BOLD PREDICTIONS PART 2- ATLANTIC

Evan Davis

The Atlantic division is shaping out to be one of the most competitive divisions in recent memory. The division lead is separated by seven points between Florida, Tampa, and Toronto, each having played around 50 games. Here are my bold predictions for the Atlantic Division as we head towards the end of the regular season and into playoffs.

Heating Up in South Beach

The Florida Panthers are the #1 team in the Atlantic Division and currently sit three points out of 1st place in the NHL. Through the revitalization of Sergei Bobrovksy and the elite playmaking ability of Jonathan Hueberdeau, the Florida Panthers have found numerous ways to win games and stay competitive. Bobrovksy’s first two years with the team were definitely underwhelming, given the fact that they signed him to a 7 year/$70 million deal back in 2019. However, their recent acquisitions have also stepped up in a big way and have provided depth for this team. Sam Reinhart, who was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres for Devon Levi and a first round pick is currently second on the team in scoring with 49 points in 48 games. Sam Bennett and Anthony Duclair are currently 2nd and 3rd on the team in scoring with 20 and 22. Heading into the playoffs my prediction is that they win this division and win their first playoff series in 25+ years by advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals.

Lightning Strikes Again

The Tampa Bay Lightning are the #2 team in the Atlantic Division and that’s with their star forward Nikita Kucherov only playing 15 games and Brayden Point also missing 14 games. Although this team lost key pieces from their back to back cup run like Blake Coleman and Yanni Gourde, guys like Alex Killorn and Ondrej Palat continue to step up for this team. Andrei Vasilevsky continues to play like a Vezina winner and Victor Hedman continues to make his case as the league's best defenseman. This team still has the potential of making a deep playoff run, and a potential three-peat is definitely a possibility for Tampa’s finest. I have them going to the Stanley Cup Final again, defeating the Florida Panthers in seven games in the ECF, and ultimately beating the Colorado Avalanche in the Cup Final.

Another One Bites The Dust

The Toronto Maple Leafs are the #3 team in the Atlantic Division, in large part due to the fact that they are getting serious contributions from their core four. Matthews, Nylander, Tavares, and Marner are all averaging either close to or over a point per game. Their “hits” in free agency have also contributed to their half-a-season success, with guys like Michael Bunting, 35 points in 50 games and Ondrej Kase, 21 points in 42 games providing the team’s offensive depth. Goaltender Jack Campbell was hot to start the season, but since the month of December, has been mediocre at best. Free agent goalie signing Petr Mrazek has been inconsistent throughout the season, most recently conceding five goals to the league's worst team. I still think the Toronto Maple Leafs will finish as a top 3 team in the Atlantic Division, but they will ultimately lose in the first round to one of the teams in the sunshine state. Given the numerous questions between the pipes, I can’t see this team having any success when it really matters in April.

B’eautiful Timing

The Boston Bruins are a very interesting team and currently sit #4 in the division and hold a comfortable lead as the #2 wild card team. It’s the same old story as the Bruins top line continues to carry the load for this team, combining for 61 goals and 74 assists. Taylor Hall was a nice signing for the Bruins but he’s the only depth guy stepping up. I definitely think the Bruins will be active at the deadline, whether that is trading for a defensemen like John Klingberg, or a forward like JT Miller. The Bruins play a shutdown style of hockey and I can see them stealing a playoff series from a team like Florida or Toronto. I have them advancing to the second round of the playoffs, taking down the Toronto Maple Leafs in another game seven.

The Motor is Running

The Detroit Red Wings are continuing their rebuilding process, and at the forefront of it is Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider. Steve Yzerman is known as one of the greatest GMs in today's game and his two star rookies are both up for the rookie of the year, or known as the Calder Trophy. They still have solid young role players, Captain Dylan Larkin is 25 and currently has 54 points in 47 games and Tyler Bertuzzi, who is 27, has 44 points in 44 games. Although the Red Wings aren’t the dominant team they used to be, Steve Yzerman has lined up this team to have ample amount of success over the next 5 years.

Brady Tkachuk First 30 Goal Season

There aren’t many bright spots for the Ottawa Senators this season but after signing his seven year contract just days into the beginning of the regular season, All Star and first year captain Brady Tkachuk has 37 points in 47 games. He currently has 17 goals and I predict that he will have the first 30 goal season of his career and continue to step up for the Senators with Batherson still recovering from injury. As of now, he is currently on pace for 29 goals but I see him finding a way to eclipse the 30 goal total this season.

Tuch’ing It All In

On November 4th, 2021 Jack Eichel was traded in a blockbuster move to Vegas for Alex Tuch, Peyton Krebs, a first round pick, and a second round pick. Jack Eichel is just getting on the ice for Vegas, registering a trio of points in just as many games, but the star of the trade has been Alex Tuch. Tuch, a native New Yorker, has been lights out for the Sabres, with 14 assists and 21 points in 20 games. Since coming in the lineup for the Sabres, Tuch’s linemates Jeff Skinner and Tage Thompson have increased in point production, averaging around a point per game when he’s in the lineup. This should be no surprise to the team, as Alex Tuch was an elite bottom six forward for the Golden Knights during their deep playoff runs. Buffalo has a nice core moving forward after acquiring Tuch and Krebs and the future finally looks bright in Buffalo.

Is There Hope in Montreal?

The Montreal Canadiens went from three wins away from a Stanley Cup to being the worst team in the NHL in the matter of one season. It's hard to blame them entirely for this complete meltdown, given the fact that they lost their #1 defenseman and #1 goaltender due to injuries. Regardless of that, the team has been extremely underwhelming to say the least winning 12/52 games this season. A lot of players have had really disappointing seasons, especially Nick Suzuki, who everyone expected to have a breakout year. The 22-year old has 33 points in 52 games this season and is a -17. Since the Canadiens fired Ducharme and named Martin St. Louis the head coach, players who you were expecting to perform all year, finally began picking it up offensively. Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Josh Anderson have been on a tear as of late and the Canadiens have put together their first 4 game winning streak of the season as a result. Is St. Louis built to be the coach next season, or is this just another common thread of a new coach coming in and the team getting hot? I hope St. Louis stays as the coach moving forward because it seems like the players love him behind the bench.