Atlantic Division Sets the Pace Again as Preseason Forecasts Split on Toronto and Tampa

Florida begins a three-peat bid missing Aleksander Barkov with Matthew Tkachuk sidelined until December.

Overview

Associated Press projections pick the Atlantic order as Toronto, Tampa Bay, Montreal, Florida, Ottawa, Buffalo, Detroit, Boston.
PensBurgh’s model favors Tampa Bay first at 108 points with Toronto second, Florida third, and Boston last, using a 740-point division baseline and forecasting 95 points for Ottawa.
The two-time defending champion Panthers enter after three straight Stanley Cup Final trips but will play without captain Aleksander Barkov for the season and await Matthew Tkachuk’s return in December.
Montreal is tagged as ahead of schedule with a young core and blue-line help, while Ottawa returns after ending an eight-year playoff absence with Linus Ullmark stabilizing in net.
Buffalo carries an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought with GM Kevyn Adams in a contract year, and Boston turns to first-time head coach Marco Sturm following a last-place finish.