With a long offseason wait about to end, the 2015 NHL season is upon us starting this week. For teams like the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks, this offseason has been spent trying to forget the tough Game 7 Losses. Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers it was trying to take the next step this season and make the playoffs.
The NHL is back and these first few weeks should be fun.
1. Los Angeles Kings
The reigning Stanley Cup Champions look to start the season off hot. Los Angeles is retaining the majority of the same pieces of last years championship roster. The key this year for the Kings will be staying healthy on defense, the last thing the Kings need is to be buyers at the trade deadline because of injury.
Los Angeles will open the season with three of their first four games at home, starting Wednesday night at home against San Jose. The Kings knocked the Sharks out of the first round in Game 7 last year. Can the Sharks get revenge and spoil the season opener?
If the Kings open with a win, they could finish the week at 3-0. After the Sharks, they go on the road to Phoenix, before returning home for a Sunday night game against the Winnipeg Jets.
2. Chicago Blackhawks
After a tough Game 7 loss at home in the Conference Finals the Blackhawks have been left to spend all offseason wondering what might have been. That all ends Wednesday night when the season starts in Dallas. Making a couple of moves, the addition of Brad Richards and Daniel Carcillo the Hawks are bound for a better finish out west this season.
The Blackhawks have a favorable opening week, after the game in Dallas they head home to meet one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference, the Buffalo Sabres. It’s a safe bet Chicago will be 2-0 after the opening week.
3. St. Louis Blues
The big question for the Blues this season is, will they be able to keep pace with Chicago all season?
After giving up on Ryan Miller so they didn’t have to give up a 1st round pick to Buffalo. The Blues will look a combination of Bryan Elliott and Jake Allen between the pipes to keep them in the Central Division race.
The Blues open with two games at home this week. Opening the season Thursday against the New York Rangers, before closing out the week with the Flames in town.
4. Boston Bruins
The Bruins are one of the favorites to win the East this year. It helps to have one of the better defenses in the conference, and it helps even more when Tuukka Rask is in net. There’s very little doubt that this team won’t be in the Finals this year.
Boston opens the week with one of the tougher schedules though. They open the season Wednesday at the TD Garden against the Flyers, before heading on the road to Detroit the following day. They’ll finish the week at home Saturday night against the Capitals.
5. Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks lost one of their long time great players in Teemu Selanne. Between the pipes, they’ll lean on Frederik Andersen and John Gibson to keep them in the hunt out in the Pacific. It certainly doesn’t help to start you first four games out East.
The Ducks open the season up Thursday night in Pittsburgh before flying to Detroit Saturday night for a game against the Red Wings.
All in all it may be a tough week for the Ducks if they can’t adjust out East.
6. Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh has spent all offseason questioning is Marc-Andre Fleury the man to lead this team in the playoffs. Time and time again he has not showed up once the regular season has ended.
The Penguins kick things off Thursday against the Ducks before heading to Toronto Saturday night.
7. Colorado Avalanche
The Avalanche are coming off a more than surprising season, that had their youngsters playing like seasoned vets. They need to improve their defense if they want a real chance to compete out West this year. It’s also safe to say Semyon Varlamov will have to be just as good as his career year last season.
Colorado will open the season with a home and home starting Thursday night with the Minnesota Wild. These should games should have some playoff like intensity to them.
8. Minnesota Wild
The Wild are putting the right pieces together and this team constantly improves. The only spot that will keep this team back is the goaltending. They should be buyers at the deadline to get a veteran keeper for the long playoff haul.
As above it’s a first round rematch to open the season. They open up at home vs the Avalanche.
9. Dallas Stars
Making moves this offseason like Jason Spezza and Ales Hemsky has the Stars one of the brighter picks out West. I’m not completely sold on them to make noise out West, but they’re without a doubt a team that can make the playoffs. Kari Lehtonen will have his hands full to start the season.
The Stars open at home Wednesday night against a hungry Chicago Blackhawks, before heading on the road to Nashville Saturday night.
10. Tampa Bay Lightning
My pick to shock someone out East. Locking down Ryan Callahan, Brain Boyle and Anton Stralman, this team is set to make noise. The xfactor that will determine how far this team will go is Ben Bishop. And I think he’ll go pretty far.
The Lightning should start out pretty hot with their first four games at home. Opening against in-state rival Panthers, they’ll stay at home for a game Saturday night against the Senators. An easy first week to the schedule should help boost some egos.
11. San Jose Sharks
I’m still not sold on this team, they have the pieces to be dominant, but cant put it together. With the big names and powerful offense, it’s too hard to count this team out. It also helps to have Niemi in net.
A so-so opening schedule, has the Sharks traveling to L.A. for an Wednesday night showdown, before returning home for a game agains the Winnipeg Jets.
12. New York Rangers
Way too many players left this team for them to play at the caliber they did last season on their run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Hate the losses of Anton Stralman, Brian Boyle, and Brad Richards. Certainly doesn’t help losing Derek Stepan to a broken leg. Overall it’ll take a King like effort from Henrik Lundqvist to get them back to the finals.
The Rangers start the season on the road at St. Louis Thursday, and Columbus Saturday night, before returning to the Garden Sunday night against Toronto. Need to get at least one win.
13. Columbus Blue Jackets
The darlings of last years playoffs. Columbus looks to take the next step and challenge for a Metro division title. Injuries may hinder this team early in the season, but once Nathan Horton and Boone Jenner return this team should be okay.
