Atlantic Division Predictions from the Thunderstruck Team

Check out our Atlantic Division predictions! Graphic: Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports

It might well be the best division in the NHL today. The Atlantic... where the so-called "Beasts of the East" are getting ready for what will, no doubt, be a hard-fought 82 games. Which beast will emerge on top? Check out the predictions of the Thunderstruck Sports Team!

Mike Smith-- Assistant Editor & Senior Writer:

1. Tampa Bay Lightning: Can they get over the South Florida hurdle? Solve the Panther riddle and the division is theirs!

2. Toronto Maple Leafs: Another year of close but not quite.

3. Florida Panthers: Their division to lose. Coaching is key. Will the injury bug be too much?

4. Ottawa Senators: Could be one of the top 3 if the cards fall right.

5. Montreal Canadiens: Continue to improve but still at least a year away.

6. Detroit Red Wings: The Yzerman experiment is on the ropes.

7. Buffalo Sabres: They continue to be Buffalo.

8. Boston Bruins: Beantown needs to prepare for a lean few years as the team rebuilds.

Derek Caldwell-- Writer

1. Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa in the top spot makes the most sense. Looking at returning players to current Atlantic teams and who is going to start this season on LTIR, this isn't a heart bet (although it makes my heart happy), but rather a bet with my head. Goaltending will be interesting this year. Is Vasy okay? How much will Coop play him in an 82-game slate? Can the backups get the job done on Vasy's off nights? As good as Tampa's forwards are, they shouldn't have to rely on four goals a night to secure two points.

2. Florida Panthers: Florida will still be Florida and find a way to get in an advantageous position for the playoffs. Do they have major injuries to overcome? Yes. Will they have their struggles throughout the year? Yes. Many seem to disregard the 2-time defending Cup champions due to injuries to start the year. I'm not saying they won't struggle, but winning those two Cups and retaining the UFAs should tell you they aren't going anywhere any time soon. Heavy is the head that wears the crown.

3. Montreal Canadiens: The same way people are discounting the depth of Florida, a lot are discounting the ability of Montreal. I think they will outpace what they did in 2024-2025.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs (WC 1): Toronto will feel the effects of no Marner but still have enough scoring power to muddle their way into the playoffs... luckily for them, a WC1 slot could get them on the Metro half of the Eastern Conference and provide the best path yet for Auston and company.

5. Ottawa Senators (WC 2): Ottawa as a WC2 will come down to health and a little puck luck. Will they get depth scoring or just rely on their top six? Time will tell.

As for the bottom three in this division (Detroit Red Wings, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres), well, bottom three is just where they are. In a three-headed race to the best odds for Gavin McKenna. All I can say to Gavin is hopefully, for your sake, the Penguins get the first pick and Sid hasn't been traded to a Cup contender.

Ernie Norquist-- Writer

1. Tampa Bay Lightning: Tampa is all about injuries and health. I think our bottom six will be a pleasant surprise. I liked the Lillieberg-Cozier pairing late in the season a couple of years ago and think that could be a solid 3rd pair. Cernak's health and McD one year older is the wild card. Think you see a big year from Hedman.

2. Ottawa Senators: They got a taste of the playoffs and that will be their motivation throughout the year. Their youth that was holding them back will be what makes them stronger.

3. Toronto Maple Leafs: Toronto will be trying to understand their identity, while the Toronto media pick a new scapegoat. Blueline and goalie spots still not strong enough to be a force. They will be able to notch Ws with their scoring, but the lack of depth in the back end will hurt in the home stretch.

4. Florida Panthers: Florida will muddle in the first part of the year due to injuries but will do enough to make the playoffs, though they will feel the impact of three SCFs.

5. Montreal Canadiens: Could surprise people this season.

6. Detroit Red Wings: This might be the last straw for Yzerman. If they are struggling by Christmas, I think you see Larkin being dealt.

7. Boston Bruins: Too many needs for young guys to make up for.

8. Buffalo Sabres: I almost forgot you were even there!

Dan Herrejon-- Editor & Senior Writer

1. Tampa Bay Lightning: Primed to retake the division.

2. Toronto Maple Leafs: Just not enough.

3. Florida Panthers: Injuries to Barkov and Tkachuk cost the division.

4. Ottawa Senators: Will be ready if one of the top three falters.

5. Montreal Canadiens: On the way up.

6. Detroit Red Wings: Not a playoff team yet.

7. Buffalo Sabres: At least they are not Boston.

8. Boston Bruins: Complete rebuild.

Michelle Gordon-- Assistant Editor and Senior Writer

1. Tampa Bay Lightning: They were second only to Toronto in this division during the regular season last year and should look even better this year with the additions of Yanni Gourde and Oliver Bjorkstrand for the full season. Toronto, meanwhile, has taken a step backwards with the loss of Mitch Marner.

2. Toronto Maple Leafs: Still a strong team with lots of firepower. If their goaltending tandem can retain last year's levels, they will be a force in the Atlantic.

3. Ottawa Senators: This is a good team with youth and experience nicely balanced. They started to show what they could do last season and tasted the playoffs. More to come from this group!

4. Florida Panthers: Key injuries will hurt them, and do they even care about the regular season? They'll do just enough to make it into the playoffs as a wildcard team (and then, let's hope they end up having to play the Metro division!)

5. Montreal Canadiens: This is another good team with a bright future. We saw flashes from them last year. They just need more time to develop the consistency.

6. Detroit Red Wings: This team has some potential but is still missing some key pieces.

7. Buffalo Sabres: I wish I could pick them to finish higher, but they are just... the Buffalo Sabres.

8. Boston Bruins: It does make my heart happy to put them in the basement. Realistically, they are in a rebuild and are tanking.

Follow Thunderstruck Sports all season long to see how all of our predictions pan out! We're all expecting big things from our beloved boys in blue. Will we be correct? Time will tell.