Standings Prediction

With the NHL season right around the corner, I figured now was as good a time as any to give you my outlook on what the standings will look like come April.

I know, I know. Many of you probably think I’m crazy since the puck hasn’t even dropped yet and also since so much can happen during the season.

However, us puckheads are crazy. We like to think about what “might be” and what “could be” instead of what “is.” Some of us are more hopeful than others and with good reason.

With that in mind, below, please find what I think the Eastern and Western Conference standings will like at the end of 2010-11 season. Feel free to love me, hate me or just think I’m a nut!

Eastern Conference

1) Washington Capitals (1^st in the Southeast Division)

2) New Jersey Devils (1^st in the Atlantic Division)

3) Boston Bruins (1^st in the Northeast Division)

4) Pittsburgh Penguins (2^nd in the Atlantic Division)

5) Carolina Hurricanes (2^nd in the Southeast Division)

6) Philadelphia Flyers (3^rd in the Atlantic Division)

7) Montreal Canadiens (2^nd in the Northeast Division)

8) Ottawa Senators (3^rd in the Northeast Division)

9) Buffalo Sabres (4^th in the Northeast Division)

10) New York Rangers (4^th in the Atlantic Division)

11) Tampa Bay Lightning (3^rd in the Southeast Division)

12) Atlanta Thrashers (4^th in the Southeast Division)

13) Toronto Maple Leafs (5^th in the Northeast Division)

14) New York Islanders (5^th in the Atlantic Division)

15) Florida Panthers (5^th in the Southeast Division

Western Conference

1) Detroit Red Wings (1^st in the Central Division)

2) Vancouver Canucks (1^st in the Northwest Division)

3) San Jose Sharks (1^st in the Pacific Division)

4) Chicago Blackhawks (2^nd in the Central Division)

5) Los Angeles Kings (2^nd in the Pacific Division)

6) Colorado Avalanche (2^nd in the Northwest Division)

7) Phoenix Coyotes (3^rd in the Pacific Division)

8) Nashville Predators (3^rd in the Central Division)

9) St. Louis Blues (4^th in the Central Division)

10) Calgary Flames (3^rd in the Northwest Division)

11) Anaheim Ducks (4^th in the Pacific Division)

12) Minnesota Wild (4^th in the Northwest Division)

13) Dallas Stars (5^th in the Pacific Division)

14) Columbus Blue Jackets (5^th in the Central Division)

15) Edmonton Oilers (5^th in the Northwest Division)

I’m hoping I’m wrong with some of my picks (ahem, New York Rangers, ahem) but let’s revisit this at the All-Star break and see where I’m at.

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