Game of the Weekend: Manchester United v. Liverpool

Charlie Klein

Liverpool versus Manchester United is the best rivalry is professional sports. It is more passionate than Yankees Red Sox, matches more evenly based on history than Celtics Lakers, and is more regionally defined than Ohio State Michigan.

For all of you new European football fans, I will break it down like this. Manchester United and Liverpool are the two most successful teams in the history of English football. Liverpool has won five European Championships and has appeared in the final of the Champions League twice in the past five years. Liverpool has also won the English League 18 times. Manchester United has won three European Championships and has appeared in the final of the Champions league twice in the past two years. United has also won 18 League titles, including three straight Barclays Premier League championships. Liverpool has not won a league title since the introduction of the English Premier League in 1992.

This weekend the enemies face each other for the first time this season in the dreary town of Liverpool. Neither team enters this game in spectacular form, although it is clear which team would rather this game come at a later date on the fixture list. Liverpool have lost their last four matches in all competitions and looked completely uninspiring in every game. Manchester United come into Anfield unbeaten in their last 11 matches. While United have not looked great doing it, they have managed to grind out the results and sit atop the Premier League whilst Liverpool sulk in eighth.

Anfield has been in shambles this season with the level of criticism of all things Liverpool has reached unprecedented levels. The team's lack of success has led to criticism of everyone from the stewards to the American owners George Gillet and Tom Hicks. Manager Rafa Benitez is received some due criticism about his transfer signings following the Merseysiders' inability to win matches without their two world class players, Steven Gerrard (C) and Fernando Torres. His most expensive signing from the last window has yet to feature in a Liverpool shirt due to injury and his other big buy Glen Johnson has not been a consistent fixture in the Liverpool defense. Additionally, Benitez's rotation policy is beginning to be recognized as fallacious based on the fact that Liverpool do not have the squad depth to effectively carry out the strategy. The Scousers have also been victims of rotten luck, suffering defeat to Sunderland at the weekend from a beach ball thrown onto the pitch by a young Liverpool fan which caused Darren Bent's shot to ricochet away from Pepe Reina and into the goal.

Liverpool have been given a ray of hope coming into the biggest game of the season for them as Fernando Torres is expected to start. Torres owned Nemanja Vidic last season in the second fixture of the United Liverpool derby and ultimately brought about Vidic's sending off. The Scousers are still expected to be without captain Steven Gerrard in midfield which will definitely weaken their chances.

Meanwhile 34 miles to the northwest, Manchester United find themselves in the utter opposite position of their bitterest rivals. Unbeaten in 11 with matchless squad depth, Sir Alex Ferguson has a bevy of options available to him before Sunday's clash. Wayne Rooney remains a major doubt following the calf injury he suffered during England's World Cup Qualifier versus the Ukraine. Darren Fletcher is also an injury concern for Sir Alex as he could miss this fixture due to a groin injury. United this season have been the epitome of the phrase 'gritty champion' having been able to grind out results in spite of their form not being optimal. Such a derby match could bring out the best in United, and I fully expect them to take their chance on Sunday to knock Liverpool out of the title race.

Luis Antonio Valencia has been in stunning form of late, having scored two goals in his last two games.

His goal against Bolton is the pick of the two, and definitely merits a watch. Valencia appears to be settling into life at United after a few shaky performances to start the season. While I do not think he is 'the next Ronaldo' because no one could be that good, he offers some similar qualities and adds a serious commitment to playing on both sides of the midfield line that Ronaldo never did.

As a United fan it is my hope that we thrash Liverpool 5-0 and send them to the depths of the Premier League title race. However, my wishes as a fan are rarely carried out exactly like how I envision them. This match ought to be close, although I expect United to eventually pull away and win 3-1.

Probable Starting XI

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Carragher, Insua, Babel, Benayoun, Lucas, Mascherano, Kuyt, Torres

Manchester United: Van Der Sar, Evra, Vidic, Ferdinand, Neville, Valencia, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Owen, Berbatov.

And who scores the winner, this little girl has the answer.

