NHL Eastern Conference Preview

The Eastern Conference has me excited already, because there is tons of potential for several surprise teams to make the playoffs—and as if that were not enough, the conference “powerhouses” will be knocking each other around all season for the number-one seed.

Here is how I see the conference playing out by the season’s end. Feel free to comment and object.

1.      Pittsburgh Penguins

Yes, the Penguins did lose Marian Hossa and Ryan Malone—but they also have two of the three greatest scorers in the game. I’m clearly talking about the dynamic duo of Miroslav Satan and Max Talbot.

But in all seriousness, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will have their work cut out for them this season in a tough Atlantic division. Marc-Andre Fleury will not have the likes of Ty Conklin to fall back on either in the upcoming season. Regardless, the Penguins have a more impressive roster than most of their Eastern conference opponents.

2.      Montreal Canadiens

Is Carey Price the goalie of the future in Montreal? Absolutely. However, that’s the future and this is now (was that a little too much of Yogi Berra?).

The combination of Price and Jaroslav Halak in net is devastating for opponents. Alexei Kovalev revitalized his career last season, scoring the second-most points in a single season in his career (84)—but I don’t think he can duplicate that this season.

Also, losing Cristobal Huet and Mark Streit will put a little more pressure onto the shoulders of the of a defense that has to be good if their offense cannot produce like it did last season.

3.      Washington Capitals

Olaf Kolzig only had a .892 save percentage last season. Jose Theodore had a .910 save percentage. Kolzig did not play in the playoffs. Theodore did well in Avs' the first-round win against Minnesota, and did his best against the unstoppable force that is the Detroit Red Wings.

I believe that Theodore is an upgrade from Kolzig, and this will only help the Capitals in the beginning of the season, where they faltered slightly last year. Oh, I almost forgot, the Caps have a guy named Alex Ovechkin—I think he finished with 112 points, 65 goals, and collected an MVP trophy. Not too shabby.

4.      Philadelphia Flyers

How do you go from being ranked 30th in the NHL to almost winning the conference championship? Add Daniel Briere.

The odds of this team returning to the conference championship are good to very good. Briere, Mike Richards, Braydon Coburn, Marty Biron, and a “healthy” Simon Gagne—I really don’t see any reason why this team couldn’t make the Stanley Cup Finals. The Eastern Conference will be a mess, the Atlantic Division will be a mess, and the Flyers will more than likely be at the center of it.

5.      New York Rangers

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