The NHL season gets under way today, and so we unveil the official 2010-11 OTG predictions for the coming season. For this year, we asked six of our fellow bloggers to join with us to project where each team will finish in the two conferences.
Not surprisingly we all picked the Rangers to make the playoffs, though the position ranged from fourth down to the more popular eighth and final spot. As for the Atlantic division, there was a 5-2 split in favor of the Penguins taking out the title over the retooled Devils.
Outside the Atlantic, the Capitals were unanimously projected to win the Southeast Division, and 5 out of 7 project them to be first in the East – 2 votes going to the Penguins. Meanwhile, the Northeast looks more uncertain with the Bruins (4), Sabres (2) and Senators (1) all getting some love.
Across the continent and in the west it looks like a battle between the Canucks were awarded a clean sweep of the Northwest Division, despite starting the season with Alex Burrows injured. They were also expected to win the conference by 4 of the 7 sites polled.
The Sharks picked up three of those first place nominations, and were placed first in the Pacific Division by all but one pundit, who projected the Kings to make the move up the ladder.
Rounding out the divisional projections, the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks polled as low as 9th and received just one vote to the Red Wings’ six for Central Division honors.
You can view all the projections here, and by clicking on each of the site names, you can see the details behind our rationale.
Enjoy…