Why Manchester United Will Lift The EPL Trophy in 2010

Charlie Klein

Round nine of the Barclay's English Premier League brought into sharp reality the nature of the title race this term. Liverpool, robbed of their only world class players, lost to a red balloon at Sunderland and were thoroughly outclassed by a team that finished 16th in the table last season. Chelsea lost it's second consecutive away fixture to Aston Villa on two poorly defended corner kicks. Manchester United won 2-1 on an own goal from Bolton's Zat Knight and Luis Antonio Valencia's first goal in the red of Manchester. Thus, the top four in the EPL are Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham, and Arsenal. Liverpool currently sit in eighth.

While I do not think that Liverpool will finish eighth, their stranglehold on a top four position seems to be in major doubt. Gaffer Rafa Benitez has been horribly out of touch tactically this season and again picked a dysfunctional side for a tough away fixture. His inability to sign squad players to provide adequate cover for Gerrard and Torres' absences combined with his rotation policy has led to increased frustration on the part of many Liverpool fans. What's more, Liverpool have already lost twice as many games as they did last season, where they failed to collect a point on only two occasions. Liverpool are not winning the league this season. If anything can be learned from the first nine rounds of 09/10, it is that the top four teams are no longer safe bets to comfortably win 80 percent of their games.

Chelsea began the season in similar to form to the likes of which Luis Felipe Scolari was able to inspire from the Pensioners at the start of 08/09. And yet their past two games have revealed obvious chinks in the armour of what many believed to be a bulletproof outfit. Chelsea's age is beginning to show in addition to their less than impressive defensive form. Chelsea will still challenge for all honours this season, but the loss to Aston Villa is indicative of their inability to win 'ugly.'

This season is not going to be about 6-1 thrashings of relegation fodder. That is why I still do not view Arsenal as a serious title contender. Their 3-1 win over Birmingham at home, while a good result, still does not identify the Gunners as major threats to United's crown. Champions are often defined and made by their capability to win under any circumstances. Manchester United's history is defined by such moments, whether they be the famous 2-1 1999 Champions League Final win over Bayern Munich or defeating Manchester City in the 96th minute on a goal from Michael Owen in the last Manchester derby.

Manchester United's ability to grind out results that they may or may not deserve is unquestioned. The match at home versus Sunderland is a perfect example of this unique capability. Down 2-1 in stoppage time, Patrice Evra bursts into the box and haphazardly fires a horrid shot into the box, which is deflected by Anton Ferdinand into the back of the net to save a key point from the jaws of defeat. Another example of this is the match at home to Arsenal. United turned in one of their worst performances in recent memory and yet still managed to snatch the all-important three points. It is this intangible concept that pushes United on to a fourth consecutive EPL title.

The boys in red have all of the necessary qualities to repeat as champions for the fourth consecutive season. The amount of squad depth that Sir Alex Ferguson has available to him is truly ridiculous. One only needs to look at the possible starting central midfield options to come to the same conclusion. Ferguson's first choice central midfield pairing so far this season has been Darren Fletcher and Paul Scholes, and yet the pairing that started versus Bolton of Anderson and Michael Carrick did a fantastic job in their stead. Add returning midfield dynamo Owen Hargreaves to the mix and Sir Alex has quite a selection headache. All of those five central midfielders could be considered world class or to have that potential.

Many people inside and outside the game of football said that United would struggle to score goals without Crisitiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez leaving the club in the summer window. Thus far, how clear for all to see is the fact that United are again top of the table without either. The goals continue to come from a diverse group of men. Dimitar Berbatov has settled into life at United and his goal versus Sunderland was absolutely brilliant. People thought United would fall without old buddy (Ronaldo), but they just keep scoring.

Do not be surprised at all if when you see Manchester United at the top of the table come the business end of the season. Of the top four sides, United has played the most difficult schedule and has managed to simultaneously keep up with the sides at the top. The defining fixtures are still to come, as United visit Anfield next weekend and then go to Stamford Bridge on November 8th. And yet with the return of Owen Hargreaves thinks look to be getting better for the Red Devils of Manchester.

