NHL Regular Season Predictions

The NHL starts tonight (wait, we don't have to wait until January?) with the classical Leafs-Habs rivalry, the defending champs Blackhawks hosting the Capitals, and Jets-Oilers in the late game. Until then, we have predictions to put out.

Eastern Conference

Brad

Atlantic Division	Metropolitan Division
Boston Bruins*	Pittsburgh Penguins*
Detroit Red Wings*	New York Rangers*
Ottawa Senators*	Washington Capitals*
Montreal Canadiens*	New York Islanders*
Tampa Bay Lightning	Carolina Hurricanes
Toronto Maple Leafs	Philadelphia Flyers
Florida Panthers	Columbus Blue Jackets
Buffalo Sabres	New Jersey Devils

MDK

Atlantic Division	Metropolitan Division
Boston Bruins*	Pittsburgh Penguins*
Detroit Red Wings*	New York Rangers*
Tampa Bay Lightning*	Philadelphia Flyers*
Montreal Canadiens*	New Jersey Devils
Toronto Maple Leafs*	Washington Capitals
Buffalo Sabres	New York Islanders
Ottawa Senators	Carolina Hurricanes
Florida Panthers	Columbus Blue Jackets

Western Conference

Brad

Central Division	Pacific Division
Chicago Blackhawks*	Vancouver Canucks*
St. Louis Blues*	Los Angeles Kings*
Nashville Predators*	San Jose Sharks*
Minnesota Wild*	Anaheim Ducks*
Dallas Stars	Edmonton Oilers
Colorado Avalanche	Phoenix Coyotes
Atlanta Thrashers Winnipeg Jets	Calgary Flames

MDK

Central Division	Pacific Division
Chicago Blackhawks*	Vancouver Canucks*
Colorado Avalanche*	San Jose Sharks*
Minnesota Wild*	Los Angeles Kings*
Nashville Predators*	Anaheim Ducks*
Winnipeg Jets	Calgary Flames
Dallas Stars	Phoenix Coyotes
St. Louis Blues	Edmonton Oilers

(* denotes playoff team)

One More Thing

This will probably be a yearly rant, but every time the NHL season starts there are chants of "Hockey back! Hockey's back!". Hockey isn't back. Hockey never left. The NHL is back. If the NHL season means that "hockey's back", then I'd like to know what players play when they get sent down to the minors or back to junior. What do they play if their only options is a league in Europe? AHL, CHL, KHL, SHL, SM-liiga, and many more ?HL's all play hockey. Just say the NHL is back.

Happy NHL Opening Day everyone.