SenShot
Fansided

2013-14 NHL Season Preview – Who’s Making The Playoffs?

By Jared Crozier

facebooktwitterreddit

Yesterday, I finished my month-long look at each team in the NHL, the changes they made and some key factors.

In case you missed it, here are my projected standings, and you can click on a team name to view that preview.

Predicted FinishAtlanticMetropolitanCentralPacific
1BruinsPenguinsBlackhawksKings
2SenatorsRangersBluesSharks
3Red WingsFlyersPredatorsCanucks
4Maple LeafsCapitalsWildDucks
5CanadiensHurricanesAvalancheOilers
6LightningIslandersJetsCoyotes
7SabresBlue JacketsStarsFlames
8PanthersDevils

With that out of the way, we can now predict what 16 teams are going to make 82 games worth of blood and sweat to have a chance a the holy grail of hockey – The Stanley Cup.

May 24, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ottawa Senators goalie Craig Anderson (41) makes a save against Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Jarome Iginla (12) during the third period in game five of the second round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 6-2 to close out the series. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Obviously with a new format things change.  There is more emphasis on divisional play, and the top three teams in each division above will get playoff spots.  The interesting thing will be the “wild card” entries, which could mean that one division in a conference could have 5 playoff teams.

So, here are my 16 picks for playoff teams:

ATLANTIC DIVISION

  • Boston Bruins
  • Ottawa Senators
  • Detroit Red Wings

METROPOLITAN DIVISION

  • Pittsburgh Penguins
  • New York Rangers
  • Philadelphia Flyers

EASTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARDS

  • Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Montreal Canadiens

CENTRAL DIVISION

  • Chicago Blackhawks
  • St. Louis Blues
  • Nashville Predators

PACIFIC DIVISION

  • Los Angeles Kings
  • San Jose Sharks
  • Vancouver Canucks

WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARDS

  • Anaheim Ducks
  • Edmonton Oilers

So basically from last season I have the Wild, Capitals and Islanders taking a step back and missing the playoffs after being in last year.   Taking their place  will be the Oilers, Flyers and Predators.

What about you?  Am I way off base?  Are the Islanders going to continue to move forward or will they take a step back as I have predicted.  Is this the year the Oilers finally make it back to post-season hockey or am I wrong?

Agree or disagree, comment in the section below to let me know what you think!

Home/Editorials