leans and stuff....
taken from covers.com
NHL Southeast Division
Atlanta Thrashers
Outlook: As a young franchise entering its fourth season, the development process is a long term commitment. And the Thrashers are on the right track with two dynamic young players whom Atlanta fans can look forward to prospering in years.
Calder Trophy winner Dany Heatly and talented teammate Ilya Kovalchuk will be asked to lead the Thrashers in offense again this season. Both players head into their sophomore seasons with a little more help, as the organization picked up Shawn McEachern and Slava Kozlov to help them out up front.
When you?re at the bottom of nearly every statistical category in the league, the only way to go is up. The Thrashers ranked last in goals against last season, giving up a porous 3.51 GA per game. They?ll need to start pulling their weight against below .500 teams, as they were 5-14-5 in that department.
As for the goaltending, it?s hard to give a fair evaluation to their netminders Hnilicka and Nurminen, because of all the shots they faced and let?s face it, they?re playing for the worst team in the NHL.
I?ll say one thing about the linemakers last season, they were right on the number when it came to putting a 'total' on the Thrashers, as their O/U record was 35-35-12. I?ll be looking to bet Atlanta as a home dog this season versus losing teams.
Stanley Cup odds: 201-1 (biggest underdog)
Prediction: Fifth in the Southeast Division.
Inside the numbers
ATS Money Line: 24-49 (-370)
Spread Record: 35-47-0
O/U Record: 35-35-12
Penalty Killing: 81.84% (Ranked 25th)
Power Play: 12.09% (Ranked 29th)
Defense: GA Avg 3.51 (Ranked 30th)
Offense: GF Avg 2.28 (Ranked 26th)
Vs. +500 Teams: 14-33-6 (Ranked 27th)
Vs. ?500 Teams: 5-14-5 (Ranked 30th)
Carolina Hurricanes
Outlook: I still can?t believe the Carolina Hurricanes made it to the Stanley Cup finals last season, but that?s the beauty of the playoffs - anything can happen.
The Canes have the benefit of playing in the ?South-least? Division, in which they'll face the lowly Panthers, Lightning and Thrashers five times each. The Canes were an outstanding 19-3-7 SU against losing teams last season.
The Hurricanes have a well-balanced team and head coach Paul Maurice has the ability to roll four solid lines, but has average goaltending in my opinion. Nevertheless, I believe the Hurricanes will be as consistent as last season and look for Erik Cole and Bates Battaglia to be more productive offensively.
Stanley Cup odds: 21-1
Prediction: First in the Southeast Division.
Inside the numbers
ATS Money Line: 47-43 (+1480)
Spread Record: 52-53-0
O/U Record: 41-50-14
Penalty Killing: 83.80% (Ranked 18th)
Power Play: 16.05% (Ranked 12th)
Defense: GA Avg 2.47 (Ranked 12th)
Offense: GF Avg 2.51 (Ranked 19th)
Vs. +500 Teams: 16-23-9 (Ranked 21st)
Vs. ?500 Teams: 19-3-7 (Ranked 2nd)
Florida Panthers
Outlook: If you?re trying to revitalize hockey in the ?Sunshine State?, you shouldn?t be trading one of the most exciting players in hockey in Pavel Bure. I?m sure fans aren?t thrilled about that management decision, but it seems ?rebuilding? is the word of the day in the Panthers board room.
However, if you look at the current team, head coach Mike Keenan knows his team's strong point is defense and goaltending. Sandis Ozolinsh is a skilled defenseman who can quarterback the blueline on the power play and goalie Roberto Luongo could be an All-Star this season.
One thing is for certain - the Panthers need to tone it down in the penalty department, as they led the league in that category last season. They paid the price for their lack of discipline it as well, as they owned the second-worst penalty killing unit in the league with a miserable 79.89 kill percentage.
If there?s an advantage of playing for the Panthers during the winter months, it?s the fact the northern teams are a bit distracted by the nice weather, and hockey is sometimes not the focus of their visit in Florida come January and February.
Stanley Cup odds: 121-1
Prediction: Fourth in the Southeast Division.
Inside the numbers
ATS Money Line: 24-49 (-1465)
Spread Record: 33-49-0
O/U Record: 33-35-14
Penalty Killing: 80.67% (Ranked 29th)
Power Play: 14.70% (Ranked 22nd)
Defense: GA Avg 3.04 (Ranked 27th)
Offense: GF Avg 2.19 (Ranked 27th)
Vs. +500 Teams: 13-34-5 (Ranked 28th)
Vs. ?500 Teams: 9-10-5 (Ranked 28th)
Tampa Bay Lightning
Outlook: Another solid goaltender is the backbone to the other Florida franchise, as Nikolai Khabibulin was a rock between the pipes last season with a 2.36 GAA.
Now, head coach John Tortorella needs to concentrate on his offense, as his team ranked third-last with just 2.17 goals for per game last year. Vincent Lecavalier needs to start showing he?s capable of playing in this league and start producing on a regular basis. The supporting cast around Lecavalier will need to step up its game and players like Brad Richards and Jonathan St. Louis will need to continue their development process, as they showed great promise last season.
