5 MORE NHL PREDICTIONS

The majority of NHL teams have played 69-70 of their 82 regular season games for the year. With that said, here are five more predictions for the rest of the NHL season. Who will make the playoffs? Who will be left out in the cold? We'll find out in the days and weeks ahead. Here are a few things we might see before the season ends in mid-April.

5. The Hurricanes will not make the playoffs
Carolina had been playing great since dealing for old friend Erik Cole. But they have struggled recently, losing three straight on the road in Chicago, Dallas, and Washington. The 'Canes remaining schedule is a difficult one, with games against the Rangers, Penguins, and three games against a very strong New Jersey club. Even the Islanders, who Carolina faces twice, are playing well. It's gonna be tough for Carolina to sneak into the postseason with a schedule that tough.

4. The Devils will reach the Eastern Conference Finals
Yes, they are that good. With Martin Brodeur back, New Jersey is probably the best team in the Conference. They are clearly better than Washington, and Boston has been struggling mightily as of late. The Devils are a pretty safe bet to win at least two rounds, even if they are the most boring, trap-filled two rounds in the playoffs.

3. Columbus will shock some people
The Jackets--currently 6th in the Western Conference--are a solid, scrappy team and might surprise a few people come playoff time. They are a solid 7-7-1 against the Central division, which includes Detroit and Chicago, so they can win against good teams. Antoine Vermette, acquired from Ottawa at the trade deadline, has been fantastic for the Blue Jackets in his brief stay in Columbus, and if Steve Mason is playing well anything can happen.

2. Nashville will miss the playoffs
The Preds, currently the 9th place team in the west but tied with 8th place Edmonton (73 points), won't make the postseason because they can't win on the road. They have 5 home games and 8 road games left on the schedule, which is a big problem considering they are 13-18-2 away from the Sommet Center this season. With two games at Detroit, and one at Chicago and San Jose, the Predators will be left out in the cold once again.

1. We will have a new Stanley Cup Champion
Detroit simply doesn't have the goaltending this season to hoist Lord Stanley's cup once again. Chris Osgood looks old and Ty Conklin isn't that number one that's going to carry them deep into the playoffs. You would never see the old Red Wings teams lose games 8-2 (3/7 vs. Columbus), 8-0 (2/28 at Nashville), or 5-2 (2/21 at light scoring Minnesota). They have the offense--there's no doubt about that--but the goaltending just isn't there this time around. The Wings seem poised for an early (2nd maybe?) round flameout in 2009.