The Philadelphia Flyers kept a postseason lineup together with bubble gum and band aids just six months ago. Injuries, scratches, roster moves, coaching changes, it made no difference. Despite the adversity, despite the turmoil, the Flyers won the East.
Well, it’s a new season, with new hope throughout the conference, but the situation on Broad Street remains the same: The Flyers are still in the eye of the storm.
“It's not an ideal situation.”
That was general manager Paul Holmgren last week, after learning that goaltender Michael Leighton will miss at least a month with a bulging disc in his back, while scrappy forward Ian Laperriere is out indefinitely with post-concussion syndrome.
Not the best of news as the Flyers begin their title defense, certainly. With many teams making offseason improvements, the Flyers’ task was going to be tough anyway. Now, it’s even tougher.
And so, as the conference champs pick up the pieces, let’s take a look at some other teams as we get ready for the first puck to drop:
WORST TO CURSED: New York Islanders
The Islanders, who finished last in the Atlantic last season, seemed set to make a big jump in Year 2 of franchise player John Tavares’ career, but they, too, have been bit.
Two key cogs — defenseman Mark Streit and forward Kyle Okposo — are out indefinitely with shoulder injuries. With a full lineup, we saw a postseason berth returning to the Island. Now? Not so much.
A SOUTHERN SURPRISE: Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta flirted with a playoff berth last season, and has more depth and experience this season. Dustin Byfuglien heads a pack of former Chicago Blackhawks now in Thrashers uniforms. Fresh off a Stanley Cup, they should instill some much-needed killer instinct. Goalie Chris Mason won 30 games last season. He could reach 40 this year.
TAKING A STEP BACK: Montreal Canadiens
Montreal’s playoff Cinderella story was topped only by the Flyers’ run, but Philadelphia -- in the East Finals -- exposed Montreal as the No. 8 seed that it was. There is talent up front, but not much size. Too much is expected of a club that barely qualified for the postseason last year.
BOUNCING BACK: Boston Bruins
Still hard to believe that any team could blow a 3-0 series lead in today’s game, but the Bruins pulled it off, losing four straight to Philadelphia in Round 2. But we like the mix of size, speed and skill that Boston has. Keep in mind, they were a No. 1 seed just two years ago. We expect a strong season from center David Krejci, as he returns from a wrist injury, and left wing Milan Lucic, as he returns from ankle problems.
BEST OVER TEAM: New Jersey Devils
Crazy, right? The team with the goalie who’ll likely go down as the greatest ever? Well, Martin Brodeur stands to get much more rest this season and backup Johan Hedberg has had a goals-against average over 3.00 in two of the last three seasons.
Plus, Ilya Kovalchuk up front for a full season is bound to net some overs. On the back end of back-to-back games for New Jersey, think a Hedberg start, and think over.
BEST UNDER TEAM: New York Rangers
In a city of sports stars, perhaps the least recognized is Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. He is one of the league’s best -- his team allowed just 222 goals last season, good for fourth in the conference -- and let’s face it, New York did little up front in the offseason. They potted just 218 themselves last year. It’s hard to imagine much more this season.
SEASON POINT TOTALS: Over Plays
** The on-again, off-again Carolina Hurricanes, having missed the playoffs last season, are a great over buy at 86.5.
** We also like the Ottawa Senators, with some punch on the backline in the form of Sergei Gonchar, as an over play at 87.5.
** We definitely think the Bruins will be a team possessed this season, one that should top 100.5.
SEASON POINT TOTALS: Under Plays
** The Tampa Bay Lightning can score, but won’t play enough defense to top 92.5.
** The Toronto Maple Leafs, even with a low 84.5 number, are in for another long year.
** The Flyers, as the hunted now, will struggle to top 97.5.
** And, for a change, we expect the Washington Capitals to take their foot off the gas in the regular season, and really prepare for a long postseason run. If we’re right, they won’t go over 107.5.
AND THE CONFERENCE WINNER IS ...
We’ll run from the chalk here and bypass Pittsburgh (3-1) and Washington (3-1). We’ve already addressed them a few times, but we really think the Bruins (17-2) -- with depth everywhere and motivation aplenty -- will outlast the Devils (15-2) in a terrific seven-game East Final.
