2010-2011 NHL Preview & Predictions

by Joe Donahue on October 11, 2010

We apologize for the delay in posting as we were detained at Customs for five days by the kind folks at Prague Ruzyně Airport.

Okay, let’s try to determine which teams will still be skating come mid-April and from there we’ll take a stab at playoff predictions. Teams are listed in a worst-to-first order for each conference in order finish by points and not factoring in the NHL playoff seeding format. The italicized teams will not qualify for the playoffs.

WESTERN:

Minnesota (bring back Chris Snow)

Edmonton (two years away)

Calgary (in a steep decline)

Colorado (last year was a fluke)

Columbus (anonymous team in an anonymous pro city)

Anaheim (we reserve the right to change our mind like Pitino)

Dallas (Jack Campbell, their #1 pick, will eventually be a stud in goal)

Phoenix (this season will not be as magical)

Nashville (quick, name four Predators; yeah, thought so)

St. Louis (the young, recent draft picks start making some noise)

Los Angeles (they should trade one of their two goalies for offense)

Chicago (Stanley Cup victory lap will make for a long season)

Detroit (the veteran team core makes one final push)

Vancouver (like the Houston Texans, the team to watch year after year)

San Jose (Tarzan in regular season and Jane in the playoffs)

EASTERN:

Florida (yes, they once did make the Stanley Cup Finals)

NY Islanders (like Edmonton, still two years away)

Carolina (the Calgary Flames of the conference)

Atlanta (Evander Kane for President)

Toronto (Looks like their #1 pick will be about 10-12 next year)

Ottawa (expect them to be in many high-scoring games– not a good thing)

NY Rangers (Gaborik, their best scorer will get injured)

New Jersey (get physical with them and they’ll cry “uncle”)

Buffalo (Tyler Myers might be the league’s best defenseman in two years)

Montreal (last year’s playoff comet won’t return in 2011)

Tampa Bay (exciting team to watch and back in the playoffs)

Philadelphia (still haven’t adequately replaced Hextall in the net)

Washington (tough division makes points not as easy this season)

Boston (most complete team on Causeway St. in decades)

Pittsburgh (team should be angry and want to make amends for Montreal loss)

PLAYOFFS:

In the Western Conference, throw out Phoenix, Nashville and St. Louis right off the bat. Chicago will have too much of a Cup hangover to repeat. That leaves San Jose, Vancouver, Detroit and Los Angeles. The Sharks are confirmed choke artists so they’re gone. Roberto Luongo will wilt in a big game (he tried giving Team USA the gold medal) so the Canucks are out.

Conference Final: Detroit over LA in 7 games

Now, for the Eastern Conference, the home of the local entry. Tampa Bay, Montreal, New Jersey and Buffalo are the quick outs, leaving the Northeast Corridor teams remaining. Washington is San Jose East and Philly’s goaltending will bite them in the butt this time around.

Conference Final: Pittsburgh over Boston in 7 games

Stanley Cup Final: Pittsburgh over Detroit in 6 games

Enjoy the season!