10. Los Angeles. I hate for you to think I’m underestimating the Kings, because I’m not. The job Terry Murray did behind L.A.’s bench last year was phenomenal, their blueline has the potential to be one of the league’s best and individual talents such as Dustin Brown, Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty are only getting better. But you, me, and even casual Kings followers know how much pressure is on these guys to do something of real merit this year. And in the tougher of the NHL’s two conferences, they may need something to go wrong for other teams just as much as they need a lot to go right for themselves.
via The Hockey News: Screen Shots: Screen Shots: Western Conference predictions.
Me, I think it’s basically an 8-way tie for 6th place. My optimistic prediction is they finish 7th. Detroit/San Jose/Chicago/Calgary/Vancouver are the top five, though I have no idea in what order. I think San Jose will be worse than people think, due to poor defense; but other than that, any one of those five could finish anywhere 1-5. As far as 6-8, I would have to pick Anaheim, LA and St. Louis, again, in no particular order. Edmonton I think will be closer to 15th than 8th. Phoenix is my pick for the basement. MIN, NSH, CBJ and (who am I forgetting…oh yeah) DAL all could easily be in the 6-8 spots instead of who I picked. If forced to rank them all, I would go with:
1. Vancouver
2. Detroit
3. Chicago
4. Calgary
5. San Jose
6. St. Louis
7. Los Angeles
8. Anaheim
——-
9. Columbus
10. Minnesota
11. Dallas
12. Nashville
13. Edmonton
14. Colorado
15. Phoenix
And in the East:
1. Washington
2. Philadelphia
3. Pittsburgh
4. Boston
5. Carolina
6. New Jersey
7. Ottawa
8. Tampa Bay
———
9. New York Rangers
10. Toronto
11. Buffalo
12. Montreal
13. Atlanta
14. Florida
15. New York Islanders
Playoffs
1st round – West
Kings v. Wings — Kings in 6
Canucks v. Ducks — Canucks in 7
Hawks v. Blues — Chicago in 6
Flames v. Sharks — Calgary in 7, of course
1st round – East
Caps v. Bolts — Caps in 5
Flyers v. Sens — Flyers in 6
Pens v. Devils — Pens in 5
Bruins v. Hurricanes — Bruins in 7
2nd round – West
Canucks v. Kings — Kings in 7
Hawks v. Flames — Chicago in 7
2nd round – East
Caps v. Bruins — Caps in 7
Flyers v. Pens — Pens in 7
3rd round – West
Kings v. Hawks — Hawks in 6
3rd round – East
Pens v. Caps — Pens in 7
Cup finals
Hawks v. Pens — Pens in 7. Hossa checks into mental hospital.