Predictions Mean Nothing....But I'll Take A Shot

With a 48 game NHL season beginning tomorrow, many are making predictions as to how the standings will play out. This isn't just an ordinary season though. With more games in a shorter span, coaches will have to make day by day adjustments that will shape their teams road. Injuries that normally aren't seen in a longer season will show up, players will be more fatigued as the season wears on them, and teams that don't have a good start may miss the playoffs off that fact alone. Either way, the season starts tomorrow and somebodies got to win it. Here are my predictions for the following season:

Western Conference

1-St. Louis Blues

2-Los Angeles Kings

3-Vancouver Canucks

4-Detroit Red Wings

5-Minnesota Wild

6-Chicago Blackhawks

7-Nashville Predators

8-San Jose Sharks

9-Phoenix Coyotes

10-Dallas Stars

11-Colorado Avalanche

12-Edmonton Oilers

13-Calgary Flames

14-Anaheim Ducks

15-Columbus Blue Jackets

This was tough to decide. There are so many in-between teams that could end up making the playoffs that I'm just not sure. However, this is what I went with. St. Louis is the cream of the crop in the West this season with Vancouver and Los Angeles winning their divisions right behind them. Detroit may have lost Lidstrom, but they will continue their playoff tear now going into I believe 22 straight years. Minnesota will surprise and be a solid West team while Chicago and Nashville both make the playoffs again. San Jose and Phoenix will battle hard and close for the eighth spot but I expect San Jose to slip in. Phoenix will barely miss out after losing Ray Whitney to Dallas, who I also expect to contend for that eighth spot. Colorado and Edmonton are getting closer, but still not enough to make the playoffs this season. Calgary does not impress me on paper while Anaheim does not either. Getzlaf and Perry are both entering free agency this summer. Columbus will bring up the rear once again as they attempt to build their organization, which they are in the process of doing after trading Rick Nash.

Eastern Conference

1-New York Rangers
2-Boston Bruins
3-Washington Capitals
4-Pittsburgh Penguins
5-Philadelphia Flyers
6-Carolina Hurricanes
7-Tampa Bay Lightning
8-Buffalo Sabres
9-New Jersey Devils
10-Ottawa Senators
11-Florida Panthers
12-Montreal Canadiens
13-Winnipeg Jets
14-Toronto Maple Leafs
15-New York Islanders

The East was even tougher as spots six through eleven were all but even. I expect the Rangers, Bruins, and Capitals to win the divisions respectively. Although a surprise could be seen in the Southeast with Tampa and Carolina getting much better all around. That will be an interesting division to watch. The Penguins and Flyers will take the five and six spots as the Atlantic division is the toughest division this year, as it was last year and could be for some time. Buffalo will be better this year with a healthy Ryan Miller and better Tyler Myers. The Devils will fight and could swap with the Sabres for eighth but with a loss of Parise and no gain, it will be tough. Ottawa surprised many last year but I think will be in a tough spot with a 48 game season. Florida will also fall in the Southeast this season with the other teams getting better. The other three Canadian teams will struggle as there is more drama than anything in Toronto and Montreal and Winnipeg are not ready for playoff runs yet. The Islanders continue to rebuild.

These are my guesses for this season. The Cup Final will end up being, again, another guess, the Rangers and Blues with the Rangers winning the Stanley Cup. Yes, I am a huge Rangers fan, however, I do feel as if this could finally be there year. With a strong team and shorter season, they can play the way they did last year and if uninjured, do it for the duration of the season and playoffs. Only time will tell. These predictions are nothing but guesses, but hey, that's why this is hockey! Can't wait for the season. What are your predictions? Have fun tomorrow night!