Vote: Who Is the Best Team in the Eastern Conference?

by NESN Staff on Fri, Jan 18, 2013 at 9:04PM

The NHL season finally gets under way Saturday, and with the shortened season, it’s never too early to start guessing who will be the best team in the Eastern Conference.

The Stanley Cup hangover is over for the Bruins, and with the same core group from their 2011 championship season, the B’s have a shot to go far this year. The biggest change is that Tuukka Rask will be starting in net for the Bruins, but with their depth and Tyler Seguin on the verge of becoming a star, Boston could make another run in the postseason.

The conference has other conteders, though.

With the acquisition of Rick Nash in the offseason, the New York Rangers made their already solid team that much better. The Rangers hope to build on their success from last season, and with the best goaltender in the league, Henrik Lundqvist, leading the way, the Rangers are a serious threat.

The Pittsburgh Penguins can finally reach their full potential with the return of a healthy Sidney Crosby in addition to reigning league MVP Evgeni Malkin. After losing to the Flyers last season in the playoffs, they’ll be playing for revenge against Philly on Saturday.

The Flyers recently named Claude Giroux their team captain, and Philadelphia hopes he’ll be leading them straight to the Cup. But with a depleted blue line — former captain Chris Pronger‘s career may well be over due to post-concussion symptoms — Ilya Bryzgalov is going to have to be at his best all season to give this team a chance.

Saturday begins with the Flyers taking on the Penguins while the Rangers and Bruins will face off in the evening. Who do you think will be the best team in the Eastern Conference?