1. Pittsburgh Penguins
Same group of superstars, same chance of winning a Cup.
2. New York Rangers
A young core is ready to breakout in New York.
3. Washington Capitals
Watching Ovechkin vs. Crosby has gotten more intriguing.
4. New Jersey Devils
Improved scoring will help them forget Ilya Kovalchuk.
5. Philadelphia Flyers
Better goaltending makes them contenders.
6. New York Islanders
They’ll have to contend with many in a ruthless division.
7. Columbus Blue Jackets
They have some bright spots, but they’re now in the Eastern Conference.
8. Carolina Hurricanes
A much tougher division keeps them at the bottom.
Penguins
Head Coach: Dan Bylsma
Key Position: Goalie – Their regular net-minder, Marc-Andre Fleury had a terrible run in the playoffs last year. He’ll have to do better if the Penguins are to win another Stanley Cup title with this current group of stars.
Key Acquisitions: D Rob Scuderi
Key to Win the Cup: Avoid being swept
Rangers
Head Coach: Alain Vigneault
Key Position: Power Play – They have a very good young core to win right now and for many years. They will need a better performance out of their power play if they want to lesson the load that will be on their goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.
Key Acquisitions: C Dominic Moore, D Justin Falk
Key to Win the Cup: Stay healthy and perform
Capitals
Head Coach: Adam Oates
Key Position: Penalty Kill – They were dreadful last year in this department. Most of the time you will be able to outscore the opponent, but when you run into a great goalie that will stifle a great offense. They’ll need to improve their defense drastically.
Key Acquisitions: C Mikhail Grabovski
Key to Win the Cup: Defense wins championships
Devils
Head Coach: Peter DeBoer
Key Position: Forwards – Having Michael Ryder and Jaromir Jagr will help, but the Devils will need Adam Henrique and Travis Zajac to play to their standard and New Jersey should see a playoff appearance this year.
Key Acquisitions: G Cory Schneider, RW Jaromir Jagr, RW Michael Ryder, LW Ryane Clowe
Key to Win the Cup: Generate more offense
Flyers
Head Coach: Peter Laviolette
Key Position: Goalie – They were a big disappointment last year and they decided to buyout Ilya Bryzgalov’s contract to right a wrong. They’ll see if Ray Emery or Steve Mason can help the Flyers who are solid in every other department heading into the season.
Key Acquisitions: G Ray Emery, C Vincent Lecavalier, D Mark Streit
Key to Win the Cup: Have a consistent goaltender
Islanders
Head Coach: Jack Capuano
Key Position: Defensemen – They will need to repeat what they accomplished last season if they want to reap the benefits of clinching a playoff appearance. Their loyal fan base expects a better season and they’ll need this young group to deliver.
Key Acquisitions: RW Cal Clutterbuck, RW Pierre-Marc Bouchard
Key to Win the Cup: Improved scoring and improved play on the blue line
Blue Jackets
Head Coach: Todd Richards
Key Position: Forwards – Even without Marian Gaborik for more than half the season the Blue Jackets still managed to get within a few points of a playoff spot. It will be tougher this year, but an entire year with Gaborik and Nathan Horton will keep Columbus in contention.
Key Acquisitions: RW Nathan Horton
Key to Win the Cup: Score to help Sergei Bobrovsky
Hurricanes
Head Coach: Kirk Muller
Key Position: Defensemen – They improved their depth here in the offseason, but a terrible goals allowed per game average and a penalty kill percentage doomed them to the bottom of the conference. Goalie Cam Ward won’t last much longer in those conditions.
Key Acquisitions: D Mike Komisarek, D Andrej Sekera, G Anton Khudobin
Key to Win the Cup: Give goalie Cam Ward some relief
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