NHL PREDICTIONS, 2013-14 SEASON PREVIEW: Metropolitan Division
The NHL season returns to us this week, so we thought we’d throw some season previews and predictions your way. My favorite division after the shuffle is definitely the Metropolitan Division. It’s comprised of eight teams that could conceivably be playoff contenders, that now must battle through each other to try to make the postseason.
As a Devils fan, I hate the new system and hate this new division. It’s absolutely loaded. Nevertheless, this is definitely the most fun division for me to break down. Might as well start out the season having fun! Here are my predictions for the 2013-14 Metropolitan Division:
1. New York Rangers: The John Tortorella era in New York is finally over, which means the confusing, shot-blocking, defense-only system he ran is finally a thing of the past. The Rangers have arguably the best goaltender in hockey (in a contract year), arguably the best top pairing defensively in hockey (and possibly the best top-six defensemen), and a system that will promote offensive freedom that finally relies on the defensive brilliance this club is capable of without a silly system. Watch for the Rangers to do big things this year in a tight division (and it pains me to say this as a Devils guy)
2. Pittsburgh Penguins: There’s so much talent here. Sure, every year we build them up to watch one or more superstars go down with injury, and every year they have a spontaneous goaltending combustion in the playoffs, but they’re still a loaded regular season hockey team. I’m not sure I’m going to pick them to win the Stanley Cup, but I do think they finish in contention for a divisional crown.
3. New Jersey Devils: Why not? Well lots of reasons – they lost Ilya Kovalchuk, they missed the playoffs last year after a catastrophic collapse, and they have a slow and aging defense. Still, I think that after the top two teams this division gets dicey. The Devils loaded up on system guys and role players to replace an ill-begotten superstar, and I think it could work. Throw a newly-acquired Cory Schneider into the mix in arguably the most talented platoon in hockey (outside of maybe St. Louis before Elliott’s collapse) and you’ve got a winning formula in New Jersey. Some youth, some big signings like Clowe, Ryder, and Brunner… this team is going to be the most underrated team in hockey entering the season. Either that, or my admitted fandom has gotten in the way again. Either way, I fully expect the Devils to have high value moneylines all season and I’m excited about Devils hockey again! Admittedly, this might be a bit much… but I can see it happening because of the mediocrity of the rest of the division.
4. Washington Capitals: Sure, the Caps came into their own down the stretch after Adam Oates’ system was finally implemented, but there’s no denying Washington has capitalized (get it) on a weak division for the entire Alexander Ovechkin era. I believe in this team, but there’s so many holes. They lack the depth to contend with traditional Atlantic Division playoff teams, but they do have a great system and a good, young coach. They believe, and it looks like they might be healthy, but is that enough?
5. New York Islanders: Goaltending, goaltending, goaltending. The Islanders have all the pieces except legitimate, playoff-caliber goaltending. I love this team. I love John Tavares. I think it’s great that the Islanders are relevant again… but they’re missing one crucial piece to the puzzle, and I think that will lend to mediocrity once again.
6. Philadelphia Flyers: Perhaps in a worse goaltending situation than the Islanders, the Flyers have some serious firepower on offense that must mitigate their goalie woes. After finally cutting ties with Ilya Bryzgalov, the Flyers’ goalie carousel took another spin and they could be in trouble this year.
7. Columbus Blue Jackets: Sergei Bobrovsky, age 25 after a birthday this week, might prove to be the franchise goalie that lifts this young franchise from the depths of the standings. Unfortunately, even with their impressive finish to last year’s shortened campaign, I have to wonder if there’s enough here to compete in this loaded division. For now, I say no.
8. Carolina Hurricanes: The Canes may very well be the worst team in this division. An aging goaltender and mediocre defense negates a top-heavy offense and creates a very average team. In this division, average might not be enough anymore. This ain’t the South anymore, ‘Lina.
P.S. Upgrade to Zcode VIP Club and Unlock All Winning Picks. Instant Access.
