The San Jose Sharks have run like a well oiled machine so far in 08-09. Abundant scoring is coming from a variety of places, while their off-season defensive acquisitions, Dan Boyle and Rob Blake, have played magnificently. Even when their star netminder Evgeni Nabokov went down with an injury, they received spectacular goaltending from backup Brian Boucher. On the flip side, the defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings have looked beatable at times, losing back-to-back games to a Luongo-less Canucks and later the Habs, this past week. The Bruins won’t be ignored in the East and are piling up goals while managing to keep them out of their own net, trying to capture their first division title since 2004.
On the Tavares/Hedman watch, it’s currently about a 10 team race, so really, we can’t be sure where they’ll end up, though it certainly won’t be San Jose. With Brian Burke taking over the reigns as GM for the Maple Leafs, they may even be more in the hunt than previously thought. Not only have they lost 5 straight, but initial rumors from Toronto suggest that Burke has plans of further destructing the team, which include trading veterans Tomas Kaberle, Vesa Toskala, and Alex Ponikarovsky. Wilson and Burke controlling the Leafs: Let the madness begin!
| 1. San Jose Sharks | 11. Anaheim Ducks | 21. Edmonton Oilers |
| 2. Boston Bruins | 12. Calgary Flames | 22. Phoenix Coyotes |
| 3. Detroit Red Wings | 13. Minnesota Wild | 23. Ottawa Senators |
| 4. Pittsburgh Penguins | 14. New Jersey Devils | 24. Atlanta Thrashers |
| 5. Vancouver Canucks | 15. Buffalo Sabres | 25. Colorado Avalanche |
| 6. New York Rangers | 16. Los Angeles Kings | 26. Florida Panthers |
| 7. Montreal Canadiens | 17. Carolina Hurricanes | 27. Tampa Bay Lightning |
| 8. Philadelphia Flyers | 18. Columbus Blue Jackets | 28. New York Islanders |
| 9. Washington Capitals | 19. Nashville Predators | 29. Toronto Maple Leafs |
| 10. Chicago Blackhawks | 20. St. Louis Blues | 30. Dallas Stars |