BY MIKE RIFKIN
Another Hockey season is upon us. Here is how the Atlantic Division shook out last season, and how I think it will shape it out in 2024.
2023 Standings
- Florida Panthers : 110 points – Won Stanley Cup
- Boston Bruins : 109 points – Lost in Second Rd to Panthers in six games
- Toronto Maple Leafs : 102 points – Lost in First Rd to Bruins in seven games
- Tampa Bay Lightning : 98 points – Lost in First Rd to Panthers in five games
- Detroit Red Wings : 91 points – Missed Playoffs
- Buffalo Sabres : 84 points – Missed Playoffs
- Ottawa Senators : 78 points – Missed Playoffs
- Montreal Canadiens : 76 points – Missed Playoffs
X FACTORS
BRUINS : Goaltending : I know this is weird, but as of this writing Jeremy Swayman remains unsigned, if the Bruins enter the season with that being the case that means Joonas Korpisalo is in net. If Swayman isn’t signed by December first, he cannot play this season.
Sabres : Tage Thompson : By all accounts 29 goals and 56 points is a solid season. But it’s not as solid as 47 goals and 94 points. Thompson’s numbers took a hit last season, but maybe under Lindy Ruff his numbers increase again. Maybe he doesn’t hit 47, but maybe 35, the Sabres will need more production to replace Jeff Skinner.
Red Wings : Goaltending : The Red Wings brought in Cam Talbot and are pairing him with Ville Husso. One thing on the Yzerplan in Detroit is it hasn’t addressed goaltending for now.
Panthers : Stanley Cup Hangover : We’ve seen it in the past, the teams who go to the Cup Final have a slow start, if the Panthers can avoid that they should be as dangerous as they were a year ago.
Canadiens : Patrick Laine : Montreal added the former second overall pick from Columbus in a trade during the summer. Laine has scored 30 goals or more twice. He is still only 26, if healthy he adds more dynamics to Montreal.
Senators : Shane Pinto : Pinto is a part of a really good group of young forwards. Last season wasn’t kind to Pinto he was limited to 41 games and did have nine goals and 27 points. He was limited due to his contract and suspended for gambling purposes. If Pinto can give the Sens more offense, they might just make the playoffs.
Lightning : Defense : Yeah, the big story out of Tampa was the departure of Steven Stamkos, but I actually think there is a bigger one. That is the departure of Mikhail Sergachev, who was traded to Utah. The Lightning did bring back Ryan Mcdonagh from the Preds. This Blue Line isn’t deep and a major injury could set them back, but they have the right guy leading them in Victor Hedman. It also doesn’t hurt that Andrei Vasilevskiy will be there from the jump.
Maple Leafs : Goaltending : Every year it’s the same thing from the Leafs, they’re highly skilled, but don’t come up big in the playoffs. Joseph Woll played well last year when given the chance and he was great in two games in the playoffs, but between him and free agent signing Anthony Stolarz the Leafs have two guys who have never been true number ones in their career. They cannot let goaltending get in the way of their goal.
Predictions
- Panthers
- Lightning
- Maple Leafs
- Bruins – WC (IF SWAYMAN SIGNS)
- Senators
- Canadiens
- Sabres
- Red Wings
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