The 2006 NHL Eastern conference play off race outlook is somewhat unpredictable.   Philadelphia and Ottawa , who are tipped to be the front runners, have not disappointed.   But a team such as Torronto has not come up to expectations.   The eye-openers, who were not expected to be successful, are Buffalo, Carolina, and Rangers.

There are 5 teams, who have already made the play-offs, and are competing for seedings.   The other 3 places have to be fought out by 4 teams.   Teams such as the Panthers, Islanders, and Leafs (ain’t gonna make it), although their fans still have forlorn hopes of getting in. 

OTTAWA SENATORS  

This team shares with Detroit the NHL’s best record.   Although they have not maintained the momentum they started out with, their scoring potential measures up to any team out there.   On the injured list is, Dominik Hasek, who has not recovered from his injury in the Olympics, however, his stand in Ray Emery, has proved to be a more than capable substitute.   Zdeno Chara is out with a broken hand, and his absence will be felt.  

The Senators are going well in the play offs, and it is hoped this will be their season of accomplishment.

Unfortunately the hurricanes have lost Eric Cole, who has an injury to his neck.   The other Eric, Eric Staal has not disappointed, and will welcome “the oldies” in Doug Weight, and Mark Recchi, to participate in the play-offs.   You bet against the Hurricanes at your peril.

BUFFALO SABRES

This team is the surprise packet of the year, and have shown consistent form all season.

Their goal tenders Miller and Biron, have been as solid as rocks.   Another team to be wary of.

NEW YORK RANGERS

The Rangers are better than anticipated, and in Jaromir Jagr, they have a player reputed to be the best in the league.   They should be called the Czech Rangers, because a lot of their players are Czechs.   You can expect these “Czechs to bounce” into contention.   Their gold medallist, goal tender Henrik Lundqvist is a stone wall.   They will be hard to conquer.

The Philly flyers have unfortunately had more than their fair share of injuries.   Simon Gagne has missed 10 games, and even then he is still one of the top scorers.   Their goal tending has not been of the best, they will however, make it to the play-offs, but ……….. the following teams will battle to get past the play-offs.

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

This team needs a lot more thunder and a little less lightning.   They have to regain last season’s tempo.   They are going to miss goal tender Nikolai Khabibulin, they are lying sixth and should make the first round.

A lack luster team , who have lost 6 out of their last 10.   They will be “Scottless”, as Scott Stevens has retired, and Scott Niedermayer, who has left in free agency.

But……….they still have Martin Brodeur, who many think is still the best goal tender in the game.   He could be the one who gets his team to the play-offs.    The Devils need a lot more devil in their delivery!

The Thrashers have in Ilya Kovalchuk a good goal scorer, and is ably supported by Marc Savard, and Marian Hossa.   Their defense is not of the best.   Kari Lehtonen is great in goals, but physically suspect.   They will vie with Montreal and New Jersey to get into the play-offs.

The Montreal Canadiens have only won 4 out of 10 games, but are still breathing.   Michael Ryder, has gone backwards, but they are surviving. Rookie Cristobal Huet has done well as a goal tender.

Montreal will probably make an early departure and will be joined by the bottom 3, who will probably lose in the first round.