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Eastern Conference Predictions |
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I'm not on for predictions and prognostications. No one cares what I have to say about the Eastern Conference.
Frankly, I'm fascinated by this 48 games sprintring to the NHL finish line. This add your grand daddy's 82 game odyssey, where teams can recover from 10-12 game losing streaks during the season, only to squeak into the playoffs on the final day of the season.
This season is different. Every game counts. Teams that leave points on the table are going to pay for it in April when the window closes on the regular season. 48 games compressed into 97 days. You win, you get in. You lose, you go golfing.
Goal tending will be critical. The team's with the hottest goalies will advance to the playoffs. The teams that struggle between the pipes will wish they had addressed their needs.
Goal scoring will be key because post-lockout NHL games are going to look frantic at first. The teams with the players who played overseas in Russia, Switzerland, German, and Austria during the lockout will have the decided advantage over the teams whose players stayed stateside and in Canada for 113 days of shinny and bag skates.
Defense will be a critical component too.l
The team trainers wil be MVP candidates as their plate will be full while they try with all their might to stretch their players and to get them the proper amount of rest, recovery, and repair with all of the bumps, bruise, groin pulls, and hip flexors.
My Eastern Conference predictions feature a couple of eye poppers, like John Tavares and the NY Islanders finally breaking on through to the other side, and the NJ Devils failing to qualify for the playoffs by virtue of the loss of their best player, Zach Parise last July. Steven Stamkos and the upstart Lightning will make the playoffs, while Ottawa, Carolina and Montreal will not make the grade.
Eastern Conference standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (division winner)
2. Washingtin Capitals (division winner)
3. Buffalo Sabres (division winner)
4. NY Rangers
5. Philadelphia Flyers
6. Tampa Bay Lightning
7. Boston Bruins
8. NY Islanders
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9. Carolina Hurricanes
10. Ottawa Senators
11. Winnipeg Jets
12. New Jersey Devils
13. Montreal Canadiens
14. Toronto Maple Leafs
15. Florida Panthers
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The American Hockey League announced Thursday that Rochester Americans defenseman Brayden McNabb and center Kevin Porter have been named to the Western Conference All-Star roster for the 2013 AHL All-Star Classic, which will take place in Providence, Rhode Island on January 27th and 28th.
McNabb, 21, has appeared in 36 games for the Amerks this season and currently ranks second in scoring among Amerks defensemen with 19 points (3+16) and ranks fifth overall on the team with 16 assists. This marks the second straight AHL All-Star selection for McNabb, who was named to the roster as a rookie last season but was unable to play due to a recall to the Buffalo Sabres.
Last season, McNabb appeared in 25 NHL games with the Sabres, recording one goal and seven assists. He scored his first NHL goal on Dec. 26, 2011 versus the Washington Capitals. He also registered 30 points (5+25) in 45 AHL games with the Amerks.
Prior to starting his professional career last season with the Amerks, McNabb helped lead the Kootenay Ice of the Western Hockey League to the WHL championship and a berth in the 2011 Memorial Cup. In four full seasons (2007-11) with Kootenay, McNabb had 176 points (50+126) in 258 games, along with 419 PIMs. He was selected by Buffalo in the third round (66th overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Porter, 26, has appeared in all 37 of Rochester’s games this season and currently ranks second on the team in scoring with 30 points on 11 goals and 19 assists. Porter, the Amerks’ team captain, will be making his first career AHL All-Star appearance.
The Sabres waived Porter and forward Nick Tarnsky on Thursday.
Thanks, amerks.com
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