It seems weird to be talking about hockey at this time of year, but this is actually when we should be talking about hockey. And let's be thankful that we ARE talking about hockey. Because at this time last year, we were in the midst of a ridiculous lockout wondering when and if there would be a hockey season.
This year also brings about a significant amount of change in the NHL, most notably realignment. A lot of experts and fans are in favor of these new divisions, but I am not. The 16-14 split really bothers me, as does the new playoff structure. And don't get me started on the name of the "Metropolitan" division. The one thing I like, though, is the schedule. Now you play a home-and-home with everybody after years of playing only 18 interconference games.
Aside from the obvious issue of it being easier to make the playoffs in the Western Conference, my big problem with the new division-based playoff format is that you're not necessarily going to have the two best teams in a conference meet in the conference finals. Two years ago, the Rangers and Penguins were in a spirited season-long battle for the No. 1 seed in the East, with the team that finished second in the Atlantic Division knowing that it would be the No. 4 seed. But since the NHL reseeded between rounds, it was still possible for them to face each other in the conference finals. That can't happen anymore, though. Each of the four "division champions" will be in the conference finals. So, using the Rangers and Penguins as the example again. If the Rangers were to finish with 108 points and the Penguins with 106, they'd have to play in the conference semifinals no matter what while 96-point Boston and 93-point Montreal play in the other series. This was a frequent problem in the late 80s/early 90s, which is one of the reasons why the NHL went away from the division-based format in the first place.
Since I've already started talking about the East, I might as well continue. I'd also like to point out that the NHL has decided to add to our confusion by changing the division names. They added the Florida teams to the Northeast Division, so they obviously couldn't call it the Northeast anymore. Instead they opted to call it the "Atlantic," evidently ignoring the fact that three of the teams are in Canada, one's in Buffalo and one's in Detroit. And, oh yeah, the fact that they already had a division called the "Atlantic." As a result, the artist formerly known as the Atlantic Division was stuck with that ridiculous "Metropolitan" name. (Like I said, I've got a lot of problems with the NHL realignment.)
Speaking of the Metropolitan Division, this division has a couple of really good teams, a couple teams you know have no shot at the playoffs, and a couple that'll be right there in the middle fighting for those two "wild card" playoff berths. Pittsburgh is still among the class of the league. The Penguins ran away with this division last year, but survived a couple scares in the playoffs before ultimately falling to a better Bruins team. All this without Sidney Crosby for much of the season. Pittsburgh should have no problem claiming one of those three automatic playoff spots. The Rangers shouldn't, either. The Rangers, of course, traded coaches with Vancouver, bringing in Alain Vigneaut after a disappointing 2013. Vigneaut's the right coach for this team that still has loads of talent and, most importantly, Henrik Lundqvist. Playing a full season should also help the Rangers.
After a few years of beating on the cupcakes of the now-defunct Southeast Division, Washington is reunited with its former Patrick Division friends. We'll finally get to see how good the Capitals actually are now that they won't be feasting on Tampa Bay, Florida, Carolina and Winnipeg so much. I still the Caps will be in the mix for the playoffs, though (after all, I think a Rangers-Capitals playoff series is an NHL rule). Their biggest worry is keeping Alex Ovechkin's head in the game. He's preoccupied with the Sochi Olympics. Fighting Washington for third place will probably be the Islanders and Philadelphia. The Islanders made the playoffs last season and are out to prove that was the beginning of something rather than a flash in the pan. They might be a better team this season, but making the playoffs has gotten much tougher. I also expect a bounce-back season from the Flyers, who I think would've made the playoffs if they'd played a full season last year. It should be a fight between those three teams for the one automatic playoff berth.
The Devils' massive contract to Ilya Kovalchuk was one of the reasons the lockout dragged on so long last season. Now Kovalchuk has spurned the Devils to go play in the KHL. And Martin Brodeur is a legend, but he's getting old. Columbus showed signs of turning things around last year, even fighting for a playoff berth, but I'm not sure how competitive I see the Blue Jackets being in this division. Be careful what you wish for. You're finally in the Eastern Conference, but would've had a better chance at being competitive in the West. Carolina wasn't done any favors by being placed in this division, either.
The new Atlantic Division just might be the NHL's favorite. Half of the division is Original Six teams, and they all made the playoffs last season. That's why I think this will probably be the most competitive of the four divisions. Like Pittsburgh, Boston's one of the best teams in hockey. The Bruins are three seasons removed from winning the Cup and coming off a Final appearance. There's no reason to think the Bruins won't continue that run this season. The Red Wings finally got what they wanted with this move to the Eastern Conference. And that's bad news for the fringe playoff teams, because I don't see the Red Wings' run of playoff appearances coming to an end. It'll be a slight adjustment, but Detroit's talent is too great.
Montreal and Toronto, the other two Original Six teams in the Atlantic Division, are also strong. The Maple Leafs finally snapped their playoff drought last season, while the Canadiens actually won the division over the Bruins before being upset by Ottawa in the playoffs. They'll both be pushed down a little because of the Red Wings' presence in the division, but they're both strong enough to return to the playoffs. So is Ottawa. Even without Daniel Alfredsson (who's now in Detroit). I wouldn't count the Sabres out, either. While I don't think they have the talent to make the playoffs, Ryan Miller, if he returns to form, is a top-notch goalie capable of stealing a game. The Sabres can definitely make life interesting for teams, even if they're not necessarily playoff-caliber.
I think it's safe to say there won't be any playoff hockey in Florida this season. The two teams screwed the most by the realignment were the Lightning and Panthers, whose only division rivals that are even remotely close are each other. All those trips to Canada (Detroit and Buffalo included) won't be fun. Especially for two teams that would've struggled in the old Southeast Division.
So, here are the teams I foresee qualifying for the playoffs out of the Eastern Conference...
Metropolitan-Pittsburgh, Rangers, Washington
Atlantic-Boston, Detroit, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa
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