The NHL D-day is apon us!

So with the start of the season literally so close you can taste it - I thought I would talk about 4 openers that catch my eye.

First off on October 1st, Montreal vs. Toronto should be quite exciting. As a former Duck GM Brian Burke has taken the tough and fast play that gave him a Stanley Cup ring in 2007 and morphed the Leafs into a formidable foe. However, the offense of the Leaf's seems to be lacking unless you get the puck to the blue line. From there you have Beauchemin, Kaberle, Komisarek, and Schenn to pound one-timers into the net. With strong goaltending in net by Toskala and brigning in the "Monster" Gustavsson. I can see Toronto as a strong point.

However, Montreal has offense, offense oh and more offense. Let's run thru the players that will most likely give Toronto a run for their money opening night: Gomez, Cammalleri, Gionta, Kostitsyn, Gill, Markov, Mara, and Spacek. I mean wow, they are loaded w/ new players. Considering they didn't resign any of their free agents this summer- the Canadiens are in good shape. All thats left is to make sure that Carey Price can deliver otherwise - the potential for a win on opening night may just slip away. Prediction (5-3 Canadiens)


Another eastern matchup im looking for is Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay. Now you may ask, why not better teams? well thats just the thing. I believe these teams got better, inface I believe that they have a huge chance of making top 8 this season in the East.

Atlanta has great talent up front w/ Kozlov, Kovalchuk, rookie Kane and now Antropov. Their "D" is a little sparce and their goaltending is relying on Lehtonen. But overall I believe that they can come together this season and really make a strong push for the post-season.

Tampa Bay is in the same boat, they have people like St.Louis, Lacavalier, Stamkos, Tangauy, Malone and Miller being very strong offensive players. On defense they have new comer Hedman who looks promising, Ohlund and Meszaros. Their goaltending is not that impressive to me. Nittymaki and Smith will be competing for the starters position but neither one looks like they can carry the team. They have potential but I just don't see them being the game factor for Tampa this season. Overall though w/ their offense and "D" core I think Tampa will make a great push as well. Prediction(4-3 Tampa Bay)


On to the West where the Ducks vs. Sharks will be a great matchup for anyone to watch. Lets just say both teams improved greatly. Now it's not fair to say that just because Heatley is now a Shark that they will take it to the cup. But it is fair to say that it definately makes them going past the semi finals a strong possibility. The Sharks have always had a great regular season and this looks to be no different. Returning players in Setoguchi, Thornton, Marleau, Blake, Boyle, Huskins, Pavelski, Mitchell and Nabokov. These are the core of a 40win season, now add to the mix Heatley and Malhotra and you got yourself a potential 50win season for the sharks. However consistancy after the regular season is always going to be their achilles heel. Let's hope last seasons early dissappointment is a wake-up call to them.

Who delivered that wake-up call you ask? The Anaheim Ducks that's who! their opening night opponnet didn't sleep this offseason either. W/ Getzlaf, Perry, Ryan, Selanne, Ebbet, Marchant, Whitney, Wisnieski, Niedermayer, Giguere and Hiller returning and Koivu, Sbisa, Lupul, Emiger and Boyton making great additions the Ducks haven't looked stronger since their 2007 Stanley Cup run. Now to say that they can pull this off is far from certain w/ a decent pre-season showing except a 6-0 loss to the sharks. All we know is the Ducks have the tools to make a great run they just have to prove it night in and night out. Their first test? the team that beat them to a pulp in the pre-season. The rival San Jose Sharks. Prediction (5-4 OT Anaheim)

The last game I wanna talk about is the Wild vs. Blue Jackets. Both teams improved to some degree but I think this will be a great test of goaltending between these two western conference foes. The Blue Jackets made the post season last year for the first time and were swept by the Detriot Red Wings. Now to say they haven't learned from that would be insulting. However as we all know - saying and doing are two different things. The Wild didn't even contend last season, what happend you ask? how about last minute losses and a close race for 8th. However, they pumped up their team w/ the additions of Havlat and Sykora and seem poised to make a statement that last season won't happen again. They are clearly trying to be top 8 w/ some room from the bottom half of the list.

From Columbus I love their potential for offense in youngsters - Filatov, Calvert, Boll, and Mason are strong points for Columbus to keep building on. From Minnesota I believe the addition of Havlat will have the most impact, you're getting a great offensive player w/ the ability to score and assist on any play. Look for their rush game to be significant in creating 2 on 1's or 3 on 1's. Prediction (3-2 OT Blue Jackets)