The Best Team In The NHL Is... The New York Rangers

Charlie Klein

As of October 14, 2009, at 10:22 pm the New York Rangers are the best team in hockey. The Rangers are 6-1 and are firing on all cylinders. Not only is this team playing well, every one of their seven games have been exciting and driven by offense.

Over the past ten seasons the Rangers have lacked a team identity. Around the league they had become known as the team that attempted quick fixes for all of their problems. The signings of Eric Lindros, Theoren Fleury, Pavel Bure, Alexei Kovalev, Jaromir Jagr, and Bobby Holik were all indications of GM Glen Sather's misguided philosophy. It was not until the hiring of Tom Renney did the Rangers begin to develop younger talent and ship away their expensive stars. And yet Renney was unable to get the best out of his team, leaving many Rangers fans wanting so much more than they were getting. Enter John Tortorella.

John Tortorella, known as Torts around the Garden these days, has brought new life and true identity to a New York Rangers team that sorely needed both. Much in the way that Sean Avery's introduction to the team in the 2006-2007 season energized the rest of the team, Tortorella has managed to spark even the likes of Wade Redden and Michael Rozsival into at least average performances.

And yet the Rangers disappointed once again in 2008-2009. After going up three games to one on the Washington Capitals, the Blue Shirts proceeded to lose the rest of the games en route to another early exit from the playoffs. Many pointed out that the Rangers just needed more offensive firepower to seriously challenge the likes of the Capitals and the Penguins for the top spots in the Eastern Conference. And GM Glen Sather listened.

During the offseason the Rangers employed an old stand by and dipped their hand into the Dolan family wallet by signing free agent winger Marian Gaborik from the Minnesota Wild. Gaborik, incredibly talented, but oft-injured, has been a force for the Rangers this season with 10 points from seven games. Also brought in were defenseman Matt Gilroy, Vinny Prospal, Donald Brashear, Ales Kotalik, and Brian Boyle, all in an effort to make the Rangers more efficient in the offensive zone. The biggest trade made by the Rangers was the Scott Gomez for Christopher Higgins deal with the Montreal Canadiens. I always liked Gomez as a person, but frankly, he was not producing enough and was rightfully sent away. Higgins has yet to settle in for New York, but has shown flashes of what he can do this season.

So why are the Rangers the best team in the league? All of the pieces are starting to come together. The defensive quartet of Marc Staal, Daniel Girardi, Michael Del Zotto, and Matt Gilroy are coming together perfectly for Glen Sather and John Tortorella, and their average age is 23 years old. Brandon Dubinsky centres one of the best lines in the Eastern Conference, providing the much needed grit and puck-handling ability to meld perfectly with Vinny Prospal and Marian Gaborik. And the Rangers No. 2 line of Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, and Christopher Higgins has also been strong this season. Then there is always the strong play of the best dressed man in Sweden, King Henrik Lundqvist. The King had another great game tonight at the Garden making key save after key save earning the First Star of the game versus the Kings.

The Rangers started the 2008-2009 season in similar form. What makes this year different? It the new identity forged by coach John Tortorella. Having watched them defeat the Washington Capitals here in D.C. last week, I can personally attest to the fact that this year's Rangers team is much improved, and I expect big things from them this season.

Los Angeles Dodgers NLCS Bound

Charlie Klein

The Los Angeles Dodgers advance to the National League Championship Series for the second year in a row following a sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals last night at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The Dodgers dominated the Cardinals in every way imaginable, making it look all too easy in their march to the league championship, holding the Cardinals to six runs over three games.

The most surprising element of the series is the Cardinals' inability to score runs on a Dodgers pitching staff that was drawing much criticism going into the playoffs. A lineup with a 3-4-5 of Ryan Ludwick, Albert Pujols, and Matt Holliday was thought to be a major driving force to the Cardinals playoff run in October. And yet the trio combined for only three runs batted in and a combined average of .266. How did the Dodgers manage to hold them so easily? Great pitching.

