NHL Predictions: Eastern Conference

Eastern Conference  (Click here for Western Conference Predictions)

If the season ended today, four teams would represent the Atlantic Division in the playoffs.  This is perhaps the deepest division in the NHL.  Currently led by the Pittsburgh Penguins, it seems that each team has had its turn at the top this year.

While the Islanders have started to slide out of the playoff picture, the New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers and Penguins all look to be going into the playoffs. 

With the exception of the Flyers, they have all been playing great hockey lately.  The Rangers have started scoring, Evgeni Malkin has put the Penguins on his back and the Devils have found that defensive game they are known for.

The craziest part is that none of these teams would face each other in the first round as of now, imagine an all Atlantic Division Eastern Conference Semifinal round.

The Southeast Division has shown to be the weakest division. The Carolina Hurricanes will win and earn the third seed in the playoffs, but probably won’t make it out of the first round.

Carolina’s only fear right now is Alex Ovechkin and his Washington Capitals.  The Southeast will only send one team to the playoffs, and I think it will be Ovie’s Caps.

If the Caps make the playoffs; Ovechkin wins the Hart Trophy as the league MVP.  He is already a virtual lock for the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy with an 11 goal lead on Ilya Kovalchuk.  He is also currently the leading candidate for the Art Ross Trophy.

Onto the Northeast, Montreal currently leads the East and I believe they will win the regular season conference title.

The Ottawa Senators, despite poor form of late, will qualify for the playoffs. The deadly scoring combination of Daniel Alfredsson, Jason Spezza and Dany Heatley is too much to prevent them from making it.

The Bruins have been playing better than anyone has expected them to this season.  However, they have to make sure last nights performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs (and Monday’s against the Capitals) are the last time they get blown out for the rest of the season.

The Final Standings in the East:

1. Montreal Canadiens
2. New Jersey Devils
3. Washington Capitals
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
5. Ottawa Senators
6. New York Rangers
7. Boston Bruins
8. Philadelphia Flyers

Awards won in the East:

Hart Memorial Trophy:  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals (Runner-up:  Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks)

Vezina Trophy:  Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils (Runner-up:  Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose Sharks)

Jack Adams Award:  Claude Julien, Boston Bruins (Runner-up:  Dave Tippet, Dallas Stars)

Art Ross Trophy:  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals (Runner-up:  Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins)

Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy:  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals (Runner-up:  Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers)

Lester B. Pearson Award:  Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins (Runner-up:  Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals)

Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy:  Jim Dowd, Philadelphia Flyers (Runner-up:  Chris Chelios, Detroit Red Wings)