The National Hockey League opens its North American schedule tomorrow, and this year could be one of the most interesting seasons in recent memories. There is no clear-cut Stanley Cup matchups because there are too many good teams vying for a spot. Those teams that stay relatively healthy, and can weather the storm of a 82-game schedule will have a great shot at the postseason.

Today I’m going to take a look at three teams to watch in the Eastern Conference. These teams should make the playoffs and have a chance at Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Tampa Bay Lightning: What an offseason it has been for the Lightning as the rebuilding has almost come to a completion. Out is John Tortorella and in is Barry Melrose. The former ESPN analyst has been behind the scenes for so many years, one wonders if he can motivate his team in the new NHL. My answer is yes, and Melrose has a chance to lead this team back to the Cup finals.

Signing Vincent Lecavalier to a mega deal, acquiring Andrej Meszaros from Ottawa and drafting Steven Stamkos with the first overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft could swing the franchise in the right direction. This has been a turning point for the 2003-04 Cup winners, who have struggled since the lockout.

Goalie Mike Smith has a chance to be the real deal in Tampa. After backing up Marty Turco in Dallas, Smith should step out of the shadows and become a solid NHL starter. Olaf Kolzig will backup Smith, and could spell the youngster for 20-25 games this season.

RW Martin St. Louis is due for a big year. He has the ability to score 100 points, but has only done so once in his career. If he can score 40 goals, watch out. And this is a team that could feed off his leadership and work ethic, especially Stamkos.

Tortorella’s poor attitude is gone, and Melrose should bring a positive light to this team to get them into the playoffs. Last year, Philadelphia retooled and got into the playoffs. This year, it’s the Lightning.

Buffalo Sabres: What happened to the 2006-07 President’s Trophy winners? In one year, the Sabres fell from one of the best teams in hockey to a team in turmoil. After Buffalo was unable to resign free agents Chris Drury and Daniel Briere and overspent to keep Thomas Vanek following that monster offer sheet, the season was a mess. Injuries, the Brian Campbell saga, poor performance and inconsistency plagued the Sabres, and the team never got together.

This season should be very different. Sabres brass finally spent the money necessary to keep their core players. They inked G Ryan Miller (pictured above), C Paul Gaustad and RW Jason Pominville to long-term extensions while making some key acquisitions. The Sabres obtained D Craig Rivet from San Jose, and signed G Patrick Lalime as a competent backup.

Coach Lindy Ruff needs to get more production from its power play. D Jaroslav Spacek was scoring when healthy, but the team needs more snipers. LW Daniel Paille should be given an opportunity, but Vanek needs to make himself a bigger presence in front.

Miller is the key to this season. The Sabres will find a way to score. But last year, the team had no backup support and Miller was hung out to play a career-high 76 games. Lalime will play early and often, and Miller will be fresh and prepared for the long campaign. Look for the East Lansing, MI native to have another solid season and rebound.

New Jersey Devils: The team will live and die by the play of G Martin Brodeur. If the veteran goaltender can win another 44 games, the Devils will be right in the hunt for the Atlantic Division lead. He will need to singlehandedly need to keep this team in games, but Brodeur is that type of shut-down goalie.

Acquiring Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik brings back memories of Stanley Cup glory. But can they be enough to spur on the Devil youth to step up? Zach Parise and Travis Zajac are due to breakout and Rolston’s presence could help them get there.

The Devils might not win 46 games this season, but they will still make the playoffs. Parise needs to move into the 40-goal category, and New Jersey needs some 30-goal/75-plus point men before they can really make a run for the Cup. But this team certainly has the talent to get there.

Coach Brent Sutter has to bring this team together quickly and get off to a fast start. GM Lou Lamoriello isn’t afraid to make a coaching change, and the Devils are desperate for success. But this team should step up and be more than just another one-and-done playoff team.

My name is Howie Mansfield, and I blog my thoughts at Sports Night Blog. You can reach me via e-mail at snb [at] howiemansfield [dot] com.