Starters Randy Wolf, Clayton Kershaw (who we highlighted earlier this year, article done by Puneet Singh), and Vicente Padilla combined for 17.1 innings at a 2.54 ERA. The Dodgers bullpen also contributed with great performances by closer Jonathan Broxton, George Sherrill, and Ronald Belisario shutting down the anemic Red Birds offense.

The Dodgers look poised for a World Series appearance this fall. They match up well with either the Colorado Rockies or Philadelphia Phillies. Either opponent would be welcome for the Dodgers, who would love to exact revenge on the Phillies or face a familiar opponent in the Rockies. If, and this is a big if, the Dodgers manage to maintain their strong pitching and hitting, look out for them in a few weeks. The Lakers could have company in LA as world champions.

Forever Young: Sir Ryan Giggs

Charlie Klein

Eight matches into the 2009/2010 English Premier League season and Manchester United are once again within two points of first place Chelsea in the league table. At this point last season, United were looking up at both Liverpool and Chelsea and many were wondering if the champions could muster a successful third defense of their league title. And that was with FIFA World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo.

Why have United been so successful this season? Two words: Ryan Giggs. The harshest of football critics save nothing but the highest of superlatives for the manner in which Giggs has played thus far for the only club he has ever known. There was much speculation over who would step up in the absence of the Portuguese wunderkid. Would Nani finally realize his great potential? How would Luis Antonio Valencia cope with life at United? Neither of them with their much younger legs have managed to be as influential as the 35 year-old Ryan Giggs.

Manchester certainly owe some of their success to striker Wayne Rooney, who started the season on fire and has six goals to his account in eight fixtures. Darren Fletcher has also drawn plaudits for his incredible tackling and movement in the midfield. And yet the evergreen Giggs continues to outshine them both. Against Stoke City at the Brittania Stadium, a notoriously difficult place for any away side, it was not until the introduction of Ryan Giggs in the 56th minute that United managed to produce chances on the Stoke goal. Six minutes after his introduction, he set Dimitar Berbatov up with a picture perfect cross and all the dynamic Bulgarian had to do was stick his foot out and it was in the back of the net.

Giggs was superb again for United in the derby against Manchester City. He regularly skinned Micah Richards, who is 21 years old, sending in numerous crosses and proving that even at his age he can still play the wide position as well as anyone in the world.

For my money, Ryan Giggs is one of the best human beings to ever lace up a pair of football boots. A class act off the pitch, respected unanimously even amongst United's fiercest rivals, and a great United captain, and with 11 EPL and two CL titles to his name, Giggs is unquestionably the top footballer of the past 20 years. Sure, players like Ronaldo, Messi, Kaka, etc get all of the headlines, but Ryan Giggs continues to turn in sublime performance after sublime performance.

Arise Sir Ryan Giggs.

Weekly Fail: Thundersticks

Charlie Klein

There are a few reasons why I find the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to be a quite unsavoury MLB franchise. A team with very little history of which to speak, and are notable for the Angels in the Outfield movies, a rally monkey, and one World Series Championship, continue to annoy the absolute piss out of me every time I watch a game at 'The Big A.'

No, it is not because they have beaten my beloved Mariners every year to the AL West title. It is because of those accursed thundersticks! Nothing says bush league like blown up red phallic pieces of plastic, when banged together, make quite a bit of noise. I will admit, when I was in middle school I enjoyed banging thundersticks at college football games. But when I see 40 year-old men banging them, it makes me feel sick.

Let's be real, Angels fans have no idea how to be real sports fans. Furthermore, Anaheim, the rest of the league is laughing at your thunderstick antics. Bud Selig ought to ban thundersticks from MLB stadiums in the same way that the NFL has done already. These thundersticks are why I refuse to watch any game played in that craphole of a stadium with the sound on. If you see someone with thundersticks, poke a hole in them please, and save us all the trouble of having to see them anymore.

NHL Season Preview: Western Conference

Charlie Klein

While I am sorry to say that I was not able to fulfill my promise of providing a Western Conference breakdown yesterday, I am publishing it now, so please enjoy. I know the season has already started, but these picks are not influenced by what I have seen go down in the past few days.

