NHL Starts TONIGHT!

The 2017-18 NHL season begins tonight!

Here is a recap of how the divisional races ended last season.  The teams with the stars beside them made the playoffs last season.

Eastern -- Atlantic
☆103 Canadiens
☆ 98 Senators
☆ 95 Bruins
☆ 95 Maple Leafs
94 Lightning
81 Panthers
79 Red Wings
78 Sabres

This is the division I have the hardest time looking objectively as my Buffalo Sabres are in this division.  The team that did not make the playoffs that I think will improve the most is Detroit, though it will not make them a playoff team.  If Tampa stays healthy, they are the ones with the best chance to unseat a playoff team.  My guess is that Boston is the most vulnerable for being removed from playoff rank.

Eastern -- Metropolitan
☆118 Capitals
☆111 Penguins
☆108 Blue Jackets
☆102 Rangers
94 Islanders
88 Flyers
87 Hurricanes
70 Devils

This division is absolute mayhem.  Some would say it's the strongest division in the NHL.  The Central would object, and have good cause for their objection.  The bottom four could improve, but I'm not sure that any of them can unseat a playoff team.  Washington and Pittsburgh are locks for playoff runs.  The Blue Shirts of Manhattan are close to that.  I'm not sure I'm so confident in Columbus.  So if one of the 4 playoff teams gets booted, my guess is the Blue Jackets get the boot.  And Philadelphia is my guess as to who is capable of giving that boot to a playoff team.

Western -- Central
☆109 Blackhawks
☆106 Wild
☆ 99 Blues
☆ 94 Predators
87 Jets
79 Stars
48 Avalanche

This division is crazy good.  Colorado was not in contention last season, and they were the only team in the division that had no chance.  I don't think any of the four playoff teams get the boot.  I can't imagine which of them could.  Improvements in goalie play could cause Dallas to be best in line to get into the playoffs.  Even then, I think the Stars best shot is to play for the opportunity to steal the second wild card away from the Pacific.

Western -- Pacific
☆105 Ducks
☆103 Oilers
☆ 99 Sharks
☆ 94 Flames
86 Kings
70 Coyotes
69 Canucks
Knights

This division has improved greatly.  The key to success likely will once more be survival in the "California Triangle."  Add to that now that once more the Province of Alberta has become unfriendly territory for foes entering therein.  There will be some very exciting hockey in this division.  It will be interesting to see how Vegas does and what impact their inaugural season has on the division and the league.  Those in playoff contention had better be attentive to the Central seeking to steal both wild cards while these teams pummel one another.  I think Calgary feels the sting of this and becomes the one team in this division to not return in the playoffs while the rest of the division sees a Central Division team grab their wild card.