NHL Eastern Conference team-by-team preview

1. Washington Capitals

2009-10 record: 54-15-13, 121 points.

Power play: 25.2% (first). Penalty killing: 78.8% (25th).

Team goals-against average: 2.72 (16th).

Leading scorer: Alexander Ovechkin 50-59 — 109.

Outlook: They squandered a 3-1 series lead and lost to the eighth-seeded Canadiens in the playoff's first round, which should spark them. Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom (33 goals, 68 assists) were the only teammates to exceed 100 points last season, and Mike Green led NHL defensemen in scoring with 76 points.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins

2009-10 record: 47-28-7, 101 points.

Power play: 17.2% (19th). Penalty killing: 84.1% (ninth).

Team goals-against average: 2.82 (20th).

Leading scorer: Sidney Crosby 51-58 — 109.

Outlook: Their defense of their Stanley Cup title ended in a second-round loss to the Canadiens, leading to changes. They lost power-play quarterback Sergei Gonchar to free agency, but recouped by signing steady Paul Mara and Zbynek Michalek. They also signed forward Mike Comrie to give them flexibility up front.

3. Boston Bruins

2009-10 record: 39-30-13, 91 points.

Power play: 16.6% (23rd). Penalty killing: 86.4% (third).

Team goals-against average: 2.28 (second).

Leading scorer: Patrick Bergeron 19-33 — 52.

Outlook: Post- concussion problems will keep the gifted Marc Savard out of the lineup indefinitely, but the Bruins have beefed up their offense. No. 2 overall draft pick Tyler Seguin will get a lot of ice time, and they're counting on a rebirth for Nathan Horton. Tim Thomas (2.56 GAA) and Tuukka Rask (1.97) were stellar last season.

4. Philadelphia Flyers

2009-10 record: 41-35-6, 88 points.

Power play: 21.4% (third). Penalty killing: 83.0% (11th).

Team goals-against average: 2.68 (15th).

Leading scorer: Mike Richards 31-31 — 62.

Outlook: After making the playoffs on the last day of the season, the Flyers upset the Devils, erased an 0-3 deficit against the Bruins, beat the Canadiens easily and took the more talented Blackhawks to six games in the Cup finals. Chris Pronger had knee surgery over the summer and might not be ready for the opener.

5. New Jersey Devils

2009-10 record: 48-27-7, 103 points.

Power play: 18.7% (11th). Penalty killing: 82.8% (13th).

Team goals-against average: 2.24 (first).

Leading scorer: Ilya Kovalchuk 41-44 — 85.

Outlook: They won the battle for Kovalchuk, but lost a first-round draft pick and were fined $3 million for salary-cap circumvention in their first offer to him, worth $102 million over 17 years. The final deal was for $100 million over 15 years, a salary-cap hit of $6.667 million per season. Ouch. He has scored 50-plus goals twice.

6. Tampa Bay Lightning

2009-10 record: 34-16-12, 80 points.

Power play: 19.3% (eighth). Penalty killing: 80.1% (22nd).

Team goals-against average: 3.03 (27th).

Leading scorer: Steven Stamkos 51-44 — 95.

Outlook: Two guys named Steve — third-year center Stamkos and first-year general manager Yzerman — and a guy named Guy (Boucher, the coach) have shown signs they're going to turn the Lightning around. Stamkos blossomed last season, and Yzerman provided offensive help by acquiring winger Simon Gagne from the Flyers.

7. Ottawa Senators

2009-10 record: 44-32-6, 94 points.

Power play: 16.9% (21st). Penalty killing: 84.3% (seventh).

Team goals-against average: 2.80 (19th).

Leading scorer: Daniel Alfredsson 20-51 — 71.

Outlook: Signing free-agent defenseman Sergei Gonchar should improve their anemic power play. Center Jason Spezza was rumored to be on the trade block, but he's still there and should be able to improve on last season's 57 points in 60 games. Rookie center Zack Smith earned a job in camp, providing depth.

8. Atlanta Thrashers

2009-10 record: 35-34-13, 83 points.

Power play: 16.1% (25th). Penalty killing: 82.2% (16th).

Team goals-against average: 3.01 (25th).

Leading scorer: Nik Antropov 24-43 — 67.

Outlook: They took advantage of the Blackhawks' fire sale to pick up Dustin Byfuglien, Ben Eager, Andrew Ladd and Brent Sopel. But coach Craig Ramsay seems intent on deploying big-bodied Byfuglien on defense instead of playing to his strength as a power forward and planting him around the net. Defenseman Zach Bogosian is solid.

9. Buffalo Sabres

2009-10 record: 45-27-10, 100 points.

Power play: 17.6% (17th). Penalty killing: 86.6% (second).

Team goals-against average: 2.42 (fourth).

Leading scorer: Derek Roy 26-43 — 69.

Outlook: They always build good, fast teams on a tight budget but can't get far in the playoffs and lose players to free agency. This season's script should be the same. Towering defenseman Tyler Myers, rookie of the year last season, has the potential to be a franchise player. Goalie Ryan Miller won the Vezina as the NHL's top goalie with a 2.22 GAA.

10. New York Rangers

2009-10 record: 38-33-11, 87 points.

Power play: 18.3% (13th). Penalty killing: 84.3% (eighth).

Team goals-against average: 2.58 (10th).