Saturday, January 19, 2013

A Look Ahead: 2012-2013 Eastern Conference

Eastern Conference Preview (by Division)

We're at the starting line for a short, action packed season.  Expect to see more groin strains, less fans at Islanders games, and the leafs still not making the playoffs.  Here's our look at the (b)eastern conference:

Northeast Division
A lot of teams have something to prove here...  Goaltending will be the biggest focus in the Northeast, starting with Rask in Boston.  Their success depends on Rask repeating his success from two years ago, and as long as he can keep his political views to himself, they should find themselves on their way to another division title.  Toronto is looking to solidify their netminding, hoping that Scrivens or Reimer can become a force in the crease.  Between the media attention and trade rumors (Bobby Lou), I think it'll be too much for the Leafs to make it into the playoffs (finally).  Ottawa has found a trio of potential number ones, but expect to see them deal one of Bishop, Lehner, and Anderson.  Trading one of these for a quality skater could launch them past the first round of playoffs this year.  Montreal and Buffalo just need to hope last season is truly behind their goaltenders and things get back on track.  

Players who can make or break their team:  Tyler Seguin, Alexei Kovalev, Scrivens/Reimer, Tomas Plekanec, Ryan Miller

Drink of the Division:  Corona, for Gomez of course (and all of that sun and sand in Alaska).



Atlantic Division
Probably a biased opinion, but the Atlantic is always an exciting division to watch and a fight to the end.  Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and the Rangers have made moves to top last season, while the Islanders sign AHL tough guys and New Jersey gets older in goal.  This division will be ruled by whoever can get hot and stay hot.  If Crosby can stay healthy and return to form and Malkin/Neal both have at least mediocre seasons, Pitt will stay on top.  Philly needs folks like Read and Couturier to have repeat seasons, while the Rangers need their star power to stay stars into the playoffs.  The Islanders have a very young core that could step up in the short season and launch them into the playoffs, but another Oilers-esque season could very well be on the horizon.  The Devils need to find Parise's goal scoring and leadership to stand a chance, espeically with their goaltenders only getting older.  Trading one of their 8 NHL defensemen for a winger could be coming very soon.

Players that can make or break their team:  Sidney Crosby (obviously), Ilya Bryzgalov (obviously), Rick Nash (obviously), Travis Hamonic (not obviously), and whoever is on the Devils top line with Zajac and Kovalchuk.

Drink of the Division:  Long Island Iced Tea, because it will mess you up, just like the Atlantic Division will be.

Southeast Division
A good amount of roster changes here, all by teams looking to take control of the #1 spot in the south east.  Key signings/trades for each team start with the Staal family reunion in Carolina.  This duo, Alexander Semin, and the maturity of the defense (McBain, Faulk) will hopefully send them back to the playoffs.  Washington has brought in Mike Ribeiro to help Backstrom and Greene bounce back into successful seasons.  Winnipeg is looking to Olli Jokinen to bring winning hockey back (finally).  Down in Florida, the Panthers want to build on top of last year's success.  Cornerstone George Parros's mustache should be that catalyst, along with the late signing Kulikov needing to fill in Jason Garrison's skates.  Tampa Bay thinks they finally have a solution for their netminding problems- former Predator Anders Lindback.  Blake and Adam will be rooting him and Steven Stamkos on to hopefully improve the team's awful goal differential.  

Players that can make or break their team:  Alexander Semin, Mike Green, Evander Kane, Kris Versteeg, Anders Lindback

Drink of the Division:  Caribou Lou, because everyone always seems to forget about the Southeast, just like they forget about what happened last night.

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