Well the season is just over 20 games old and things are starting to get interesting. In keeping with a very rarely followed tradition, my hetero-life mate Troy and I are going to try and lay it on line and see where each team will be at the end of 82 games. Because of the sheer volume of writing we did I decided to split this post in two. We’ll look at the boring Conference first today.
NORTHEAST DIVISION
This division has perennially been the toughest one in the NHL. In the past two seasons it has also played home to the most surprising winners. This year it seems to be a little bit softer. That being said, the difference between first and fourth is pretty small.
Troy Says:
1. Boston Bruins
The only other team in the Northeast that will challenge Boston is Buffalo but if the Bruins can keep any of the magic going from last year I think they’ll pull this one out. Thomas will keep them in most games and Chara has become an elite defensemen (unfortunately) so Boston is going to do well.
2. Buffalo Sabres
A great goalie will do wonders for any team and because of Ryan Miller Buffalo has a chance to win every night. I don’t feel that this team has the supporting cast to one of the top teams in the East but I do feel that they’ll sneak into the dance.
3. Ottawa Senators
Ottawa is a tough team to read this year. I really wasn’t sure what to expect from them but judging from what I’ve seen so far this season Ottawa could be a tough team to play against because for possibly the first time in their history they have a legitimate number one goalie so that could really help them but he needs to be more consistent.
4. Montreal Canadiens
Montreal is another tough team to read this season because they have so many new faces but unfortunately I just don’t see them making the playoffs this year. Gionta, Gomez, and Cammalleri have been excellent but losing Markov has killed this team. Price is starting to regain his form so that will help as well.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs
Ok, I am one of those people that loves Brian Burke so even though this has been an incredibly disastrous season so far I really do think things will get better. Probably not soon enough to salvage this season though but nonetheless the Leafs will be ok. When the Kessel trade was made it seemed perfectly reasonable at the time but now that it looks as though they may be in a draft lottery Boston is licking their lips.
Glen Says:
1. Boston Bruins
They were a little slow to start this year, but they are still the deepest team in the division. They have been absolutely riddled with injuries at the start of the year. Once their big names start to be playing regularly they should be the class of the division again. I doubt that they will be at the top of the conference again though. The element of surprise is no longer on their side.
2. Buffalo Sabres
This is a team that really should have made the playoffs last year and by all accounts were about to. It’s a shame that Miller got injured down the stretch because that would have easily put them back into the dance. So long as he stays healthy and continues to play at such an elite level (he’s probably been the best goalie in the league so far this year) the team should finish in the top 8.
3. Ottawa Senators
I know I’m a dirty rotten fan boy but I know that they will make the playoffs again. They have a great deal of offensive depth, and now they have some cap room to play with if they want to add more high end firepower as the season progresses.
4. Montreal Canadiens
At the start of the season I struggled on whether to put them into the playoffs or out of it. After their best player got injured in the first game the choice is much clearer. I love their team, and I think that they could have a good thing someday. It just won’t be today.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs
How on earth did they convince us that they could be a good team? Their offense has been pathetic, their goaltending questionable, and their defense inadequate. An early favourite to finish last overall…too bad they don’t have their own draft pick.
Damn, we predicted the exact same standings!!!
ATLANTIC DIVISION
Easily the toughest division in the conference, and possibly in the whole league as it houses three pre-season contenders and two early season surprises.
Troy Says:
1. Philadelphia Flyers
When Pronger went to Philly it seemed like the collective hockey world all said “What the hell took so long?”. The big, mean, and nasty Pronger was made for Philly fans and if Ray Emery can play solid goal then the Flyers are going to be a serious contender. Carter needs to step up his game but Richards is fast becoming an Yzerman type player. He’s one of the best young leaders in the game today.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
Crosby is started to pick things up and Malkin is still Malkin so the Pens will have another great year. The battle for first place in the Atlantic between Philly and Pittsburgh should be a fun one to watch!
3. New Jersey Devils
Brodeur got off to a bit of a slow start but he has been playing like his old reliable self in the last little while so if Marty’s on his game then New Jersey will always be in the mix. Unfortunately though the Devils are stuck in the Atlantic division which is easily the toughest division in the East this year so it’s going to be a tough sled for them but Marty will keep them in there.
4. New York Rangers
Yet another Atlantic Division team will be in the playoffs (according to me anyway). The Rangers have gotten off to a decent start this year. Adding Gaborik has been one of their better big name signings in years. I’ll have to admit that when I heard Gaborik had signed with the Rangers I figured he’d float off into oblivion like so many players before him but that has not happened so the Rangers are for real it seems.
5. New York Islanders
Tavares has been pretty impressive so far this season and Matt Moulson has been a nice surprise so the Islanders for the first time in a long time actually seems to have a little hope for the future. Dipietro is close to returning so that could provide a boost as well so although the Islanders won’t make the playoffs this year they may be on the right track and by the time they move to Kansas they may be a decent team.
