The NHL season finally is upon us.
It hasn’t even been four months since 2013-14 season concluded with the Los Angeles Kings eliminating the New York Rangers in the Stanley Cup Final. For puckheads, though, that summer vacation always seems like an eternity.
Luckily for hockey fans, the waiting is over, as a four-game Wednesday night slate kicks off the new season. Up until the puck drops on the new season, everyone’s on a level playing field (or should we say rink?).
Some teams, of course, have a better chance of hoisting Lord Stanley’s chalice. Here at NESN.com we decided to take a look around the worldwide web and see what the so-called “experts” are saying about the 2014-15 season.
We looked at various outlets’ preseason predictions we’ve totaled their picks to see which teams are expected to be standing in June. In total, we found 32 picks for conference champions and 39 picks for the Stanley Cup (one outlet only picked Cup winners).
Here’s how the totals break down.
EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS (out of 32 picks*):
Boston Bruins (18) — The core is still intact, Tuukka Rask still mans the net and the Bruins have been there before. They’re a safe pick to contend in the East.
Tampa Bay Lightning (9) — The Lightning were a surprise team last season, even without Steven Stamkos for much of the year. The superstar is healthy now, and the Bolts made a few important offseason adjustments.
Montreal Canadiens (3) — The Habs reached the Eastern Conference finals last season before Carey Price went down with an injury. They also know the secret to beating Boston.
Pittsburgh Penguins (1) — Pretty crazy to think that only one person picked a team with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to make the Cup Final. However, that roster has holes, most notably at goalie.
New York Rangers (1) — There’s no denying the Rangers’ success last season, but the deck is stacked after losing key free agents this summer.
WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS (out of 32 picks):
Chicago Blackhawks (20) — What can you say? They’re loaded. They’ve got Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane in the mix for the next decade, so they’re not going anywhere.
Los Angeles Kings (5) –– Not a lot of love for the defending Stanley Cup champs, despite the fact their roster is virtually unchanged.
Anaheim Ducks (4) — It speaks to how loaded the West is when only four experts pick the Ducks — with their new addition of Ryan Kesler — to win the conference.
St. Louis Blues (2) — A real good team ready to make the next step, the addition of Paul Stastny makes St. Louis even more enticing.
Colorado Avalanche (1) — The Avs might be another Western Conference casualty, but they’ve got a real good young core that added a veteran scorer in Jarome Iginla this summer.
STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS (out of 39 picks):
Chicago Blackhawks (21) — Another Stanley Cup would solidify them as a dynasty.
Boston Bruins (6) — If the Bruins reach the Cup Final, they (or any other Eastern Conference team) could benefit from the West’s teams beating up on each other.
Los Angeles Kings (6) — The Kings are in as good of position as any team to become the first repeat Cup champions since the Red Wings in the 90s.
Anaheim Ducks (3) — They’re deep up and down the roster, and have a handful of young players ready to take the next step.
St. Louis Blues (2) — The goaltending is a question mark, but there’s no denying the skill on that roster.
Tampa Bay Lightning (1) — The game is evolving, and the Lightning have displayed the ability to adapt.
*Previews used: Sportsnet, TSN, NHL.com, ESPN.com, SI.com, CBS Eye On Hockey
Photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
