Washington Capitals: Five Bold Predictions For 2015-2016

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Oshie Will Score 25 Goals

T.J. Oshie was acquired by the Washington Capitals this offseason. He gives them a concrete first line right wing. That’s something that the Caps have not had in recent years. Some Caps bloggers are making outlandish bets about how many goals Oshie will score. While I believe 30 is a bit outrageous, I believe that he will score 25 goals (not including shootouts). That’s a pretty bold prediction because Oshie’s career high is 21.

With the Blues, Oshie didn’t score many power play goals. He had 80 even-strength goals and 23 power-play goals in seven seasons with the Blues. There’s reason to believe that could change with the Washington Capitals. The Caps power play last season had Troy Brouwer in the slot. During the preseason, the Caps had Oshie in the slot during power plays. Oshie is a pretty good shooter from the slot. War-On-Ice has shot charts that prove that.

CREDIT: War-On-Ice

Brouwer was able to score 27 power play goals in his last three seasons with the Capitals. Let’s forget that one of those years was the lockout shortened season. That’s an average of nine per season. Oshie generates more shot attempts from the slot than Brouwer. It’s not hard to see why Oshie can be reasonably expected to score nine power play goals (give or take).

SEE ALSO: Why Oshie Is An Upgrade Over Brouwer

Oshie had 16 even strength goals last season. If the first forward line lives up to expectations, that’s likely going to rise. He scored 16 goals with Alexander Steen and David Backes as his usual linemates. Backes and Steen are good. They are not the elite forwards that Ovechkin and Backstrom are.

Add it all up and Oshie has a pretty good shot at scoring 25 goals.

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