Conference Winners: Early Predictions
Mike's question this week was "Which Teams do you predict will top each Conference- Will your predictions be affected by the Conference shake up?" (Special thanks to Mrs Laybourne for suggesting this). Well that it is an interesting question as this years realignment could have big effects on each teams performance- ok let's go to work
Eastern Conference
At first glance you would say that the Pittsburgh Penguins will be the out and out favourites to top this conference due to their free scoring offense and this year this could well be the case- but their inclusion in the newly formed Metropolitan Division with team such as the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers could well prove a hard affair as each team possesses a unique mix of strength and skill and as we saw last year in the playoffs, the Penguins struggled against the Boston Bruins in these conditions.
In the Atlantic Division, the Bruins could well be equal favourites to top this conference and with the addition of Jarome Iginla will aid their cause goal wise, the Detroit Red Wings with be eager to prove a point this season after only narrowly scraping into the playoffs and with newboy Daniel Alfredsson joining Datsyuk and Zetterberg but the main factor that will stir this division up is the amount of travel with Canadian sides the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens joining as well as trips to Florida- this could spell travel fatigue problems for the big side which could mean a potential fascinating fight for the remaining spots. Ok I've rambled on enough here, here are my predictions in a nutshell,
Top 3 Prediction: Pittsburgh, Boston, Washington
Western Conference
To look at this conference you think yourself silly to bet against the Chicago Blackhawks topping this one as the reign cup champs have by far the most perfect side in the NHL- but let's not rule out the darkhorse teams such as the Los Angeles Kings who seem to always spring a surprise each season as well as playoff regulars the Anaheim Ducks who after re-adding Dustin Penner to the roster will be keen to improve on their second place finish last year. Also my team the Vancouver Canucks are under the newly installed leadership of Tortorella will need to make an early season impression to make waves in the playoffs.
But lets not rule out the other teams in our midst such as the newly re-vamped Dallas Stars who have been given an offensive injection after securing Tyler Seguin in the off season as well as Minnesota Wild who after an uneven season last year will be keen to show their new look team is worth the money invested. San Jose Sharks as always will be in the hunt and when this team fires then this can be unstoppable, but this only seems to be in blocks so might be best to hold onto your money on that one for now! So without further delay...
Top 3 Prediction: Blackhawks, Kings, Ducks
But one thing we all know is that Hockey is an unpredictable game and I am very much prepared for my predictions to be turned on their head- the new NHL season kicks off in just 63 days so have your jerseys at the ready hockey fans.
Eastern Conference
At first glance you would say that the Pittsburgh Penguins will be the out and out favourites to top this conference due to their free scoring offense and this year this could well be the case- but their inclusion in the newly formed Metropolitan Division with team such as the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers could well prove a hard affair as each team possesses a unique mix of strength and skill and as we saw last year in the playoffs, the Penguins struggled against the Boston Bruins in these conditions.
In the Atlantic Division, the Bruins could well be equal favourites to top this conference and with the addition of Jarome Iginla will aid their cause goal wise, the Detroit Red Wings with be eager to prove a point this season after only narrowly scraping into the playoffs and with newboy Daniel Alfredsson joining Datsyuk and Zetterberg but the main factor that will stir this division up is the amount of travel with Canadian sides the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens joining as well as trips to Florida- this could spell travel fatigue problems for the big side which could mean a potential fascinating fight for the remaining spots. Ok I've rambled on enough here, here are my predictions in a nutshell,
Top 3 Prediction: Pittsburgh, Boston, Washington
Western Conference
To look at this conference you think yourself silly to bet against the Chicago Blackhawks topping this one as the reign cup champs have by far the most perfect side in the NHL- but let's not rule out the darkhorse teams such as the Los Angeles Kings who seem to always spring a surprise each season as well as playoff regulars the Anaheim Ducks who after re-adding Dustin Penner to the roster will be keen to improve on their second place finish last year. Also my team the Vancouver Canucks are under the newly installed leadership of Tortorella will need to make an early season impression to make waves in the playoffs.
But lets not rule out the other teams in our midst such as the newly re-vamped Dallas Stars who have been given an offensive injection after securing Tyler Seguin in the off season as well as Minnesota Wild who after an uneven season last year will be keen to show their new look team is worth the money invested. San Jose Sharks as always will be in the hunt and when this team fires then this can be unstoppable, but this only seems to be in blocks so might be best to hold onto your money on that one for now! So without further delay...
Top 3 Prediction: Blackhawks, Kings, Ducks
But one thing we all know is that Hockey is an unpredictable game and I am very much prepared for my predictions to be turned on their head- the new NHL season kicks off in just 63 days so have your jerseys at the ready hockey fans.
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