A lot of piteous complaints from NYI fans waving their hands in the air that they are *finally* in 1st place. Too bad that they are tied for 3rd in P%, which is all that matters. Do you really think that the NHL is going to decide playoff positions based on anything else, should the full schedule not be played?
Vegas is a Cup contender. CO is too, though I think they need to make a trade for a strong middle sixer or defender. They have the brilliance, but not the grit needed as is.
Tor is a cup contender. They should have an easy run getting out of their division, if there is such a thing as an easy run in the playoffs. I think they will match up better against CO than Vegas. I think WPG is flawed, especially on the back end. I thought MTL would be a really good team, but they are not, even with Petry playing out of his mind
Bruins, always, though I don't know how they are any better than last year.
CAR sure as hell better be a Contender, or they will have questions to answer.
WAS, PIT, NYI all have to beat each other up in their division, making it tough to get out. WAS and PIT are aged. some great players, but they don't have enough to win three series, IMO. I would probably pick NYI to survive there, but wouldn't bet big on it.
I have no idea about STL. They have so many pieces missing it's hard to tell, and I don't know what to make of Binnington. They will probably have to beat CO and Vegas just to get out of their division- not easy. I don't think they are fast enough.