The new season starts today.Last season I predicted a Calgary/Philly final so I was 50% correct and 50% completely wrong.This season I'm predicting a Washington/Vancouver final.Chicago have lost too many players to win again.

Not kept in with the news over the off season and not entirely exactly clued up with it all, however I do follow Tampa Bay Lightning, so have they kept hold of St Louis and Le Cavalier ? And did they pick up anyone decent in the draft after last seasons demise ?

Set off in a little over 2 hours for the opener, Avs v Hawks.
Tampa still do have those 2 players.
Kings v either Caps or Penguins, kings win.

at two people predictng big things from the caps. They have big goal tending issues for me, I think they will make the play offs, but don't expect them to be real contenders for Lord Stanley's cup.

I am hoping that the Leafs have a realistic chance of getting into the post season, but in reality I am expecting to be let down once again. Although I am happy we started with a win last night against the habs.

I am going to go with a Canucks v Sabres final with the canucks winning it.

New season already upon us and the Hawks coming back for a point against the Av's.

Even though the Hawks have had to lose a few for Cap reasons I still think there is enough there to challenge again this year, whether they make it to another final depends just how they cope with the changes.

As for the final I think any of Hawks, Sharks and possibly the Wings (if they stay pretty injury free) in the West and in the East I think Philly will again be up there alone with Boston who will want to avenge the ousting by Philly when 3-0 up in the series as for the Caps I just dont think they are strong enough in the net plus they seem to struggle come the playoffs.

Great game last night, with the Avs getting the win they so deserved. First game of course but things look promising in Denver. They are lightening fast in both attack and defence, when they make a 'Hawks team that has a deserved reputation for being quick look very average speed wise, its a fast team. They outshot the 'Hawks: last season the Avs were outshot in most games which in itself is an improvement but when you consider the power play time advantage the 'Hawks had (11.18 mins v 2.06 mins) it is a big improvement. Not sure if I was watching the game with my Avs glasses on but the officials seemed to be very leniant on the 'Hawks, allowing them to get away with things that when applied to the Avs resulted in a PP. Probably the advantage of being the cup holders playing the upstarts.
Before the game started there was a celebration of the first Avs cup win with nearly all of the players and coaching staff there. All came onto the ice individually, when Joe Sakic and Patrick Roy came on there were, as you would expect, huge cheers but when Peter Forseburg came on the place erupted. Forseburgs talents are still held with great affection in Colorado.

The Blackhawks should have opened the new season at home just like in the NFL.

Minnesota @ Carolina at 5pm and then at 8pm it's Columbus @ San Jose live on ESPN America.

Having looked at yesterdays highlights I know it's only one game but I think Edmonton could be this years suprise team.If Khabby and Hemsky can stay healthy added to the great young players they've got they could go from the worst team last season to a playoff team this year.

As for my predictions for the cup this year I think last year showed you dont need an elite N/M to get to the finals and I think it's time for Ovechkin to lead his team to the East championship,As for the west Chicago should make the playoffs but after losing Buff,Versteeg etc I worry about the depth in scoring.Vancouver have upgraded their defense with Ballard and Hamhuis joining and with Luongo not captain anymore he can put all his energy into playing instead of leading the team.

They're already planning the parade route down Yonge Street.

To be fair to both Leighton and Niemi they showed that they are pretty good between the pipes where as Theodore is average and both Varlamov and particularly Neuvirth are unproven at this level, admittedly Niemi was too but just not sure about them.

The Hawks will miss Buff and Steegs no question but until we can dump Huet that was always going to happen, but think Bickell and Skille will be good replacements both should do well for the Hawks with some saying Skille will be better than Steegs was, time will tell. Overall I think with the Hawks having to dump salary the club did well and traded smart and mimimised the damage to the team.

Would like to see the Leafs do well this year too and make the play-offs.

A couple of things I noticed from last night was the changes in style both teams had made from last season.
The 'Hawks after last years success seem to have become more of a puck possesion team. I guess that was an area they felt they could improve on after playing 2 possesion teams, Wings and Sharks, in the play offs. The Avs in the play off games against The Sharks were expected to give problems with quick breaks, this did not happen but it did last night, even on the PP the Avs were close to scoring 3 short handers.
To be successful with puck possesion a team has to bring its defence men over the blue line and if there is a breakdown its a long way back to defending the goal.

3 games in and the 1st win for the Blackhawks.4-3 against the Sabres although it was looking unlikely after Buffalo were winning 2-0 after a couple of minutes.

I wonder if the Devils are regreting having signed Kovalchuck to a big contract.The signing put them up against the salary cap and on Monday due to suspension and injuries they only dresses 15 skaters,they couldn't call anybody up because they had no room under the cap.If this goes on all season the fit players will be exhausted by by the time the playoffs come round.

Lending my usual half d support to the Sabres.

Lets go Buffalo! Not a great start to the season, but hopefully the Habs will be seen off tonight!

Bruins beat the Devils 4-1