Start Me Up!

After the All-Star Game this past weekend in Montreal, it's time to look forward to what the second half of the season has in store for New York area hockey teams. While the Islanders are clearly out of it (barring a miraculous comeback...which is highly unlikely), the Rangers, Devils, and Sabres are all clearly in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Here's an outlook on the second half for each of the teams and what their goals should be (records and standings include Tuesday night's games):

New York Rangers (29-16-4, 62 points, 2nd in Atlantic, 4th in East)
Analysis: The Rangers started the year sky high, from their opening games in Prague through the first few weeks. However, the Rangers have since returned to earth but are still proving they are a solid team. This team has a great mix of veteran leaders (Chris Drury, Scott Gomez, Markus Naslund) along with solid young talent (Nikolai Zherdev, Brandon Dubinsky, Ryan Callahan, Nigel Dawes), and good goaltending (Henrik Lundqvist, Steve Valiquette). The team's had stable defense and tremendous penalty killing, but the power play has been inconsistent and often times, the team struggles to score. Still, they've won 5 of their last 6 and find ways to win games.
Second Half Goals: Find consistency on the power play, shoot the puck more, maintain solid penalty kill, and earn home-ice advantage in the playoffs.

New Jersey Devils (30-15-3, 63 points, 1st in Atlantic, 3rd in East)
Analysis: The Devils haven't done anything except get better after Marty Brodeur went down early in the season with an injury. The Devils have found the net and played great defense, getting great goaltending from Scott Clemmensen in Brodeur's absence. The power play and penalty kill are both good but could be better. They also have a good mix of veterans and younger players. When Marty Brodeur comes back, if he can regain the Hall-Of-Fame form he's had, even at his age, the Devils will be very hard to beat.
Second Half Goals: Improve the PP and PK, continue scoring, do not burn out Scott Clemmensen, and finally, win the Atlantic Division.

Buffalo Sabres (25-18-5, 55 points, 3rd in Northeast, 7th in East)
Analysis: Right now, the Sabres are the closest to falling out of the playoff race. Like the Rangers, their penalty kill has been excellent, and like the Devils, their power play has been above average. They've struggled to score at points this year, and the defense has been inconsistent. Basically, inconsistency is the best word to describe the boys from Buffalo. Their big struggle has been holding leads. They only have a .600 win percentage when scoring first. That's been one of their biggest problems.
Second Half Goals: Find ways to maintain leads, improve the power play, stay healthy, and hold onto a playoff spot while praying not to finish 8th and being forced to face the Bruins (most likely) in the first round.

And because I shouldn't leave them out...

New York Islanders (13-29-5, 31 points, Last in Atlantic, Last in East, Last in NHL)
Analysis: It's another one of those years for the team on Long Island. Aside from problems scoring goals, they've allowed a ton, and just haven't been able to develop any momentum. Oh, and on top of that, their starting goalie is done for the year with persistent problems from surgery, and their back-up was injured against their arch-rivals and will also miss time. And, on top of that, they couldn't regain their former back-up because he was picked up off waivers by the Blue Jackets. Oh, and on top of that, there have been rumors they might move to Kansas City. Just complete disaster right now at the Nassau Coliseum...or Mausoleum.
Second Half Goals: Get some talent at the trade deadline, avoid serious injury, develop the talent of younger players, get started on the Lighthouse Project, and get on a winning streak that could start a miracle run to the playoffs.