Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning have remained steady while the division contenders around them have lost, either through trade (Maple Leafs, Marner) or injury (Panthers). Meanwhile, the Lightning arguably still have the best goalie in the division (Andrei Vasilevskiy), the best defenseman (Victor Hedman) and one of the top first lines in the game in Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov. Missing Nick Paul until November hurts their depth, but winning is so baked into their culture that it just feels like someone will step into that hole and prosper. The Lightning last won a division title in 2018-19, but it feels like this is the season they get back into the top spot in the Atlantic. — Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

The Lightning were my pick before learning of Barkov’s season-ending knee injury. Bill Price, our editor-in-chief, has the proof in his email inbox. I sent my season predictions on Wednesday. Barkov sustained his injury Thursday. I like Tampa Bay’s depth and prove-it mentality. It might have the best combined ability to score and defend in the League. If not for injuries last season, things might have ended differently. The Lightning were compromised in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with defenseman Hedman, and forwards Oliver Bjorkstrand, Yanni Gourde and Anthony Cirelli all injured, and Brandon Hagel dealing with an injury and a suspension. The fact is that they had four of the 12 combined first- and second-team NHL All-Stars, including Kucherov, who won the Art Ross Trophy. All are back. They’re loaded and hungry to prove they’re still a Stanley Cup contender after three straight first-round exits, the past two to the Panthers. It starts in the regular season. — Dan Rosen, senior writer

There is one caveat here. If future Hall of Fame goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy is not healthy enough to play at least half the games as the Lightning’s No. 1 goalie this season, all bets are off. He’s been out with an undisclosed injury, but coach Jon Cooper says he’ll be ready for the start of the season. If so, there’s a lot to like about the Lightning. Toronto said goodbye to Marner (102 points), who is now a Vegas Golden Knight. The Lightning, meanwhile, bring back Vasilevskiy, another future Hall of Famer in Hedman, and four players in Kucherov (121), Hagel (90), Point (82) and Guentzel (80) who reached the 80-point barrier last season. What’s not to like? — Mike Zeisberger, staff writer