Who Will Win Each Division

Starting now through September, I will be taking a look at where I feel each team will finish in their respective divisions and conferences, based off their lineups coming into the year. It will end eventually with an article based around three teams I think can make it all the way to the Cup. At this point of the year, it is all a guessing game as nobody knows what will come of the regular season.....if there is a regular season. Anything from injuries to under/over-performing to trades can change the dynamic not only of a team, but a division and conference as they fight for a playoff spot. This article will base around who I think will be the top team in each division. 

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division: The Northeast Division is slowly becoming more competitive. The Bruins have been the head of the class the past few seasons, including a Stanley Cup, and want to do the same this year. The Buffalo Sabres, after a rough first season for new owner Terry Pegula, they are healthy and ready to go and make a run. The Maple Leafs are always destined to make the playoffs and somehow always fall short. They pulled a swap to increase offense with James van Riemsdyk, hoping that'll solve an issue. The Senators and Canadiens are still in the "rebuilding" modes in my mind. Even thought making the playoffs last season, Ottawa was nowhere near ready to win a Cup. The Canadiens are hoping for a better season after being 13th in the conference last season.

Who will win the division? Boston Bruins. The Bruins are still the best in the division. They will not have Tim Thomas but Tukka Rask in net this season, yet to be seen if that's better or worse. However, they still have Zdeno Chara leading the defense and a strong set of offensive talent only helped by the return of Nathan Horton. I expect the Bruins to edge the Sabres by a few points for the division. 

Atlantic Division: The Atlantic Division will once again be the toughest in hockey as all the teams are ready for a new year. The Penguins will look to answer after an early exit in last year's playoffs. They keep the same potent offense but the questions lie on defense and goaltending as Marc Andre Fleury had a rough go of it last spring. The Rangers return with another weapon in Rick Nash and possibly the best defense/goaltender tandem in the league. The Flyers will look to have better goaltending this season from "The Universe" why suring up their defense with Luke Schenn. The Devils don't look as good on paper as last season without Captain Zach Parise, but always find a way to make it into the show. Will they again? The Islanders are talented on paper and should prove to be a closer to the playoff team this season.

Who will win the division? New York Rangers. The Rangers took the division last season after seeing Pittsburgh catch them in the last few weeks of the season as the offense struggled. That eventually led to their defeat in the Eastern Conference Finals where they didn't see much of the red light. Rick Nash will help the cause and push the Rangers to the best team in the Atlantic again this year....even with Sidney Crosby in the lineup for the full season.

Southeast Division: The Southeast Division will be closer this year than in the past few years as multiple teams fight for the crown. The Capitals, who let down last year in the regular season before making a short run in the playoffs, added Mike Ribiero as a playmaker to help the offense. Their question is rookie netminder Braden Holtby. The Lightning have a nice defense after adding Sami Salo and Matt Carle this summer, plus come in with Anders Lindback, who I see as a starter in the NHL long-term. Steven Stamkos defends his Rocket Richard Trophy as well down in Tampa. The Hurricanes are now a threat after adding Jordan Staal and Alex Semin this summer. This offense is quite good. The Jets will be iffy this season as they had their strong moments last year and fizzled. I don't expect a playoff run from them. Then the division winning Florida Panthers come into play. The first line which did most of the work for the Panthers, returns with the same crew. They have good goaltending but no more Jason Garrison.

Who will win the division? Tampa Bay Lightning. I don't think many will agree with me on this one but I have a feeling the Lightning will be very good. Their offense is very good as usual. Last year they scored but always gave up goals leading to defeats. They have a pretty new defense with Matt Carle and Sami Salo. Hedman is getting better and I like the kid Brian Lee who they got from Toronto at the trade deadline last season. Anders Lindback is a copy of Pekka Rinne in terms of size and movement. The question is whether he can stop pucks over the course of 60 games a season. I think he can. We shall see.

There you have it. The divison winners for both conferences in no particular order are:

Vancouver Canucks

St. Louis Blues

Los Angeles Kings

Boston Bruins

New York Rangers

Tampa Bay Lightning

Conference Predictions to be posted after the weekend!