2008-'09 Eastern Conference Predictions

No need for an intro. The title says it all, doesn’t it?

1. Pittsburgh Penguins, 106pts

Pittsburgh has the strongest, and youngest, offense in the league. Last year it was their defense that held them back, but with the addition of Hal Gill,  might just be enough to push them past the Habs.

2. Montreal Canadiens, 103pts

The Habs proved they have what it takes be on top last year, but even the addition of Alex Tanguay can't stop the rising power of the Pittsburgh Pens.

3. Washington Capitals, 95pts

Washington finally made the playoffs last year, they did however fail to make it past the first round. If "Ovie one ken-obi", has another year like he had in 07-08 Washington will find themselves in the hunt once again.

4. Philadelphia Flyers, 101pts

Philly will show why they made it to the third round last season, by placing themselves where they belong. They have the talent to do so they they must show the hockey world.

5. New York rangers, 100pts

Goaltender Hendrik Lunquvist is the driving force behind this team, but don't forget Chris Dury, Markus Naslund, Scott Gomez, Nikolai Zherdev and Marc Staal. With all these players it would be a shock if they finished any lower.

6. New Jersey Devils, 96pts

Martin Brouder is one of the best goalies in NHL history (if not the best), and as always he will be the key to the Devils success. Elias, Langenbrunner and Madden will bring the offense on what is (and has always been) a very defensive team.

7. Boston Bruins, 94pts

Savard, Bergeron, Axelsson, Ryder and of course Kessel. Not the greatest players in the world but solid enough to steal a playoff spot.

8. Carolina Hurricanes, 91pts

Robbed of a spot last year the Hurricanes will sneak in this year and we will finally see two teams from the southeast division in the playoffs during the same year!

9. Buffalo Sabers, 90pts

Afinogenov, Hecht, Pominville, Numminen, and this teams heart and soul... Ryan Miller. Even all these players still can't get Buffalo back in the playoffs after losing Dury, Briere and others after their third round run back in 2006-07.

10. Ottawa Senators, 87pts

If what we saw at the end of last season is any indication of how Ottawa will preform this year than this should come as no surprise to any readers, from first place to almost missing the playoffs, the Sens are in for a long season.

11. New York Islanders, 85pts

Rick DiPietro is the only shinning star on this team. When Brendan Witt is the best defenseman you have, its time re-think your strategy.

12. Atlanta Thrashers, 85pts

Ilya Kovalchuk, best player the Thrashers have and a possible FHHOFer, the heart and soul that powers this team... and that's why they never do very well, one guy can’t be the entire team. They need more from second and third lines.

13. Tampa Bay Lightning, 82pts

St.Louis and Lecavalier haven’t been what Tampa needs them to be( no offense to them, Tampa really needs a lot from them), but hopefully Steven Stamkos can get out of the cellar in the years to come.

14. Florida Panthers, 78pts

The lose of Olli Jokinen, not mention the addition of Bryan McCabe, can only hurt this Panthers squad.

15. Toronto Maple Leafs, 73pts

This might just be me being a typical Leafs "fan" but the upcoming year doesn’t look good for the Leafs, who are without Mats Sundin for the first time in 13 years, however this could mean higher draft picks in 2009?