The 2019-20 NHL season begins Wednesday, then the Blackhawks get things started Friday against the Flyers on Friday in Prague.
There are several teams that can be viewed as locks to return to the playoffs, and some that may sneak in after going home early a season ago. Where the Blackhawks fit in that discussion is dependent on the team’s overall defensive play, the health of Corey Crawford and whether Robin Lehner will be able to play at a top level in front of Chicago’s porous defense.
This is the first of three predictions posts with the NHL Awards and Blackhawks-focused picks to come.
Central
Brandon: NSH, COL, DAL
Dave: COL, STL, NSH
Ian: COL, DAL, STL
Matt: NSH, COL, STL
Shepard: NSH, STL, COL
Pacific
Brandon: CGY, VGS, SJ
Dave: CGY, VGS, SJ
Ian: VGS, SJ, CGY
Matt: VGS, CGY, SJ
Shepard: VGS, SJ, CGY
Western wild card picks
Brandon: STL, ARI
Dave: WPG, DAL
Ian: NSH, VAN
Matt: WPG, CHI
Shepard: DAL, CHI
Atlantic
Brandon: TB, TOR, BOS
Dave: TB, BOS, TOR
Ian: TB, BOS, TOR
Matt: TB, BOS, TOR
Shepard: TB, BOS, TOR
Metropolitan
Brandon: CAR, WSH, PIT
Dave: WSH, PIT, CAR
Ian: CAR, WSH, NYI
Matt: WSH, CAR, PIT
Shepard: WSH, CAR, NYI
Eastern wild card picks
Brandon: FLA, NJ
Dave: NYI, FLA
Ian: FLA, NJ
Matt: FLA, NJ
Shepard: PIT, NJ
Stanley Cup Final
Brandon: VGS over TB
Dave: TB over CGY
Ian: VGS over CAR
Matt: WSH over NSH
Shepard: VGS over TB
Sound off in the comments with your picks.