Southeast Division

Atlanta - The Thrashers are definitely the quietest and most unassuming division leaders in the entire NHL. After years of bucking the trend and endless predictions of their arrival in the league, this year's model has risen to the top of the standings like a thief in the night. Which is completely surprising, given that they possess two of the top five scorers in the NHL (Kovalchuk and Hossa), two old-school veteran leaders (Mellanby and Holik), finally a solid defense, and goaltending (Lehtonen and "Moose" Hedberg) which has thus far steered clear of the mystifying injuries and horrid play which characterized the team since its inception. However, all I see is fragility on this club. Who could pick up the slack if Ilya or Marian get hurt? Glen Metropolit? Jon Sim? Marc Savard signing with Boston left a huge hole up the middle. Mellanby, Holik, Rucchin, DeVries - all guys that will be leaned upon down the stretch - who could step up if they get hurt (again)? I'm not predicting doomsday, but a few key losses will mean the difference between a strong 2-or-3 seed and a dicey 5-or-6 without home ice. In the meantime, if you're worried about the club's prospects, try not to let the voices in your head get the better of you and just be amazed at the offensive talent flowing out of Philips Arena.

Carolina - If ever there was a time to rise to the challenge, the final 32 games are that time for the Hurricanes. Not to say they have been disappointing, but it's amazing that the defending Cup champions, with very few alterations, are not the well-oiled juggernaut of a year ago and find themselves six points behind Atlanta in the division, just a six-seed in the playoff picture. Up and down the stat sheet, the numbers look good, but swapping Gerber for Grahame in net is a slight minus, and the combined effects of Aaron Ward's departure for Broadway and that inexplicable early-season trade with Los Angeles has exposed how old Glen Wesley is and how green the rest of the defensive corps are. Having Cory Stillman back at full strength from surgery and with more jump than the rest of the roster because he missed so much time is a big X factor, because the Canes will have to fend off a fierce challenge from the suddenly resurgent and desperate Lightning.

Tampa Bay - The light at the end of the tunnel which is an oncoming train. That's John Tortorella's job status as of the All-Star break. Is he capable of whipping into shape his charges one more time? As someone who has lived and returned to New England many times in the last 11 years, I say yes. He's a stubborn loudmouthed Chowderhead who can get the most out of his players through sheer force of will and the shrillness of his voice. The real question is, can his boys take the verbal punishment and translate it to wins one more time? The lockout, the new rules and salary structure were a built-in excuse for the Bolts' less-than-stellar season last year. This year, you can point to goaltending, defense which is not as in-your-face, and the loss of Freddie Modin as the fourth pillar in a multi-faceted attack. In a way, Tampa's middle-of-the-pack standing comes because of the Panthers' failure, the Capitals being a year away from contenders, and Carolina's laying in the weeds. Change any of these factors, and the Lightning would be worse off than they are. They will be in a serious dogfight with the Rangers, Hurricanes and Maple Leafs for that last playoff spot in the East.

Washington - The Caps have surprised me in the first 50 games. They have a shoestring budget, no discernable veteran talent or leaders save for the ageless Olie Kolzig in net, but a hell of a lot of heart, grit, and youthful enthusiasm to carry them. Plus, it's been virtually the same group of kids meshing together since the fire sale in 2003 and 2004 - and, as the Oilers of the 80's, the Stars of the 90's and the Devils of the new millennium prove, you're on the right path if you give the right kids the chance to grow and mature together. Signing Donald Brashear to protect Alex Ovechkin was pure genius, making utter fools out of the Flyers in the process. Still, to take the next jump to respectability and playoff contention, they need someone other than Chris Clark to be the captain and leader. They need better goaltending than Kolzig and Johnson. However, since there is still over a third of the schedule to play and the Caps still have that magic of a team that doesn't know it's not supposed to be this good this fast, they can make trouble for their division rivals. We'll also have fun watching Number 8 battle Sid the Kid, Hossa, and Heatley for the scoring title.

Florida - Floating limp, like an 11-year old plastic rat down the canals of outer Broward County. The club has paid a huge price for trading Roberto Luongo for Todd Bertuzzi, Bertuzzi's seven games plus back surgery, the retirement of Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts now on injured reserve. The likely next moves for the Panthers will be to pour the bronzer over Martin Gelinas, have Jozef Stumpel condemned with Dutch Elm disease, and humanely put down Chris Gratton. Poor, poor Olli Jokinen. He's the best thing this crumbling franchise has going for it, and nobody knows who he is outside the "Insert Corporate Name Here Center," much less how to pronounce his name. As head coach and general manager, Jacques Martin must feel like Jacques Cousteau - constantly fighting under water, surrounded by sharks. And it was all so good after Game One, an 8-3 demolition of Boston. The best psychological ploy the organization can have in their pocket will be a look at the standings from now until April, showing the Flyers two steps below.