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NHL’s Metropolitan Division: Sid The Kid vs Ovi vs King Henrik

By Aryssah Stankevitsch

Nov 20, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin (8) an Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) follow the puck in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals right wing Alex Ovechkin (8) an Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) follow the puck in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Injuries will play a big factor in how the NHL’s Metropolitan division will turn out – more so than any other division, I think. These teams may not be deep, but have a few stars that could make or break the squad’s season. Imagine if everyone was healthy, it could look just like this…

1)   Pittsburgh Penguins

The Pens will likely return to the top of the Metro like last year, as they replaced most of their losses in the off-season – some may even say upgraded. New GM Jim Rutherford lost Lee Stempniak for Steve Downie, and Matt Niskanen for Christian Ehrhoff. Their biggest area of concern is losing James Neal – expect Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Chris Kunitz to pick up the pieces. Keep in mind, the team hasn’t finished lower than second since Crosby was drafted.

2)   New York Rangers

Jun 11, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal (18) grabs onto the leg of Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll (28) during the first period in game four of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 11, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal (18) grabs onto the leg of Los Angeles Kings center Jarret Stoll (28) during the first period in game four of the 2014 Stanley Cup Final at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

The team had an awesome run to the Stanley Cup Final last year, though during the season they occasionally looked shaky – but finished second in the division. Brad Richards led a lot of the way in the post-season, and now he’s got a Blackhawks jersey to wear. Dan Boyle will replace some of that leadership, alongside Martin St. Louis, who can always be depended on. The area of concern? Rick Nash. He only had 16 points during the regular season, and was held pointless in the Stanley Cup Final. His middle name should be “Inconsistent”.

3)   Washington Capitals

Matt Niskanen and Brooks Orpik are now under Ovi than Cros, and will help out the Caps’ d-core (with Mike Green sort of losing his touch). Ovi seems healthy, and should be entertaining as always; if he could touch 50 goals again, that would be fantastic. Last year’s inability to make the playoffs should motivate him – it was his first time since his sophomore season. The only negative is the Capitals putting all of their trust in Braden Holtby – who had the highest GAA of the four goalies they used last season. If he can tend net well, they’ll jump from fifth last year to third this year.

4) Philadelphia Flyers

Captain Giroux has a lot of drive, but I expect them to finish one spot lower than they did last year. Steve Mason was okay, with a 2.50 GAA last season – however goaltending tends to breakdown in Philly almost every year. New additions of Michael Del Zotto and RJ Umberger will hopefully flourish in their new city; unlike new teammate Vincent Lecavalier, who isn’t really doing what he was expected to in the City of Brotherly Love. It’ll be weird to see Scott Hartnell in a Columbus jersey, too.

5) Columbus Blue Jackets

Feb 7, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period at Prudential Center. The Devils won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils goalie Cory Schneider (35) makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period at Prudential Center. The Devils won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Last year was a fluke. Sure Bobrovsky is a Vezina winner, and Scott Hartnell should bring some fire, but they won’t reach the playoffs. I bet you $5.

6) New Jersey Devils

The Brodeur era I think is officially over. With a 42-year-old leading your offense as top scorer, Jersey needed to bring in some fire – and did so with Mike Cammalleri and Martin Havlat. Adam Henrique was the only player other than Jaromir Jagr to reach the 20 goal plateau.

7) New York Islanders

Mikhail Grabrovski, Nik Kulemin, and Cory Conacher are fun additions. However, Grabo is inconsistent, Kulemin has become more defensive/lost his offensive touch, and Coacher is still yet to prove himself. Other than two seasons ago, the Isles had not made the playoffs since 2006-2007. If John Tavares can stay healthy this year, hopefully they won’t finish last. Look to Jaro Halak to start in net, but may not be the starter by the end of the season.

8) Carolina Hurricanes

The Canes have the fire power with Skinner, Semin and (the) Staal(s) – but that’s it. Cam Ward is not playing like the $6.6-million he’s making; his GAA has steadily increased since he won the cup, and now is at a 3.06.

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