Preseason NHL Predictions: 2014-2015 NHL Division Winners

---

Pacific Division NHL Predictions

The Favorites -LA Kings, Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks

The Dark Horse - Vancouver Canucks

The Winner - LA Kings

California boasts the three best teams in the Pacific Division. Not bad for a state with no pond hockey.

Despite their off-season turmoil, the Sharks are a very good team on paper and play in front of the best crowd in the NHL.

Building on last seasons’ success, the Ducks signed high-slot sniper Danny Heatley  this off-season adding to an already deep roster.

Still, the Kings are…well…the kings of the Pacific Division. Not only are they coming off an impressive Stanley Cup championship, but they maintained a roster as talented as it is experienced in the off-season. Expect the Sharks to contend down the stretch but fade into the playoffs.

Central Division NHL Predictions

The Favorites - Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, St. Louis Blues

The Dark Horse - Dallas Stars

The Winner - Chicago Blackhawks

The Avs, Stars and Blues are all young, feisty clubs that use energy and physicality extremely well to compensate for any deficiencies in talent.

Keeping that in mind, the Blackhawks are still the most talented, experienced and resilient in this division. If Chicago can get consistent play out of goalie Cory Crawford, they could take the number one seed in the Western Conference.

Atlantic Division NHL Predictions

The Favorites - Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning

The Dark Horse - Toronto Maple Leafs

The Winner - Boston Bruins

The Bruins and Canadiens were both playoff teams last year while the Lightning still played admirably despite the early loss of their best player in Steven Stamkos.

 All three teams enter 2014-15 healthy and reloaded.

Then there are the Toronto Maple Leafs, an enigma of a team rich in history but mired in mediocrity.

But you know what?—This team is going to surprise people this season. Phil Kessel, Jamie Van Riemsdyk, Dion Phaneuf…the Leafs have the anchors to contend in big games and enough of a chip in their shoulder to win them. But who am I kidding… they don’t have enough to overtake the dominance of the Bruins. Look for a lot of puck line plays on the Bruins in my VIP client pick this year. Bruins take it this year.

Metropolitan Division NHL Predictions

The Favorites - Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins

The Dark Horse - Philadelphia Flyers

The Winner - Washington Capitals

This is the year Alexander Ovechkin puts it all together and leads the Washington Capitals to the Stanley Cup!

Well, maybe not.

But he should lead the Caps to the Metropolitan Division crown.

Yes, the Pens and the Rangers will challenge but Sydney Crosby will eventually get hurt — like he always does — and it’s hard to see the Rangers finding the same well of luck they were able to tap into last season.  I think this year could be the Caps year to finally pull things together.

For more info on Sports Investing Strategy and NHL Handicapping be sure to download my ebook
Earn Money Sports Investing.

Related Articles

http://www.sports-picker.com/sports-blog/15-nhl-rookies-to-watch-this-year