I'll start off by thanking Jay for inviting me to the BoO blog.
To preface my predictions, let me say that the Sens will win 6 of the 8 meetings with the Leafs this year. At least.
The conference standings will end up like this:
1. Philadelphia - only beating out Ottawa by benefiting from a weaker division
2. Ottawa
3. Tampa Bay - there will be a sizable drop off in points after these top three teams
4. Boston
5. New Jersey
6. Montreal
7. Atlanta
8. Pittsburgh
9. Toronto
10. NY Islanders
11. Florida
12. Carolina
13. Buffalo
14. NY Rangers
15. Washington
Positions 4 through 8 will be very close - a couple of points separating the five teams.
I could be wrong about the Leafs. They might not be that high if Belfour doesn't keep them in a lot of games.
Of course the Senators will be the Eastern Conference representative in the finals and Daniel Alfredsson will be in the lead car on Bank St. in June.
And the last prediction: Leafs fans will hold their heads high in this province next summer living with the knowledge that the Senators still didn't beat them in the playoffs.
Hmmm - I don't personally know my Leaf counterparts here yet but it looks like at least one of them is far from the Darcy Tucker fan mold that Leaf Nation has been known for.
ReplyDeleteI was expecting a 'you pussy Ottawa fans - you couldn't win the big game if....' type of response.
Give it time perhaps? Or am I actually going to have to be reasonable and thoughful too?
This is going to be fun either way.
I'd almost pass on the Cup if we don't go through Toronto to win it. On the other hand, how sweet would it be to deprive the Leafs of two critical points needed to secure an "x" in late April?
ReplyDeleteAnd in a real 7-1 *howler* to boot?
OK Guy's Ottawa will still have a long way to go and it's only preseason.
ReplyDeleteOttawa has a worse situation in Nets than the Sens do. If Hasek goes down then you have to trade for a goalie cause I'll put any amount of money that Ray emery won't win you a cup.
Don, taking a bite of the Leafs book on planning the parade already. Don't get too cocky, you're setting yourself up for a big fall.
Ottawa has a good team but they always have and haven't done squat in the playoffs.
Personally, I think the predictions of the Leafs demise in unwarranted. Sure several key players are gone, but several new ones have come in to replace them. O'Neill can replace Roberts. Lindros can replace Nieuwendyk. Czerkawski should score 20-30 goals effectively replacing Mogilny who only scored 8 goals in 2003-04. And Allison might be the best of the bunch. And Tucker is more than capable of taking on a more offensive-minded role.
ReplyDeleteYeah, Yeah, I know you are all going to say "Yeah, but what about Leetch". Well Leetch was a trade dealine pickup and no on is saying that there can't be another trade deadline pickup this year.
As for teh Sens, I would worry about 2 things. Dominik Hasek and whether he can return to form and experienced depth on defense. Should either Chara or Redden suffer a serious injury the Sens defense will all of a sudden look pretty un-spectacular.
I think if the leafs can stay Injury free all season then they will have a good team.
ReplyDeleteThe Sens do look to have a good team and should do well but Hasek will be the key. If he can hold hios groin together with a bit of duct tape and luck then the Sens will do well.
I don't think anyone can predict who will do what this year as teams won't start to "gel" till midseason.
It's going to be a fun year and we'll see at the end of the year who will be where. I ain't going to make any predictions that I will stand by till mid season but the Sens do look good with the changes they have made but Injuries will dictate their success along with Toronto.
As for my Penguins I just hope they make the playoffs!!