The start of the NHL's regular season is right around the corner. The Western conference has dominated play in previous years but this may be the year that changes. The teams in the East have all made an attempt at upgrading their rosters and it is finally time to see how things will turn out. Here are the predictions for how the NHL's Eastern conference will shake out.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning- The defending Eastern conference champions are in a prime position to repeat, and possibly win the franchises first Stanley Cup since 2004. The team brings back many of its key pieces including their best line that featured Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov. With Steven Stamkos leading this team and Ben Bishop proving himself as an elite goaltender, the Lightning are poised to make a return to the playoffs this season.
2. Washington Capitals- The Washington Capitals will finally look to make deep run in the playoffs. Every year it appears the Caps are good enough to get deep into the playoffs but always fall short of their high expectations. The Capitals are returning key pieces such as superstar Alex Ovechkin as well as Nick Backstrom. The Capitals had an excellent off season highlighted by the re-signing of goalkeeper Braden Holtby and the blockbuster trade that brought in winger T.J Oshie. This may be the year the Capitals finally get over the hump and make a deep run in the postseason.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins- The Penguins are coming off an extremely disappointing season in which they just sneaked into the playoffs and were only there for a minimal time as they were ousted by the New York Rangers in five games. Their biggest offseason acquisition by far was the trade that brought in Phil Kessel to play alongside either Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. This offense should be one of the leagues best and if goalie Marc-Andre Fleury can be consistent this group should have no problem making the playoffs.
4. New York Islanders- The Islanders have a roster filled with some of the top young talent in the NHL. Led by John Tavares, the Islanders shocked many last year with their play, but were eventually knocked out of the playoffs in seven games by the Capitals. The Islanders have built a solid foundation for years to come and with Johnny Boychuk and Nick Leddy as the top two defenseman, and Jaroslav Halak in net, this Isles team has plenty of potential and upside going into the 2015 season and for years to come.
5. Montreal Canadiens- The Canadiens will probably finish higher because they are in the East's weaker division, and the fact that goalie Carey Price has been outstanding for so long now. He can't get any better than he has been and the team in front of him has not improved a lot, if at all. After a first place finish in the Atlantic division last year, the Habs may have a more difficult time this time around. Even though they have a talented roster with players like P.K Subban and Max Pacioretty, the Habs will have a much harder time in 2015.
6- New York Rangers- The New York Rangers are a very talented team and are pretty much a playoff lock. While they will make the playoffs, they will have a dropoff from last season. A season in which they captured the Presidents Trophy for most points during the regular season. While Rick Nash is older and may not have a huge impact like last year, it won't be a big deal because they have young players like Chris Kreider and Kevin Hayes to help out. They also have Henrik Lundqvist still playing between the pipes.
7- Columbus Blue Jackets- This team could be a potential dark horse team to make a deep playoff run in 2015-16. After missing the playoffs last year, this could be the year they make their return. With Ryan Johansen and the newly acquired Brandon Saad leading the way, this could surprisingly be the year of the Blue Jackets.
8- Boston Bruins- The Boston Bruins had one of the most disappointing years in recent memory last year. They failed to make the playoffs, missing out by just two points. This year they reverse their fortune and sneak in at the end. Center Patrice Bergeron should have another great year to help the Bruins cause. While Zdeno Chara is no longer the feared player he once was, his presence will help the Bruins to a playoff berth this year.
9- Florida Panthers- After a surprise 2015 in which Florida just missed the playoffs, it appears they are headed for a similar finish. The team has plenty of young talent but two of their best players last season were veterans Jaromir Jagr and Roberto Lunogo. I think the Panthers will again fall just short of a playoff berth.
10- Ottawa Senators- The Senators pulled of the impossible last year making the playoffs thanks to young goalie Andrew Hammond. Thanks to his play the Sens overachieved last year, and this year they will be sent back to reality. The Senators will not reach the playoffs this season and there will be no Hammond magic this time around.
11- Philadelphia Flyers- The Flyers underachieved last season in a major way despite having the likes of Claude Giroux, Wayne Simmonds and Jakub Vorachek. This season will bring more of the same for Philly as they don't have enough to make it to the playoffs. This writer thinks the Flyers still have a few years to wait until they return to the playoffs.
12- Detroit Red Wings- After finishing third in the Atlantic last year, the Wings will not have enough firepower to make the playoffs this season. After losing head coach Mike Babcock to the Maple Leafs, the Wings could be in rebuilding mode. They still have talent with players like Pavel Datsyuk but it won't be enough to save them.
13- Buffalo Sabres- After a last place finish in the East last year, the Sabres will have a slight improvement thanks to the second overall pick of this years draft, Jack Eichel. Eichel should put up big numbers and he should make an immediate impact with this Sabres team desperate for a spark.
14-Carolina Hurricanes- This team should have a slight improvement from last year but not by much. Led by the Staal brothers, Eric and Jordan, the 'Canes should be improved from last year, but will still finish near the bottom of the East.
15- New Jersey Devils- The Devils have very minimal talent which is why they will will finish close to last in the East this year. The Devils won't be good this year and likely for years to come.
16- Toronto Maple Leafs- Finishing in last in the East will be the... Toronto Maple Leafs. The Leafs made a good choice in hiring Mike Babcock as coach, but even his skills won't be able to help this team. After finishing second to last in the East last year, it looks like this year will bring more misery for the Maple Leafs and their fans.