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Washington Capitals Metro Division Preview – Predictions and Final Thoughts

By Nick Millini

Apr 22, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz (L) yells from the bench against the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period in game five of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Flyers won 2-0, and the Capitals lead the series 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 22, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz (L) yells from the bench against the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period in game five of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Verizon Center. The Flyers won 2-0, and the Capitals lead the series 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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As the Washington Capitals Metro Division preview has wrapped up, we will take a look at the division overall. How will each team finish and who will come out and win the division?

With all teams covered, Stars and Sticks is left to wait for the opening of the NHL regular season. However, I do feel like there should be some insight about all these previews. Plus, there’s the fact that given the nature of the sport of hockey, we could see significant shakeup in how these teams finish. The Washington Capitals might not win the Presidents’ Trophy this season. Perhaps a team that was in the playoffs last season might end up finishing towards the bottom of the league. Still, there is a fairly good idea of what teams will be in the playoffs this season. Without further ado, I will list from first to last the teams according to how I think they will finish this season.

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Number One: Washington Capitals

Make no mistake, the Washington Capitals didn’t win the Metropolitan Division and the Presidents’ Trophy on a fluke. As they have what can be considered the best top 6 in the league, the Caps will be able to score in many games. In addition, Braden Holtby is the previous season’s Vezina winner, and with good reason. With both a solid scoring attack and great goaltending, it’s hard to see the boys in red finish anywhere but the top of the division.

Number Two: Pittsburgh Penguins

Despite winning the Stanley Cup, it will be a fight for the top of the Metropolitan Division once again. Pittsburgh has plenty of talent to contend with Washington for the Metro title, ranging from Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel to the goalie talents of Marc Andre Fleury and Matt Murray. As one of the top two teams in the division, it will be hard to see Pittsburgh missing the playoffs this season.

Number Three: New York Islanders

Given the changes the Islanders had this offseason, this is a bit of a bold prediction. However, they did manage to address the missing spots created by adding experience with guys like Jason Chimera and Andrew Ladd. It’s a tossup between the two New York teams, but I give the edge to the Islanders based on potential and reasons I will explain in the next ranking.

Number Four: New York Rangers

The Rangers might make the playoffs again, due to Henrik Lundqvist’s talent, but the window is fast closing for them to make a Stanley Cup run. If there’s any year they could make a serious run it would have to be this year. Otherwise, don’t expect the Rangers to do much in the postseason if they make it.

Number Five: Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia made the postseason last year in what was a rebuilding year for them. Despite this, the Flyers made little moves in the offseason to address their concerns on offense. There is a chance they could make the playoffs again based on their defense and goalie play, but very little suggests that the Flyers are ready for a serious playoff run this season.

Number Six: Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina is much in the same rebuilding situation as Philadelphia, but the Hurricanes are probably farther away than the Flyers. They are still too inexperienced up front and their goalie situation still is lacking. Defensively, it is much the same. Still, if the Hurricanes were to make the playoffs, it would be due to a lot of factors from other teams in the Metro, such as a major injury. Carolina has the potential to be a bubble playoff team, but not much else.

Number Seven: New Jersey Devils

The days of being a bottom feeder may be past the New Jersey Devils, but they are still too far away from being a contender. Unless they can improve on scoring, it will be hard to see the Devils make a push for the playoffs. Consider them good enough to make some noise, but not good enough to be significant when it really counts.

Number Eight: Columbus Blue Jackets

It feels like long ago this was a team that made the playoffs with a lot of promise. However, things went south last season fairly quick, leading the the coaching change that has John Tortorella at the bench. The Blue Jackets are most likely headed for another last place finish again, unless a lot of things end up going well for them, such as Sergei Bobrovsky returning to his Vezina-winning form. Don’t expect Columbus as a contender this season.

Final Thoughts

This season’s Metropolitan Division will be a fight between the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winner and the Stanley Cup champion, Washington and Pittsburgh, respectively. I don’t expect Washington to take a step back this season, and neither do I expect Pittsburgh to go anywhere but contending for the top spot. After that, it gets a bit more cloudy in determining who claims that third spot in the division. Still, I give the edge to the Islanders over the Rangers and Flyers. It will be a toss up as to who finishes at the bottom, but I think the Devils have made better improvements than the Blue Jackets.

Next: Washington Capitals Metro Division Preview - New Jersey Devils

That wraps up the division preview, and thankfully we will not have long to wait until the regular season begins. As for whether or not the Capitals will win the Stanley Cup, that will remain to be seen.

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