Glen Says:
1. Philadelphia Flyers
I predicted that they would win the division and be representing the Eastern Conference when the Cup is on the line and I’m sticking with that right now. This team is good, really, really good. Their stars are aligning and they should do some damage, especially as their big names get healthier later on.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
Their big guns are starting out slowly and they are still first in the division as I type. Not bad at all. For all of the attention that their big names get they have a hell of a lot of depth and are getting the job done. They should be competing with the Flyers until the very end.
3. New York Rangers
I had written them off at the start of the season, but I definitely take that back now. They are playing well, their offense is clicking and Gaborik is somehow not injured. Add to the fact that Del Zotto has been one of the best rookies so far this year.
4. New Jersey Devils
They have started out well, but for some reason I see them slipping just a bit as the season goes on. They’ll still make it to the playoffs, but they won’t take the division like they did last year.
5. New York Islanders
Definitely the most pleasant surprise in the Eastern Conference especially since Tavares has adapted so quickly to the big leagues. It’s just a shame that nobody is watching them.
SOUTH EAST DIVISION
This division appeared to no longer be the “SouthLeast” at the start of the season. Turns out they fooled us.
Troy Says:
1. Washington Capitals.
Unfortunately for Ovechkin he has had to deal with an injury this season but when he’s on the ice he has been incredible this year and I think he will lead his team to first place in the East. The only thing holding back Washington is their goaltending but if they can get decent play out of Theodore and Varlamov then Ovie will carry them the
rest of the way. Lets just hope Theodore doesn’t play in the second round.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning
Steve Stamkos is already turning into the player everyone hoped he would become but he’s done it faster than I thought. The NHL has been blessed lately with a ton of young talent that has developed so quickly and it looks like the Lightning have an amazing player in their midst. I’m not sure yet if Stamkos can put this team on his shoulders and pull them into the playoffs so Lecavalier is going to have to step up his game but even so I think the Lightning will be on the outside looking in this year.
3. Atlanta Thrashers.
Basically the only thing Atlanta has going for them is Kovalchuk so I really don’t seem them making any noise this year. Pavelec seems to be a decent young goalie so there may be some hope there for the future but for now things will be tough.
4. Carolina Hurricanes
I know the Cane have been pretty bad this year but I don’t see them finishing dead last in the conference. Stall and Ward have to be much better but they just don’t have the horses this year to get it done.
5. Florida Panthers.
ummmm….they suck.
Glen Says:
1. Washington Capitals
The easiest division pick in the league. They are damn good and a favourite to finish on top of the Conference.
2. Florida Panthers
Here is one of the major places where I disagree with my hetero-life mate. While I may have overrated them at the start of the year (I had them in the playoffs at the beginning). They are not a terrible team by any stretch of the imagination. They have a great core of forwards and a good 1-2 punch in goal. Their d is lacking after Bouwmeester’s departure, but there is still a bit of promise.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning
They are surpassing a lot of people’s expectations here but I still think that they have a long way to go. As Troy mentioned, Stamkos has been nothing short of extraordinary so far this year. LeCavalier should be able to turn things around as the season progresses, either that or he’ll end up traded (to Montreal of course!). Their defense is a little thin, as Hedman needs more time to develop, like most d-men. Their major weakness is of course in net, not sure what can be done about that before the season ends.
4. Carolina Hurricanes
It seems that every year there is one team that really fails to reach its lofty expectations. Last year it was the Stars, the year before it was the Thrashers, the year before it was the Flyers, and now it’s the Hurricanes. After their final four appearance last year it looked like they could be on the way to a repeat performance but injuries and bad luck seem to be against them.
5. Atlanta Thrashers
They really have been a disaster since winning their division a few years ago. Their franchise player is reaching the end of his contract and will probably end up traded later in the season. I hope for both Thrasher fans that they get something good in return.
So to summarize the predictions:
Troy Says:
1. Washington Capitals
2. Philadelphia Flyers
3. Boston Bruins
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
5. New Jersey Devils
6. New York Rangers
7. Buffalo Sabres
8. Ottawa Senators
————————-
9. Tampa Bay Lightning
10. Montreal Canadiens
11. New York Islanders
12. Toronto Maple Leafs
13. Atlanta Thrashers
14. Carolina Hurricanes
15. Florida Panthers
Glen Says:
1. Washington Capitals
2. Boston Bruins
3. Philadelphia Flyers
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
5. New York Rangers
6. Buffalo Sabers
7. New Jersey Devils
8. Ottawa Senators
———————–
9. Florida Panthers
10. Montreal Canadiens
11. Carolina Hurricanes
12. New York Islanders
13. Tampa Bay Lightning
14. Atlanta Thrashers
15. Toronto Maple Leafs
So a lot of consensus at the top, but a large disagreement at the bottom.
Which one of us will be right? Check back later!
Until next time,
G
Also: Check out our Western Conference Predictions
Tags: Laying it on the line, Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, predictions, Stanley Cup
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