The puck has only just dropped on the National Hockey League’s 2000-2001 season, but already the question nagging at hockey fans is, who’s going to take home the Stanley Cup?
The defending champs, the New Jersey Devils, know that holding onto the Stanley Cup is just as hard as winning it. But don’t look for the team, led by goalie Martin Brodeur and center Jason Arnott, to hand it over without a fight. Here’s a look at the teams it’ll be up against for the championship.
In the Eastern Conference, the best bets for conference champs — besides the Devils — are the Philadelphia Flyers and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Second-year goaltender Brian Boucher and defenseman Eric Desjardins are determined to light a spark under the long-dormant Flyers. Meanwhile, the Toronto Maple Leafs could be the conference sleeper. Watch for left-winger Steve Thomas and goalie Curtis Joseph to be key players.
The Washington Capitals have strong players in center Adam Oates and defenseman Sergei Gonchar. Odds are, they’ll make the playoffs but not advance further. The New York Rangers, Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens also should reach postseason play.
In the Western Conference, the Colorado Avalanche likely will be on top at season’s end. The Avs should be hungry after not making the finals last year. Expect all-star goalie Patrick Roy and defenseman Adam Foote to lead the charge and center Joe Sakic to contribute impressive plays.
The Dallas Stars could be another challenger. The team takes to the ice knowing this may be its last chance to win the cup. Led by veterans goalie Ed Belfour and rightwinger Brett Hull, the team could be overhauled at season’s end if it doesn’t deliver.
Also, expect a solid season from the St. Louis Blues, with defenseman Chris Pronger and leftwinger Dallas Drake, and Detroit Red Wings, with defenseman Jiri Fischer and Nicklas Lidstrom. The Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers also are playoff contenders.
EXPANSION TEAMS HIT ICE
What’s new and different with the National Hockey League? Try not one but two teams. The arrival of the Columbus Blue Jackets introduces NHL hockey to the Ohio (the name of the state as published has been corrected in this text), and the Minnesota Wild brings back a pro franchise to hockey-hungry Minneapolis. (Its franchise moved to Dallas in 1992-93.)
