Surprise team of the first half

Josh McSwain: New Jersey Devils

Coming into the season this writer thought the New Jersey Devils were going to be bad. They got yet another new coach in John Hynes but they have really responded this season. Looking at their group of forwards, it left something to be desired with Adam Henrique as their top center and a lot of old guys at the wings. But Henrique has looked a lot like the player that helped propel them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2012 and Corey Schneider has been great in net.

Braden Desjardine: Boston Bruins

The Bruins started the season really shaky. They traded away their presumed heir to Zdeno Chara, Dougie Hamilton, in the summer and the play of Tuukka Rask was cause for concern. The season didn’t start the way they were hoping, but they bounced back their last few games and have rocketed up the standings. Their play has gotten significantly better and Tuukka Rask has totally reversed his play. The leadership of Patrice Bergeron cannot be over looked here. This is a good team and they are showing it. Even with a dwindled blue-line and shallow prospect pool.

Most disappointing team of the first half

JM: Tampa Bay Lightning

Over the last few years, it has become a trend that the loser of the Stanley Cup Finals wins the President's Trophy the next season. The Rangers did it last season, the Bruins did it the year before that, and the Canucks did it in 2011-12. The Bolts have a tremendous amount of offensive talent and defensive skill, as well as a solid goaltender in Ben Bishop, but it hasn't come together for them so far this year. They aren't far out of the playoffs standings, but there were higher expectations for this team coming into the season.

BD: Anaheim Ducks

This was a team that was picked by many to win the Stanley Cup this year. Their goalie John Gibson is not to blame for their struggles as he is having a great year with a .931 save percentage and a 1.67 goals-against average. Their penalty kill is best in the league but they just can’t score. Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf aren’t producing like they normally do. Perry has 13 goals in 37 games this year and Getzlaf has registered just three goals so far. When your top two players have scored a total of 16 goals through 37 games you're in trouble.

Team most likely to rise up in the second half

JM: Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks are not in playoff position right now, but they are close. If they can string some wins together, they could jump right back into the playoff picture. Their goaltending has been very good between John Gibson and Frederik Andersen, but the wins have not come because the goal support has been dismal. They are the lowest scoring team in the NHL. But with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, eventually that has to change. Getzlaf has been dealing with injuries, and if he comes back healthy this team could get on a roll.

BD: Tampa Bay Lighting

This team is just too good and has too many weapons to not be playing at another gear. Anton Stralman is one of the better two way defensemen in the league, Victor Hedman is one of the best offensive threats from the blue-line in the game. Then you add in sniper Steven Stamkos and all their depth scoring, plus a goalie at the caliber of Ben Bishop, it’s a head scratcher as to why they haven't figured it out. They’ll rise through the standings at crunch time but they need to find another gear soon before it’s too late.

Team most likely to fall off in the second half

JM: Dallas Stars

Even though they should still make the playoffs, this group could fall off as the year goes on. They play a very exciting style of hockey, but if the shots don't keep going in this team will struggle. They have won with great offense so far but their goaltending has just been average. Granted, that was better than it was last year and the defense has been much better than last year, but if there were a team that could go cold this group could be it. Also, the central division is so good that they could be caught and fall out of their position on top of the division easier than other teams could.

BD: San Jose Sharks

Their team isn’t built to go the distance and this was supposed to be a re-building year. They’re in the weak Pacific Division which will be the only way they sneak into the playoffs if they get that far. They got off to a hot start but fell back down to earth. The fall won’t stop there, it will continue. Leaders like Joe Thorton and Patrick Marleau won’t be enough. Joe Pavelski can’t play well enough for the whole team. The goaltending has been solid at points, but shaky at other times. They aren’t consistent enough to make the push or hang on to a playoff spot.

Western Conference Champion

JM: Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings are dominating the Pacific right now and they face a much less arduous road to the Cup Finals. Looking at the best teams in the Central, you don't know who to trust. The Stars are an electrifying team with average goaltending, the Blackhawks are solid all-around and the Blues and Wild are not to be taken lightly. Those teams are going to beat up on each other in the first couple rounds while the Kings will cruise to the Western Finals. When they get there, they know what it takes to win.

BD: St. Louis Blues

After trading T.J. Oshie they never missed a step. Their blue-line is the best in the league, boasting names like Kevin Shattenkirk, Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bowmeester. Rookie Colton Parayko has been a good addition as well. Jake Allen and Brian Elliot are one of the best goalie tandems in the league and they have deadly weapons up front. Vladimir Tarasenko is a threat from anywhere and can beat you so many different ways. With the guidance of Ken Hitchcock they will have the playoff success they’ve been looking for this year.

Eastern Conference Champion

JM: Washington Capitals

This team is just running away with the East. A lot has been made of this team's inability to get past the second round of the playoffs in the Ovechkin era, but coming into this season this writer thought this would finally be the year they broke through and so far they are living up to those expectations. They have a premiere netminder, lots of weapons on offense, and they have a solid blue line. The Rangers, Islanders, Habs and maybe even the Bruins will make things interesting this postseason, but this Caps team is on a mission.

BD: Washington Capitals

The Capitals are just so good this year. So deep up front and on the back end. Unreal goaltending goes a long way and can steal you games in the playoffs. There really isn’t any holes in their game right now. Alex Ovechkin is playing an all-around better game this year and the depth in scoring is taking some of the pressure off of the captain so he doesn’t have to score every goal. They’re in win now mode and have spent money wisely. They traded for T.J. Oshie which worked out beautifully and paid off in spades. This team is for real. Barry Trotz and the Washington Capitals are contenders and should be fun to watch.

Stanley Cup Champion

JM: Washington Capitals

Originally, this writer picked them to represent the East but lose in the Finals, but now this group will take home their first Stanley Cup Championship. Braden Holtby is the best netminder right now and they have plenty of offense from Alex Ovechkin, T.J. Oshie and more. Finally the Cup goes back east for the first time since 2011.

BD: Washington Capitals

The Capitals will win it in six games. In a battle of two teams that are seeking their first Cup, the Caps get it done.