NHL Predictions

My favourite sport (a very hard decision to make) begins tomorrow. The new hockey season is upon us and I couldn't be more excited. My favourite team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, take on the Canadiens tomorrow in Montreal, and hopefully, the Leafs continue their play against the Habs from last year, where the Leafs won 3 out of 5, including a 5-1 and 6-0 win.

These are my predictions for the upcoming season.

Eastern:
1. Pittsburgh
2. Boston
3. NY Rangers
4. Washington
5. New Jersey
6. Ottawa
7. Toronto
8. Philadelphia
9. Detroit
10. Carolina
11. NY Islanders
12. Montreal
13. Buffalo
14. Columbus
15. Tampa Bay
16. Florida

Metropolitan:
1. Pittsburgh
2. NY Rangers
3. Washington
4. New Jersey
5. Philadelphia
6. Carolina
7. NY Islanders
8. Columbus

Atlantic:
1. Boston
2. Ottawa
3. Toronto
4. Detroit
5. Montreal
6. Buffalo
7. Tampa Bay
8. Florida

Western:
1. Chicago
2. Los Angeles
3. St. Louis
4. Minnesota
5. Vancouver
6. San Jose
7. Phoenix
8. Anaheim
9. Nashville
10. Dallas
11. Edmonton
12. Winnipeg
13. Colorado
14. Calgary

Central:
1. Chicago
2. St. Louis
3. Minnesota
4. Nashville
5. Dallas
6. Winnipeg
7. Colorado

Pacific:
1. Los Angeles
2. Vancouver
3. San Jose
4. Phoenix
5. Anaheim
6. Edmonton
7. Calgary

Eastern Conference Final:
Pittsburgh over Boston in 5

Western Conference Final:
St. Louis over Los Angeles in 7

Stanley Cup Final:
Pittsburgh over St. Louis in 7

Just by doing these standings predictions, I get the feeling that the Eastern Conference has two top tier teams, head and above the others (BOS and PIT), and then 10 or so teams that could absolutely fit in the playoff picture in any order. The Western Conference, on the other hand, feels like there are about 6 very good teams and then 8 teams that don't really belong in the playoffs. A cool contrast.

NHL Awards:

Hart Memorial Trophy: Sidney Crosby
Art Ross Trophy: Sidney Crosby
Vezina Trophy: Tuukka Rask
James Norris Trophy: Erik Karlsson
Calder Memorial Trophy: Seth Jones

Here's to a great season!