2013-14 NHL Predictions: Eastern Conference Odds, Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers

2013-14 NHL Predictions: Eastern Conference Odds, Favorites, Dark Horses and Sleepers: The 2013-14 NHL season begins October 1, and after the conferences were realigned in the offseason, the Eastern Conference will now consist of two eight-team divisions that will be called the Atlantic and Metropolitan. Last year, it was the Pittsburgh Penguins that were the class of the conference, but they were ultimately steamrolled in the conference finals by the Boston Bruins. Ironically, the Bruins needed an incredible comeback in Game 7 against Toronto to even make it out of the first round, but from there, they went all the way to the Stanley Cup Finals. Boston and Pittsburgh should again be major players in the Eastern Conference this season, but there are plenty of other teams that are capable of challenging for the crown. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the top teams in the Eastern Conference heading into the 2013-14 NHL season.

The Favorites

The defending conference champion Boston Bruins have the pieces in place to make another run at a title in 2013-14. Loui Eriksson and Jarome Iginla were added in the offseason to bolster the offense, and with Zdeno Chara patrolling the blue line and Tuukka Rask between the pipes, defense should be every bit as stout as the unit that allowed the third-fewest goals in the league last year. Depth and defense remain Boston’s strength, and the offensive upgrades are icing on the cake for the frontrunners in the Atlantic Division.

Thanks to the most powerful offensive in the NHL, the Pittsburgh Penguins scored the most points in the Eastern Conference last year and advanced to the conference finals before bowing out. With stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin back, along with Chris Kunitz, James Neal and Kris Letang, the Penguins should once again be a scoring machine. Granted, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury isn’t the best in the business, but he is solid enough in support of the high-scoring offense. Pittsburgh should win the Metropolitan Division and make a serious run at the conference crown.

The Dark Horses

They scored the second-most points in the conference last year, and the Montreal Canadiens should be one of the better teams again in 2013-14. Having an excellent pair of two-way defensemen in P.K. Subban and Andre Markov allows the Canadiens to compensate for a lack of stars on offense, and the offseason signing of Daniel Briere should further help the team’s scoring attack. Goalie Carey Price can be inconsistent, but Montreal is solid all-around and build to be successful over the course of the season.

While they aren’t loaded with stars, the Washington Capitals don’t need many when they have one of the biggest stars in the game in Alexander Ovechkin. The defending Hart Trophy winner led the NHL in goals last year, and when he is playing well, the Capitals win games. Defenseman Mike Green and center Niklas Backstrom provide solid support, but Washington is only a contender if Ovechkin makes them one. Luckily for the Capitals, he is that good.

Despite a seemingly endless list of injuries, the Ottawa Senators made the playoffs last year. Entering the 2013-14 season fully healthy, they have a chance to go much further. Goalie Craig Anderson had the best numbers in the NFL when he was healthy, and defenseman Erik Karlsson is the best in the game. The offense features a solid top line led by Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek, and a full season of Cory Conacher should further help the Senators’ scoring attack. Ottawa’s defense is legit, and if the team’s main players stay healthy, they are going to be a tough matchup for any opponent.

The Sleeper

A dreadful defense overshadowed an offense that ranked third in the league last year, but the Tampa Bay Lightning might have solved their goaltending issues by adding Ben Bishop. Meanwhile, the offense features Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis, who happened to finish first and second in points last season. Third-overall pick Jonathan Drouin should make some noise on offense, as well. If Bishop can at least provide average play in net, the Lightning offense should do the rest and give them a puncher’s chance against any team.

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