Fansided

Revisiting FanSided NHL’s 2019-20 season predictions at the 1st quarter pole

By Mary Clarke

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 21: Brock Nelson #29 of the New York Islanders celebrates his third period goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Barclays Center on November 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 21: Brock Nelson #29 of the New York Islanders celebrates his third period goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Barclays Center on November 21, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Metropolitan Division

(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
 FanSided NHL’s preseason prediction  Metropolitan Division standings  Points
 Washington Capitals  Washington Capitals*  37
 Carolina Hurricanes  New York Islanders*  34
 Pittsburgh Penguins  Carolina Hurricanes*  31
 Philadelphia Flyers  Pittsburgh Penguins*  28
 New Jersey Devils  Philadelphia Flyers*  27
 New York Rangers  New York Rangers  22
 New York Islanders  Columbus Blue Jackets  22
 Columbus Blue Jackets  New Jersey Devils  20

* Indicates playoff position

The biggest mea culpa we have to issue in the Metropolitan Division is to the New York Islanders. The Islanders haven’t lost in regulation since Oct. 11 in a game against the Hurricanes, with a point streak that has reached 17 games. We were not believers in Barry Trotz and the Islanders coming into the year, but we sure are now after the last month and a half of domination.

Only the Capitals are better than the Islanders in the Metropolitan Division right now, but they have played four more games than the Islanders and both teams have won 16 games this season. Washington is as dominant as we’ve expected, however, and their rise to the top of the division should not be ignored.

The Metropolitan Division’s biggest disappointment comes at the hands of the Devils, who are toiling in the league’s basement after a promising offseason. New Jersey have played themselves out of a playoff spot before Thanksgiving, and with the news that Taylor Hall is unlikely to sign a contract extension in mid-season, the Devils are without much on the positivity front.

The Rangers and the Blue Jackets making up the bottom of the Metropolitan Division is unsurprising, due to Columbus’ key offseason departures and New York’s roster deficiencies. The gap between the Metropolitan Division’s basement and the middle of the pack is surmountable with a good few weeks of play, but it’s unlikely given the talent the two teams possess.

Making up the middle of the Metro are the Hurricanes, Penguins and Flyers. Carolina has been solid overall this season with a few hiccups. Pittsburgh has held together somehow despite key injuries to nearly every position on their roster — and without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for major stretches of time.

The Flyers have been up and down all season, and yet can’t escape blowing leads late to head to overtime, as Philadelphia has gone to the extra frame or the shootout eight times in the month of November.

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