Predicting the Final 2012-13 NHL Standings

A year ago, the NBA went through a lockout of its own.

The rhetoric between the league and its players association was decidedly negative, and for the longest period, it seemed like a season-long lockout was in order.

However, just when all seemed to be lost, the two sides came together and saved the season. NBA teams started playing on Christmas Day. The season consisted of a compressed 66-game regular season and a full playoff schedule.

I believe the NHL will follow the same model. Despite the lack of optimism in mid-October, the two sides will come together before they are forced to pull the plug on the year.

Once that happens, the league will have to work on the particulars. I believe the NHL teams will each play 66 games with fewer nights off than usual.

In some ways, it will be even better than the standard NHL season because there will be more games played per week, and each game will mean that much more.

My predictions for the final standings follow on the next six slides.

Atlantic Division

Team	W	L	OTL	PTS
New York Rangers	38	20	8	84
Pittsburgh	35	25	6	76
Philadelphia	33	28	5	71
New Jersey	28	30	8	64
New York Islanders	25	32	9	59

This division looks much like last year's finish, but the Devils will slip precipitously without Zach Parise and assistant coaches Larry Robinson and Adam Oates. The New York Rangers will pick up where they left off last season, and instead of falling short of the Presidents' Trophy, they will be the best team in the regular season this year.

The Penguins and the Flyers will be worthy challengers. The Islanders are in against very tough competition, and it won't be any easier this year.

Northeast Division

Team	W	L	OTL	PTS
Buffalo	36	21	9	81
Ottawa	34	25	7	75
Boston	33	25	8	74
Montreal	30	28	8	68
Toronto	22	35	9	53

The Sabres have lacked the requisite amount of grit the last few seasons, but that will no longer be the case. The Senators shot up the standings last year, and their surge will continue this year. The Bruins will learn that life without Tim Thomas is not so thrilling. Montreal will become a respectable team this year while the Maple Leafs don't have the defense or goaltending to contend.

Southeast Division

Team	W	L	OTL	PTS
Tampa Bay	35	25	6	76
Carolina	33	29	4	70
Washington	30	29	7	67
Florida	28	30	8	64
Winnipeg	26	31	9	60

The Lightning have too much talent to languish like they did last year. Carolina should be right on Tampa Bay's heels. The Capitals and Alex Ovechkin are no longer a good match for each other. The Panthers got the breaks last season, but that won't happen this year. Winnipeg just does not have enough strengths.

Central Division

Team	W	L	OTL	PTS
St. Louis	38	21	7	83
Chicago	37	25	4	78
Nashville	30	27	9	69
Detroit	28	29	9	65
Columbus	22	32	12	56

The Blues should be one of the hardest working and best teams this year, while the Blackhawks will be chasing them closely throughout the season. The Predators will still be tough despite the loss of Ryan Suter. Detroit will run with the also-rans for the first time in decades. The Blue Jackets are in too deep a hole.

Northwest Division

Team	W	L	OTL	PTS
Vancouver	36	23	7	79
Minnesota	34	26	6	74
Edmonton	33	26	7	73
Colorado	29	30	7	65
Calgary	26	32	8	60

The Vancouver Canucks are still one of the best teams in the league, and they may have the all-around talent to go all the way. The Wild will make the playoffs this season, and so will the Oilers. Colorado is not consistent enough at this point. The Flames will start selling off parts prior to the trade deadline.

Pacific Division

Team	W	L	OTL	PTS
Los Angeles	34	25	7	75
San Jose	32	25	9	73
Dallas	32	26	8	72
Anaheim	29	29	8	66
Phoenix	23	31	12	58

The Kings are the best team in the division but just by a hair. San Jose will make one more run but fade at the end of the season. A veteran Dallas team will have injury issues. Anaheim will be stuck in neutral while the Coyotes will go full-speed in reverse.