Volume 67, Issue 3

Eastern Conference

by David Epstein

The Eastern Conference’s relative weakness was on display during last year’s Stanley Cup Finals.  Detroit dominated Eastern Champion Carolina, eliminating them in just five games.  The conference’s mediocrity does, however, allow teams to make unexpected runs come playoff time, like Montreal’s and Carolina’s last year.  Here are this year’s contenders, in predicted order of finish:

Although a great regular season team year after year, the Ottawa Senators always seem to disappoint come playoff time. This year’s Sens have the talent to cruise to a number one seed in the conference. They are led by talented wingers Daniel Alfredsson and Marian Hossa, while Wade Redden and ex-Islander Zdeno Chara anchor one of the best defenses in the league. Patrick Lalime is solid in net, and Jani Hurme is a quality back-up. The combination of depth, youth, size, and talent makes anything but a deep run into the playoffs disappointing.

The Philadelphia Flyers are just too talented not to finish at the top of the conference. Superstars Jeremy Roenick, John Leclair, Mark Recchi, Keith Primeau, Simon Gagne, and Justin Williams make up the best two scoring lines in the conference. They have solid all-around defensemen in Eric Desjardins and Kim Johnsson. Their only question mark is in goal, where Roman Cechmanek’s playoff blow-up over the lack of offensive support had teammates shooting at his head in practice.  The incident has left many executives around the NHL wondering if Philadelphia can succeed with him as the number one goalie.

Coming off a surprising run to the Stanley Cup finals, the Carolina Hurricanes will try to ride their unconventional two-goalie system and their playoff success into their first season as defending Eastern Conference Champions. The ageless Ron Francis captains a young and talented group that should only continue to get better. Jeff O’ Neill, in the league since age 18, is now one of the best players in the league at the age of 26.  With the BBC line (Battaglia, Brind’Amour, Cole) continuing their excellent play behind him, Carolina should be a force for years to come.

New Jersey Devils (see article).

The Washington Capitals acquired arguably the league’s best player last year in Jaromir Jagr, yet failed to make the playoffs. The Capitals showed signs of strong play towards the end of last year and, led by Jagr and Olaf Kolzig, one of the league’s best goalies, should pick up where they left off.

New York Rangers (see article).

The Montreal Canadiens aren’t a dangerous offensive team and are solid but not spectacular defensively. They do, however, have the best goalie in the NHL in José Theodore and that alone should be good for a playoff berth.

New York Islanders (see article).

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