EASTERN CONFERENCE PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2010-2011 SEASON

EASTERN CONFERENCE STANDING'S PREDICTIONS 2010-2011 Predicted by Andrew Di Pardo:

1.Washington Capitals:

The Caps will have a good sold defense this season and will need some big time scoring from Ovechkin this season especially when it comes to playoff time. But I wounder if the caps will get some consistent goaltending from Varlamov because if they don't I think that you'll see the Caps 3 game playoff losing streak extend. But overall I think the Caps will have a good regular season by finishing in first but I still tend to wonder how far the Caps could go in the playoffs.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins:

The Penguins are going to have a break out season this year after a round 2 upset that was given to them by Montreal. With having one of the youngest teams in the NHL the Pens are going to get number 1: Solid Defense, Number 2: Strong offense and Number 3: Solid goaltending. With those 3 major factors you can expect the Penguins to finish in second and expect the Pens to at least pass round 1 of the playoffs if not more.

3.Boston Bruins:

After what could have been a great cup run for the Bruins (after blowing a 3-0 series lead to the soon to be East champs the Flyers) the Bruins will look to rebound. I think they will. They have good offense and defense but like I said in my 09-10 season preview the Boston Bruins like the Capitals have inconsistency goaltending. That inconsistency cost them a trip to round 3 vs Montreal. So I think the Bruins will finish in 3rd but if they don't get a Consistent goalie they could make a early exit in the playoffs.

4.Buffalo Sabres:

After a farley ok season for the Sabers. The Sabres will have high expectations for this season. With all the offseason changes and or signings like Tim Conboy (won the cup with Chicago last season),Paul Byron being called up,Collin Stuart and Manny more you can expect the Sabers to have a good PK and you can expect them to finish in 4th.

5.Montreal Canadiens:

After the Habs longest Cup run since 1993 you can expect Montreal to have more of the same. You can expect anything and everything from the Habs like a great Powerplay and a great PK. Speaking of P.k, P.K Subban will be starting the season with the Habs with high expectations and he's ready to take those on. So expect a great season from PK. The Habs will have great goaltending this season from Carey Price (who will be signed in a few days) and Alex Auld so expect Montreal to be a big contender this season.

6. New Jersey Devils:

This upcoming season the Devils are not going to have one of there best seasons. As of now the Devils don't even have enough forwards for 4 lines (they only have 11) and they would just have enough if the Devils could somehow sign Kovalchuk which at the moment isn't going well. But anyway Brodeur (who I think is to old to play in the NHL) is not going to have a good year. I think he's going to be very inconstant. Which will be a problem for the Devils because if Brodeurs not at his best there not going anywhere. Even there back up named Hedburgh is inconsistent and I also think he's to old. So with these facts I think the Devils will make the Playoffs but they won't pass the first round.

7.Philedephia Flyers:

After going all the way to the Stanley cup final but coming up short the Flyers have high expectations for this season. But the only problem with the Flyers is there getting older. With them getting older they will not have a good PK or a good powerplay.So I don't think you'll see them finish above 7th.

8. Toronto Maple Leafs:

After missing the playoffs for a franchise record 5th straight season the Leafs have the youngest team in the NHL and with that they will have there work cut out for them this season.
But with what the Leafs Gm did to this team you can expect to see the Leafs in the playoffs this season.
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9.New York Rangers:

After a great ending to the 09-10 season the Rangers and a few minor changes in the offseason the Rangers would hope to make the playoffs this year. But I don't think that they have done all there homework. So you can expect the Rangers to finish a few points back of 8th this season.

10. Ottawa Senators:

What have the Sens done with there team? I can answer that.. Nothing. When I say nothing I mean that they have only made a few deals that won't improve there team. So after a season where they had there oldest player (Alfredsson) lead the team in points which is kinda pathetic you can expect the Sens to miss the playoffs this season.

11.Tampa Bay Lightning:

This past offseason the Lightning have changed there team for the better.When I say better I mean future. So if your a Lightning fan expect them not to make the playoffs this season. But expect them to make it in the next 2-3 seasons.

12. Carolina Hurricanes:

After a season of missing the playoffs you can expect more of the same due to the fact that the Hurricanes like all teams that are going to miss the playoffs have just made a few changes. So expect nothing from this team. Expect a bad powerplay and a bad PK which will lead the Canes to a 12th place finish.

13.Atlanta Thrashers:

I think the Thrashers just like the lightning have a bright future but that future is not going to come this season. You can expect Atalanta to start off on the wrong foot and end the season on a good note (on a win streak). But they still will finish in 13th.

14. Florida Panthers:

The Panthers are coming off a bad season by finishing in 14th. But they are getting better. But that doesn't mean they will make the playoffs. I think the Panthers will have an unbalanced team. What I mean by that is they will have bad defense and good offense which will lead to another 14th place finish.

15.New York Islanders:

After yet another bad season. The Islanders aren't getting any better and that's why I think they will finish in last place in the NHL and in the East.