NHL Preseason Predictions: New York Rangers Take 2015-16 Metropolitan Division
As a New Jersey Devils fan, it’s hard to admit that the New York Rangers are the best team in the Metropolitan Division. It’s even harder to pick them to win your division two years in a row in annual preseason NHL predictions. This year, the blow was softened by being right last year. Here’s to another incredibly profitable hockey season, starting with a preview of my favorite division where I begrudgingly pick a team with one Stanley Cup since 1940.
1. New York Rangers (108 pts): I know the already sexy Pittsburgh Penguins got a little sexier when they added Phil Kessel, but over the course of a long regular season I like the stability the New York Rangers offer. I love this defense and the way the Rangers play, and it’s nice to be able to trust your goaltender every once in a while to just go out and win a game for you. It’s like choosing who you want to come home to at night – the “best friend,” reliable, beautiful woman that folds in the playoffs every year or the the hooker driving a Ferrari with a kilo of coke in the backseat that folds in the playoffs every year. Myself? I’m a cuddler.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins (105 pts): Like I said, I like the addition of Phil Kessel to this loaded Pittsburgh Penguins offense, but it’s like the Pittsburgh Penguins deliberately go out of their way to not address any of their actual needs each season. Hey, wouldn’t it be fun to score lots of goals? Yeah! I love goals! Hooray goals! Everyone loves scoring, but defense, goaltending, and depth win Stanley Cups: see the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins.
3. New York Islanders (100 pts): I like the Islanders in the way you like the 6’5 pitcher on your little league team. There’s so much potential here, but ultimately this is the goofiest 12 year old you’ve ever met. They’re young, they’re fast, they’re fun, and they finally have some NHL depth defensively after big moves last year made them a playoff contender. That said, the team had a quiet offseason and didn’t find a top-line winger to fill out the offense. Maybe the Islanders are waiting for midseason value, but failing to surround one of the top players in the game with any real talent is a mistake that will hold them back this year.
4. Washington Capitals (92 pts): Alexander Ovechkin exploded last year, leading his Caps to another exciting run in with the New York Rangers in the playoffs. That said, he again failed to find a way to win in the playoffs. Heck, what Washington Capitals season preview would be complete without mentioning how Alexander Ovechkin doesn’t win in the playoffs? You know what – maybe that’s all we even need to say about the Caps. Alexander Ovechkin – not a winner. The anti-Tim Tebow. A toothless Russian with a wicked slapshot and a trophy case full of participation ribbons.
5.Columbus Blue Jackets (91 pts): I love that the Columbus Blue Jackets are relevant for the first time because they picked up a throwaway goalie from the Philadelphia Flyers and he became one of the best in hockey. In fact, I love anything that makes the Flyers look stupid. The Jackets will be competitive again in 2015-16, but they’re still learning how to win.
6. New Jersey Devils (82 pts): The year was two thousand aught twelve. I had a beautiful woman by my side, wearing my oversized Zach Parise jersey. Adam Henrique had just scored an overtime goal to eliminate the New York Rangers from the playoffs, and the Devils were going to the Stanley Cup Finals. It might have been the last time I was truly happy. Young, sloppy defense, a wholly inept offense, and an entirely new front office regime will see the Devils… exactly where they’ve been since Kovy and Parise left.
7. Philadelphia Flyers (80 pts): Did I mention how much I love that the Philadelphia Flyers traded away a top NHL goaltender to put Steve Mason in net and plummet from perennial playoff contention? A lack of depth and mediocre goaltending will see the Flyers struggle again this year. Sure, maybe they finish ahead of my Devils, but if you don’t like my choices then you can write your own NHL preview.
8. Carolina Hurricanes (77 pts): The Hurricanes did what they could to address the goaltending issues that left them in the basement of a pretty competitive division. That said, what they Lack in offensive depth and coherent defensemen, they won’t be able to make up for with the acquisition of one backup goalie.
Feel free to sound off and let us know what you think about this upcoming NHL season. Since first publishing picks in 2009, I haven’t posted a losing season. It’s a great time to join the Z-Code community and follow all of our picks from day one as the hockey season begins. You can join here: http://www.zcodesystem.com/ or follow me on twitter: @FasterHockey – we’ll be posting more regularly there once the season starts up again. Cheers
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