CENTRAL

1. Detroit Red Wings

While everyone likes to make the 'sexy' pick of putting the Blackhawks above the Red Wings this season, I see no reason to change something that has worked so well for so long. The Red Wings have such a monopoly on this division that Congress should investigate it. And the Wings have not lost enough players to change this prediction. While Marian Hossa was a strong contributor last season, his absence in the playoffs highlighted him as surplus to requirements at the Joe. The line of Zetterberg, Datsyuk, and Franzen could be the best line in the NHL. And Niklas Lidstrom is still even at the tender age of 36 a candidate for the Norris.

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Everyone loves this team. I feel like Barry Melrose just picked them because he likes their jersey, which he mentioned in his pre-season predictions. They are a fantastic team to watch and I love the way they fly around the rink. Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Sharp are all a year older and have the essential playoff experience to improve upon last season. It is not in the forward department that I find the Blackhawks to be lacking. Their goalie, Cristobal Huet, is too inconsistent and has not played to the level that the Blackhawks thought he would when they signed him from Washington. The Bulin Wall leaving to Edmonton will have a negative impact on the Blackhawks, that is for sure. They will still make a run in the playoffs, but I am not as big on the Blackhawks as everyone else.

3. St. Louis Blues

I really do not like this team. Maybe it is because of my Kansas City bias and generally disliking almost everything that has come from the state of Missouri (aside from the Steak N Shake restaurants). Their team is still pretty strong but I think they were pretty fortunate to make the playoffs last season. After the Canucks swept them, it became abundantly clear that the Blues remain poseurs on the big stage.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets

And I said the Blues were fortunate to make the playoffs... the Blue Jackets playoff qualification was truly miraculous. Rick Nash is a fantastic player and I wish he played in a bigger market or more of a hockey town than Columbus, Ohio. Their team is pretty solid, and their young goalie Steve Mason will be even better this season. They could make the playoffs, but I doubt it.

5. Nashville Predators

There really is not much to say about this team. They have a strong corps of defensemen but overall their offense is to erratic to guarantee success. I still do not understand why they have a hockey team in Nashville. Ryan Suter is a great defenseman and I like David Legwand. The Predators have two solid goalies, but I don't expect much from them this season.

NORTHWEST

1. Vancouver Canucks

I really really like this team. Don't worry, I did not just have to change my pants after writing that, but I think this Canucks team has a lot of potential. As a Canucks fan during my younger days, I always felt like if the Canucks had a legitimate tender not named Dan Cloutier that they would win the Stanley Cup in a cinch. And yet every season thus far with Roberto Luongo has ended in the same way. I was not a big fan of the Canucks re-signing the Sedin twins for the amount that they did, but hopefully they can finally put together a big season. I am a big fan of Ryan Kesler and expect big things from him this season.

2. Calgary Flames

Jerome Iginla is just too sick. One of the most under appreciated players in the NHL, he leads a very talented Flames team into the 2009-2010 season. Mikka Kiprusoff is much better than his statistics indicate last season and the addition of Jay Bouwmeester to a defense that already boasts one of the best young defenseman in the league Dion Phaneuf, all sloppy seconds aside. The Flames ran into a buzz saw last season in the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the playoffs. I am not sure they will avoid the same fate this season, but they may make it more interesting.

3. Edmonton Oilers

Personally, I've never really liked the Oilers. Maybe it's because I'm a fan of the Canucks, but there's something about this team I've never liked. Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff will be major contributors to their offense this season, and the addition of the Bulin Wall (Nikolai Khabibulin) will be an improvement to their defense, but I just don't see them making many moves this season in the West.

4. Colorado Avalanche

This pick may come as a surprise, but I really think the Avalanche will not finish last in this division. Maybe they will use the Opening Night Joe Sakic ceremony as inspiration for the rest of the season. There is also the usual will Peter Forsberg return questions being asked around the Pepsi Center. What we do know about the Avalanche this season is that they still have Milan Hejduk, Paul Stasny, and Jean Michael-Liles. They also brought back Adam Foote to captain their team this season. The Avs success this season is largely dependent upon getting consistent goalie play from either Craig Anderson or Peter Budaj.

