NHL Eastern Conference News

It's the fifth time in Joe Johnson's career that he's been awarded the Conference player of the week.

Font size: [A] [A] [A] The pairings for the upcoming District 2 and Eastern Conference playoffs have been finalized.

Eds: APNewsNow. Fire 2, Revolution 0. AP Photo ILJP101, ILJP102, ILJP103 BRIDGEVIEW, Ill.

The Clement-Cormier Cavaliers opened the Eastern Conference boys high school hockey season with a 7-0 win over the Moncton High Purple Knights here last night.

In the middle of a scrum in front of the Chicago goal, the ball fell to the one player the Revolution most wanted to have it.

Bernice MacNaughton Highlanders got two-goal efforts from three players en route to an 8-2 triumph over the Tantramar Titans in Eastern Conference high school hockey action last night at the Tim Hortons 4-Ice Centre.

Now that the season opener against the San Antonio Spurs is a day away, it's time to take a stance and predict how many games the Bulls will win this season and where they will finish in the Eastern Conference.

For entertainment purposes only, here's my informal analysis regarding how I see the Bulls' conference shaking out.

The Orlando Magic didn't spend much time hoisting their Eastern Conference championship banner.

The big question Has Kevin Garnett recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of last year's playoffs? The smaller question Can Rasheed Wallace thrive as a reserve? Strengths A stellar veteran core of stars, assuming good health.

The Pacers have a heck of a lineup. That would be a heck of an injured lineup. The Pacers aren't getting off on the right foot, knee, toe, back or shin this season.

As much as things are different they remain the same for the Calgary Hitmen. The playing fields are re-leveled after each season in the Canadian Hockey League, where building a core and maintaining a winning tradition is a tall order.

Los Angeles - Eastern Conference team capsules:Atlanta Hawks Last season: 47-35, lost to Cleveland in conference semifinals Coach: Mike Woodson Additions: G Jamal Crawford , F Joe Smith , C Jason Collins , G Jeff Teague Outlook: The Hawks added firepower in Crawford and needed frontcourt bench depth in Smith and Collins to an already strong roster.

It was by no means their most dominating effort this season but the Mississauga St.

3. a Series: United leads 21-17-8. a Projected lineups: Columbus -- GK Hesmer; D Hejduk, Brunner, O'Rourke, Padula; MF Gaven, Carroll, Burns, Rogers; F Schelotto, Lenhart.

North Catholic's Julian Durden breaks free from a Wilkinsburg defender in a game at Graham Field in Wilkinsburg.

The Central Penn Piranha will look to extend their run in the NAFL playoffs when they entertain the South Jersey Lynx at 7 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Park in Mechanicsburg.

Levi Nelson scored two goals as the Swift Broncos posted a 3-2 come-from-behind victory Friday over the Calgary Hitmen.

At the end of the regular season last spring, SportsNation placed six teams from the Eastern Conference in the top 10 of its Power Rankings .

OK, this is weird. As soon as I start paying attention to the Massey Ratings , they go all funky.