New Jersey Devils: Metropolitan Division Standings Predictions

With the season firing up in a week hype for the New Jersey Devils is reaching its peak and after abysmal years they can turn things around. With huge additions to the team, especially on the back end the team is unquestionably better but can they make a playoff push? The division is a competitive one and has seven teams that could make the playoffs if things went right so where will things end up when the dust settles at the end of the regular season.

1. Washington Capitals

Still a force up front with a strong top-six forward group that has some size and grit, the Washington Capitals will be what they have been for years now. John Carlson is a premier defender who can move the puck. While not a strength, they are still better than some of the teams in the division on the back end with two young goaltenders who will bring it each and every night. Expect to see them at the top or near it at the end of the year.

2. NY Islanders

Coming in with a similar roster, the New York Islanders will likely be a similar team. The loss of Eberle was a little surprising considering who was protected in the expansion draft over him but Lou has always loved his veterans and does get the most out of his teams. Chara could be a decent boost on the back end on the bottom pairing and Parise could add some good depth, especially on a team that plays with such a high tempo and effort level on a night-to-night basis. The team has never impressed on paper, but they have proven that they are legit. With a balanced lineup and good system, they will continue to succeed.

3. Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes had a huge offseason and made some interesting changes. The first was letting go of All-Star defender Dougie Hamilton, who then made his way to the Devils and the second was signing Jespari Kotkaniemi to an offer sheet to get back at the Montreal Canadiens. They continue to boast three very good defenders, but without Hamilton’s puck moving and ability to munch minutes, it will put some pressure on the others. Expect someone like Ethan Bear to step up in his place. They will still have a top-tier defense in the division, and with cheap but effective goaltending between Freddy Anderson and Antti Raanta, it won’t be a surprise to see them as a top third team defensively. Up front, they have a solid top 6 and it should be enough to keep them near the top and a playoff team.

4. New Jersey Devils

The Devils are a team on the cusp of a breakthrough, and this could and should be the year they do it. Adding a top pairing on the back end is huge and with Hamilton and Ryan Graves added to Damon Severson and Ty Smith, this team has a legit top 4 defense that will get the league talking. In net, the addition of Jonathan Bernier is a move that looks surprisingly good based on his numbers on a bad Detroit team. Expect his numbers and those of Mackenzie Blackwood to go up when they are no longer shelled every game and can split time. Up front, Tomas Tatar has been a good player for years and will add to the top 6 in a big way but what will raise this team’s bar up front is a healthy Nico Hischier and an older Jack Hughes. Both this first overall picks will start to show the potential from junior and the rest of the youth will help lead this team back to the playoffs.

5. Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers added Rasmus Ristolainen and Ryan Ellis this offseason. That is a good step forward on the blue line, adding to a good core headlined by Ivan Provorov. If Carter Hart can have a bounce-back season the Flyers will be tough to score on and will move the puck up the ice well leading to some success. On the offensive side, it is a mix of veterans who can bring it still like Claude Giroux and Kevin Hayes and young players who can add a  lot moving forward like Joel Farabee. With this good mix, the playoffs are within sight for them so expect them to be fighting with the Devils at the end of the year.

6. New York Rangers

The Devils biggest rival has been ahead of them for a while now. With some fantastic youth, they could make a push soon. On the back end, they have two solid goaltenders like the Capitals but other than Jacob Trouba and Adam Fox, the defense is not much to look at. Up front, they have three incredible players in Atemi Panarin, Mika Zibanejad, and Chris Kreider, but the rest is average at best. They have numerous players who could very easily take a step forward, but other than Alexis Lafreniere, it is not something we expect. This is the year the Devils will pass them finally and hopefully, the Rangers will miss the playoffs again.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins

Having two of the best centers in the league for so long had them at the top of the league but they are aging, declining, and worst of all for them, injured to start the year. They will need a huge start from players like Jake Guentzel and Jason Zucker in the absence of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. A slow start could push them out of the playoffs for the first time in a very long time. On the back end, Kris Letang is at the age where a drop-off is possible. The depth is just not there anymore and Tristan Jarry is a hit-or-miss goalie whose .909 save percentage from last year will need to shoot back up just to hold the team together. This team is not the Penguins of old anymore and they will start to take some steps back this season.

8. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Jackets are going into a full-on rebuild and have some solid goaltending with Merzlikins and Korpisalo but overall they do not have much in the way of a competitive team. On the back end, it is Werenski and that is about it while upfront there are some big players with big question marks such as Laine who could easily score 40 goals or coast around so much he nets 20. Expect this team to be in the bottom 5 at the end of the year and the Devils will need to take points in all games against them.