5. Minnesota Wild

Their chant "Let's go Wild" is about the only good thing going for the Wild this season. The loss of Marian Gaborik, without getting anything in return, definitely hurts them this season. The addition of Martin Havlat from the Chicago Blackhawks is a decent replacement, but does not do enough to account for Gaborik's blistering speed (few players in the NHL can skate as fast). Goalie Niklas Backstrom will keep them in a lot of games, but ultimately they will be cellar dwellers in 2009-2010.

PACIFIC

1. San Jose Sharks

Everyone loves the Sharks this term. The same statement was true last year, and the year before that. Perennial post-season underachievers, the San Jose Sharks opted to trade for goal machine Dany Heatley during the offseason from Ottawa. While not the greatest locker room guy (which explains why he has played for so many teams before the age of 28), Heatley has a proven track record of scoring. Put him on a line with assist machine Joe Thornton and you have instant reliable offense. The evergreen Rob Blake captains this team this season, which takes some of the pressure off of Patrick Marleau. This could ultimately be the best thing for both Marleau and the team. And they have the perennial Vezina Trophy candidate Evgeni Nabokov back in net. The Sharks should take this division with relative ease.

2. Anaheim Ducks

My name is Jonas. It is a classic Weezer song, but it is also the name of the next big goalie to come out of the Anaheim Ducks system. While others may want to get Giggy with it, I'm sticking with Jonas Hiller. I like the Ducks roster a lot this season. I think Scott Niedermayer could play until he is Chris Chelios' age and still maintain a high level of play. Ryan Getzlaf is an emerging young star in this league, it is too bad that he gets overshadowed by Ovechkin and Crosby because he plays in Anaheim. The Ducks forward lines of Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry, Joffrey Lupul, Saku Koivu, and Teemu Selanne should be enough to produce this season.

3. Dallas Stars

While I personally object to their being a hockey team in Dallas, the city has taken to the idea and the Stars should have another decent season. I picked them to finish third because Marty Turco is a year older and because the forwards are just too old. Why on earth is Mike Modano still playing hockey? His best years are behind him and he is slowing the progress of the Stars by sticking around hoping for another shot at a Cup. I'm not a big fan of Stars captain Brenden Morrow (not because of how I feel about Mariners pitcher Brendan Morrow) and the only reason I am picking them to finish third is because I love the name Jeff Woywitka.

4. Los Angeles Kings

Oh how long ago it really feels since Wayne Gretzky and Luc Robataille brought hockey to the front pages of the Los Angeles Times. I oftentimes forget they even have a hockey team in Los Angeles. Just kidding. All jokes aside, this current Kings team does not offer much for the 2009-2010 campaign. What Kings fans can look forward to this season is the continued progression of their emerging star Anze Kopitar. Kopitar is only 22 years old and is already an assistant captain on this team. He too is overshadowed by the young stars out east, but believe me, in a few years his name will be right up there with the very best. The Kings also have two solid goalies in the young Jonathan Quick (23) and Erik Ersberg, but I do not think it will be enough for them this season. As Lil Wayne said about Miley Cyrus, in about three years, holla at me L.A. Kings.

5. Phoenix Coyotes

Gary Bettman, please move this team. I apologize if you live in the Phoenix/Glendale, Arizona area, but quite frankly, there should not be a hockey team in Arizona, especially one this bad. It has been a while since the days of Jeremy Roenick and even the Great One Wayne Gretzky became too fed up with this team. Ilya Bryzgalov is a pretty good goalie and I've always liked Shane Doan, but the Coyotes do not have near enough talent to make a run this year. Kyle Turris could emerge as another bright young star in the constellation of Getzlaf, Kopitar, etc out west, but that's really all you Coyotes fans can hope for this year.

