Sports Take

As per the last article as preseason gets underway I am continuing my predictions for the NHL division standings, today it’s the top heavy Metro Division. Let’s get to it. Out of respect to John Gaudreau, and the Columbus Blue Jackets I will not be ranking them at this time.

#7) Washington Capitals
While the goal for the Caps is to be competitive for Ovechkin to break the all-time goals record and further cement himself as the greatest goal scorer the NHL has ever seen, the hill is just to steep to climb for this team with aging players and no true star young guns climbing the ranks

#6) Pittsburgh Penguins
As with the Caps the Pens also are a aging team without top prospects coming through their system, I give Sydney Crosby a lot of respect for continuing his career in Pittsburgh, a place he has made his home and has a truly legendary legacy in the city. I have doubts everywhere on this team, I think they’ll still be competitive in games but come up short more than not.

#5) Carolina Hurricanes
The defense and goaltending are the big stories for the Hurricanes and I don’t believe that this is a playoff team this year, they haven’t upgraded anywhere and seem to be running it back. This will prove to be their undoing as the current Stanley Cup window appears to be closing slowly

#4) New York Islanders
This team could and should be a playoff contender, an all-star caliber first line, a goaltending tandem that makes the entire league jealous, a solid top 6 defense core. The question is, can Patrick Roy put it all together for 82 games and prove this team is what it looks like. Currently I have them just outside the Playoffs.

#3) Philadelphia Flyers
Coming so close to that final playoff spot, and knowing that if they had won a single game down the stretch of that long winless streak at the end of the season has been haunting this team all summer long and I believe it’s added fuel to the fire. I have them picking up the last spot in the Metro division playoff qualifying position, with what seems to be the consensus leader in the Calder Trophy race in Matvei Michkov, the unlocking of Owen Tippett last season, I think the Flyers are going to take that step

#2) New Jersey Devils
I believe that Sheldon Keefe leaving the Leafs was a blessing for him and having the media scrutinize every decision, every line combination, every single day, and I think that pressure being lifted off him can take this team to brand new heights and be a Stanley Cup contender. I’m buying what their doing and I’m looking forward to seeing what this team can do, they’ll be entertaining to watch as well.

#1) New York Rangers
Until someone can knock them down a peg in the regular season, this is the best built team in the East, (maybe Florida gives them a run). All around great team, I see zero flaws or concerns. A true Stanley Cup Contender.

All in all the top 2 look to be a sure lock (barring devastating injury/results) the rest is a log jam of we’ll see what happens over 82 games. I am pumped up for the season to start.