Well, it’s a new season, with new hope throughout the conference, but the situation on Broad Street remains the same: The Flyers are still in the eye of the storm.“It's not an ideal situation.”
That was general manager Paul Holmgren last week, after learning that goaltender Michael Leighton will miss at least a month with a bulging disc in his back, while scrappy forward Ian Laperriere is out indefinitely with post-concussion syndrome.
Not the best of news as the Flyers begin their title defense, certainly. With many teams making offseason improvements, the Flyers’ task was going to be tough anyway. Now, it’s even tougher.
And so, as the conference champs pick up the pieces, let’s take a look at some other teams as we get ready for the first puck to drop:
WORST TO CURSED: New York Islanders
The Islanders, who finished last in the Atlantic last season, seemed set to make a big jump in Year 2 of franchise player John Tavares’ career, but they, too, have been bit.
Two key cogs — defenseman Mark Streit and forward Kyle Okposo — are out indefinitely with shoulder injuries. With a full lineup, we saw a postseason berth returning to the Island. Now? Not so much.
A SOUTHERN SURPRISE: Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta flirted with a playoff berth last season, and has more depth and experience this season. Dustin Byfuglien heads a pack of former Chicago Blackhawks now in Thrashers uniforms. Fresh off a Stanley Cup, they should instill some much-needed killer instinct. Goalie Chris Mason won 30 games last season. He could reach 40 this year.
TAKING A STEP BACK: Montreal Canadiens
Montreal’s playoff Cinderella story was topped only by the Flyers’ run, but Philadelphia -- in the East Finals -- exposed Montreal as the No. 8 seed that it was. There is talent up front, but not much size. Too much is expected of a club that barely qualified for the postseason last year.
BOUNCING BACK: Boston Bruins
Still hard to believe that any team could blow a 3-0 series lead in today’s game, but the Bruins pulled it off, losing four straight to Philadelphia in Round 2. But we like the mix of size, speed and skill that Boston has. Keep in mind, they were a No. 1 seed just two years ago. We expect a strong season from center David Krejci, as he returns from a wrist injury, and left wing Milan Lucic, as he returns from ankle problems.
BEST OVER TEAM: New Jersey Devils
Crazy, right? The team with the goalie who’ll likely go down as the greatest ever? Well, Martin Brodeur stands to get much more rest this season and backup Johan Hedberg has had a goals-against average over 3.00 in two of the last three seasons.
Plus, Ilya Kovalchuk up front for a full season is bound to net some overs. On the back end of back-to-back games for New Jersey, think a Hedberg start, and think over.
BEST UNDER TEAM: New York Rangers
In a city of sports stars, perhaps the least recognized is Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. He is one of the league’s best -- his team allowed just 222 goals last season, good for fourth in the conference -- and let’s face it, New York did little up front in the offseason. They potted just 218 themselves last year. It’s hard to imagine much more this season.
SEASON POINT TOTALS: Over Plays
** The on-again, off-again Carolina Hurricanes, having missed the playoffs last season, are a great over buy at 86.5.
** We also like the Ottawa Senators, with some punch on the backline in the form of Sergei Gonchar, as an over play at 87.5.
** We definitely think the Bruins will be a team possessed this season, one that should top 100.5.
SEASON POINT TOTALS: Under Plays
** The Tampa Bay Lightning can score, but won’t play enough defense to top 92.5.
** The Toronto Maple Leafs, even with a low 84.5 number, are in for another long year.
** The Flyers, as the hunted now, will struggle to top 97.5.
** And, for a change, we expect the Washington Capitals to take their foot off the gas in the regular season, and really prepare for a long postseason run. If we’re right, they won’t go over 107.5.
AND THE CONFERENCE WINNER IS ...
We’ll run from the chalk here and bypass Pittsburgh (3-1) and Washington (3-1). We’ve already addressed them a few times, but we really think the Bruins (17-2) -- with depth everywhere and motivation aplenty -- will outlast the Devils (15-2) in a terrific seven-game East Final.
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