SO the Western Conference Playoff Picture:

1. San Jose Sharks

2. Vancouver Canucks

3. Detroit Red Wings

4. Chicago Blackhawks

5. Calgary Flames

6. Anaheim Ducks

7. Edmonton Oilers

8. St. Louis Blues

NHL Season Preview 2009

Charlie Klein

The National Hockey League is the most under appreciated sport in the United States. Family, friends, comrades, et. al, this is the year to get into the NHL if you have not already. The league has some amazing young talent that is in the process of redefining the way the game is played. More importantly, the game is much more competitive, with almost any team (to the exclusion of Florida, New York Islanders, and Phoenix) having a slap shot at winning Lord Stanley's Cup. With that, I shall commence my picks for each division, who makes the playoffs, and will identify a couple of players to watch for each team this season. Today I will publish my picks for the Eastern Conference, and tomorrow I will put out my picks for the West.

ATLANTIC

1. Pittsburgh Penguins

As much as I personally would like to say that last year was a fluke, that they could not possibly win it all again, I cannot say that. The Penguins are a legitimate team again this season with a definite capability of winning the Cup. I love watching Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin and their goalie Marc-Andre Fleury is superb. The supporting cast of Sykora, Staal, and Kunitz make the Penguins the logical choice for this division.

2. New York Rangers

Call it a homer pick, but I really believe the Rangers are ready to be the second best team and really push the Penguins for the top spot in the division. The trade of Scott Gomez to Montreal could be a boon for the Rangers, as Christopher Higgins offers more of a goal scoring threat at a lower price. The Rangers also added the speedy Slovak winger Marian Gaborik, who should lighten the pressure on Chris Drury to be the Mr. Everything on both ends of the ice. The Rangers are a bit untested in defense, but they still have King Henrik Lundqvist between the pipes, and expect a big year from him.

3. Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers look strong again this year following a disappointing performance against eventual champions Pittsburgh in the playoffs. The addition of Chris Pronger is a significant upgrade to their defense and their forwards are just as strong as ever. Claude Giroux was a nice player for them at the end of last season, and I expect big things from him this term. Do not be surprised if each of the top three teams in this division make the playoffs, it is that good. Reason I picked the Flyers this low is because I have no confidence in Ray Emery's ability to remain consistent.

4. New Jersey Devils

The Devils could also make the playoffs this season, but I just don't see them stacking up with the rest of the division in terms of the quality of their roster. Sure, any team with Martin Brodeur always has a chance and Zach Parise is a tremendous player, but I do not see them making many waves this season.

5. New York Islanders

Oh what a mess this franchise is in! I do not see them doing anything at all this season. I do hope that their No. 1 overall pick John Tavares provides a spark to their lacklustre offense and gives me a reason to watch their games (whenever they are televised). Dwayne Roloson is a solid addition in case Rick DiPietro gets injured again, which would not surprise me in the least. No playoffs for the Islanders this season. Expect another draft pick in the top five next season.

NORTHEAST

1. Boston Bruins

I love watching Milan Lucic play hockey. Aside from Alexander Ovechkin, Roberto Luongo and Henrik Lundqvist, he is my favourite player in the NHL. The lad can check, fight, slap, shoot, pass, and score all day. He is one of the young players in the league who I think have the opportunity to broaden the appeal of the game. All of my love for Looch aside, the Bruins have a very deep squad again this season. The trade of Phil Kessel to Toronto will have an impact on their season to be sure, but there is still enough quality to see them through. Goaltender Tim Thomas, last season's Vezina Trophy winner for best goaltender in the NHL, is a rock in defense, as well as Zdeno Chara, who won the Norris Trophy for the NHL's best defenseman.

2. Montreal Canadiens

I sort of picked the Canadiens to finish in this position by default. I am not impressed with Ottawa, Toronto, or Buffalo so I just slotted the Canadiens in second. I expect goalie Carey Price to have an improved season and the Canadiens always seem to have a nice set of forwards, including the Brothers Kostitsyn, although Sergei is currently in a hold out. The Canadiens also added Scott Gomez, in part to replace the departed Alexei Kovalev (now on the Ottawa Senators). They should have a decent year, although nothing commensurate to their teams of old.

