The Three Dark Horses Of The NHL 2008-2009 Season

I think that there will be three teams who missed the playoffs last year, who will make it this year that many people are not sold on yet. 

Here we go in no particular order:

1. The Columbus Blue Jackets:  Yes the team that has yet to make the playoffs since they came into the league in 2000.  This team has slowly been improving year by year finishing this past year with a franchise high 80 points. 

They have perennial all-star Rick Nash, and youngster RJ Umberger looking to continue after his monster playoff series against Montreal, the consistent Fredrik Modin who was limited by injuries this past year, rugged defensemen Mike Commodore, and young goalie Pascal Leclaire. 

They will also have veteran Michael Peca again as well as Jason Chimera.  They have three solid defensemen in Commodore, assistant captain Rotislav Klesla, and newly acquired Fedor Tyutin. 

Pascal Leclaire was a star for Columbus last year playing in 54 games and although only being 24-17-0-6 he was seventh in the league in GAA and 11th in save percentage and second in the league with nine shutouts. 

Plus you got love that picture.   The only things that might prevent Columbus from reaching the playoffs for the first time in franchise history are injuries, which seem to happen to key players on this team, and offensive firepower on defense.  Last year Fredrik Modin who put 50+ points the last three years played in only 23 games gathering only twelve points. 

Then on defense Mike Commodore, Fedor Tyutin, and Rotislav Klesla were the only defensemen who amassed more than 10 points but the most was 20.  Otherwise expect this team to be in the playoffs this year but they will most likely face defending champion Detroit Red Wings or always near the top of the conference the San Jose Sharks.

2. Buffalo Sabes:  This is a slight homer pick but I still believe the Sabres will return to the playoffs after their up and down season last year.  This team finished just four points of the playoffs despite having an 11 game streak where they did not win a single game.  They also had a 1-6 start to November as well. 

This team will have 11 players who had at least 30 points last year and had two just finish outside of that mark.  The Sabres lacked that big checking defensemen but remedied that with Craig Rivet who can also fill up the stat sheet with goals and assists. 

They did not make any acquisitions on the offensive side but instead resigned or in the case of Pominville working on resigning the core of offensive players.  Thomas Vanek though disappointing finished 52nd among all players with 64 points while Derek Roy and Jason Pominville finished with 81 and 80 respectively good enough for top 20

Hopefully a full season as being the top guys without being able to rely on Briere and Drury to get the points taught them that they need to step up.  The Sabres will also look to see major contributions from Ales Kotalik, Jochen Hecht, Paul Gaustad, and surprising youngster Drew Stafford(who I hope the Sabres resign as he becomes a RFA next year). 

They also hope for a huge rebound from the very disappointing Maxim Afingenov and for a full season from Tim Connolly who played in just 48 games but still finished with 40 points.  The defense is still young but they clearly missed the leadership of Teppo Numinmen who will be back this year after missing the first 81 games last year. 

Once again Ryan Miller will be the backstop and will have a capable backup in Patrik Lalime behind him.  As long as the Sabres avoid those 11 game losing streaks this team will be in the playoffs.  Although how well they will do will be unknown.

3. Chicago Blackhawks: Before I begin about Chicago let me be clear about this.  I chose them as a dark horse because many people believe they will make the playoffs being lead by Patrick Kane, Johnathan Towes, and Brian Campbell.  I am making them a dark horse as they will win at least a series or two although many people do not expect them to do that much.  I am also clarifying that there will be more than just Kane and Towes on offense.  Now back to the article:

After making the playoffs just once in the past 10 seasons, it seems Chicago finally got their act together and look to be a formidable team again.  They missed the playoffs just by three points last year. 

Their offense once again will be second year players Patrick Kane and Johnthan Towes and veteran Patrick Sharp.  The three finished with 72, 54. and 62 points respectively.  The three once again look to be the leaders of the Blackhawks as Towes was named captain becoming the third youngest captain behind Crosby and Lecavalier. 

Their second line will also contain Martin Havlat and Robert Lang.  Havlat is looking to rebound after playing in only 35 games due to injury but still had 27 points and Robert Lang looks to stay as Mr. Consistent as he has not had a sub-50 point season since the 1998-1999 season when he was with Pittsburgh.

Off season acquistion Brian Campbell looks to be the leader of this Blackhawk defense and will give the Blackhawks four defensemen who finished with 18 points or more.  The most interesting position on this team to watch will be the goaltender situation. 

They will have Christobel Huet and Nikolai Khabibulin in goal.  Both are number 1 goaltenders in this league.  But the Blackhawks are over the cap and have over 12 million invested in just those two. 

The consensus will be Khabibulin will be moved most likely to Los Angeles but Dale Tallon has stated there is a possibility that both will stay in Chicago.  The only thing stopping the Blackhawks is if Kane and Towes have sophomore slumps.  Otherwise this team will be in the playoffs and a force to be reckon with come playoff time.

Watch out for these three teams this season!  They have all the pieces to make it to the playoffs and don't be surprise if they win a series or two...