Thank Gretzky!!! Hockey is back!!!

The 2009-2019 NHL season kicks off tonight with a 4-pack of games that include the following:

Caps vs Bruins at 7:00
Habs vs Leafs at 7:00
Sharks vs. Avs at 10:00
Canucks vs. Flames at 10:00

Not a bad way to kick things off. The game of the night? Caps and Bruins... with a nod to the late night matchup between the Canucks and Flames. However, it's hard to not be interested in the rivalry game between the Leafs and the new - look Canadiens, and of course how will Dany Heatley fare in his first outting with the San Jose Sharks... will he and Thornton become the lethal tandem we all imagine they will (and my fantasy roster is banking on?).

Aside from the Heatley trade, which has shaken up the Western Conference landscape, there are a variety of stories to keep an eye on this year, right from the get go. Will John Tavares help the New York Islanders return to a place of respectability? Will the free agency spending spree of Bob Gainey work out for Montreal, or will the Canadiens end up like the Rangers did in the late '90s? Can Ray Emery return to glory in Philadelphia? How will the late fall returns of Marian Hossa to the Blackhawks and Phil Kessel to the Leafs work out? Can the Pittsburgh Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup Champions? Most importantly... who will have the greatest playoff beard?

Lot's to look for and enjoy! So.. on to the predictions. After a successful 2008-2009 season where I successfully called the Penguins over the Red Wings in the Stanley Cup Finals, I'm feeling somewhat confident.... actually I'm feeling very confident. I made my call Monday night to the boys in the fantasy league draft, but now it's time to put in print, and let the world know (or at least the dozen of you guys who actually read my ramblings). Captain Bosh's prediction for the Stanley Cup Finals are this:

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Chicago Blackhawks

I see the Flyers hoisting the cup for the first time in nearly 4 decades by defeating the Blackhawks in 6 games. Why you ask? Couple of reasons... the biggest of which is Pronger. The Flyers acquisition of Pronger really shook things up in the East, and in my mind solidified them as the team to beat. I believe Ray Emery will return to the NHL will a very large chip on his shoulder and a need to prove to the league that his ride to the Stanley Cup Finals a few years ago wasn't a fluke. A healthy Daniel Briere, and a forward corps that include young rising stars Carter and Richards are all enough for me to believe that the Flyers are for real this season.

While I think they will lose in the finals, the Blackhawks took huge steps last year and will continue to do so this season. The Western Conference will be a battle to get through but I believe the Hawks have the pieces that include Toews, Kane, and new addition Hossa. Their big question will be in net with Huet, but I think he will provide adequate goaltending, which is all the Hawks will need.

You heard it here first! For all you Flyers and Hawks fans... I apologize for essentially cursing your teams and seasons... but hey maybe the Curse of Bosh will lift again like it did for the Pens last year! Then again maybe not.

Enjoy the season my friends!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh