NHL predictions 2008-09 Version I

By Rick Morris

As we first unveiled on our GOON SQUAD program (9-10 PM EDT on SportsTalkNetwork.com), here are the FDH predictions for the NHL for 2008-2009. These are our initial picks based on what has happened in the offseason and we expect to update these before the season begins. For each team, we list their projected number of points and in parentheses we denote the improvement or decline in points from last season.

EASTERN CONFERENCE
ATLANTIC DIVISION
X-Pittsburgh 107 (+5)
Y-NY Rangers 101 (+4)
Y-Philadelphia 97 (+2)
New Jersey 89 (-10)
NY Islanders 73 (-6)

NORTHEAST DIVISION
X-Montreal 108 (+4)
Y-Boston 98 (+4)
Y-Ottawa 90 (-4)
Buffalo 88 (-2)
Toronto 87 (+4)

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
X-Washington 100 (+6)
Y-Carolina 93 (+1)
Tampa Bay 86 (+15)
Atlanta 76 (+/-0)
Florida 75 (-10)

WESTERN CONFERENCE
CENTRAL DIVISION
X-Detroit 106 (-9)
Y-Chicago 96 (+8)
Y-St. Louis 93 (+14)
Nashville 87 (-4)
Columbus 86 (+6)

NORTHWEST DIVISION
X-Calgary 96 (+2)
Y-Minnesota 91 (-7)
Edmonton 88 (+/-0)
Colorado 87 (-8)
Vancouver 70 (-18)

PACIFIC DIVISION
X-San Jose 100 (-8)
Y-Dallas 98 (+1)
Y-Anaheim 97 (-5)
Phoenix 88 (+5)
Los Angeles 81 (+10)

CONFERENCE QUARTERFINALS
Montreal over Ottawa in 5
Pittsburgh over Carolina in 6
Washington over Philadelphia in 6
NY Rangers over Boston in 6
Detroit over Minnesota in 6
San Jose in St. Louis in 6
Calgary over Chicago in 7
Anaheim over Dallas in 7

CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
Montreal over NY Rangers in 7
Pittsburgh over Washington in 6
Detroit over Anaheim in 6
Calgary over San Jose in 7

CONFERENCE FINALS
Pittsburgh over Montreal in 6
Detroit over Calgary in 6

STANLEY CUP FINALS
Detroit over Pittsburgh in 6


Here is a breakdown of the strength of divisions based on their collective point totals. As with the individual teams, we list in parentheses the improvement or decline in points from last season.

1. Atlantic Division 472 (-5)
2. Northeast Division 471 (+6)
3. Central Division 468 (+15)
4. Pacific Division 464 (+3)
5. Northwest Division 432 (-31)
6. Southeast Division 426 (+12)