Stretching Credibility To It's Absolute Limit. If That.

OK, so here is a pathetically late so called hockey preview. This is how I figured it would go before the season started. Actual season to date results have no bearing on this post.

Eastern Conference.

1. Montreal
2. Pittsburgh
3. Philadelphia
4. New York Rangers
5. New Jersey - Every year I think the Devs are going to slide back and every year I am wrong. So I'll just stop picking them to slide back. Even with the Brodeur injury I think they are a playoff team.
6. Washington
7-10 Boston, Ottawa, Buffalo and Tampa. Two of these teams will make the playoffs and two won't and I have no idea which are which. I think the Bruins and Sens will slide in and be bounced easily in the first round.
11. Florida
12. Carolina
13. Toronto - It would be totally typical of the Leafs to screw up a rebuilding year and potential number 1 or 2 pick by being good this year. And it's 3-1 odds that if they are within striking distance of the playoffs in mid-January Mats is coming back.
14. New York Islanders
15. Altanta

Western Conference

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

Stanley Cup - Detroit over Pittsburgh