Before I get started, did anyone else see the Penguins vs Devils last night? All I have to say is thank goodness for TiVo. Even though they're not my team, Crosby and Malkin are two of the three most exciting players in the game today, the other being Ovechkin.
Malkin's goal was so amazing, I had to pause sportscenter while I collected my jaw off the floor. I must have watched it a dozen times, from the pass right on up the middle, to the beautiful move on the defensemen, and into the goal with what can only be described as the "Stretch Armstrong" reach. This was just a thing of beauty.
Okay, so here we go. After a tenth of the season, here's how I see it in the East.
The Northeast will be the strongest division in the league this season. Buffalo is my prediction for the President's Trophy this season. Montreal and Ottawa will retain spots in the playoffs. Toronto will just barely miss the playoffs, and Boston will finish last in the Eastern Conference.
The Southeast is one of the weaker divisions in the NHL by comparison, but they will still make a decent showing in the postseason. Atlanta will take the division crown, with Florida and Carolina grabbing spots. Washington and Tampa Bay will be on the outside. Watch Tampa Bay at the trade deadline. They may try to swing a trade for a rent-a-player. Do not count on their stars moving.
The Atlantic division will be the most interesting. Of the six divisions, this might be the most competitive, come the end of the season. I'm looking forward to seeing my predictions here proven wrong, if only to see my Rangers in the postseason.
That said, I'm reluctant to give the Rangers a playoff berth. They've really been a disappointment this year. Shannahan's literally the only bright spot on the roster. Jagr looks like he's struggling this season. If I had to guess, I'd say having the C stitched on his sweater is weighing on him. In addition, I think the Rangers will look to find a veteran backup, possibly from one of the California teams with a goaltending surplus.
The Philadelphia Flyers are in turmoil. Theirs is a season without direction, and I fear the worst for this club. They will turn things around, but it will be too little, too late.
The Islanders... I promised myself I was not going to talk about the Islanders. I think I'm still bitter over the firing of Neil Smith. We all saw what he can do. He built the '94 Rangers, and they won a cup. That's all I'm going to say. The Islanders will not make the playoffs.
The Devils have consistently been a threat at the end of the season. They kept the core of their team together (and by core, I mean somewhere between 15 and 20 players), while adding and subtracting a few. Other than money changes, I really don't see a difference from last season. I will be surprised to see them miss the playoffs. They are my division champions. Pittsburg will be the only other Atlantic team in the playoffs.
So, first by division:
Northeast:
1 - Buffalo
2 - Montreal
3 - Ottawa
4 - Toronto
5 - Boston
Atlantic:
1 - New Jersey
2 - Pittsburg
3 - New York Rangers
4 - Philadelphia
5 - New York Islanders
Southeast:
1 - Atlanta
2 - Florida
3 - Carolina
4 - Washington
5 - Tampa Bay
And by rank:
1 - Buffalo
2 - New Jersey
3 - Atlanta
4 - Florida
5 - Montreal
6 - Pittsburg
7 - Ottawa
8 - Carolina
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9 - Toronto
10 - New York Rangers
11 - Washington
12 - Philadelphia
13 - New York Islanders
14 - Tampa Bay
15 - Boston
This is getting kind of long, so I think I'll stop here for now. I'll check back in with my Western Conference predictions in a couple days.
Cheers!
As I'm sure you have read my other posts and know how I stand on some of these teams but I'll say them again anyway...
The Northeast I pretty much agree with. Montreal and Ottawa though might trade positions although I'd still say Montreal is going to be the more dangerous team come postseason time.
The Southeast, I still think Canes are the class of that division but the Thrashers will be right behind them. Tampa will finish third, Capitals fourth and Panthers a distant fifth.
The Atlantic, I think you are selling your Rangers extremely short. They have very good players and you have to remember Jagr might not be 100% fit. Give it time, I'm sure the Rangers are going to go on a tear by the latest of January. I think the Pens will nip second by a point over the Devils, and the Islanders and Flyers, respectively, will finish out that division.
I see Buffalo(Pitt), NYR(Tampa), Carolina(Montreal) and Ottawa(Atlanta) holding home ice advantage in the first round.
