12 so far), but Radulov can easily get on a hot streak -- and he's heating up.

Detroit Red Wings

GM Steve Yzerman uses his Jedi powers to manipulate the lottery balls, earning the Red Wings the top pick in the draft and a franchise player in Alexis Lafreniere.

Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid outscores Leon Draisaitl for the season, with 48 goals and 125 points, setting a new career high in both categories.

Florida Panthers

Sergei Bobrovsky quiets the haters and earns his money with another .940 save percentage March to lead the Panthers to the postseason.

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings trade both Alec Martinez and Tyler Toffoli before the deadline, and get a first-rounder for one of them.

Minnesota Wild

Luke Kunin will finish with 20-plus goals. He's been a key part of the Wild's checking line (GEEK Squad forever), but the 22-year-old Kunin is also coming into his own offensively.

Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens become a seller at the deadline and move Tomas Tatar at the height of his value for a first-round pick.

Nashville Predators

John Hynes will lead the Predators to a Stanley Cup. The past six coaches to win a Stanley Cup were on their second, third or fourth coaching jobs. Make it seven straight as Hynes takes this ready-to-win roster all the way.

New Jersey Devils

Nikita Gusev will finish the season with 60 points. The Russian had a rough start, particularly defensively, but is finding his stride in the North American game. Hey, maybe not all of Ray Shero's summer moves were bad.

New York Islanders

The Islanders will make the biggest splash on trade deadline day. It's bold because nobody ever knows what Lou Lamoriello is going to do. But his team could use some scoring help, and he'll swing for a big name.

New York Rangers

Igor Shesterkin proves he's the best Rangers goalie (to win right now) by the end of the season. What does that mean for Alexandar Georgiev? Henrik Lundqvist? Ah, that's a summer problem.

Ottawa Senators

Despite several teams seeking to trade for him, Jean-Gabriel Pageau re-signs with the Senators on a six-year extension.

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers will become road warriors to clinch a playoff spot. To date, they have played much better at Wells Fargo Center (especially goaltending). That's going to change.

Pittsburgh Penguins

John Marino crashes the Calder Trophy race and earns at least a nomination. Awards voters are often swayed by splashy stats, but the 23-year-old defenseman has been insanely consistent in his first NHL season.

San Jose Sharks

Despite leaguewide calls for Joe Thornton to waive his no-move clause and accept a trade to a contender, Jumbo plays out the string with the Sharks in his farewell NHL season. And then he shaves.

St. Louis Blues

The Blues don't finish the season atop the Western Conference -- a place they've held for most of the season. Hey, the Stanley Cup hangover has to set in at some point. St. Louis will still comfortably make the playoffs, though.

Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning sweep their first-round opponent in the Eastern Conference playoffs before reverting to their old ways and losing in a Game 7 in one of the next two rounds.

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs overcome their obvious defensive flaws with a Conn Smythe performance from Frederik Andersen and become the third team in five seasons to win the Stanley Cup after an in-season coaching change.

Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks finally get a full season of health out of their star players (as we knock on the largest piece of wood we can find), making the playoffs for the first time since 2015 ... and winning a round for the first time since 2011.

Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights win Game 7 of their first-round playoff series after video review overturns a major penalty. Vegas becomes the first arena in NHL history to chant "Thank you, Bettman."

Washington Capitals

The Caps will give Ilya Samsonov more starts than Braden Holtby over the second half. It's a changing of the guard in Washington. Say hello to the new franchise goalie.

Winnipeg Jets

Dustin Byfuglien returns. The 34-year-old defenseman (who is technically suspended) has been rehabbing a surgically repaired ankle. Byfuglien will give it one more go on the ice before he retires.

Note: You'll notice that we have both the Predators and Maple Leafs as Stanley Cup champs here. Emily made the bold predictions for the Central Division, while Greg handed the Atlantic Division. So while the notion of a double-champion may be appealing to both fan bases, it's merely a difference of opinion on how the season will play out.