Eastern Conference
Northeast Division
1
98 Points
The Bruins will look a little different this upcoming season. Tim Thomas is taking "a year off." This ends the duties in net over to Tuuka Rask, but Rask is no slouch in goal. He has taken over for Thomas once before and has had a cup of coffee in the playoffs. Rask is one of the better young goalies in the NHL and before he got injured last year, he was having a sensational season backing up Thomas. You could make the argument that Thomas leaving is better for the Bruins and their chemistry without the distraction of Thomas that hindered the team last year. Offensively, the Bruins didn't make any big moves because they really don't need to. As constituted, the Bruins can play. They have enough playmakers who frankly just weren't as good last year as they were when they took home the Cup in 2011. Expect the Bruins to not miss a beat with Rask in goal and be a contender once again.
98 PointsThe Bruins will look a little different this upcoming season. Tim Thomas is taking "a year off." This ends the duties in net over to Tuuka Rask, but Rask is no slouch in goal. He has taken over for Thomas once before and has had a cup of coffee in the playoffs. Rask is one of the better young goalies in the NHL and before he got injured last year, he was having a sensational season backing up Thomas. You could make the argument that Thomas leaving is better for the Bruins and their chemistry without the distraction of Thomas that hindered the team last year. Offensively, the Bruins didn't make any big moves because they really don't need to. As constituted, the Bruins can play. They have enough playmakers who frankly just weren't as good last year as they were when they took home the Cup in 2011. Expect the Bruins to not miss a beat with Rask in goal and be a contender once again.
2 
94 PointsBuffalo missed the playoffs last year, but they ended on a high note sort of speak. They were playing their best hockey of the season late last year, it happened to be a little bit too late though. Ryan Miller, after an underwhelming first half of the year marred by a concussion, stepped up and started playing like the goalie that won the Vezina a few years ago. I believe the Sabres have enough of a balance of youth and veteran leadership to go along with talent to get back to the playoffs this year, as long as Miller plays like he is capable of.
3 
92 Points
This could be the year Maple Leaf fans. The Maple Leafs were almost there last year before fading in the second half last year, but this is the year they might take that next step. After acquiring James van Riemsydk, the Leafs added another weapon to go along with Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lopul. If the Maple Leafs can settle their issues in goal, whether with Jonas Gustavsson or James Reimer, they are a borderline playoff team at least.
92 PointsThis could be the year Maple Leaf fans. The Maple Leafs were almost there last year before fading in the second half last year, but this is the year they might take that next step. After acquiring James van Riemsydk, the Leafs added another weapon to go along with Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lopul. If the Maple Leafs can settle their issues in goal, whether with Jonas Gustavsson or James Reimer, they are a borderline playoff team at least.
4 
87 Points
The Senators were one of the NHL's surprise teams in 2011-12, pushing the top seeded New York Rangers to the brink of a first round exit. The Senators did this behind outstanding play defensively led by Erik Karlsson, veteran leadership and offense from Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza and a surprise season in net from Craig Anderson. The Senators will look to build off their success last season, but they will need other players to emerge. The Sens cannot rely on the 38 year old Alfredsson and the one year wonder Anderson if they want to return to the playoffs again next season.
87 PointsThe Senators were one of the NHL's surprise teams in 2011-12, pushing the top seeded New York Rangers to the brink of a first round exit. The Senators did this behind outstanding play defensively led by Erik Karlsson, veteran leadership and offense from Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza and a surprise season in net from Craig Anderson. The Senators will look to build off their success last season, but they will need other players to emerge. The Sens cannot rely on the 38 year old Alfredsson and the one year wonder Anderson if they want to return to the playoffs again next season.
5 
83 Points
The Canadiens struggled last season, but it really isn't anything you can put your finger on besides struggling mightily on the power play. This lack of play making offensively can be contributed to their downfall, but the Canadiens are one of those unpredictable teams who has a very good goaltender that can lead them back to the playoffs very easily. The defense is respectable and Cary Price is one of the better goalies in the NHL. If the offense can improve, the Canadiens can be back in the playoffs. But the book is still out on who will step up for Montreal.
83 PointsThe Canadiens struggled last season, but it really isn't anything you can put your finger on besides struggling mightily on the power play. This lack of play making offensively can be contributed to their downfall, but the Canadiens are one of those unpredictable teams who has a very good goaltender that can lead them back to the playoffs very easily. The defense is respectable and Cary Price is one of the better goalies in the NHL. If the offense can improve, the Canadiens can be back in the playoffs. But the book is still out on who will step up for Montreal.
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