#hockeyisback

       After waiting for almost 130 extra days, hockey fans' prayers have been answered. The NHL will begin their season Saturday with 13 exciting games on the starting slate. There will only be 48 games per team due to the shortened season, so it's even more important for every team to get off to a good start and stay hot for as long as possible. Another thing to note is that there will be no inter-conference play, so those exciting matchups that the reigning champ Kings would've played against Eastern Conference teams won't be happening.
       Here's a quick look at some of today's top matchups:

1. Flyers vs. Penguins
        This 3:00 game may be the game of the day. Crosby, Evgeni, and the crew are going to try it for the Cup again this time without Jordan Staal, as they will head into Philadelphia to take on the state-rival Flyers who had the best of the Pens in 6 games in the first round of last year's exciting Playoffs. Sir Sidney will have to prove he can come back from multiple injuries to play a "full" season. Expect a blood fest in the City of Brotherly Love and a close game that can go either way.

2. Senators vs. Jets
           Daniel Alfredson will return for at least one more season and will try to get Eric Karlson and Ottawa back to the Postseason where last year they lost to the Rangers in 7 in the first round. They will take on a young Winnipeg club that's not yet experienced enough or ready to be a serious contender, even in a terrible Southeast division. This one should be a Senator victory.

3. Kings vs. Blackhawks
       This one will be a good one. The reigning Stanley Cup champions and the home of the NHL's new young goalie superstar will go for another one, as they will open up against Patrick Kane and the Chicago Blackhawks who have been on the decline since they won the Cup in 2010. The Hawks have bowed out of the Playoffs in the first round the past 2 seasons and are definitely vulnerable. I think that LA will pull through yet again.

4. Bruins vs. Rangers
       Two teams who are looking at how the loss or acquisition of a star player will affect their performance. Tuhkka Rask will have take Tim Thomas's place as the Bruins' starting goaltender this season, as Boston will take another shot at the title after an early playoff exit last season. The Broadway Blueshirts, on the other hand, are fresh off trading away Dubinsky, Anisimov, Erixon, and a draft pick for a guy they've been wanting for a while now: Rick Nash. The amazing thing is the Rangers organization kept their young core while getting Nash which is why they are many people's Cup picks.

5. Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs
       These two Canadian teams had disappointing non-Playoff seasons last years that have some young talent. Phil Kessel will be the star in this one, as the Maple Leafs will skate their way to a victory.

6. Islanders vs. Devils
       The two other New York teams will face each other tonight. New Jersey is fresh off a Stanley Cup Finals appearance but now have the challenge of trying to do it again with a new captain as Zach Parise now a member of the Minnesota Wild. The Isles, who will move to Brooklyn after the 2014-15 campaign, have a lot of young talent with their main man, John Taveres, is coming off another great season. However, Long Island isn't there yet, as I take the Devils in this one.