Stanley Cup Berths Up for Grabs

While Chicago and Toronto fight for the National Hockey League lead, Montreal, Detroit, and New York will probably be fighting for third and fourth place and a qualifying position in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Canadiens and Red Wings third and fourth last year, but a revamped Ranger may pull one of them down this season.

Montreal's once omnipotent Canadiens are getting old. The consisting of veterans Jean Beliveau and Boom Boom Geoffrion, with rookie John Ferguson, has already scored nine goals, but should show fatigue as the season progresses. Dickie Moore has re-retired, leaving Henri Richard with little support on the second line. The formerly impregnable defense has only Jean Guy Talbot left. If age weakens Boliveau and Geoffrion, Montreal could miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 1948.

As Gordie Howe goes, so go the Detroit Red Wings. Goalie Terry Sawchuk is the only other standout in a generally mediocre team. Detroit has won three of the four games this season in which Howe has played: in the fifth, Howe was sidelined with an injury, and Detroit was shut out. Last year's leading scorer and Most Valuable Player, Howe is playing in his 18th season.

New York has acquired some valuable talent over the winter, and could place as high as third. Jacques Plante, MVP two years ago, takes over for goalie Gump Worsley. Donnie Marshall and Phil Goyette at center ice, along with Val Fonteyne, one of the league's top penalty killers, will fill handsomely two former Ranger gaps. Right wing Andy Bathgate, among the league's top scorers for the last eight years, will miss left wing Dean Prentice, who is now a Bruin. However, he should team up well with Goyette as his center. If Camille Henry can continue to score goals and Doug Harvey can hold together the shaky defense for another year, the Rangers should have an excellent chance to return to Stanley Cup competition.

Bruins a Sure Loser

The one sure thing is the home town Bruins. Winless Boston is the only team which has scored less than it has been scored upon. The sharp passing line of Johnny Bucyk, Murray Oliver, and Tom Williams will be the sole bright spot for Boston fans. The chicken wire defense and lack of offensive depth will, barring a miracle, sink the Bruins deeper than ever into the cellar.

Montreal's once omnipotent Canadiens are getting old. The consisting of veterans Jean Beliveau and Boom Boom Geoffrion, with rookie John Ferguson, has already scored nine goals, but should show fatigue as the season progresses. Dickie Moore has re-retired, leaving Henri Richard with little support on the second line. The formerly impregnable defense has only Jean Guy Talbot left. If age weakens Boliveau and Geoffrion, Montreal could miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 1948.

As Gordie Howe goes, so go the Detroit Red Wings. Goalie Terry Sawchuk is the only other standout in a generally mediocre team. Detroit has won three of the four games this season in which Howe has played: in the fifth, Howe was sidelined with an injury, and Detroit was shut out. Last year's leading scorer and Most Valuable Player, Howe is playing in his 18th season.

New York has acquired some valuable talent over the winter, and could place as high as third. Jacques Plante, MVP two years ago, takes over for goalie Gump Worsley. Donnie Marshall and Phil Goyette at center ice, along with Val Fonteyne, one of the league's top penalty killers, will fill handsomely two former Ranger gaps. Right wing Andy Bathgate, among the league's top scorers for the last eight years, will miss left wing Dean Prentice, who is now a Bruin. However, he should team up well with Goyette as his center. If Camille Henry can continue to score goals and Doug Harvey can hold together the shaky defense for another year, the Rangers should have an excellent chance to return to Stanley Cup competition.

Bruins a Sure Loser

The one sure thing is the home town Bruins. Winless Boston is the only team which has scored less than it has been scored upon. The sharp passing line of Johnny Bucyk, Murray Oliver, and Tom Williams will be the sole bright spot for Boston fans. The chicken wire defense and lack of offensive depth will, barring a miracle, sink the Bruins deeper than ever into the cellar.

As Gordie Howe goes, so go the Detroit Red Wings. Goalie Terry Sawchuk is the only other standout in a generally mediocre team. Detroit has won three of the four games this season in which Howe has played: in the fifth, Howe was sidelined with an injury, and Detroit was shut out. Last year's leading scorer and Most Valuable Player, Howe is playing in his 18th season.

New York has acquired some valuable talent over the winter, and could place as high as third. Jacques Plante, MVP two years ago, takes over for goalie Gump Worsley. Donnie Marshall and Phil Goyette at center ice, along with Val Fonteyne, one of the league's top penalty killers, will fill handsomely two former Ranger gaps. Right wing Andy Bathgate, among the league's top scorers for the last eight years, will miss left wing Dean Prentice, who is now a Bruin. However, he should team up well with Goyette as his center. If Camille Henry can continue to score goals and Doug Harvey can hold together the shaky defense for another year, the Rangers should have an excellent chance to return to Stanley Cup competition.

Bruins a Sure Loser

The one sure thing is the home town Bruins. Winless Boston is the only team which has scored less than it has been scored upon. The sharp passing line of Johnny Bucyk, Murray Oliver, and Tom Williams will be the sole bright spot for Boston fans. The chicken wire defense and lack of offensive depth will, barring a miracle, sink the Bruins deeper than ever into the cellar.