24 Hours to go and here are my picks for the 2008-09 NHL Season. Mike and I agree on some things, but there are a few major differences.

Southeast

1. Washington – They are a cut above the rest of this division. The magic of Bruce B. continues and Ovechkin carries this team to the 2nd round. The only downside is they are at the top of the cap, so it leaves no room for any roster moves. I have them as my #3 seed.
2. Florida – I like Florida as my surprise team in the East this season. I believe that DeBoer can change the culture of this team and their strong blueline and goaltending will get them into the playoffs for the first time in years. There is finally hope in Panther Land. I have them as my #6 seed.
3. Tampa Bay – Yikes! What a rough start. My suspicions proved correct, that this blueline is in trouble. Tampa’s “O” will come together at some point, but I think the glimmer will fade and Tampa fans will question the new ownership in March.
4. Carolina – Bring in The Enigma (Pitkanen) and relying on Samsanov to be your top goal scorers equals no playoffs for the Canes. It’s too much to ask of Brind’Amour at this point.
5. Atlanta – I think this is the worst team in the NHL. They should trade Kovalchuk for a mountain of young players and start all over. In a word, they “suck”.

Northeast

1. Montreal – Adding Tanguay only makes them stronger up front. I don’t think they’ll miss a beat and they should find themselves as the 2nd seed come April.
2. Boston – Another team that seems to thrive on chemistry and hard work. Getting Bergeron back is like adding a UFA, now if Ryder finds himself again and Wheeler plays up to expectations, the Bruins will make the playoffs. I have them in at #8.
3. Buffalo – I like Buffalo on paper. They always look good on paper, but losing Campbell for a full season and now Kalinin damages the blueline in a way Rivet can’t make up for. I could be wrong, but I think fans in Buffalo should focus on the Bills for now.
4. Ottawa – They looked better than I thought they would in the first two games, but goaltending and attitude is still a major issue. I think they will fall apart when the going gets tough and a major player (Spezza) will get moved out of town.
5. Toronto – Toskala and the veteran D will play good enough in Wilson’s system to steal enough wins to keep them from the coveted #1 pick. It might even be good enough to make them the 4th worst team in hockey, and not the worst. Too bad Leafs fans. Mediocrity will continue.

Atlantic

1. New Jersey – I think they find the mojo again for one last big run in front of Brodeur. The feel good atmosphere with Rolston and Holik back in Red/Black will spark a division title and perhaps a #1 seed.
2. Pittsburgh – They would be the clear favorite if they were healthy, but losing Gonchar and Whitney for most of the season kills their division hopes. This could be a lost year if another blueliner goes down and rough on Fleury’s confidence. I think they get the #4 seed.
3. Philadelphia – Kind of a toss up here between them and the Rangers, but I’m taking the Flyers cause I like Carter/Richards/Briere and their overall toughness. I’m not as down on Biron as everyone else either. I give Philly the #5 seed.
4. NY Rangers – Too much tinkering with a good thing equals some minor disappointment in New York. They will make the playoffs and have a solid year, but it just won’t be enough to make big noise in April. Rangers grab the #7 seed and a date with Montreal.
5. Islanders – 2nd worst team in hockey…and it’s close. Jon Sim is not the chosen one.

Central

1. Detroit – Nothing has changed here. A pox on all their houses. Detroit is the #1 seed.
2. Chicago – Losing Lang weakens their 2nd line, but Chicago is on the up and up and I like what they’re doing. They will be super dangerous to play and no picnic in the playoffs. Hawks snag the #5 seed.
3. Columbus – I think this is the year for Jackets fans to see their team play super hard for Hitchcock, discover a #1 center in Umburger, dramatically make the playoffs on the last day of the season as the 8th seed and then lose 4-0 in a series to the Wings. Congrats.
4. Nashville – I think this team is going backwards and needs to trade some assets on the blueline to get some young scoring. Not sure what they’re doing in Nashville….regressing like the economy.
5. St. Louis – They are the 5th worst team in the NHL. It’s always awesome to add Chris Mason to your elderly goalie tandem. Woo Hoo!

Northwest

1. Edmonton – I’m a believer in the moves they’ve made and I think the goaltending will be good enough to get by. Cole/Hemsky/Horcoff could really gel and their 2nd “kid” line will provide solid energy and scoring. Oilers are the 3rd seed.
2. Colorado – Another team like New Jersey that I think has one more run in them before the horses are put out to pasture. How are they different than last years team that beat Minnesota in the 1st round? I think Budaj will do good enough and another re-run of Forsberg makes them the #7 seed.
3. Calgary – Keenan will get fired and Kipper will prove a bust with his new contract. Can you handle the truth? Darryl Sutter will be behind the bench until Tortorella takes over this team in the offseason.
4. Minnesota – I hate the Wild. They bore me to tears. Their regular season magic stops this year with the Gaborik distraction looming. Where will he end up? How about in Vancouver for two red heads?
5. Vancouver – Another team with a questionable direction. They didn’t do anything to really make themselves better. Demitra and Bernier are not the answers, in my opinion. Canucks are cellar dwellers.

Pacific

1. Sharks – Could be a slow start as the team comes together with a new system, but when the dust settles in this brutal division, the Sharks will be on top. Setoguchi has a break out year with 60 points on the top line. You heard it here first. Sharks are the 2nd seed.
2. Anaheim – I don’t have anything bad to say about them other than I hate Pronger, I hate Selanne and Parros can kiss my ass. Ducks are the 4th seed..and a damn good one at that.
3. Phoenix- Things are looking up in Phoenix, but too many goons in the kitchen right now. This team will be a pain in the ass to match up again and should eclipse Dallas this year under Gretzky’s watchful eye. Phoenix has the cap room to add major pieces at the deadline and is the 6th seed this year. I think I was little vague on this on the podcast, but a girl can change her mind, right?
4. Dallas – Avery will be great on my fantasy team but terrible for the chemistry in Dallas. He will have a major falling out with Morrow and Modano at some point this season and Hull’s little experiment could backfire. I was wrong about Dallas last year, and might be again – but I think they fall out of the playoff picture.
5. Los Angeles – Lombardi’s ploy to be the worst won’t work. But they will blow goats for sure. It will make me smile to beat them night after night. Enjoy.

I’m thinking Penguins/Canadiens in the Eastern Conference Finals and Sharks/Wings in the Western Conference Finals. For the Cup: Montreal and San Jose. BRING IT!