Another focus the Lightning will have to address this campaign is to be more competitive against teams with an above .500 record, as they were second-worst iin that category with a dismal 11-33-9 record.
Stanley Cup odds: 151-1
Prediction: Third in the Southeast Division.
Inside the numbers
ATS Money Line: 28-44 (-270)
Spread Record: 40-42-0
O/U Record: 33-40-9
Penalty Killing: 85.66% (Ranked 12th)
Power Play: 14.83% (Ranked 20th)
Defense: GA Avg 2.67 (Ranked 20th)
Offense: GF Avg 2.17 (Ranked 28th)
Vs. +500 Teams: 11-33-9 (Ranked 29th)
Vs. ?500 Teams: 16-7-2 (Ranked 12th)
Washington Capitals
Outlook: It just goes to show you, you can have nearly all the pieces to the puzzle, but without the corners, you don?t have squat.
The Washington Capitals acquired Jaromir Jarg last season, but then head coach Ron Wilson wasn?t able to push the right buttons or find the right line combination, and in the end it cost him his job. One thing Wilson did have, however, was a great power play, as the team converted 19.39 percent of the time, and ranked third overall in the league, but faced more shots on goal than any other team.
Team owner and AOL Guru Ted Leonsis didn?t waste any time in finding a replacement for Wilson and in comes the little-known Bruce Cassidy. Hey, if it worked for the Islanders last season with Laviolette, it can work for the Capitals this year. Cassidy will need to implement a defensive system and lower the shots on goal. He'll likely put newly acquired free agent Robert Lang on the same line with Jagr.
Olaf Kolzig is a solid and reliable goalie, but the Caps need to lessen his workload. And I?m not sure Craig Billington is your best bet for a backup, as his years are catching up with him. They may want to give Sebastien Charpentier or Maxime Ouellette a shot this year, to give Kolzig more time to rest.
Stanley Cup odds: 26-1
Prediction: Second in the Southeast Division.
Inside the numbers
ATS Money Line: 35-35 (-40)
Spread Record: 39-43-0
O/U Record: 40-34-8
Penalty Killing: 82.09% (Ranked 24th)
Power Play: 19.39% (Ranked 3rd)
Defense: GA Avg 2.92 (Ranked 25th)
Offense: GF Avg 2.78 (Ranked 8th)
Vs. +500 Teams: 18-26-6 (Ranked 22nd)
Vs. ?500 Teams: 18-7-5 (Ranked 11th)
taken from covers.com
NHL Southeast Division
Atlanta Thrashers
Outlook: As a young franchise entering its fourth season, the development process is a long term commitment. And the Thrashers are on the right track with two dynamic young players whom Atlanta fans can look forward to prospering in years.
Calder Trophy winner Dany Heatly and talented teammate Ilya Kovalchuk will be asked to lead the Thrashers in offense again this season. Both players head into their sophomore seasons with a little more help, as the organization picked up Shawn McEachern and Slava Kozlov to help them out up front.
When you?re at the bottom of nearly every statistical category in the league, the only way to go is up. The Thrashers ranked last in goals against last season, giving up a porous 3.51 GA per game. They?ll need to start pulling their weight against below .500 teams, as they were 5-14-5 in that department.
As for the goaltending, it?s hard to give a fair evaluation to their netminders Hnilicka and Nurminen, because of all the shots they faced and let?s face it, they?re playing for the worst team in the NHL.
I?ll say one thing about the linemakers last season, they were right on the number when it came to putting a 'total' on the Thrashers, as their O/U record was 35-35-12. I?ll be looking to bet Atlanta as a home dog this season versus losing teams.
Stanley Cup odds: 201-1 (biggest underdog)
Prediction: Fifth in the Southeast Division.
Inside the numbers
ATS Money Line: 24-49 (-370)
Spread Record: 35-47-0
O/U Record: 35-35-12
Penalty Killing: 81.84% (Ranked 25th)
Power Play: 12.09% (Ranked 29th)
Defense: GA Avg 3.51 (Ranked 30th)
Offense: GF Avg 2.28 (Ranked 26th)
Vs. +500 Teams: 14-33-6 (Ranked 27th)
Vs. ?500 Teams: 5-14-5 (Ranked 30th)
Carolina Hurricanes
Outlook: I still can?t believe the Carolina Hurricanes made it to the Stanley Cup finals last season, but that?s the beauty of the playoffs - anything can happen.
The Canes have the benefit of playing in the ?South-least? Division, in which they'll face the lowly Panthers, Lightning and Thrashers five times each. The Canes were an outstanding 19-3-7 SU against losing teams last season.
The Hurricanes have a well-balanced team and head coach Paul Maurice has the ability to roll four solid lines, but has average goaltending in my opinion. Nevertheless, I believe the Hurricanes will be as consistent as last season and look for Erik Cole and Bates Battaglia to be more productive offensively.
Stanley Cup odds: 21-1
Prediction: First in the Southeast Division.
