PREMIUM RUSH

In a shortened 48-game season nothing is certain. Teams that may usually fade over an 82 game season, have the chance to jump out to a hot start and surprise while an early cold streak may be the difference in teams making or not making the playoffs. Here are the 5 things to look for in the 2013 Season:

5. Jordan and Eric Staal
Very rarely do you see siblings in the NHL that both have a Stanley Cup ring and play for the same team. The Carolina Hurricanes snatched Jordan Staal from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a trade on June 22nd. Jordan’s addition places 3 of the 4 Staal brothers’ in the Hurricanes organization (Eric, Jordan and Jarred). Only time will tell if Eric and Jordan can find the same sort of magic that Henrik and Daniel Sedin have in Vancouver, but I am sure all those years of playing hockey in their backyard will help.

4. Steven Stamkos
The kid from Markham Ontario was the NHL’s lone 60-goal scorer last year and the first since Alex Ovechkin achieved the feet in 2008. In a shortened season it will be interesting to see if Stamkos can score a goal per game and reach the 50-goal mark plateau. If Stamkos can put 50 goals on the board in a 48 game season and he can, it will be as impressive as when Wayne Gretzky scored 50 goals in 49 games in 1984.

3. Atlantic Division
The Atlantic Division has become the toughest division in the NHL with the Rangers, Flyers, Penguins and Devils all in to win it. The Rangers have arguably the best 1st line in the league with Marion Gaborik, Brad Richards and newly acquired Rick Nash. The Flyers, have Claude Giroux and a solid young core, the Devils have Martin Brodeur while the Penguins have superstars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. All the four teams on paper should make the playoffs but which team stands out the most, will be something to watch out for.

2. Sidney Crosby
The Atlantic Division is home to the best player in the game and the face of the league. Sidney Crosby has been vocal over the lockout about the return of a season and now that the season is back, Crosby has assured everyone that he is concussion free and feels 100 %. That is great news for Sid the Kid, but bad news for the rest of the league. Crosby came back last year and played just 22 games but managed 37 points, all being done while he was not at full health. Now that he is at full health, and has had all this time to rest, Crosby should be at his best and the league’s MVP.

1. Playoff Push
There is a saying that goes: “Life is a marathon, NOT a sprint.” Well referring to this shortened NHL season, I would flip the saying and say that this season is an absolute SPRINT. From game one, every point, every shootout loss will be huge as teams will only play within their conference. Nothing’s more exciting in sports then following a playoff push, especially when it is right from the get go.

Anyway you slice it hockey is back and this season should have all the action and excitement that it is had in years past, just this time it’s on a shorter scale.