Eastern Conference Preview

The 2011 NHL Season starts tomorrow night and we're going to kick things off here at Danger Zone Sports with a little preview. The Western Conference preview is up tomorrow, and the preseason awards will be up Friday. Look for MLB analysis and NFL breakdowns in the days to come

Southeast Division: Washington Capitals
It's hard to bet against the Capitals who have added veteran experience on the back end with defensemen Roman Hamerlik (18 years in the NHL) and goaltender Tomas Vokoun (13 years) to go along with rising stars Mike Green (25 years old, 24 points) and John Carlson (21 years old, 37 points). The revamped defense plus the potent offense of Alex Ovechkin (85 points), Alexander Semin (54 points), and Nicklas Backstrom (65 points) equals another division title for Coach Bruce Bodreau's squad. Expect the Lightning to be strong again with young star Steven Stamkos returning (91 points) and solid veteran Martin St. Louis (99 points) but the Capitals experience will prove to much to overcome. The Hurricanes look to return to the playoffs and the new look Winnipeg Jets look to return glory to Western Canada. The Florida Panthers will be stuck in the basement yet again.

1. Capitals
2. Lightning
3. Jets
4. Hurricanes
5. Panthers


Atlantic Division: Philadelphia Flyers
With Pittsburgh Penguins star center Sidney Crosby not yet full strength and Evengi Malkin coming off a serious knee injury the reigning Atlantic Division champion Flyers look to repeat behind Danny Briere (68 points) and an offense that averaged 3.1 goals per game(3rd in the NHL). The only question mark for the Flyers will be at goaltender, the Flyers were undone in the playoffs last year due to ineffective goalie play.
The Penguins will have to rely on goalie Marc-Andre Fleury to weather the storm before a full return from Crosby and Malkin. The Rangers and Devils will battle it out for third in the conference's strongest division, the Islanders can hope to ride young gun Johnathan Tavares to a playoff berth, but it's highly unlikely.

1. Flyers
2. Penguins
3. Rangers
4. Devils
5. Islanders

Northeast Division: Boston Bruins

You can't expect the Bruins to slow down after their Stanley Cup title last year, and goaltender Tim Thomas (2.00 GAA, .938 save %) does not plan on it either. The Bruins will be challenged by the Buffalo Sabres, who are led by goaltender Ryan Miller (2.59 GAA, .916 %) and left wing Thomas Vanek (73 points). Montreal will rely on goaltender Carey Price to carry both the team and the fan's high expectations. Toronto and Ottawa both are in need of an overhaul and will not contend this season.

1. Bruins
2.Sabres
3. Canadiens
4. Senators
5. Maple Leafs