1 bold prediction for each 2018 Stanley Cup playoff team

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 04: The Pittsburgh Penguins watch their 2017 Stanley Cup Championship banner rise to the rafters behind the Stanley Cup prior to a game agains the St. Louis Blues at PPG PAINTS Arena on October 4, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

4 of 16

COLUMBUS, OH – APRIL 3: Sergei Bobrovsky /

Columbus Blue Jackets

Sergei Bobrovsky will have a good playoff series

This isn’t nearly as bold a prediction as Zdeno Chara leading the Boston Bruins in points by a defenseman, but this is the year Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky rebounds and plays well.

For one, Bobrovsky isn’t playing the Pittsburgh Penguins. He’s sub-.900 against them in both of his playoff series losses to them and has given up three or more goals in every game the Penguins and Blue Jackets have played one other.

Bobrovsky is now going up against a new team in the Washington Capitals, and the Blue Jackets have an opportunity to win their first-ever playoff series. Only against the Penguins does he seem to be fighting the puck and letting in awful goals but that won’t happen in this series. He’s going to be above .900 against the Capitals and if Columbus loses, it won’t be because of Bob.

Home/NHL Playoffs