Depends on a few things.
1) Can the abysmal PK be fixed or at least made to be average? 80-85% from here on out would go a long, long way.
2) Can the PP get back on track?
3) Will Johnny slow down a bit in the second half as he continues to adjust to the NHL grind? Can Hudler maintain PPG pace like he has so far?
4) I don't think we have another nine 3rd period come from behind wins to bank on for the second half, one or two is more likely. So we will need to find ways to make that up, mainly scoring first, leading more.
5) Who will score? I know to date this hasn't been as much of a problem but I don't think Jooris, Gaudreau, Hudler and a few others are necessarily going to keep up their unexpected paces. We will need some others to step up ands in a big way. I'm looking at you Raymond, Backlund, Colborne and even Glencross (who has been good this year but getting him closer to a 30 goal pace would be huge)
6) Can Hiller and Ramo step it up in the second half? Not that they've been bad but as the contenders start finding their playoff form, our goalies will need to steal us a few more games in the second half than they did in the first.
In short, I doubt it. I think they end up with about 40 wins which is a huge success if you ask me, but will likely miss the playoffs by 4 or 5 points. Nothing to be ashamed about, the team just isn't ready yet. Personally I think 2016-17 will be the year this team starts to take off in a big, big way. We just got a small taste of what is to come.
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