I"m a huge islanders fan. I have tickets for opening game against the Blue's on the 11th, 4 rows behind the islander bench.
Playoff predictions:
Eastern Conference -
1.Penguins
2.Senators
3.Devils
4.Bruins
5.Hurricanes
6.Lightning
7.Islanders
8.Rangers
Western Conference -
1.Flames
2.Sharks
3.Avalanche
4.Blackhawks
5.Red Wings
6.Canucks
7.Ducks
8.Stars
Your Eastern Conf is pathetically messed up. West is actually decent... although I would make exception with the Hawks. In the playoffs yes... not higher than 5th though.
In the EAST>>>>No Philly. No Washington. No Montreal.???
No way...take out the Bruins, Lightning and
COUGH.... Isles. ISLES???? At least give some backup for that.....
Bruins at 4th? Dreaming.!!!! MAYBE 7th or 8th....and that's a stretch. Remember... no Metropolit, he went to the Flyers.
Philly? hello? Played in the conf. finals last year....STOMPED two great teams to get there. They didn't lose anyone besides Umberger in offseason. Gained a defenseman to complement Timmonen, and ALL forwards in their prime...Goaltending is solid. This team is a not so dark horse to beat the Pens for the Conference.
Unless Marty has a full body transplant.... or the Devils forego building for the future and buy up the free agent market for NOW.... they may not even make the playoffs. Putting them anywhere near the top is a huge mistake. Name another Devil after Brodeur? Didn't think so. And Marty.... gettin old bro. He showed it the last two seasons.
Washington will be the #3 seed for many seasons...no matter how many points they get... they're in the Southeast. Division winner gets seed. Southeast will be the weakest division.... therefore, they're in 3.
I'll keep your west....but
EAST:
1. Pittsburgh. (115 points) Malkin and Lem.. I mean Crosby, each score 80 to 90 points this season.
2. Ottawa. (103 points) Northeast isn't strong... Isn't weak... But Heatley willl have a great season. 40/40, with Alfredson notching 50 goals if Healthy.
3. Washington (85 points) Best team in a horrible division. Could get upset by Florida late in the season to get knocked out of this spot. Seriously. Just like last year... the team in this spot won't have the points to get in any other playoff spot.
4. Philadelphia (100 points) Dark horse to the Stanley Cup. Plays a team game, everyone has bought into the system. Gagne is back. Richardson gets close to 60 goals, maybe 100 points... Briere...more assists than goals.
5. Rangers. (96 points) Good team... bad city. Goaltending will win and lose them games. Jags....maybe last spin.
6. Montreal (90 points) Always a threat, at home or on the road. Don't think they'll be as good as last year though.
7. Toronto (88 points) Just a guess. If they don't make the playoffs... the riots will consume the city.
8. New Jersey (86 points) Will barely squeak into the post season over Carolina, cause Brind'amour always cools off prior to the postseason.