Many of you have been asking where I think the New Jersey Devils will finish in the East and who will make the playoffs. Here's my answer. I also included my Stanley Cup playoff bracket. Obviously a lot can (and will) change between now and the playoffs with trades, injuries, etc. but as of now this is where I stand.

Note - I did my predictions at TheHockeyGuys.net a couple days ago so if you want to see WHY I picked the teams where I did head over there.

2011-12 Eastern Conference Standings Prediction

* division winner

1. Washington Capitals *
2. Pittsburgh Penguins *
3. Buffalo Sabres *
4. Boston Bruins
5. New Jersey Devils
6. Philadelphia Flyers
7. New York Rangers
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
---------------------------------
9. Montreal Canadiens
10. Tampa Bay Lightning
11. Carolina Hurricanes
12. Winnipeg Jets
13. New York Islanders
14. Ottawa Senators
15. Florida Panthers

Playoff predictions

Round one

1. Washington Capitals -- Capitals in six
8. Toronto Maple Leafs

2. Pittsburgh Penguins -- Penguins in six
7. New York Rangers

3. Buffalo Sabres
6. Philadelphia Flyers -- Flyers in seven

4. Boston Bruins
5. New Jersey Devils -- Devils in seven

Round two

1. Washington Capitals
6. Philadelphia Flyers -- Flyers in seven

2. Pittsburgh Penguins -- Penguins in seven
5. New Jersey Devils

Round three

2. Pittsburgh Penguins -- Penguins in seven
6. Philadelphia Flyers

Note - Picking the Penguins over the Flyers in the Eastern Conference Finals lies solely on the health of Sidney Crosby. If Sid isn't playing, I take the Flyers in seven.

Make sure you come back tomorrow for my Western Conference predictions as well as my Stanley Cup winner.

Do you agree or disagree with my predictions? Feel free to leave your thoughts and predictions in the comment section. I look forward to reading all your opinions.

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The New Jersey Devils first preseason game against the New York Rangers is just 18 days away!

Note: Click here for more details regarding the fundraiser for Jake Wisniewksi of MSG.

Follow me on twitter @ToddCordell for the latest news & notes surrounding the New Jersey Devils, and NHL in general.

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