Let's start in the Atlantic division in the East.
1. Boston Bruins
2. Montreal Canadiens
3. Tampa Bay Lightning
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
5. Detroit Red Wings
6. Florida Panthers
7. Ottawa Senators
8. Buffalo Sabres.
This division is once again the Bruins' division to lose. They are definitely the best team in this group of eight teams. The Canadiens are going to be their closest competition, but will likely fall short in the end. With the roster the Lightning have they should be contenders for the playoffs every year. After being swept by the Canadiens last year the question becomes not if they can make the playoffs, but how far they can go. The Maple Leafs have shown they can play solid hockey and be in contention for the playoffs, but can they avoid choking and falling short once again this year? Detroit just isn't good enough anymore. For the first time in forever (if you're like me that phrase will get a Frozen song stuck in your head) they will miss the playoffs. The Panthers have made a lot of improvements and should be better than last season. However, they still can't quite compete for the playoffs. Ottawa has too many unplugged holes to be good, and I expect them to be a little bit competitive, but for the most part the talent just isn't there. Buffalo is Buffalo. They are in the midst of a rebuild and just aren't good.
Next up, the Metropolitan division.
1. Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Philadelphia Flyers
3. New York Rangers
4. Washington Capitals
5. Columbus Blue Jackets
6. New York Islanders
7. New Jersey Devils
8. Carolina Hurricanes
The Penguins should be able to lock up this division, and be second in the conference. The Bruins should beat them out. The Penguins closest competitors will likely be the Flyers. If Philadelphia doesn't have such a bad start this year they will definitely be up there. The Rangers were in the finals last year. I don't know if I expect them to go that far this year, but definitely expect them back in the playoffs. Last year was a little bit of an off year for Washington. I think they're good enough to be back in the playoffs. After making it last year, expect the Blue Jackets to be hungry for more. The Islanders will be better than last year, but the rest of the division is too competitive and too good for them. The Devils and Hurricanes will probably be fighting for last place. Don't expect too much out of either team this year.
The two wild card teams out of the East this year will be the Washington Capitals and the Columbus Blue Jackets. I just don't trust the Maple Leafs to be able to win out a wild card spot, and I believe Columbus will be the better team to win the last spot.
Eastern playoffs
Boston Bruins vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
I wouldn't be surprised to see Columbus steal one here. Otherwise the Bruins should take this fairly easily. Bruins in 5.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals
Pittsburgh has had problems in the playoffs in the past. Since their cup run they haven't really been close to being back. However, the Capitals have had even more playoff problems at times. Penguins in 7.
Montreal Canadiens vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
A rematch of last years first round. It shouldn't be nearly as easy this year for Montreal. However, they are still better and more experienced than the Lightning. Canadiens in 6.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. New York Rangers
Last year the Rangers were in the finals. I don't expect the same this year. Flyers take this series in a rematch of last years first round. Flyers in 6.
Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens
Last time this happened Bruins were the favourites and Canadiens were the underdogs. The Canadiens won. However, I don't believe it will happen again. It will be a close and rough series. I think Bruins in 7.
Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
They meet again, one of my favourite sports rivalries. With Pittsburgh's problems with both the Flyers and the playoffs in the past it's hard to take the Penguins. I'll take the Flyers in 7.
Philadelphia Flyers vs. Boston Bruins
This would be a rough series. Two very gritty teams who can put the puck in the net. This would be a close series, but Boston would be the favourites. I'll take the Flyers to surprise the Bruins and win it in 7. Flyers are in the Stanley Cup Finals from the Eastern Conference.
Now on to the West. We'll start in the Central division.
1. St. Louis Blues
2. Chicago Blackhawks
3. Dallas Stars
4. Colorado Avalanche
5. Minnesota Wild
6. Winnipeg Jets
7. Nashville Predators
This will be a dog fight for the playoffs. Pretty much all of these teams could be competing. St. Louis and Chicago are the obvious favourites for the top. They're both extremely skilled and play a complete game. Dallas is a much improved team and should be right there as well. The Avalanche might be a bit back this year just because of how much improved everyone else is. I don't love the Wild and I think they're on the outside looking in. The Jets and Wild will just be out matched in this division. Both have pieces and both will be competitive, but in the end both teams need more.
The Pacific division.
1. Anaheim Ducks
2. LA Kings
3. San Jose Sharks
4. Arizona Coyotes
5. Vancouver Canucks
6. Edmonton Oilers
7. Calgary Flames
In reality the Ducks, Kings, and Sharks could finish in almost any order. I do think though that the Ducks are that much stronger and will be first. The Coyotes will be an interesting team to watch. I think they will be in the hunt for the playoffs. The Canucks should be looking for playoffs, but I believe they are in tough and will likely fall short. The Oilers are going to be an improved team but will still be well short of the playoffs. I think they will be better than the Flames and have a small chance at maybe even leaping over Vancouver. However, for now they are second last. The Flames are going to be neck and neck with the Oilers all season. Both teams will be at least somewhat competitive. The biggest reason they're bottom two is because the top three teams in this league are so good.
The two wild card teams will be the Colorado Avalanche and the Arizona Coyotes.
Western Playoffs
St. Louis Blues vs. Arizona Coyotes
Despite what happened last year in the playoffs the Blues should be a good playoff team this year. I don't think the Coyotes are a great playoff team. Blues in 4.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Colorado Avalanche
Both of these teams are good. However, Anaheim is a juggernaut. Colorado will put up a fight, but I don't expect them to win. Ducks in 6.
LA Kings vs. San Jose Sharks
The Sharks have had playoff problems historically. Until they prove otherwise I can't pick them to knock off the defending champs. Kings in 6.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Dallas Stars
The Stars are a much improved team and will give the Blackhawks all they can handle. However, it won't be enough against the Blackhawks. Blackhawks in 7.
St. Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks
This is what happened last year, the Blues and the Blackhawks met and the Blues had a collapse and lost. This will once again be a very close series. St. Louis should have had the series last year, and while I'm not counting them out of this year I can't take them. Blackhawks in 7.
Anaheim Ducks vs. LA Kings
It's sure fun to see the California teams play each other and there should be lots of it this playoffs. I believe the Ducks are good enough. The Ducks knock off the defending Champs in 7.
Anaheim Ducks vs. Chicago Blackhawks
There are so many superteams in the West and here there are two more going against each other. Chicago is the favourite, but I wouldn't be surprised if this is the year of the Duck. Ducks in 7.
Stanley Cup Finals
Anaheim Ducks vs. Philadelphia Flyers
This will be a rough, hard hitting series. I think the Ducks could get outhit, but I don't think the Flyers can match the Ducks skill. For that reason I will pick the Anaheim Ducks to hoist the Stanley Cup after a hard fought 6 game series.
-Darren
What do you think of my predictions? Who do you think will hoist the Cup? Let me know, either comment below this post or find me on twitter @thewildman111
photo taken from kings.nhl.com
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