NHL division previews
The 2019-20 NHL season concluded with a fairly predictable champion in the Tampa Bay Lightning.
That doesn’t mean anything this season will play out as expected.
So much is going to be different for the league in 2021. The divisions are new. The format is fresh. And teams will be trying to navigate a pandemic while hopping from city to city playing games.
That means this unpredictable sport could be more fickle than ever this season. That said, here are one hockey writer’s picks.
EAST DIVISION 1. Boston Bruins (44-14-12)
The Bruins won the Presidents’ Trophy last season and have another stellar roster. Their first line is elite, their goaltending tandem is great, and they should be one of the best teams in an excellent division.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins (40-23-6)
General manager Jim Rutherford fiddled with his roster after a second-straight disappointing postseason, bringing in new blood for Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to play with. Whether that gets them close to another Cup remains to be seen.
3. New York Islanders (35-23-10)
The Islanders continue to impress under coach Barry Trotz after making the Eastern Conference Final last season. There’s no doubt this team will find a way to be competitive again because of its excellent defensive structure.
4. Washington Capitals (41-20-8)
The Capitals hired coach Peter Laviolette to squeeze more out of their aging core, but he has his work cut out for him. Legendary goaltender Henrik Lundqvist won’t play because of a heart condition, leaving the net to 23-year-old Ilya Samsonov.
5. Philadelphia Flyers (41-21-7)
The Flyers had the fourth-best points percentage in the Eastern Conference last season and should be competitive again. But they’re in a tough spot in a division with so much star power. Goaltender Carter Hart, 22, will have to be on his game.
6. New York Rangers (37-28-5)
The Rangers are one of the NHL’S most exciting teams with No. 1 overall pick Alexis Lafreniere joining forwards Artemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad and Kaapo Kakko. The defense might not be great, but this is a team on the rise.
7. Buffalo Sabres (30-31-8)
The Sabres added Taylor Hall and center Eric Staal in the hopes of being competitive, but their division is daunting. The depth around star center Jack Eichel still isn’t where it needs to be.
8. New Jersey Devils (28-29-12)
The Devils are rebuilding around centers Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes and goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood. This season will be about development, not wins and losses.