National Hockey League Team by Team Rundown

 Hockey NHL style, is arguably the fastest, most intense, physically demanding sport. Requiring lightning fast reflexes with a toughness equaled only by football , australian that is you have to see it live to really feel it! Oh to pass the puck and put it right on the stick for a one timer. Being from the burbs of Boston, I learned to skate on the ponds of my little town and watched as the big bad Bruins of yesteryear led by the incomparable numba 4 , Bobby Orr whirled around and skated the length of the ice in magical displays of skating skills combined with hockey finess. I idolized the Bruins of old. Those were the golden years of Espo and Hodge, Cashman, Stanfield, Bucyk, Awrey, McKenzie and the turk Derek Sanderson and Cheevers in goal , then came Vadnais and Park from the Rangers and Terry ORieilly and then Cam Neely and then.. well nothing… It’s been nothing for a very long time. C’mon Bruins get it in gear! 

Please allow me now to completely rundown all the teams in the NHL and let you know in all sincerity that hockey is one game that  “better” tickets do matter. You can hear the players call to each other , you can hear the ice being sprayed when they stop, the puck banging off the boards, bodies rattling into the boards,  and even the ring of a slapshot off the crossbar. I recommend sitting near center ice about 20 rows back, that’s where it’s at and National Ticket Agency can make it happenn. Check out the link associated with your team and secure your tickets early to avoid being shutout. Teams listed by the order that I think they will finish in each division…..Today we look at the Atlantic,  Northeast and Southeast divisions.

NHL Eastern Conference Atlantic Division

 Pittsburgh Penguins  The Penguins are locked and loaded to win the Stanley Cup this year. They feature MVP Sidney Crosby and All Stars Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staahl . They added Petr Sykora and Darryl Sydor. You have to see Crosby live to believe how good he is at such a young age. Get tickets here > Pittsburg Penguins tickets.

New York Rangers The Rangers picked up Chris Drury and Scott Gomez which should add some firepower. Drury who had 37 goals last year is slated to play on a line with Jaromir Jagr. They will cruise into the playoffs exciting the fans and making Madison Square Garden a place to be unlike the hapless Knicks in B Ball. Get tickets for the Rangers early as the good ones tend to disapear quickly. > New York Rangers tickets.

Philadelphia Flyers The Flyers are a completely revamped team from last years horror show when they recorded a mere 56 points, an NHL worst. Daniel Briere aquired from Buffalo had 95 pts last season and along with  9 other newcomers should make a diference. Philly fans deserve something, don’t they? It’s a good hockey town get your tickets to the big games now. >Philadelphia Flyers tickets.

New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils have a hell of a time scoring goals but with stellar goalie Martin Brodeur manning the net they are always in the game. Newcomer Danius Zubrus should help out up front. When hot and mind you he had 12 shutouts last year Brodeur is worth the price of admission. > New Jersey Devels tickets.

New York Islanders The Islanders lost 4 of their top 6 scorers from last year and added only Bill Guerin a top notch left winger but that won’t be enough to keep this team out of the cellar. If you combined the 2 NY teams you might have a shot! Loyal fans though that you are get top notch tickets to all the games here. > New York Islander tickets. 

NHL Eastern Division Northeast Division

Ottawa Senators The Senators will go with mostly the same lineup that reached the Stanley Cup finals last year. Dany Heatly shoots for his third straight 50 goal season. They should challenge for the Cup again and you will want to see this dynamic team when they come to your town or go to Ottawa for a weekend it’s a cool city in the winter. > Ottawa Senators tickets.

Buffalo Sabres The Sabres will have to fill the boots of two top scorers who left via fee agancy but Thomas Vanek is an All Star and this team did tie Detriot for most points in the league last year at 113. They’re still very good and it’s always a  good take. The New years day outdoor game in the football stadium should be a blast! > Buffalo Sabres tickets. 

Toronto Maple Leafs The Maple Leafs were oh so close to making the playoffs last year missing out on the seasons last day. They have added Jason Blake a 40 goal scorer and and a top defensive forward Mark Bell and have pretty good goaltending so look for the Leafs to sneak in this year for sure and for my buddy Matt’s sake go all the way. And as he would say, Go Leafs!  Good tickets available > Toronto Maple Leafs tickets.

Montreal Canadiens The Canadiens led the league in power play goals and in shorthanded goals last year but missed the playoffs. They added a solid player in Bryan Smolinski. The Habs look to rebound and return to some semblance of the glory. It’s always exciting to go to a Canadiens game for in Canada hockey is king! > Montreal Canadiens tickets.

Boston Bruins The Bruins hope that a new coach and a new goalie will bring new results: winning,  but this ain’t the big bad Bruins of yesteryear. Oh numba 4 Bob Orr where art though? There are so many holes in this team that it would take a miracle to make the playoffs. Still the fans in Beantown love their hockey and a good time is had by all. As a side note the Beanpot college tournament is a fantastic take.  Boston Bruins tickets.

NHL Eastern Conference Southeast Division

Carolina Hurricanes The Hurricanes won the cup in 05-06 and then missed the playoffs last year , go figure. Goalie Cam Ward should be better in his second year and forward Matt Cullen is back after a year with the Panthers. Look for this team to rebound and have a strong season. > Carolina Hurricanes tickets.

Tampa Bay Lightning The Lightning have a terrific foursome in forwards Vincent Lacavalier, Martin St. Louis, Brad Richards, and defenseman Dan Boyle. If they get decent goaltending they should top 100 points again this year and contend for the cup. They are an exciting team that can light it up offensively and a good take live. > Tampa Bay Lightning tickets.

Florida Panthers The Panthers should be right on the Lightnings tail. New goalie Tomas Vokoun is rated very highly and together with top gun Olie Jokinen and young stars Nathan Horton and Stephen Weis this team is one to watch. South Florida has many transplants from up north added to a fine fan base. Cool off in the rink and check these guys out! > Florida Panthers tickets.

 Atlanta Thrashers The Thrashers lost 5 players to free agency and Scott Mellanby retired still they have 3 big time forwards in Illya Kovalchuk, Slava Kozlov, and Marian Hossa so look for them to make a run at the playoffs again. Get your center ice seats now and be all set for the season. Atlanta Thrashers tickets.

Washington Capitols The Capitols are led by one of the most exciting players in the NHL, Alex Ovechkin and Michael Nylander returns after a stint with the Rangers. Goalie Olaf Kolzig is solid but it may not be enough to boost this club into the playoffs this season. Check out Ovechkin though as he is really a dominant player. Washington Capitols tickets.