As we approach midseason in the NHL lets look back at the first half starting in the Atlantic. I will also include my outlook for the rest of the season.
Atlantic Division 1/13/09
1. Philadelphia Flyers 55 points
2. New York Rangers 54 points
3. New Jersey Devils 51 points
4. Pittsburgh Penguins 44 points
5. New York Islanders 28 points
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers have quietly taken first place in this division away f! rom the Rangers. NYR was able to build a huge lead in this division thanks to playing so many games early in the season. In fact, they have still played 2 more games than the Flyers. Philly slowly crept back into the picture and now find themselves on top. The comeback has begun with good goaltending. The Flyers came into the season featuring Martin Biron whom they acquired last year from Buffalo. But as the year has progressed, we have seen more and more of Antero Nittymaki. Nittymaki has better GAA and Save % than Biron and boasts a record of 8-3. Biron still has a respectable 15-7 record. More and more we are seeing the two solid goaltenders theme being very important in the NHL. The Flyers have figured that out. Not only does it promote competition and make these guys feel as if they have to earn it, but it allows coaches to ride the hot goalie. It also allows coaches to mix and match depending on previous histories. Philly has also gotten great offense from Jeff Carter! , Mike Richards, and Simon Gagne. The Flyers if they continue ! to get t he production from their goalies will be in the postseason.
New York Rangers
The Rangers as I mentioned jumped out to that terrific start, but are suddenly dropping by the day. I never felt this was a division-winning team and they are starting to show it. This team has to be careful or they could slip right out of the postseason. The one fortunate thing for NY is their division is very tight and no one seems to be able to grab the reins. King Henrik must dominate b! etween the pipes for this team to win this division. Nikolai Zherdev and Markus Naslund have been solid contributors just as NYR had hoped they would, but the loss of Jarmoir Jagr is starting to show. Certain guys need to step up and in particularly Brandon Dubinsky. He has shown glimpses of stardom and for NY to make the playoffs this season he needs to become one. It isn't panic mode yet Rangers fans, but watch out because Pittsburgh can only get better. And oh yeah, Martin Brodeur will be back at some point for the Devils.
New Jersey Devils
Pittsburgh Penguins
From an appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals to 4th place in their division, Pittsburgh has not had the season they expected. They are 2-8 in their last ten games and things seem to be unraveling for Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and the young Pens. Pitt expected to be one of the best teams in the NHL again because of all their returning talent, but the losses of Marian Hossa and Ryan Malone look devastating right now. Jordan Staal has broken out, but a lot of others guys have not been able to pick up the slack for all of this teams losses. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has had his struggles, but it is not just on him. This entire team from stars all the way down the line to the role-players have underachieved. Good news for the Pens however, it cannot get any worse. This team can only climb and I believe they do in the second half. Crosby and Malkin need to step up and be the leaders they can! be for a start. The ceiling for this team is higher than any ! other sq uad besides Detroit and I expect them to make the playoffs in some fashion. The division may be difficult especially if Philly continues to play well and NJ picks up speed as I expect them to, but you will here from the Penguins later in the season.
New York Islanders
Simply put, worst team in the NHL and I expect them to remain that way. This is a bad organization, with bad players, and a bad front office. You will not be hearing from the Islanders this season or likely anytime soon! . This team needs a facelift starting with the guys upstairs.
Next up, the Northeast Division. That will come in the next few days.
