Well over a third of the 2010-2011 NHL season has already passed us by, giving a substantial enough body of work to make long term projections regarding the season’s outcome. Soothsayers? No. Educated guessers? Indeed. Based on current team trajectories and player tendencies, not to mention a little luck and elbow grease, this is an early season stab at how the standings will shake out, along with an even further reaching forecast as to who will skate away with Lord Stanley’s Cup. Without further adoEastern ConferenceAtlantic Division1. Pittsburgh Penguins2. Philadelphia Flyers3. New York Rangers4. New Jersey Devils5. New York IslandersNortheast Division1. Boston Bruins2. Montreal Canadiens3. Buffalo Sabres4. Ottawa Senators5. Toronto Maple LeafsSoutheast Division1. Atlanta Thrashers2. Washington Capitals3. Tampa Bay Lightning4. Carolina Hurricanes5. Tampa Bay LightningWestern ConferenceCentral Division1. Detroit Redwings2. Chicago Blackhawks3. St. Louis Blues4. Nashville Predators5. Columbus Blue JacketsNorthwest Division1. Vancouver Canucks2. Colorado Avalanche3. Calgary Flames4. Minnesota Wild5. Edmonton OilersPacific Division1. Anaheim Ducks2. San Jose Sharks3. Los Angeles Kings4. Dallas Stars5. Phoenix CoyotesStanley Cup Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins over the Vancouver Canucks in 6 games