The Results of the Which is More Likely Series
Oh, what's that? You thought we would only laugh at the staff's silly predictions!? No no no. Don't be silly! Here are the results of the Which is More Likely Series.
Ah, WIMLS. Easily the most fun I've ever had blogging.
For those of you unfamiliar with WIML, it was a series we ran during the dreary summer months before this season started. It consisted of a question that contained two scenarios, and cases made for each scenario by me. Then, as a community, you had the chance to vote for which of the scenarios was more likely. My favourite part was the comment section, where you were invited to state your case. The best comment from the winning side was featured in the next day's post! Due to the popularity (and how much fun I was having) the WIMLs expanded to scenarios that were league wide.
Now, due to the lockout, some WIMLs didn't make sense to rehash (Craig Anderson makes 65 starts OR Jason Spezza scores 35 goals?), but I think I've summarized enough of them that you will get a feel for how you did. All in all, a strong showing by our community. To see how you faired yourself (in comments and such) feel free to dive into our archives to check!
Without further ado, I present the results of the Which is More Likely Series!
WIML: Kyle Turris scores more than 20 goals OR Sergei Gonchar finishes the season in an Ottawa Senators uniform?
You voted: Kyle Turris, in a LANDSLIDE, 86%.
Actually: Well the short season makes this one tough as Turris was on pace for a 20 goal season, but many of you didn't think Gonchar would make it, and here he is!
WIML: Which is more likely to happen FIRST? The Islanders make the playoffs in the East OR the Oilers make the playoffs in the West?
You voted: 77% picked the Oilers
Actually: Well we can't be right ALL the time. The Islanders were able to put together a solid season to be the 8th seed, and even gave the Penguins a bit of a scare in round 1, while the Oilers were... the Oilers.
WIML: Which is More Likely? That the Detroit Red Wings miss the playoffs for the first time in 22 years OR that the Los Angeles Kings win the Pacific Division?
You voted: For the Kings! They got 67% of the vote!
Actually: Neither happened, though both were close! However, the Kings are the last Pacific team standing, so I'll give the community a win on this one.
WIML: Which is more likely? That Colin Greening gets more points this season than Jakob Silfverberg OR vice-versa?
You voted: Silfver, but with just 54% of the vote.
Actually: They tied! Which is funny because this was one of the closest votes ever. Silfver scored more goals though, so hat tip to the community!
WIML: Which is more likely? That Carolina wins the Southeast Division OR that Pittsburgh wins the Atlantic Division?
You voted: FOR CAROLINA, FOR REAL. With 62% of the vote!!!
Actually: Well, Pens are poised to make a run at the Cup after finishing first in the East, and the Hurricanes finished... 13th in the conference (though 3rd in the Division!)
WIML: Which is More Likely? That Kris Letang finishes second in d-men scoring OR Alex Pietrangelo does OR Brian Campbell does?
You voted: Letang, with 60% of the vote
Actually: He finished first in the league for D-man scoring (though it would have been second if EK was around), so you win!
WIML: Which is more likely? That Mark Stone plays in at least 15 NHL games OR that Mika Zibanejad manages to get more than 10 NHL points?
You voted: For Mika, with 62% of the vote
Actually: Mika finished 4th on team scoring with 20 points, while Mark Stone put on the jersey for just 4 games (in an injury riddled season for both him and the team).
WIML: Which is more likely? That the Rangers finish first in the East OR that Columbus finishes last in the West?
You voted: For #Lumbus to be last, with 64% of the vote.
Actually: Rangers found themselves 6th in the Conference, but the Jackets almost made the playoffs. Neither of these happened, but it is interesting the way the voting went down!
WIML: Which is more likely? That Ben Bishop finishes the season with a save percentage better than .915 OR the Peter Regin finishes the season with more than 40 points?
You voted: For Bishop! With 71% of the vote. WHICH MEANS 104 VOTES WERE CAST FOR REGIN. When will we ever learn?
Actually: Well Regin hardly played and Bish was a stud while he was here.
Extra fun: Because I like to toot my own horn, here is a quote from me in this article "One of my favourite prospects, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, is looking to make his transition to pro hockey this season with the B-Sens. I cannot wait to see how he does. He is such a gifted skater, and so good with the puck. If he can be as elusive as Erik Karlsson or Danny Briere, he could be a player for us one day" YA. JUST CALL ME NOSTRADAMUS. Or a hipster. Or lucky. Ya, that one.
WIML: Which is more likely? That Daniel Alfredsson finishes top 4 in points on the team OR that Chris Phillips averages at least 18 minutes per night?
You voted: For Alfie, duh. But with only 55% of the vote!
Actually: Both happened, so hats off to you for making it a close one! Alfie was 3rd on the team in scoring, and Phillips averaged 21 minutes a night!
WIML: Which is more likely? That Marc Methot leads the team in short-handed ice time OR that Milan Michalek leads the team in goals?
You voted: Marc Methot, with 56% of the vote!
Actually: Marc lead the team in SH TOI by TWO SECONDS over Chris Phillips, while Milan barely played.
WIML: Which is more likely? That Guillaume Latendresse plays more than 60 games OR that Mika Zibanejad plays more than 20?
You voted: For Mika, with 59% of the vote!
Actually: Well there weren't 60 games in the whole season, and yet Mika played in more games than Guillaume did (42 vs 27), so I give this one to the community!
There you have it! Perhaps we will find ourselves with another WIML series this summer, but either way, I think this shows that we have an extremely intelligent (and presumably good-looking) community 'round these parts!