Inside the numbers
ATS Money Line: 47-43 (+1480)
Spread Record: 52-53-0
O/U Record: 41-50-14
Penalty Killing: 83.80% (Ranked 18th)
Power Play: 16.05% (Ranked 12th)
Defense: GA Avg 2.47 (Ranked 12th)
Offense: GF Avg 2.51 (Ranked 19th)
Vs. +500 Teams: 16-23-9 (Ranked 21st)
Vs. ?500 Teams: 19-3-7 (Ranked 2nd)
Florida Panthers
Outlook: If you?re trying to revitalize hockey in the ?Sunshine State?, you shouldn?t be trading one of the most exciting players in hockey in Pavel Bure. I?m sure fans aren?t thrilled about that management decision, but it seems ?rebuilding? is the word of the day in the Panthers board room.
However, if you look at the current team, head coach Mike Keenan knows his team's strong point is defense and goaltending. Sandis Ozolinsh is a skilled defenseman who can quarterback the blueline on the power play and goalie Roberto Luongo could be an All-Star this season.
One thing is for certain - the Panthers need to tone it down in the penalty department, as they led the league in that category last season. They paid the price for their lack of discipline it as well, as they owned the second-worst penalty killing unit in the league with a miserable 79.89 kill percentage.
If there?s an advantage of playing for the Panthers during the winter months, it?s the fact the northern teams are a bit distracted by the nice weather, and hockey is sometimes not the focus of their visit in Florida come January and February.
Stanley Cup odds: 121-1
Prediction: Fourth in the Southeast Division.
Inside the numbers
ATS Money Line: 24-49 (-1465)
Spread Record: 33-49-0
O/U Record: 33-35-14
Penalty Killing: 80.67% (Ranked 29th)
Power Play: 14.70% (Ranked 22nd)
Defense: GA Avg 3.04 (Ranked 27th)
Offense: GF Avg 2.19 (Ranked 27th)
Vs. +500 Teams: 13-34-5 (Ranked 28th)
Vs. ?500 Teams: 9-10-5 (Ranked 28th)
Tampa Bay Lightning
Outlook: Another solid goaltender is the backbone to the other Florida franchise, as Nikolai Khabibulin was a rock between the pipes last season with a 2.36 GAA.
Now, head coach John Tortorella needs to concentrate on his offense, as his team ranked third-last with just 2.17 goals for per game last year. Vincent Lecavalier needs to start showing he?s capable of playing in this league and start producing on a regular basis. The supporting cast around Lecavalier will need to step up its game and players like Brad Richards and Jonathan St. Louis will need to continue their development process, as they showed great promise last season.
Another focus the Lightning will have to address this campaign is to be more competitive against teams with an above .500 record, as they were second-worst iin that category with a dismal 11-33-9 record.
Stanley Cup odds: 151-1
Prediction: Third in the Southeast Division.
Inside the numbers
ATS Money Line: 28-44 (-270)
Spread Record: 40-42-0
O/U Record: 33-40-9
Penalty Killing: 85.66% (Ranked 12th)
Power Play: 14.83% (Ranked 20th)
Defense: GA Avg 2.67 (Ranked 20th)
Offense: GF Avg 2.17 (Ranked 28th)
Vs. +500 Teams: 11-33-9 (Ranked 29th)
Vs. ?500 Teams: 16-7-2 (Ranked 12th)
Washington Capitals
Outlook: It just goes to show you, you can have nearly all the pieces to the puzzle, but without the corners, you don?t have squat.
The Washington Capitals acquired Jaromir Jarg last season, but then head coach Ron Wilson wasn?t able to push the right buttons or find the right line combination, and in the end it cost him his job. One thing Wilson did have, however, was a great power play, as the team converted 19.39 percent of the time, and ranked third overall in the league, but faced more shots on goal than any other team.
Team owner and AOL Guru Ted Leonsis didn?t waste any time in finding a replacement for Wilson and in comes the little-known Bruce Cassidy. Hey, if it worked for the Islanders last season with Laviolette, it can work for the Capitals this year. Cassidy will need to implement a defensive system and lower the shots on goal. He'll likely put newly acquired free agent Robert Lang on the same line with Jagr.
Olaf Kolzig is a solid and reliable goalie, but the Caps need to lessen his workload. And I?m not sure Craig Billington is your best bet for a backup, as his years are catching up with him. They may want to give Sebastien Charpentier or Maxime Ouellette a shot this year, to give Kolzig more time to rest.
Stanley Cup odds: 26-1
Prediction: Second in the Southeast Division.
Inside the numbers
ATS Money Line: 35-35 (-40)
Spread Record: 39-43-0
O/U Record: 40-34-8
Penalty Killing: 82.09% (Ranked 24th)
Power Play: 19.39% (Ranked 3rd)
Defense: GA Avg 2.92 (Ranked 25th)
Offense: GF Avg 2.78 (Ranked 8th)
Vs. +500 Teams: 18-26-6 (Ranked 22nd)
Vs. ?500 Teams: 18-7-5 (Ranked 11th)
