The 2013 NHL Season is finally here. Time to take a quick look at the 15 teams from the Eastern Conference and how things might shake out in this 48-game season.

Eastern Conference

Northeast Division

1. Boston(2)- everyone is back for another run. Add Dougie Hamilton to the defense should help, and then its up to Tuukka Rask to shine in the spring.
2. Buffalo (6)- gives Boston a good run with Ryan Miller in net. Should be interesting with Ott running around for them.
3. Ottawa- Daniel Alfredsson rolls on at age 40. Not quite good enough for playoffs.
4. Montreal-they won’t be happy up there with this group. Need to get the P.K. Subban issue resolved.
5. Toronto- Phil Kessel, the gift that keeps on giving.

Atlantic Division

1. NY Rangers (1)- a lot of talent, added Rick Nash, and John Tortorella will get the most of his teams.
2. Pittsburgh(4)- if they can only get a full year out of Crosby. But it is a big if.
3. Philadelphia(5)- best third place team you could ever find. Giroux is an absolute stud. But about that goaltending.
4. New Jersey(8)- lost Parise but I refuse to believe they are done yet.
5. NY Islanders- as nondescript a franchise as there is in sports. Should probably consider moving to Brooklyn sooner.

Southeast Division

1. Washington (3)- the class of a pretty average division. Holtby takes over in net. Caps have pretty much clinched division already unless Tampa really steps up.
2. Tampa Bay(7)- as much firepower as anyone up front with Steven Stamkos, Martin St-Louis and Vincent Lecavalier. Can they keep up defensively?
3. Florida-shaky division champion last season. Get this team out of Miami, no one cares
4. Carolina-borderline playoff team that will probably be on the outside looking in.
5. Winnipeg- I’m just glad they are back in Winnipeg. If we could only get the Whalers and Nordiques back. (Hmmm Florida and Carolina?)

Eastern Conference Playoffs Opening Round:

(1) NY Rangers over (8) New Jersey         (6) Buffalo over (3) Washington

(2) Boston over (7) Tampa Bay                   (5) Philadelphia over (4) Pittsburgh

Eastern Conference Playoffs Semi-Final Round

(1) NY Rangers over (6) Buffalo                  (2) Boston over (5) Philadelphia

Eastern Conference Finals

(1) NY Rangers over (2) Boston…sorry folks