2013 NHL Predictions

The puck dropped on the 2013 NHL season this weekend after a long lockout. There will be a lot of action packed into a shortened season. The Pittsburgh Penguins and there young, talented roster are the oddsmakers favorite, with a slew of others not far behind. Below is how I see the season shaking out with my projected playoff teams in bold.

Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division
1. NY Rangers
2. Pittsburgh
3. Philadelphia
4. New Jersey
5. NY Islanders

Northeast Division
1. Boston
2. Ottawa
3. Buffalo
4. Montreal
5. Toronto

Southeast Division
1. Washington
2. Tampa Bay
3. Carolina
4. Florida
5. Winnipeg


Western Conference

Central Division
1. Chicago
2. St. Louis
3. Detroit
4. Nashville
5. Columbus

Northwest Division
1. Vancouver
2. Minnesota
3. Colorado
4. Edmonton
5. Calgary

Pacific Division
1. Los Angeles
2. Phoenix
3. Dallas
4. San Jose
5. Anaheim


Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
1 NY Rangers over 8 Ottawa
4 Pittsburgh over 5 Philadelphia
6 New Jersey over 3 Washington
7 Tampa Bay over 2 Boston

Western Conference Quarterfinals
1 Vancouver over 8 Minnesota
4 St. Louis over 5 Detroit
3 Los Angeles over 6 Nashville
2 Chicago over 7 Phoenix

Eastern Conference Semifinals
1 NY Rangers over 7 Tampa Bay
4 Pittsburgh over 6 New Jersey

Western Conference Semifinals
1 Vancouver over 4 St. Louis
2 Chicago over 3 Los Angeles

Eastern Conference Finals
4 Pittsburgh over 1 NY Rangers

Western Conference Finals
2 Chicago over 1 Vancouver

Stanley Cup Finals
2 Chicago over 4 Pittsburgh

The Chicago Blackhawks will hoist Lord Stanley's Cup for the second time in four years!