The NHL playoffs are far away, but already teams are taking shape for the big dance at the end of the year.
I know it’s really early but I’m going to take you division to division. Let’s start with the Metropolitan Division. The Metropolitan Division has a few possible cup winners this year, such as the New York Rangers who won last year’s presidents trophy for best team of the regular season. All in all, they accrued 113 points.
Also they have the Washington Capitals who traded for T.J Oshie and the Pittsburgh Penguins who made some major changes this post-season, such as grabbing Phil Kessel from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Here are the top three who will automatically get through in order.
1) New York Rangers
2) Pittsburgh Penguins
3) Washington Capitals
Now for the Atlantic Division. This division has two heavyweights. First up is the Montreal Canadiens, who look particularly strong. Second are last year’s Eastern Conference champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning. These teams have stars in each position and look great on the ice. Montreal have Max Pacioretty, P.K Subban, and Carey Price. Tampa’s stars include Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman, and goaltender Ben Bishop.
Here are the final rankings.
1) Tampa Bay Lightning
2) Montreal Canadiens
3) Ottawa Senators
Now we need two wild card teams who I think will both be members of the Metropolitan Division
7) New York Islanders
8) Columbus Blue Jackets
Andrew Kitchener
Roar Guru
I love what Tampa brings. They have multiple 20-goal scorers, and can score off just about any line, not to mention the likes of Stralman and Hedman on defence. I love that combination. With Bishop behind them, it's a tough wall for opposition teams to penetrate. Lighting will be there or thereabouts again, for sure.
Andrew Kitchener
Roar Guru
I'm an NYR fan, too, and I've always loved that the Isles organisation away from the rink is so dysfunctional that on-ice success hasn't looked likely. Now that they're getting things sorted out in the front office, they're going to be a scary unit. Too much talent, right across the board.
spencer Hedges
Guest
I think this is a interesting prediction and I would tend to agree obviously the rangers will come on top but I am not so sure about Tampa bay I think the Ottawa Senators will be the 1st placers in the Atlantic division.
Post hoc
Guest
I just don't see Tampa doing it again, I think they will suffer, my pick as maybe one of the wild cards
Bob
Guest
I think you're underestimating the Islanders. I'm a Ranger fan so it's not easy to say that but there's a lot of young talent that got a taste of the playoffs and what it takes to win. The Islanders fell off a bit down the stretch in the regular season after sitting atop the Metro division for much of the 14/15 season. That was due to a lack of depth on the back end and as Leddy & Boychuk tired, the Isles couldn't protect leads or carry the puck up ice as effectively. This season their young players on the back end have more NHL experience and so they should have more depth back there. The team from a season ago remains intact so they should contend for a top 3 spot in the division.