NHL preview: Washington poised to be top team in Eastern Conference

The Washington Capitals’ appearance on HBO’s 24/7 series lasted longer than their playoff appearance. After another early exit they added some role players and enough grit to make a conference title a legitimate possibility.

Here’s a look at how the Eastern Conference shapes up, in predicted order of finish:

1. Washington

2010-11 finish: 48-23-11 (107 points).

First in the Southeast division, first in the East.

Alexander Ovechkin (32 goals, 85 points) will need more support than he got last season from Nicklas Backstrom (18 goals, 65 points) and Alexander Semin (26 goals, 54 points). Signing former Florida goalie Tomas Vokoun for one year at $1.5 million was their best investment.

2. Pittsburgh

2010-11 finish: 49-25-8 (106 points).

Second in the Atlantic, fourth in the East.

Sidney Crosby, slowly recovering from a concussion, will start the season on injured reserve. A healthy Evgeni Malkin should offset his absence. They have a lot of depth despite losing pesky forward Maxime Talbot but need more from James Neal. Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (2.32 goals-against average, .918 save percentage) is solid.

3. Boston

2010-11 finish: 46-25-11 (103 points).

First in the Northeast, third in the East.

Their championship run might have depleted their energy but they have a good work ethic and some depth. Milan Lucic (32 goals, 62 points) can do even better. Tim Thomas, the NHL’s top regular-season goaltender and playoff MVP, remains their backbone.

4. Tampa Bay

2010-11 finish: 46-25-11 (103 points).

Second in the Southeast, fifth in the East.

Steven Stamkos (45 goals, 91 points) is primed for another monster season and Martin St. Louis (31 goals, 99 points) rolls along. The key is whether goalie Dwayne Roloson, 42 next week, can match what he did after the Lightning acquired him from the Islanders (2.56 goals-against average, .912 save percentage).

5. Philadelphia

2010-11 finish: 47-23-12 (106 points).

First in the Atlantic, second in the East.

They overpaid Ilya Bryzgalov to solve their perennial goaltending problem but had to do something decisive. They traded core players Jeff Carter and Mike Richards and turned the team over to defenseman Chris Pronger, a vocal leader. Claude Giroux (25 goals and 76 points) is an emerging star.

6. Buffalo

2010-11 finish: 43-29-10 (96 points)

Third in the Northeast, seventh in the East.

New owner Terry Pegula opened his wallet, but it’s not clear whether he spent wisely. Thomas Vanek (32 goals) and Jason Pominville (31 goals) are their only threats. Goalie Ryan Miller always gives them a chance to win and center Derek Roy is healthy for now.

7. New York Rangers

2010-11 finish: 44-33-5 (93 points).

Third in the Atlantic, eighth in the East.

Adding free-agent standout Brad Richards to a group of respectable forwards will help. But they’ll miss defenseman Marc Staal, who averaged a team-high 35 minutes and 44 seconds ice time but will start the season on injured reserve because of concussion-related headaches.

8. Montreal

2010-11 finish: 44-30-8 (96 points).

Second in the Northeast, sixth in the East.

Goalie Carey Price ranked 10th in goals-against average (2.35), eighth in save percentage (.923), tied for first in wins (38) and third in shutouts (eight) while facing nearly 30 shots per game. The Canadiens are small but speedy and should crack the top eight.

9. Carolina

2010-11 finish: 40-31-11 (91 points).

Third in the Southeast, ninth in the East.

The Hurricanes wore goalie Cam Ward by playing him a league-high 4,317:35. Eric Staal (33 goals, 76 points) and rookie of the year Jeff Skinner (31 goals, 63 points) will have their hands full.

10. New Jersey

2010-11 finish: 38-39-5 (81 points).

Fourth in the Atlantic, 11th in the East.

Ilya Kovalchuk rebounded from a slow start to collect 31 goals and 60 points but was still a free-agent bust. Center Travis Zajac is expected to miss three months after tearing his left Achilles’ tendon but productive winger Zach Parise has returned from knee surgery.

11. Toronto

2010-11 finish: 37-34-11 (85 points).

Fourth in the Northeast, 10th in the East.

Phil Kessel (32 goals, 64 points) will always have his critics but he had a good season. Goalie James Reimer won 20 games as a rookie and will be the No. 1 guy.

12. Winnipeg

2010-11 finish (as Atlanta): 34-36-12 (80 points).

Fourth in the Southeast, 12th in the East.

The Jets have some nice pieces, including winger Evander Kane (19 goals, 43 points) and beefy Dustin Byfuglien (20 goals, 53 points). They’re guaranteed a honeymoon in their new home.

13. N.Y. Islanders

2010-11 finish: 30-39-13 (73 points).

Fifth in the Atlantic, 14th in the East.

They should score: last season center John Tavares had 29 goals and 67 points, right wing Michael Grabner had 34 goals as a rookie and Matt Moulson had 31. They need better goaltending but seem unlikely to get it.

14. Florida

2010-11 finish: 30-40-12 (72 points).

Fifth in the Southeast, 15th in the East.

General Manager Dale Tallon acquired defenseman Brian Campbell from Chicago in a series of moves that spent tons of money but lacked a plan. Losing Vokoun to free agency left a big hole.

15. Ottawa

2010-11 finish: 32-40-10 (74 points).

Fifth in the Northeast, 13th in the East.

The Senators are early in a renovation. Mika Zibanejad, chosen sixth overall in the June draft, will get a baptism by fire as the No. 2 center.