2013 NHL Predictions

www.nhlsnipers.com

No need to to explain here, but below are my very own predictions for the 2013 NHL season.

I will predict the final spots each team will finish, in both the Eastern and Western Conference.

Also, below that, I will predict the winner of the playoffs and all the major awards that will be given out.

Enjoy!

Eastern Conference

1. Pittsburgh
2. Boston
3. Tampa Bay
4. New York Rangers
5. Philadelphia
6. Buffalo
7. Ottawa
8. Washington
9. Carolina
10. Winnipeg
11. Florida
12. Toronto
13. New Jersey
14. Montreal
15. New York Islanders

Courtesy of Jeanine Leech/Icon SMI

Western Conference

1. Vancouver
2. Chicago
3. Los Angeles
4. St. Louis
5. Nashville
6. San Jose
7. Anaheim
8. Minnesota
9. Detroit
10. Phoenix
11. Edmonton
12. Dallas
13. Colorado
14. Calgary
15. Columbus

President's Trophy - Vancouver Canucks

Eastern Conference Playoff Champions - New York Rangers

Western Conference Playoff Champions - St. Louis Blues

Stanley Cup Winner - New York Rangers

ANDREW THEODORAKIS/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

     Individual Award Winner

     Hart Trophy - Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh)

     Art Ross Trophy - Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh)

     Rocket Richard Trophy - Rick Nash (New
     York Rangers)                                                      

     Norris Trophy - Drew Doughty (Los Angeles)

     Vezina Trophy - Pekke Rinne (Nashville)

     Calder Trophy - Alex Galchenyuk (Montreal)

NHL Hockey Is Back!

MARK BLINCH/REUTERS

With the NHL lockout finally over, I can say one thing for sure. I will be coming back to cheer on my favorite team, wish bad luck upon my non-favorite teams and cheer just as loud as before the lockout occurred. I won't be one of those fans not returning to the game, or trying to teach the NHL and the so-called greedy players a lesson.

After all, the NHL is running a business. I believe when you are doing that you have full control on how you choose to run it. They decided a lockout was best for their business, so be it. Time will tell if they made the right choice but no matter what happens down the road we, as fans, need to deal with it now.

The players were doing what they needed to do. Sure, they make a lot of money. A heck of a lot more than many of us do, but they deserve it. They have a unique skill that allows them to play hockey at an extremally high level.