" This is -- to and from foxsports.com. In the southeast division Washington Capitals Tampa Bay Lightning and the Atlanta Thrashers -- streaking people close on -- on as the season progresses. The capitals pushed the eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins to the limit in a memorable seven game second round playoff series last spring. And they'll be hungry to push themselves and the cup contention this year. Adding veterans Mike Knuble and Brandon -- and should be an improvement over surrogate Fedorov and Viktor Kozlov all of goaltending duel between Jose Theodore playoff hero in the in -- should only benefit the club. Led by our winner Alexander Ovechkin and young stars like -- with Baxter Alexander's Damon and Mike Green. The capital should be among the league -- league club this season. The Tampa Bay Lightning crashed and burned last season following year significant shake ups in the circus like atmosphere but they should be a better team in the these. And that retaliation be healthier. Second your players speak stand coach should have a strong sophomore performance and the addition of the should improve their defense core Winger Alex Tanguay who signed in the off season should also be significant addition to their offense. If goaltender Mike Schmidt can make a full recovery from last season's concussion injury the lightning could finish higher than last in the division this season. The Atlanta Thrashers mister -- significant additions in the off season despite maintaining the payroll under fifteen million for this season. And center nick and for pop and veteran defenseman Pavel who -- it to the Blue Line. Promising Bryan little and -- who goes in should also help -- they -- team makes significant strides in the development this season. Expected goaltending duel between Andrei Pavel act in the oft injured Kari let in. And the winner of back and not only determine who becomes the starting goaltender but also the thrashers chances to make the playoffs this season. Ultimately the pressures of improvement could rap superstar Winger Ilya Kovalchuk. Who wants to see this team improve before he commits to a long term contract. Of the teams and without peace I predict that the Washington Capitals will be the team that goes on and take the division."