The 2016-17 NHL Season Begins Tonight... Go B's!

It's been a long 4 months since my boy Phil the Thrill lifted Lord Stanley's Cup and I for one couldn't be more stoked. The NHL is back baby! Kinda snuck up on us because the NHL is a JV league and doesn't promote itself at all but none the less it's here! 30 teams all undefeated right now, everyone has the same chance to win the cup, it's pretty exciting when you think about it, but then again there's only like 6 teams that have a legit shot at winning it all so never mind. ENOUGH WITH THE INTRO ON TO WHAT I KNOW COULD BE 3 THINGS I KNOW COULD BE 12 I DON'T EVEN KNOW YET

- The B's will make the playoffs. 2 seasons straight of missing the playoffs is where I'm drawing the line. The 2016-17 Boston Bruins will make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year that is my promise to you. Sure we have the slowest defensive core in the league and we have a goalie who has boiling hot water in his veins and a captain who is 3 years past when he shoulda retired and a front office who has no idea what they're doing and we traded away 2 of the top 5 goal scorers last year (still bitter) and no longer have any of the core guys in our 2 cup runs BUT we will make the playoffs. If the WCOH was any preview of this season, Marchand and Bergeron are both gonna surpass last years career best numbers. Marchand knows he just got paid and needs to back it up. Guys like Bergeron, Chara, Tuukka, Marchy, Kreijci know what Boston expects from its teams and they know missing the playoffs for a third straight year just won't do it. We'll sneak into the 6,7, or 8 spot in the last week of the season. Buckle up because this is gonna be one long roller coaster of a season. PREDICTION: 7th in East, 2nd round playoff exit

- Connor McDavid is the real deal. After his debut season was cut short due to injury, we only got a small snippet of his magic. But after a few highlight reel goals, a point per game average when he was in the lineup, and dazzling for Team North America at the WCOH, I am here to confirm the McDavid is THE REAL DEAL. Stamp it! Kids got uber talent, extremely mature, and the composure of a seasoned vet. I for one am stoked to see what he brings to the table this season, hopefully he begins the turn around for the Oilers, would love to see them good again. Oh yeah he also was named the youngest captain in NHL history, nbd. PREDICTION: Top 5 scorer this year.

- The Penguins will not repeat as champs. On paper Pitt is probably the best team in the league right now, but it is just too difficult in the league these days to repeat as champs. There is just too much parody. With Matt Murray being injured to kick off the year, Flower gets the nod, which will lead to a goalie controversy all season long, Coach's dream, team nightmare. Need a solid number 1 tendy that the team can rally around. Crosby is also starting the year on the IR with a conky, this is is like 20th concussion. We all remember what happened a few years ago when he had to miss almost an entire season due to a concussion, hopefully it won't happen again but if it does, consider the Penguins donezo. PREDICTION: 3rd in East, lose in Eastern Conference Finals

- The Washington Capitals get over the hump and Ovi raises the cup then drinks Russia dry of Vodka & Mountain Dew. This is finally the year that the Caps get past the second round and win the Cup. They were head and toes the best team in the league last year. Holtby was stupid good and Ovi messed around and threw up another 50 goal season, ho hum. They shoulda won the cup last year but ran into a hot Penguins team with a scorching goalie. Look for the Caps to dominate the regular season again and carry that all the way to the cup. PREDICTION: Ovechkin 100 goals and a cup

- Tyler Seguin wins scoring title. No brainer here. Seguin and Benn are an unstoppable combo with unbelievable chemistry. Yes Seguin was hurt for the WCOH but that doesn't matter, he's gonna score at a ridiculous pace this year and every single goal I'm gonna die inside. Curse you Nathan Horton's wife! PREDICTION: Seguin's kill count keeps pace with his scoring

- The Las Vegas team name is dumb / having a team in Vegas is dumb. Hockey isn't made to be played in the desert. I mean look at the Coyotes they have a fantastic fan base right? Having a team in Vegas is just another JV league move by the NHL, put a team in Quebec City where it belongs. Also being the Las Vegas Desert Knights instead of the Las Vegas Dad's Who Hate Their Lives And Are On A Coke Bender was a huge dropped ball. PREDICTION: Vegas team folds (pun) after 18 months

- Wednesday Night Rivalry is extremely misleading. In some cases like tonight, Hawks Blues, it is in fact a rivalry. But in most cases, ie Tampa Bay vs Philadelphia, is not a rivalry. Stop trying to make every game a rivalry NBCSN, just stick to Wednesday Night Hockey, we can see right through you. PREDICTION: Less than 6 actual rivalries will be played on Wednesday Night Rivalry

That's a I got for now, but I'm sure as the season goes along the hot take machine will be firing on all cylinders. Hit us up on Twitter with any predictions ya got. Go B's!

Also, just saw Auston Matthews already scored the first goal of this young season, might wanna keep an eye on that kid.

Also, also Loui Eriksson you may have moved across the continent but you're still a BUM!