Washington Capitals Season Preview: Atlantic Divison Preview

The Atlantic Division sent only 3 teams to the playoffs last year and by the second round only 1 team remained. While most of the teams in the Atlantic have addressed obvious needs in the offseason (does Toronto finally have a true starting goalie?) it is clear that the Sunshine State teams should lead the way in the NHL Atlantic Division. What teams do the Washington Capitals need to look out for coming from the Atlantic?

1. Tampa Bay Lightning – It’s a depressing thought for us Caps fans. Tampa Bay has advanced past the second round twice in the past 2 years while the caps have that many 3rd round appearances in their history. Yet, Tampa’s success is not a surprise. A franchise that has thrived the past 2 seasons despite significant injuries, they maintain a high powered offense that doesn’t simply rely upon superstar Steven Stamkos. Nikita Kucherov scored 30 goals last year, and defenseman Victor Hedman had 37 assists. With other weapons like Tyler Johnson, heart and soul guys Ryan Callahan and Antron Stralman and big Ben Bishop making up for what some might argue is a slight weakness in defense after Hedman and Stralman this team is poised to go deep into spring once more. With Todd Richards added as an assistant coach to John Cooper in the offseason, the resigning of Stamkos and Killorn to long term deals, the Lightning seem anchored for the long term.

2. Florida Panthers – Jaromir Jagr can’t seriously put up another 27 goal season at age 44, can he? Even if he can’t, many seem to forget the Panthers had four other 20 goal scorers last year. Johnathan Huberdeau and Alexsander Barkov each had breakout seasons- combining for 48 goals and a +35 between them. Aaron Ekblad could take a run at the Norris trophy if can repeat his 15 goals and +18. The Panthers did address some of their weaknesses exposed in their first round loss to the New York Islanders by signing defenseman Keith Yandle, though it will remain to be seen if Florida misses Dmitry Kulikov. Either way, the Panthers should continue to improve and should make their presence felt once again throughout the season.

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3. Montreal Canadiens – This team is an enigma to say the least. After the best start in the franchise’s long and storied history, injuries, distractions, and lack of scoring lead to a terrible 2nd half of the season and missing the playoffs. Though the trade of PK Subban for Shea Weber got most of the offseason attention, it’s the arrival and Andrew Shaw from Chicago, and Alexander Radulov, combined with a healthy Carey Price, that could make the Habs dangerous once again. Many forget as well that Brendan Gallagher missed nearly 30 games because of injury and still nearly managed a 20 goal season. Coach Michel Therrien and GM Marc Bergevin have their fingers crossed that a healthy Carey Price and some fresh faces will prove the 2nd half of last year was just a fluke.

4. Detroit Red Wings – Will this be the year they finally don’t make the playoffs? Considering the Wings did little to address a defense that thins out quickly after Niklas Kronwall, Danny Dekeyser, and Mike Green, and that Jimmy Howard (2.80 GAA, .906 sv %) and Peter M’razek (2.33 GAA, .921 sv%) were inconsistent, Detroit could struggle defensively. Yet with the addition of Frans Nielsen (20G, 32A) to a group of talented forwards like Gustav Nyuist, Tomas Tatar, and Dylan Larkin, the Red Wings should still be in the thick of it down the stretch despite missing the talent and leadership of Pavel Datsyuk.

5. Buffalo Sabres – Though usually considered among the basket of deplorables in the NHL, the Sabres are moving in the right direction. Jack Eichel will likely build upon his 56 point season last year (24G, 32A) and free agents Kyle Okposo (22G, 42 A last year with the Islanders) should add some scoring and snarl the Sabres need. Trading for D Dmitri Kulikov adds some depth to a mostly very young defensive corps. Buffalo may not yet have the depth to play deep into springtime, yet, but coach Dan Bylsma is building a solid team that at the very least will be a tough out this year, and perhaps might surprise even more.

6. Boston Bruins – The early off-season buyout of Dennis Seidenberg, saving Boston $2.8M in cap space this year was likely more about age than money. Two years in a row the Bruins have run out of gas the final 10 games of the season. Those remaining from the 2011 cup winning team are showing some age and wear and tear (Like Zdeno Chara) and despite talent like Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Kerjci, the Bruins appeared slow and out of sorts after St. Patrick’s Day each of the last two seasons. Enter David Backes from St. Louis, and Riley Nash from Carolina (a former first round pick from Edmonton,) and Boston could have a little more juice in them. But here’s the kicker. Tuukka Rask had a pedestrian 2.56 GAA and .915 Sv % last year. With lots of question marks on the blueline as well, Boston may miss the playoffs for a 3rd straight year.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs – Last year the Maple Leafs were 28th in the NHL in goals per game, 29th on the power play, and had the 2nd worst goal differential at -48. The signing of P. A. Parenteau and perhaps now having consistent goaltending with the arrival of Frederik Andersen from Anaheim should help put a dent in those dreadful numbers. However, the real buzz in Toronto this summer was the drafting of Auston Matthews first overall. He is expected to get top 6 duty from the get go. How will the rookie deal with all the expectations and media attention? Rome wasn’t built in a single day, and Toronto won’t be rebuilt in a single season.

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8. Ottawa Senators – The Ottawa Senators gave up the 2nd most goal in the Eastern Conference Last year, one more even than Toronto. Despite Erik Karlsson, arguably the best defenseman in the NHL, Ottawa had a lot of trouble in their own end. Perhaps Cody Ceci and Chris Wideman continue to make strides this year, but the Sens likely will still have issues keeping the puck out of their net. The Sens gained some experience, scoring, and tenacity by acquiring Derick Brassard from the Rangers for Mika Zibanejad. He should be a welcomed addition to talented forwards Bobby Ryan and Chris Neil. But for Ottawa, mostly running in neutral in a division that progressing forward could be a recipe for a long season.

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