Southeast Division Preview

Improving quintet won't be laughingstock division for much longer

Tampa Bay Lightning

The surest way to make the playoffs in the Southeast Division is to win it outright, which the Lightning did last season. They did so by dominating on home ice, as their 22-9-7-2 record attests, and by taking out opponents with inferior records.

At the root of the turnaround was the defensively responsible teachings of head coach John Tortorella. He has preached team since he arrived, and the players executed last season. In fact, the Bolts sported a plus-nine goal differential, which may seem modest, but is actually telltale when compared with their minus-79 of just two seasons ago.

Now Tortorella has proof on his side. The buy-in phase is complete, and the next step is solidifying the Lightning's identity. That once hinged on goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin's exploits, which now isn't necessarily the case. But Khabibulin playing in top form for the entire campaign instead of only in stretches -- as was the case last season -- makes the prospects of the Lightning repeating atop the Southeast much more likely.

Khabibulin's drop-off most impacted the penalty kill. The Lightning ranked only 20th when down a man and actually were less efficient in those situations than the year before. With Khabibulin and John Grahame widely regarded as an A-list tandem, they have to make a difference in key situations and against the upper-echelon teams.

With the improvements the organization has made, those differences are smaller, but carry more meaning.

Washington Capitals

The addition of offensive minded players Jaromir Jagr and Robert Lang over the past couple of seasons has not sparked the attack as hoped. In fact, the Capitals scored fewer goals the past two seasons than they managed the season prior to Jagr's arrival. Meanwhile, defensively -- once the identity of this tough-to-play-against team -- the Caps are no longer intimidating. Sure, their goals-against average went down by a quarter of a goal per game last season, but that was largely due to goaltender Olaf Kolzig posting a career-best .920 save percentage.

The Caps need the offense to carry them more than ever this season because they have only two proven NHL defensemen. Yet, to help the transition of youngsters like Steve Eminger, the forwards need to be particularly diligent away from the puck. Quite the conundrum for head coach Bruce Cassidy. Certainly, quite the challenge for Kolzig, who has to have a monster season if they are to make the playoffs this season.

Beyond the need for Kolzig to shine, the Capitals -- a notoriously slow-starting team -- have to get off to a fast start. Last season their strong second half was enough to get them into the playoffs, but the previous season their furious finish fell just short. They can't leave it to chance this year, not with so many question marks on the blueline.

Also, if the Caps are to ascend, or even hold their position, they must fare better against winning teams; they posted a telling 13-21-2-4 record against teams with winning records last year. Relying on winning against the weak sisters won't get it done this year because every team in the Southeast is better than a season ago.

Atlanta Thrashers

The Thrashers begin their fifth season with the goal of reaching the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. The elevated expectations stem largely from the strong finish under head coach Bob Hartley over the second half of last season -- a stretch in which the Thrashers posted the seventh-best record in the Eastern Conference.

For good reason, Hartley and emerging superstar Dany Heatley got much of the recognition for the team's stunning turnaround, but goaltender Pasi Nurminen -- nothing short of sensational the last two months of the season -- was equally instrumental. Despite Nurminen's exploits, the Thrashers still finished 30th in goals against, and even in the improved second half, the opposition routinely outshot the Thrashers, and often by a wide margin.

Progress defensively -- and with it a plausible playoff run -- means allowing fewer shots. Accomplishing that should lead to a reduction in goals against, which is vital. Last season, the Edmonton Oilers allowed 230 goals -- the most of any team to make the playoffs. Using that benchmark, the Thrashers need to shave 54 goals off last year's total. That's especially true on home ice where the Thrashers actually won one fewer game than they did on the road, largely because they gave up the most goals in the league to visiting teams.

Monday's car accident involving Heatley and Dan Snyder put a bit of a damper on the good feelings surrounding the organization, but the team's improved depth should help them weather the storm.

If you use the old standby measurables that mark good teams -- they outshoot their opponents more often than not, and they take care of business on home ice -- improvement on both fronts go hand in hand for the Thrashers and their April aspirations.

Florida Panthers

How do you get a handle on a team that had a winning record on the road, yet won only eight home games? The answer is, you can't. That type of anomaly underscores the youthfulness of this team and the associated defining trait -- inconsistency.

And while general manager Rick Dudley brought in some veteran role players to offset the team's overall inexperience, it is hard to see vast improvement this year. On the other hand, if goaltender Roberto Luongo takes the next step in his maturation and finds a level of consistency befitting an elite talent, the Panthers could surprise.

But, even if Luongo breaks through, the Panthers need to find more consistency on offense, as well. Overall, only the Carolina Hurricanes scored less and the Panthers, who averaged fewer than two goals per game at home, which goes a long way in explaining their paltry win total in Sunrise, Fla. The Panthers' meager production also illustrates the intense pressure under which Luongo must perform.

And speaking of intense pressure, head coach Mike Keenan's relentlessness when it comes to citing shortcomings as a means of motivation guarantees a taut atmosphere. The environment created by Keenan makes some players, while breaking others. He has earned the right of no apologies, while swearing that he has mellowed. Either way, the Panthers faded badly in the second half last season, following up a .500 first half with a 29-point follow-up.

And therein lies the Panthers' dilemma: delivering while developing -- which one takes precedent, and to what degree in a Keenan-run locker room?

Carolina Hurricanes

Yes, the Hurricanes crashed to Earth last season after their 2002 run to the Stanley Cup finals. But, their second half collapse was mostly the byproduct of injuries and goaltending woes. In the end, it all added up to a forgettable mess -- one that was best summed up by their devastating 4-11-3-2 divisional record.

To sort it all out and get his team back on track, general manager Jim Rutherford remade the blueline by adding three experienced defensemen to the mix. With Danny Markov, Bob Boughner and Glen Wesley joining Sean Hill and Bret Hedican, the Hurricanes boast one of the most stable back lines in the conference. That should help goaltender Kevin Weekes, who enters the season as the definitive No. 1, as he attempts to yet again justify the vote of confidence, and in the process, stay healthy. Both have proven elusive over the course of his career.

Elusive for the Hurricanes as a group last season was the ability to score goals. Ranked dead last in offense, Carolina still might struggle to score this year. Their best offensive player through the exhibition season is June draft pick Eric Staal -- and he remains unsigned. It is quite telling as to the 'Canes' potential production plight this season that an 18-year old who the team originally slated to return to junior is the best bet to boost the offense after Ron Francis, Rod Brind'Amour and Jeff O'Neill.

It makes you wonder -- for a team with so many proven veterans, the 2003-04 Hurricanes sure have a lot to prove.

Darren Eliot, a former NHL goaltender, is a hockey analyst for SI.com.