2008-09 NHL season predictions

Now that the National Hockey League's European vacation is over, the real season can begin.

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• Gallery: Oilers in Jasper
• Gallery: Habs in Verdun
• Complete preview section

Philly will fly, Leafs will fall

The Habs have quietly assembled an elite team. Although they lack top-level talent, they have eight strong offensive forwards, an underrated blueline led by Andrei Markov and Mike Komisarek and an emerging star in goalie Carey Price.

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Scary thought, Detroit is better

It's been a long while since the NHL had a team as good as the Detroit Red Wings are expected to be this season.

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• Eastern Conference preview: Philly will fly while Leafs will fall and fall...
• The Province pundits make their predictions

Vengeance best served on ice

"I know he will be back with a vengeance -- that I can absolutely assure you." -- Goaltender coach Ian Clark on Roberto Luongo when last season ended.

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Western Conference preview

The Detroit Red Wings may have won the Stanley Cup, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals may have the game's biggest names and the Montreal Canadiens may have 100 years of history behind them.

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Eastern Conference preview

It is a strange bit of chemistry percolating in the Florida sun. With a last-place team as the base, the Lightning have introduced a new ownership group, stirred in neophyte management, mixed in a coach from out of the broadcast booth, folded in a bunch of former Penguins, introduced a new/old captain and dropped in a spectacular, franchise cornerstone junior...

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