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Boston Bruins rivalry roundup: Scoping out the Atlantic Division for 2017-2018

By Chad Zimmermann

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Bruins fans cheer on their team during the third period of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden on April 19, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Senators defeat the Bruins 1-0. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 19: Bruins fans cheer on their team during the third period of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round during the 2017 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden on April 19, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Senators defeat the Bruins 1-0. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 21: Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs poses after winning the Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year) during the 2017 NHL Awards and Expansion Draft at T-Mobile Arena on June 21, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 21: Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs poses after winning the Calder Memorial Trophy (Rookie of the Year) during the 2017 NHL Awards and Expansion Draft at T-Mobile Arena on June 21, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Toronto Maple Leafs

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2016-2017 record:  40-27-15, 95 points

Interesting factoid from last season:  Two of Toronto’s top 4 point scorers were Rookies (Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews), and in doing so, Matthews set the Maple Leafs rookie record in goal scoring with 40.

2017-2018 outlook:  I truly believe that if any team is poised to upset my prediction about the Boston Bruins winning the division, it’s the Maple Leafs.  Auston Matthews is an absolute stud, and his rookie campaign ended with 69 points and the Calder Trophy.  Young players like Mitch Marner and William Nylander played out of their minds last season, allowing the Leafs to sneak into the playoffs.  The team added veteran leadership in acquiring future hall-of-famer Patrick Marleau.  If Frederik Anderson can channel the play he exhibited in 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 with Anaheim into this season, watch out Eastern Conference.

Prediction:  I think Toronto is back, and they’re here to stay.  I predict a 2nd place finish in the division, but it would not surprise me in the least if they ended atop the standings.

Next: Boston Bruins: Players the team can’t afford to lose in 2017-18 season

So I think the bottom three teams remain the same, and there’s a big shake-up in the top 5.  What do you think the Atlantic Division will look like at the end of 2017-2018?

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