One of the most major factors for teams thinking playoffs is health and depth. Both of these factors weigh heavily on teams thinking the "second season". If teams do not have the depth to be able to satisfactorily replace injured players, their hopes of raising the Stanley Cup without a doubt decrease.

We have also seen in the recent past teams playing above their expected outcome. We have also witnessed teams who were expected to challenge for the Cup not even make the playoffs or fade away quickly once the playoffs start.

The difficult part of trying trying to pick that team(s) at this point is nearly impossible, but I would say by late-November, we should have a better picture of how teams will perform this season.

Probably the first sign of a team in trouble is how they play in their defensive end. Most teams at this point in time may feel good about their back-end but a few may know issues will pop-up, either with weak goaltending or how defense units matchup against the majority of the NHL teams. The defensive pairings have been the key to success or disappointment for teams and this season will be no different.

Some teams say they have a #1 defensive pairing, but on other teams, that unit may be considered a #3 or #4 dman. That is the difference which makes a team an honest Cup contender or one that needs all things to fall into place in order to succeed.

So with the above nuggets to think about we will see how the Eastern Conference race to the playoffs shakes out. It promises to be an exciting season and I can tell you one thing, the team that reaches the Stanley Cup Final will be representing the Conference well. It will be a battle but may the best, healthy, luck thrown in too team make the Conference proud.