The best game you can name

It is finally hockey season. Here is a look at how I think things are going to shake out in order of conference finish.

Eastern Conference

1. Washington Capitals: Goaltending will again be an issue for the Caps. But it won’t keep them from winning a million games during the regular season. Don’t count on a Cup in D.C. this season though.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins: The Atlantic is kind of a crapshoot. The Pens have the most top-end talent in their division. But they have little depth and I have never been sold on Marc Andre Fluery’s consistency.

3. Boston Bruins: The Bruins made a lot of moves this offseason. They added Tyler Seguin (draft) and Nathan Horton to their forward corps. If Tuukka Rask continues his strong play from last year, this team will be successful. And Zdeno Chara is locked up for seven more years.

4. New Jersey Devils: They added a lot of new pieces in the offseason. They also have Marty Brodeur. They will challenge the Penguins for the Atlantic crown. I think Brodeur’s age may keep the Devils from a top-three spot in the East.

5. Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres could very well take the Northeast again. If Shaone Morrissonn plays the way he did in the season opener and Ryan Miller is,, well, Ryan Miller, the Sabres will be good. If Thomas Vanek, Derek Roy and Tim Connolly show up to play on a nightly basis, the Sabres will be great.

6. Ottawa Senators: Brian Elliot is a very good goalie. He may not be a franchise guy, but he is damn good. Pascal Leclaire is overrated, but strong. If Cory Clouston allows Elliot to be the player he was last year, the Sens will see success. Their success hinges on the young guys in Canada’s capital.

7. Montreal Canadiens: The Habs decided Carey Price is their. Hopefully he is. They have talented forwards and what should be a deadly power play. We will see if everything comes together for them this season.

8. Philadelphia Flyers: This could be the New York Rangers spot too. It depends on the Blueshirts offense. I don’t trust Michael Leighton or Brian Boucher or any other guy the Flyers decide to put in net. They seem to have an issue of finding a true number one, we will see if those guys can carry a team with great top-six talent.

9. New York Rangers: They were on the outside looking in last year too. Henrik Lundqvist is very good. But the defense is questionable and they don’t have too much secondary scoring. If they find some they can do good things. They will have to battle all year for a playoff spot.

10. Carolina Hurricanes: They won’t be bottom dwellers this year. However, Cam Ward has yet to show everyone that 2006 was just a fluke. Honestly, the 2009 playoffs was a great showing for the guy but ultimately he faltered against the Pens. I think Ward is good but not good enough for the Canes again this year.

11. Toronto Maple Leafs: The Laffs will go into the final weeks battling for a playoff spot this year. However, I feel that they won’t have the scoring punch to make them a playoff team. If some of their fringe scorers can show up they will make some moves.

12. Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa made some moves this offseason. I think in two years you will see the fruits of Stevie Y’s labor all over the ice in Tampa. For now, they will be on the outside looking in.

13. New York Islanders: I don’t know if Rick DiPietro or Dwayne Roloson will be steady in net for the Isles this year. I also don’t know who is going to do their scoring. But getting Michael Grabner was a good move. For some reason I think they are going to turn things around on the Island this season.

14. Atlanta Thrashers: They made a TON of moves. They are basically the Chicago Blackhawks south. But, I don’t think you put your prize offseason acquisition on the blue line (Dustin Byfuglien). That shows that this team isn’t close yet.

15. Florida Panthers: It is a fire sale in South Florida. Thomas Vokoun is going to be playing behind the Rochester Americans this season. The Panthers have a lot of work to do if they want to get back in the playoff hunt.

The West preview is coming soon.