Flyers start tonight: division, conference and Stanley Cup predictions

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Good News: It's here. Hockey season is finally here.

After we toiled away in the Philadelphia summer sports doldrums, we get our first taste of meaningful hockey tonight when the Flyers travel to Tampa to open their regular-season slate with a matchup against the defending Eastern Conference champion Lightning at Amalie Arena.

The game can be seen in the Philadelphia area on CSN and the puck will drop shortly after 7:30.

Tonight's contest is the start of the Flyers' 82-game attempt to return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs following a disappointing year away last season.

Bad News: The prospect of the Flyers returning to the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year doesn't look too bright.

Yes, general manager Ron Hextall has a plan in place and made the right moves over the summer, but his retooling of the Flyers is a process, and not one that can be completed overnight or over the course of an offseason. While we'll likely see them trickle into the big club throughout the season, the younger players need the time to develop. These things take time.

Yes, the Flyers have a dynamic one-two punch in Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek and a great power forward in Wayne Simmonds, but division rivals Washington, Columbus and Pittsburgh all improved over the summer and the two New York teams are still very, very good. Plus, the Flyers haven't proven they have the depth the top-tier teams in the division do.

Simply put, there are five teams in the division that are just better than the Flyers right now and will eat up the precious playoff spots.

But, hey, Flyers hockey is back. Let's enjoy it as much as we can while we have it.

Before we get to predictions, there are two huge rule changes this season to remind you of.

First, overtime will be played at 3-on-3. That will create more space for scorers and the league hopes it will cut down on the number of shootouts. (Not like the Flyers have historically been the worst team in shootouts or anything.)

Second, there will be a coach's challenge for goals that are scored on a play believed to be offside or that potentially involve goalie interference. Much like in the NFL, an unsuccessful challenge results in the loss of the challenging team's timeout.

Now, the moment you've been waiting all day for: predictions that will likely be totally wrong by the time the season ends.

 

Metropolitan Division

1. Washington Capitals - With the additions of forwards Justin Williams and T.J. Oshie up front and Braden Holtby back in net, this is the best team Washington has put out in the Alex Ovechkin era.

2. Columbus Blue Jackets - With 22-year-old power forward Brandon Saad in the mix, the Jackets added a huge piece to an already dangerous young roster. The caveat is whether or not they can stay healthy.

3. Pittsburgh Penguins - Adding elite sniper Phil Kessel to a lineup that already includes Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin means this team will score a ton. But the defensive depth behind Kris Letang is an issue.

4. New York Rangers (WILD CARD) - It's not like the Rangers lost a lot from a team that won the President's Trophy for most points in the league and came within a game of the Stanley Cup Final last year. It's just that the Caps, Jackets and Pens all got better over the summer. That said, the Rangers still have the ultimate equalizer in goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

5. New York Islanders (WILD CARD) - New home in Brooklyn, same scary-talented Islanders team. John Tavares has a legitimate shot at MVP  and the Art Ross (most points) this year. If goalie Jaroslav Halak plays consistently, this team could make a real impact.

6. Flyers - As mentioned above, the plan is in place and the wheels are in motion, but other teams in the division are just better and more complete right now.

7. New Jersey Devils - New management means a new era of hockey in New Jersey. But outside of goalie Cory Schneider, there's just not a lot of talent on this team. Scoring goals will be a struggle.

8. Carolina Hurricanes - It's going to be another long, long year in Carolina as the Canes continue to rebuild.  Stay tuned to see how long stars Eric Staal and Cam Ward last in a Hurricanes sweater.

 

Atlantic Division

1. Tampa Bay Lightning - This team  has just an embarrassment of riches as far as talent is concerned and is the odds-on favorite to repeat as Eastern Conference champs. The Steven Stamkos contract talks could get interesting, though.

2. Montreal Canadiens - The Habs have the best player in the world in goalie Carey Price, but where will the goal-scoring come from? If they can get some more goal-scoring, they're a legitimate contender.

3. Detroit Red Wings - The Wings will make the playoffs for the 25th year in a row, but not because they've necessarily improved. It's more because the Atlantic Division is down this year.

4. Florida Panthers - Another team with an abundance of young talent. They'll fight for a playoff spot like they did last season. But do they have enough to get over the hump and pass a veteran-laden team like the Red Wings?

5. Ottawa Senators - There's always a team that takes a step back from the previous year. Say hello to this year's team.

6. Boston Bruins - With the exception of goalie Tuuka Rask, who knows what to expect from the Bruins this year, especially with all the moves and craziness new general manager Don Sweeney orchestrated over the summer?

7. Buffalo Sabres - There's nowhere to go but up for the Sabres, and that trajectory could well be on a fast track with the additions of Ryan O'Reilly and rookie Jack Eichel, who'll win the Calder Trophy this year.

8. Toronto Maple Leafs - Welp, at least the Leafs have Mike Babcock behind the bench and a prime post in the Auston Matthews draft derby.

 

Central Divsion

1. St. Louis Blues - Vladamir Tarasenko is a monster and will only get better this year.

2. Chicago Blackhawks - Cap jail led to a roster purge, but to be the man, you still have to beat the man.

3. Minnesota Wild - Still so much talent, but still need to prove themselves in the playoffs.

4. Dallas Stars (WILD CARD) - Tyler Seguin, Jamie Benn, Patrick Sharp and a healthy Valeri Nichushkin? If the goaltending holds up, look out.

5. Nashville Predators (WILD CARD) - This team is too talented not to make the playoffs, but this division is still a landmine.

6. Winnipeg Jets - The playoffs are not out of the question for the Jets, but it's tough to say they're better than the teams listed above in this division.

7. Colorado Avalanche - If the Avs were in any other division, they'd have a real shot at the playoffs.

 

Pacific Division

1. Anaheim Ducks - The best team in the league as the season gets underway.

2. Los Angeles Kings - 2015-16: The Kings' revenge tour after missing the playoffs a year ago.

3. Calgary Flames - Last season's darlings are no joke or fluke. Goaltending could get iffy, though.

4. Edmonton Oilers - Call it the Connor McDavid effect. He'll electrify and rejuvenate the Oilers, but the playoffs still elude them because of questions on the blue line.

5. San Jose Sharks - An underachieving core will continue to do just that.

6. Vancouver Canucks - The poor Sedins just don't have much around them anymore.

7. Arizona Coyotes - At least the Coyotes know they're in rebuilding mode.

 

East Final: Tampa Bay over Washington

West Final: Anaheim over Minnesota

Stanley Cup Final: Anaheim over Tampa Bay

Sorry to curse you, Anaheim. Just please wear those sweet new third sweaters with the old Mighty Ducks logo a lot, please.

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