What to Expect in the Race for the Cup

The beginning of this NHL season is sure to bring about a year full of excitement from the league’s young players, populating youthful teams that have cashed in from the drafts of recent years. However, the dominant powerhouse teams still exist and will give these new kids on the block a run for their money. The divisions in the NHL put these types of teams against one another for spots in the elusive Stanley Cup playoffs. 

Metropolitan:

This is an incredibly competitive division full of previously dominant teams and rising teams. However, the Islanders looked poised to take the Metro crown as their captain John Tavares will continue to lead the way for his growing team. If their chemistry from last year returns they are fully capable of bringing a division title to Brooklyn.

Atlantic:

The Atlantic Division features sets of old and budding rivalries. The defending Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Lightning will take the Atlantic this year. Captain Steven Stamkos will be going all out to prove himself worthy of a mammoth contract which will only help the success of the team throughout the season. 

Central: 

The central division is the definite winner of the nonexistent “toughest division award” as the regular season beast St. Louis Blues will clash with the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks with the rising Stars and Jets in the wings. But the Blackhawks should most certainly win this division for obvious reasons, but an controversial ruling from the Patrick Kane case and a major injury could allow one of the aforementioned teams to take the division, or possibly give the Minnesota Wild a chance to ride their under-the-radar status to the top.

Pacific:

The pacific division features a collective group of superstars and no team has a more cohesive group of standouts than the Anaheim Ducks, the reigning division champs. The Ducks will fly to the top again as they are led by their perennial phenoms Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. The Los Angeles Kings looking for a rebound as well the rising Flames will keep things competitive but the Ducks have all the components of a division winner.

This season is primed to create some magical moments from some new faces in new places. The offseason was one of many future stars acquired through the draft and many coaches are behind the benches of new teams. The perennially dominant teams will now face a transition beginning this season as new teams with young stars will begin to capture their share of the spotlight. Whether it be the young guns of the league or the seasoned veteran teams, this season shows signs of being a great and entertaining one to watch and root for.