Metropolitan Division

1. New York Rangers

A few roster tweaks still has them atop the Eastern Conference.

2. Washington Capitals

The team is buying in to what head coach Barry Trotz is selling.

3. New York Islanders

They’ll have a new home and a new fire to get back into the playoffs.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins

Adding another top tier scorer keeps them in contention.

5. Columbus Blue Jackets

The grittiest team in the division always seems to find a way.

6. Philadelphia Flyers

Their looking for a new identity after another head coaching change.

7. New Jersey Devils

A new era is beginning and there are some encouraging signs.

8. Carolina Hurricanes

They have yet to find a franchise cog in net for quite some time. Continue reading →

2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs Preview

Eastern Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Metropolitan Division Winner

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. New York Rangers

Players to Watch: F Sidney Crosby and F Rick Nash

Who Wins: Rangers in 6 games

Metropolitan Division #3 vs. Metropolitan Division #2

New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals

Players to Watch: F John Tavares and F Alex Ovechkin

Who Wins: Capitals in 7 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Atlantic Division Winner

Ottawa Senators vs. Montreal Canadiens

Players to Watch: D Erik Karlsson and F Max Pacioretty

Who Wins: Canadiens in 6 games

Atlantic Division #3 vs. Atlantic Division #2

Detroit Red Wings vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Players to Watch: F Henrik Zetterberg and F Steven Stamkos

Who Wins: Lightning in 6 games

Western Conference

Wild Card Team #2 vs. Pacific Division Winner

Winnipeg Jets vs. Anaheim Ducks

Players to Watch: F Blake Wheeler and Anaheim’s goaltenders

Who Wins: Ducks in 6 games

Pacifici Division #3 vs. Pacific Division #2

Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks

Players to Watch: F Jiri Hudler and F Radim Vrbata

Who Wins: Flames in 6 games

Wild Card Team #1 vs. Central Division Winner

Minnesota Wild vs. St. Louis Blues

Players to Watch: G Devan Dubnyk and F Vladimir Tarasenko

Who Wins: Blues in 7 games

Central Division #3 vs. Central Division #2

Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators

Players to Watch: F Patrick Kane and G Pekka Rinne

Who Wins: Predators in 7 games

Metropolitan Division

1. New York Rangers

With a failed Stanley Cup run the Rangers are still loaded for another shot.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins

A bitter playoff exit forced them to do some house cleaning. They still have a talented roster though.

3. Columbus Blue Jackets

Last years surprise playoff appearance should make them better this year.

4. Philadelphia Flyers

They proved that with a suspect goalie in net they can still beat a Cup contender.

5. Washington Capitals

Time could be running out for the Capitals to make a run at the Cup with its current core.

6. New York Islanders

They could peak this year, but with a stacked division it might not be until next year.

7. New Jersey Devils

It will be strange not seeing Martin Brodeur in net for them.

8. Carolina Hurricanes

Too many questions on the blue line and in net to amount to any reasonable success. Continue reading →