The Puck Drops Tonight --- Predictions Anyone?

Hard to believe that it was only 4 months ago, when the Hartford Whalers, errr Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. Tonight, they begin their quest for repeat when the puck drops in Raleigh against the Buffalo Sabres. Closer to home, the Leafs and Sens will open things up in Toronto.

With the NHL as balanced as it has ever been, prognosticating has become an adventure. It is almost as tough as predicting the outcome of the Leadership Race.

Here is what I see breaking down this year in the NHL.

East
1. Ottawa
2. Carolina
3. Rangers
4. Buffalo
5. Atlanta
6. Montreal
7. Philadelphia
8. New Jersey

West
1. Anaheim
2. Calgary
3. Detroit
4. San Jose
5. Nashville
6. Minnesota
7. Dallas
8. Columbus

Cup Final...
Anaheim over Buffalo

Time for everyone elses.