Joined: Jun. 2017
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Then he'd be suspended for 20-30 games.
Smart ass comment aside, it's anyone's guess. Every year people give opinions and point projections but this is the NHL, not the NBA, and it's always hard to predict standings. Did anybody predict the Blue Jackets sweeping the Lightning after a historic season last August? No. How about the Blues starting off as one of the worst teams in the league and then going on to win the cup? No. Anything can happen.
As for the Caps without Kuzy, behind Backstrom that center depth doesn't scream contender but it's also not completely atrocious. There's still good pieces there but a Kuznetsov suspension definitely doesn't help their chances.