2010 NHL Atlantic Division Season Preview, Predictions Picks & Odds | Sportsbookbuzz.com

2010 NHL Atlantic Division Season Preview, Predictions Picks & Odds

Welcome to the best and most complete 2010 NHL Atlantic Division Season Preview available online. The teams that make up our 2010 NHL Atlantic Season Preview are the New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Atlantic Division that had three playoff teams (Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and New Jersey) and produced the east’s representative in the Stanley Cup (Philadelphia…I still can’t believe it). Barring a massive surprise, all three teams should make their return to the postseason, with an outside chance of a fourth joining them..

2010 New Jersey Devils Season Preview

While the New Jersey Devils may crap out early in the postseason (which I fully believe will happen every year as long as Martin Brodeur is still in net), they’re built for a very successful regular season run. They own two of the league’s top players in Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk. They have strong secondary scoring, and Brodeur is still a good goaltender that can succeed during the season. Plus, they made perhaps the most underrated signing of the offseason, inking defenseman and shot-blocking extraordinaire Anton Volchankov to a five-year deal. Their postseason may not last long, but they’re the best built team in this division.

New Jersey Devils Odds: +300 to win the Stanley Cup at BetUS

New Jersey Devils 2010 Season Preview – New Jersey Devils 2010 Season Schedule

2010 New York Islanders Season Preview

The New York Islanders are still a year away from seriously contending, although they could show signs of it in 2010. The core of John Tavares, Josh Bailey and Kyle Okposo should be very good, although they could just as easily all experience second/third year slumps; if that happens this team will be even worse than last year. Matt Moulson probably won’t score 30 goals again, putting even more pressure on the kids. The defense isn’t terrible, although the team still needs a franchise goalie. They’re not playoff ready yet, but at least they’re on the right track.

New York Islanders Odds: +2500 to win the Stanley Cup at BetUS

New York Islanders 2010 Season Preview – New York Islanders 2010 Season Schedule

2010 New York Rangers Season Preview

The New York Rangers missed the postseason by one point, doomed by a decision not to put Marion Gaborik in a shootout that, should they have won, would’ve put them into the playoffs. It’s a decision that haunted the team over the offseason. This team still revolves goalie Henrik Lundqvist, and as long as he stays healthy the Rangers will have a chance to win every time he’s in the net. Their biggest issue is putting the puck into the opposing net. Gaborik is the team’s only true offensive threat, and the team did little to change that in the past few months.

New York Rangers Odds: +2000 to win the Stanley Cup at BetUS

New York Rangers 2010 Season Preview – New York Rangers 2010 Season Schedule

2010 Philadelphia Flyers Season Preview

The Philadelphia Flyers surprise Stanley Cup run was only surprising because of the horrible start they had to the season; this was a team many picked to make the finals before the early-season collapse. One coaching change later and the Flyers were back on track and on their way to postseason glory. However, I predict a letdown. There’s no way Michael Leighton can be as good all season this year as he was down the stretch in 09-10. And without top-notch goaltending this team wouldn’t have made the playoffs in the first place. They have enough talent to get back to the postseason, even if Jeff Carter misses more time with health issues.

Philadelphia Flyers Odds: +350 to win the Stanley Cup at BetUS

Philadelphia Flyers 2010 Season Preview – Philadelphia Flyers 2010 Season Schedule

2010 Pittsburgh Penguins Season Preview

There are legitimate concerns about the Pittsburgh Penguins offense. Obviously those concerns don’t reach to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, but the rest of the team is fairly questioned. Jordan Staal is hurt, and Pascal Dupuis, Chris Kunitz and Max Talbot are not viable options as secondary scoring. As big of a concern that is, that’s really the only one they have. The defense is still fantastic, and the additions of Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek didn’t hurt that. Marc-Andre Fluery is undeservedly seen as less than an elite goaltender; the guy can play. The lack of scoring depth is an issue, but not something that will keep Pittsburgh from rising in the division.