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NHL Predictions for 2016-17 Regular Season – Atlantic Division

By Daniel Mcclue

Oct 4, 2016; Quebec City, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) and Montreal Canadiens forward Alexander Radulov (47) battle in front of the net during the second period of a preseason hockey game at Centre Videotron. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 4, 2016; Quebec City, Quebec, CAN; Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug (47) and Montreal Canadiens forward Alexander Radulov (47) battle in front of the net during the second period of a preseason hockey game at Centre Videotron. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Predictions: Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) sends a pass across ice as right wing Ryan Callahan (24) battles to get past Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Michael Grabner (40) in the second period at Air Canada Centre. The Leafs won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Predictions: Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) sends a pass across ice as right wing Ryan Callahan (24) battles to get past Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Michael Grabner (40) in the second period at Air Canada Centre. The Leafs won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

Preseason has come to an end, which means it’s time for more NHL predictions for the 2016-17 regular season. This is a divisional preview moving on to the Eastern Conference, starting with the Atlantic Division. Expect the 2 Teams From Florida to battle it out atop the standings.

The Florida Panthers came out of the woodwork to surprise many fans in winning the Atlantic last season. While they were unable to replicate their success in the playoffs – it bodes well for the future.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the league, Toronto Maple Leafs finished dead last and their reward was superstar-in-the-making Auston Matthews.

The Panthers and Floridian rivals Tampa Bay are two teams with a genuine chance of a deep run in the playoffs. Buffalo and Toronto are two teams rebuilding and, while they may offer a surprise or two, will more likely be a threat in the next few years.

In the middle of the pack are the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings. Four teams in a state of flux at the moment. All on the edge of the playoffs – albeit with a slim chance of a deep run, should they scrape in – yet refusing to rebuild.

Oct 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) skates with the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during a preseason hockey game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) skates with the puck against the Montreal Canadiens during a preseason hockey game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Maple Leafs, 8th – 76 points

28th in goals scored, 24th in goals conceded. 29th ranked power-play, 13th ranked penalty-kill (actually not that bad). Toronto was a terrible team last year and more than earned their right to snag Auston Matthews.

Oct 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) gets ready to take a face-off against the Montreal Canadiens during a preseason hockey game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) gets ready to take a face-off against the Montreal Canadiens during a preseason hockey game at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s not all doom and gloom though, Maple Leafs fans. While this season is too soon for a massive rebound, within the next few years the pieces are in place to become contenders.

With Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and Morgan Reilly, they have an extremely impressive young core. They finally have a quality goalie tandem of Frederik Andersen and Jhonas Enroth – Enroth recorded a career-high .922 save percentage last season (with a better possession team in front of him). World-class coach Mike Babcock is the perfect man to take the Leafs back to the top and make them contenders again – the future looks bright.

With such a young team, the important thing this season is to not get into slumps. They are more than capable of surprising a team or two. However, they are just as likely to go several games without a win. Babcock will have to make sure they keep fighting, even if things get bumpy.

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