After a lockout that lasted way too long i believe the one thing all hockey fans can agree on is, we're sure as hell glad the NHL is back. The signings of stud players like Zach Parise, Ryan Suter, and acquisitions of players like Rick Nash were quickly forgotten over the trivial lockout. Here is a look at what I think the top 8 will look like come playoff time
Eastern Conference
1) Washington Capitals
2) Boston Bruins
3) Pittsburgh Penguins
4) NY Rangers
5) Tampa Bay Lightning
6) Philadelphia Flyers
7) Ottawa Senators
8) Winnipeg Jets
Well, I'm putting a lot of faith in what I saw the Caps do to the Boston Bruins in the playoffs last season was a bit of a coming of age. They dumped the immensely talented yet ever inconsistent Alexander Semin. Picked up a coach in Adam Oates, who I believe is one of the up and coming coaches in this league. Only time will tell how Oates handles his first taste of NHL head coaching. He inherits a team with a well publicized identity crisis. He also inherits a team with, a (possibly disgruntled) superstar captain, questions in goal and on defense, and an offense that many believe vastly underachieved last year. Why am i so high on this team? I believe they really grew up last year in the playoffs and think this team will flourish under Adam Oates (a phenomenal offensive playmaker). All and all I believe if this team can find consistency in goal they will wrap up the number one seed headed into the playoffs.
The Boston Bruins seem poised for another cup run after a season that saw the Bruins shed the dreaded hangover in time to become mid season cup favorites, only to see themselves ousted in the first round by the Washington Capitals. Boston retains most of the core that won the cup in 2011 and the only real question appears to be in goal. Can Tuukka Rask finally assume the roll as ace number one goaltender and carry the B's as Tim Thomas did during the magical cup run. Other possible story lines with this team include the health of Nathan Horton, and development of Dougie Hamilton. Horton's agent has said Nathan is fine and ready to play once the season begins. Dougie Hamilton seems poised to take the ice donning the black and gold this season, and could see significant minutes. The Bruins could use Hamiltons offensive touch to help a powerplay absolutely starved for production from the point. Tyler Seguin also seems poised for super star status in this league. If this year is the year TS19 becomes the super star he is capable of being, the Bruins could be busting out the duckboats for a second time in three years.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are good, scary good. This team is rapidly becoming the Detroit Redwings of the East and don't count this year as one for that to change. First and foremost the Pens will have a healthy Sidney Crosby. When healthy, Crosby is the consensus best hockey player in the world and its not even close anymore. Not to mention this team has two guys in Evgeni Malkin and James Neal who are coming off arguably their most successful years as pros. This team does have some questions on D, however the goal tending duo of Marc-Andre Fleury, and Tomas Vokoun should be strong enough to make up for that.
Ahhh, the New York Rangers. It seems like every year the Rangers go out and make a big signing proclaiming it to be their year only to fall short in the palyoffs yet again. This off season the Blue Shirts traded for maligned super star Rick Nash. The Rangers are young, yet experienced, offensively potent yet as defensively sound as you can be. Oh and they have a perennial all star in between the pipes. However I'm still not sold on this team. Their style yields injury and in a short season like this injuries could be devastating. I don't see where Rick Nash Fits in on this team. Marian Gaborik's injury issues are frightening as well. However i believe the biggest problem for this team will be developing chemistry after losing a guy like Brandon Dubinky in the Nash deal. Ultimately I believe this team will start off slow but enter the playoffs on a roll and who knows what can happen once the second season begins.
After failing to reach the playoffs in 2012 the Tampa Bay Lightening are ready for another deep playoff run similar to what they did in 2011. This team will be spearheaded by the most talented goal scorer in the NHL, Steven Stamkos. I think this team has enough veteran leadership in guys like Vinny Lecavlier and Martin St. Louis to find its way into the playoffs in 2013. Outside of guys like Stamkos,Lecavlier and St. Louis this team may look thin on paper, but guys like Ryan Malone, Victor Hedman, Benoit Pouliot and J.T. Brown are out to prove they have enough to get this team to the promised land. The main concern for me is Anders Lindback. Can Lindback become a legitimate number one goalie in this league. If they get production in the crease and stability on defense from guys like Matt Carle and Victor Hedman, this team has enough offensive firepower to have an extremely deep playoff run.
Well the Philadelphia Flyers found themselves in the headlines this off season. A place the Flyers have come to know well under GM Paul Holmgren. After the Nashville Predators matched the massive contract offered to super star D-man Shea Weber, the Flyers traded winger James Van Riemsdyk to Toronto for d-man Luke Schenn. The Flyers are very good on offense and should be a treat to watch with guys like Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell. However, even with the addition of Schenn, this team is old on defense. The goal tending situation is also a bit unstable in philly. After a pretty average first year in the city of brotherly love, Iyla Bryzgalov looks to find inner piece and lead the flyers back to the Stanley Cup finals. I think this team could come out to a slow start but i expect them right in the middle of things come May and June.
Last year the Ottawa Senators surprised a lot of people by making the playoffs and ultimately taking the top seeded New York Rangers 7 games in the first round. In what will likely be captain Daniel Alfredsson's final season, I like the Sens to make it to the post season for the second straight year. This team is brimming with young talent by way of guys like Milan Michalek, Erik Karlsson and Kyle Turris. I don't like this teams depth defensively, but i believe they have enough on offense and in goal to push them into the playoffs.I think Craig Anderson is ready to assert himself as an elite goalie in this league. Also watch out for a guy like Jakob Silfverberg as a potential x factor on this team.
Finally in the eighth and final playoff spot we have the Winnipeg Jets. In their second year playing out of Winnipeg, and hopefully their last in the Eastern Conference, i like this team to sneak in the playoffs. The young talent is finally starting to come together for the team formerly known as the Thrashers. Don't be surprised if a guy like Evander Kane has a year canonizing him as an elite power forward in this league. Nowhere on the Jets roster are you blown away by their superior talent, however nowhere do you see a glaring weak spot. This team has a young core of players and a sprinkling of savvy veterans itching to prove themselves. Goalie Ondrej Pavelec is slowly coming into his own while the big guy, Dustin Byfuglien is trying to assume the roll as the face of this franchise. While this team could easily finish near the bottom of the Eastern Conference just as easily as it could make the playoffs, i like this team to start hot and ride that momentum into the playoffs.
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