An early preseason projection places Tampa Bay atop the Atlantic Division, breaking a gradual decline while Florida emerges as the dominant Florida team. Tampa Bay would claim its first division title since 2018-19 under the projection, with 102 points rather than its historic 62-16-4 season. The Toronto Maple Leafs project to finish two points back in second place and secure a playoff berth; three additional points would have made them division repeat champions for the first time since 1934-35. The Buffalo Sabres are projected to reach the playoffs while the Montreal Canadiens finish last in the Atlantic.
In a somewhat surprising result, the Tampa Bay Lightning are projected to be the division winners; even after they are seen on a slight decline to make way for the Florida Panthers as the dominant force in the Sunshine State. This would be the Lightning's first division title since the 2018-19 season when they finished one of the best seasons in modern NHL history. A wild record of 62-16-4 -- which is not what JFresh is projecting for this year with just 102 points earned.
If they earned just three more points in this projection, it would have been the first time since the 1934-35 season that the Leafs would win back-to-back division titles. But regardless, it is no surprise that the Leafs are projected to be one of the best teams in the NHL and make the playoffs with ease. Maybe the most interesting part of this entire picture is the Buffalo Sabres making the playoffs
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