3. Toronto Maple Leafs

I honestly like the work that the Leafs have done this offseason. The signing of Jonas Gustavsson, aka the Monster, is a big addition to their defense as I expect him to play much better than Vesa Toskala this season. I like the addition of Kessel, albeit at a steep cost, but it makes them a more valid contender this season. I don't see them making the playoffs, but it will be a better year for the Air Canada Centre crowd than those previous. I am a big fan of Nikolai Kulemin and I expect big things from him the season. The Leafs are not quite back to the days during which Pat Quinn was at the helm, but they are improving.

4. Buffalo Sabres

Sorry Buffalo Sabres fans, but Terrell Owens cannot play hockey too. The Sabres still have Thomas Vanek and solid depth, but I don't see them mounting a serious challenge to any of the teams at the top of this division. Ryan Miller is a quality goaltender, but not enough so that he can carry this team single-handedly. The Sabres should just be happy they get to play Ottawa this season. Speaking of...

5. Ottawa Senators

The trade of Dany Heatley to the San Jose Sharks could be just what the free Canadian doctor ordered for the Senators' locker room, but it also leaves a gargantuan void in the offensive department. Getting Jonathan Cheechoo is solid compensation, but he is not going to score you 50 goals a year, or near that on a consistent basis. Daniel Alfredsson is still a great forward and Jason Spezza is a fantastic centre, but I do not see the rest of the team stepping up this season. Kovalev + Cheechoo does not equal Dany Heatley, and as such the Sens will suffer. And their jerseys, not too good this season

SOUTHEAST

1. Washington Capitals

I'm banking on the Caps making big moves this season. With additional playoff experience, the young guns of Alexander Ovechkin, Niklas Backstrom, Alexander Semin, Mike Green, and backup goaltender Simeon Varlamov, the Capitals have the roster to do it all this year. What's more, they play in a relatively weaker division that will not take as much work to win as the Northeast or Atlantic.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

Any team with Eric Staal has a solid chance to do pretty well. One of the best players in the NHL who does not get the same pub as Crosby or Ovechkin, Staal can do it all and aside from a bad performance in the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Pittsburgh Penguins, had a great 2008-2009. Cam Ward is spectacular when in form and the Canes have the veteran leadership of Rob Brind'Amour. I'll say they barely make the playoffs this season.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning

While I do not think they will return to their Stanley Cup Champion form, I expect the Lightning to do better this season. After giving us back Barry Melrose, how could I want bad things for them? Their No. 1 line of Alex Tanguay, Vincent Lecavalier, and Martin St. Louis is pretty damn strong and their supporting cast are not bad with the inclusion of Ryan Malone. The Bolts also have solid goalie depth with Antero Nittymaki and Mike Smith. While I do not expect them to win the division, they could theoretically overtake Carolina this year.

4. Atlanta Thrashers

I'm slotting them ahead of the Panthers by virtue of the fact that they have Ilya Kovalchuk. I honestly wish that Kovalchuk played in a bigger market or just on a team that had more passionate supporters than the Atlanta Thrashers. He does not have a bevy of talent around him, especially when you visit the Thrashers website he is advertised next to their next best player, Nik Antropov, who is not nearly as good as Ilya. Kovalchuk is a free agent after this season, so look for him to be dealt at the deadline or be the biggest free agent on the market next summer.

5. Florida Panthers

Could all of last year's progress be undone by losing one player? It certainly feels like it with the Florida Panthers. This offseason to avoid getting nothing for Jay Bouwmeester, the Panthers traded him to the Calgary Flames for Jordan Leopold and a third round pick. While I think Leopold has great potential and will be a star for the U.S. Men's team in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, he is not Jay Bouwmeester. The Panthers still have Tomas Vokoun, Stephen Weiss, and David Booth, I do not expect them to do much better than the Islanders this season. I love their announcer, but I just can't extend that love to the team in the 2009-2010.

SO the Eastern Conference Playoff picture will look something like this

1. Washington Capitals

2. Pittsburgh Penguins

3. Boston Bruins

4. New York Rangers

5. Philadelphia Flyers

6. Montreal Canadiens

7. New Jersey Devils

8. Carolina Hurricanes