{"id":1724,"date":"2016-09-27T09:15:03","date_gmt":"2016-09-27T13:15:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=1724"},"modified":"2016-09-26T11:10:09","modified_gmt":"2016-09-26T15:10:09","slug":"nhl-atlantic-blue-line-issues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2016\/09\/27\/nhl-atlantic-blue-line-issues\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Atlantic Blue Line Issues"},"content":{"rendered":"

In previewing the Atlantic Division, there was a theme that kept coming up. Most experts believe that the Tampa Bay Lightning<\/strong>, Florida Panthers<\/a><\/strong>, and the Montreal Canadiens<\/strong> are the class of the division. For the rest of the teams in the division, they will be viewed as underdogs. Reason being is these NHL<\/strong> Atlantic teams have blue line issues.<\/p>\n

Boston Bruins<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Boston Bruins<\/a><\/strong> blue line has seen better days. The Bruins defense is anchored by Zdeno Chara<\/a><\/strong>, who turns 40 at the end of the upcoming season. The future hall of famer is still solid but no longer a franchise defenseman. Torey Krug<\/a><\/strong> is a top four blue liner. However, after that, the Bruins are counting on a mixture of veterans and youngsters in Adam McQuaid<\/a><\/strong>, Kevan Miller<\/a><\/strong>, John-Michael Liles<\/a><\/strong>, Colin Miller<\/a><\/strong>, and Joseph Morrow<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Quite simply the Bruins defensive unit is not sufficient to make the playoffs. Last year Boston finished 20th in goals allowed per game, and that was with having a franchise goalie between the pipes in Tuukka Rask<\/strong>. This year’s squad might be worse.<\/p>\n

Buffalo Sabres<\/strong><\/p>\n

After the top three teams in the Atlantic, the team that has the greatest depth on the blue line is the Buffalo Sabres<\/a><\/strong>. Considering how much the Sabres goaltending was in a state of flux last year, finishing 16th in goals allowed per game was a positive.<\/p>\n

Adding Dmitry Kulikov<\/a><\/strong> this summer was a huge positive. Young veterans Zach Bogosian<\/a><\/strong> and Cody Franson<\/a><\/strong> need to be solid, consistent performers. Youngsters Rasmus Ristolainen<\/a><\/strong> and Jake McCabe<\/a><\/strong> need to continue to improve their game in their own end and away from the puck. Ristolainen was fourth in team scoring last year fro Buffalo. The 21-year old defenseman has a significant upside.<\/p>\n

The growth of the young Sabres blueliners and the addition of Kulikov could be the reason why Buffalo makes the playoffs this season.<\/p>\n

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Sabres' Rasmus Ristolainen not worried to still be without contract. https:\/\/t.co\/AntjDF680X<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/td7JJc1gp1<\/a><\/p>\n

— theScore (@theScore) September 15, 2016<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n