Columbus opens the season on the road Thursday night in Buffalo, before opening up Nationwide Arena Saturday night against the Rangers.
14. Washington Capitals
The Capitals made huge moves to help the team in the long haul, addings Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen. A team that has Ovi on it always has a chance to make noise. Will Holtby be able to hold things together?
The Capitals have a tough schedule to open the season. They’ll start it off Thursday at home against the Canadians. Saturday night will be a tough contest in Boston. You always want to get a win during the first week of the season.
15. Nashville Predators
As long as Pekka Rinne can stay healthy all season this team should sneak into the playoffs. Pekka Rinne and a solid defense anchored by Shea Weber can definitely put a team on upset alert.
It helps to have your first three games at home. The Preds start the season off Thursday against the Senators, and Saturday against the Stars. 2-0?
16. Montreal Canadiens
Does P.K. Subban drop in production after his contract in the offseason? There’s no worries about Carey Price between the pipes, and the offense should be good.
The defense will be tested with four straight road games to start the season. Montreal plays back to back starting wednesday in Toronto before heading to Washington. They’ll finish the week off Saturday in Philadelphia. They could start 0-3
17. Vancouver Canucks
A lot is riding on Ryan Miller this season in Vancouver. The Canucks are desperate to get back into the playoffs, especially the Conference Title hunt.
The Canucks begin the season with two favorable game. After Wednesday’s game in Calgary, they’ll open up Rogers Arena Saturday night agains the Oilers. Easy 2-0
18. Detroit Red Wings
For a team that was as Injury ridden as last year. It doesn’t help to have Pavel Datsyuk out for up to a month. Let’s see if Mike Babcock can keep this team together early.
Detroit has a tough opening to the season. Although at home, opening with Boston in town on Thursday night, then having to host the Ducks. The Motor City may continue to struggle for a few more weeks.
19. New Jersey Devils
My pick to get the final spot in the East. Cory Schneider will hold it down between the pipes, if they can steal their share of shootouts they’ll sneak in.
Another team opening the first week on the road. Thursday night they’ll get things started in Philadelphia, then on Saturday travel to the Sunshine State for a game against the Panthers.
20. Toronto Maple Leafs
I’m not buying into this team. Jonathan Bernier is a very solid goaltender, but the pieces just aren’t there on offense and defense.
With three games on the schedule for the opening week, we’ll get a solid look at this team. Opening up Wednesday night against the Canadiens will be an early test. Then back to back games during the weekend, gets started at home Saturday against the Penguins. The Leafs finish off the week on the road at the Garden in New York agains the Rangers Sunday night.
21. Philadelphia Flyers
Putting all your eggs in the Steve Mason basket early may cost the Flyers a chance at the playoffs. Claude Giroux and Co. won’t be able to pick up the slack.
The Flyers start a home and home to start the season. Opening Wednesday night on the road against the Bruins, they’ll then return home to face the Devils at home. Philadelphia will finish up the week at home Saturday night against Canadiens. It’s tough to start your season with back to back games.
22. Arizona Coyotes
The young Coyotes with a new team name and stadium name (Gila River Arena), look to make the playoffs after missing last season. In the end it’ll come down to Mike Smith, and I’m not a fan of Smith. The Coyotes will be buyers for a goalie at the deadline. They may have to kiss some young talent good bye.
Smith will get some help early with three straight home games. Opening up the new Gila River Arena Thursday night against the Jets, before finishing the week Saturday against the defending champion Kings.
23. Calgary Flames
Calgary still has too many problems in the core offense and defense of their roster. The Flames won’t be in the playoff hunt, but with Karri Ramo and Jonas Hiller mending the pipes, expect them to play the spoiler at the end of the season.
The Flames start things off at the Scotiabank Saddledome against the Canucks, before starting a four game road trip in Edmonton. They’ll continue the trip in St. Louis on Saturday night.
24. Edmonton Oilers
After years of top 5 picks, could this be the year they turn the page to the playoffs? It’ll be tough, but I think they won’t.
Edmonton kicks off the season at home agains the Flames Thursday night, and will finish the week on the road in Vancouver. A quick 0-2 for the Oilers to start the season.
25. Florida Panthers
It’s a coin flip for the Panthers, will Roberto Luongo play up to the billing and keep the Panthers in the hunt, or will it be another lottery pick?
Only two games for the Panthers opening week. They start things off Thursday on the road against the Lightning, before heading back to the BB&T Center to host the Devils Saturday night.
26. New York Islanders
8.5% chance of drafting Connor McDavid.
Only two games this week a home and home against the Hurricanes. The Islanders could boost their odds if they lose both games.
27. Ottawa Senators
9.5% chance of drafting Connor McDavid.
The Senators are one of those teams starting the season off with a road trip. They’ll have their hands full in Nashville on Thursday, and in Tampa Bay on Saturday night.
28. Winnipeg Jets
11.5% chance of drafting Connor McDavid.
Three on the road to start isn’t exactly what the Jets need. Especially when it’s in Arizona, San Jose, and Los Angeles. 0-3 for the Jets
29. Carolina Hurricanes
13.5% chance of drafting Connor McDavid.
Home and home to start with the Islanders opening weekend. I think the Hurricanes will be out of the lottery hunt early this season.
30. Buffalo Sabres
20% chance of drafting Connor McDavid.
The worst team in hockey last season and got hosed into the #2 pick. Opening up the season at First Niagara Center on Thursday night may be their only chance at a win opening week. Traveling to Chicago Saturday night is definitely a loss.
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