NHL Predictions: Where Will Current Division Leaders Be at Season's End?

The NHL season has passed the quarter pole and given us some surprising early division races. There is still a long way to go and being in first place in December does not guarantee you anything.

Where will the six division leaders end up at the end of the season? Where will they be in a month? Will they hold on or will they fall out of contention all together?

These stretch runs are what makes the NHL fun. Winning the division means a lot as it promises, at worst, a No. 3 seed in the playoffs and home ice advantage in the first round.

Here is where each current division leader will end the season.

Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins have a three point lead over the Rangers and Flyers right now in the Atlantic Division. Coming into the season the Penguins were assumed to be a strong team and now that Sidney Crosby is back and hasn't missed a beat, they should be considered Cup contenders.

The Penguins are being pushed right now by the Rangers and Flyers, both of whom are breathing down their neck and have games in hand. This makes Pittsburgh’s current lead a bit tenuous. However, with Crosby back and their big guns somewhat healthy the Penguins should start to pull away from New York and will end up with the division lead.

The Penguins will be battling it out with Boston for the East’s number one seed come playoff time. The Bruins are a bit stronger though and will edge out the Penguins for the top seed in the conference.

Boston Bruins

The defending Stanley Cup champions got off to a slow start but are playing even better now than they did during their amazing playoff run last year.

That prospect should scare their division, conference and the rest of the league.

The Bruins may actually be better this year due in large part to the emergence of Tyler Seguin as a scoring monster. They still play great defense and Tim Thomas makes it extremely tough to sneak one by.

Look for Boston to hold off Toronto for the Northeast Division and Pittsburgh for the No. 1 seed in the East.

Florida Panthers

The Panthers made a ton of moves this offseason, many of which were scoffed at in many circles because of the dollar amounts attached to them. So far they are proving all those who mocked them wrong.

One of the early season surprises, the Panthers find themselves with a five-point lead over Washington in the Southeast. Will they stay there?

Florida brought in a lot of older players who are paying off for them now. Logic would seem to dictate that they will slow down and that may end up sinking the Panthers.

The Capitals have gone through a tough start and a coaching change, but have too many talented players to not catch Florida. So logic again says that Washington will end up winning the division.

The Panthers will make a good run at the playoffs though. The bottom of the East seems a bit soft and look for the Panthers to squeak in as the eighth seed.

Chicago Blackhawks

The Blackhawks are holding on to the lead in the Central Division by two points over the always dangerous Detroit Red Wings. That lead is smaller when you consider that Detroit has games in hand.

Chicago has been lighting the lamp a lot this year with 90 goals which is good for third best in the league. The problem is that they are giving up almost as many.

They are ranked 21^st in the NHL with just over three goals allowed per game.

They are fun to watch and loaded with young talented players. However the Red Wings are a more complete team and will catch and pass the Blackhawks. Chicago also has to deal with a tough St. Louis team that makes the Central one of the best divisions in the NHL.

Chicago will still make the playoffs and will do so easier than they did last season. They will battle the Kings for the fourth seed and will just nudge them out.

Dallas Stars

We have seen this before. Last season Dallas led the Pacific Division early in the season only to crumble and miss out on the playoffs on the last day of the season.

Right now the Stars have a one point lead over Los Angeles and a two point lead over San Jose.

Dallas will not be in first place this time next week and will not win the Pacific as both San Jose and the Kings will pass them by. The Western Conference is pretty stacked and it is hard to see how Dallas will be able to make the playoffs.

They should enjoy the penthouse for now because it won’t last for long.

Minnesota Wild

The Wild are off to a great start and find themselves with a six point lead in the Northwest. Minnesota’s big problem the past couple of seasons has been a lack of scoring.

Despite being in first place they are still struggling to score. They are ranked 26^th in the NHL in goals scored and are relying on good goaltending and defense. If they want to hang on to their lead they will have to start scoring.

The Northwest Division still belongs to the Vancouver Canucks who have been playing well of late and will eventually catch the Wild. Minnesota will continue to struggle to score but will find themselves in the Western Conference playoffs when the season ends.

Look for them to snag a seventh seed and with that defense be a tough matchup.