NHL Season Preview & Predictions

The NHL season is just a week away, and I have a feeling it's going to be a great one. Rogers Sportsnet starts out their new TV deal, and there should be plenty of games on every night, even if you don't have NHL Centre Ice. This season is as wide open as ever, and i'm going to give my predictions as to how I think everything is going to stack up:


Standings:

Metropolitan Division


1. Pittsburgh Penguins
2. Philadelphia Flyers
3. New York Rangers
4. New York Islanders
5. New Jersey Devils
6. Washington Capitals
7. Columbus Blue Jackets
8. Carolina Hurricanes

Atlantic Division

1. Boston Bruins
2. Detroit Red Wings
3. Toronto Maple Leafs
4. Montreal Canadiens 
5. Tampa Bay Lightning
6. Ottawa Senators
7. Florida Panthers
8. Buffalo Sabres

Pacific Division

1. Anaheim Ducks
2. Los Angeles Kings
3. Vancouver Canucks
4. San Jose Sharks
5. Edmonton Oilers
6. Arizona Coyotes
7. Calgary Flames

Central Division

1. Chicago Blackhawks
2. Dallas Stars
3. St. Louis Blues
4. Minnesota Wild
5. Colorado Avalanche
6. Nashville Predators
7. Winnipeg Jets


Playoffs:

Eastern Conference

1. Boston Bruins
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
3. Detroit Red Wings
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
5. Philadelphia Flyers
6. New York Rangers
7. Montreal Canadiens
8. Tampa Bay Lightning 

Western Conference

1. Anaheim Ducks
2. Chicago Blackhawks 
3. Los Angeles Kings
4. Dallas Stars
5. St. Louis Blues
6. Vancouver Canucks
7. Minnesota Wild
8. San Jose Sharks


Eastern Conference Final: Detroit Red Wings over New York Rangers

Western Conference Final: Anaheim Ducks over Chicago Blackhawks

Stanley Cup Final: Anaheim Ducks over Detroit Red Wings


Awards

Hart: Sidney Crosby

Vezina: Carey Price

Calder: Aaron Ekblad 

Norris: Drew Doughty

Selke: Patrice Bergeron

Art Ross: Sidney Crosby

Maurice Richard: Alex Ovechkin 

Jack Adams: Bruce Boudreau 


There are some bold picks, and some safe ones as well. This season should be full of surprises, and my dark horse team going into the season is the Dallas Stars. I think the additions they made in the off-season puts them into contention for the Cup, but ultimately I think it's going to be Anaheim over Detroit in the Stanley Cup Final. Let's hope for a great season excitement wise!