Way Too Early Metro Division Thoughts: Overreactions, Bold Predictions, and Early Surprises

The Metropolitan division was set to be one of the worst divisions if not the worst this season in the NHL based on last year’s results, and despite having the Stanley Cup favourite Hurricanes amongst them, the Metro is still having its problems, but there has been a lot of interesting takeaways from the first handful of games.

When we look at the Central, Atlantic, and Pacific divisions, there are clearly four or five teams who will be battling for the playoffs, however that isn’t the case for the Metro division. Although the preseason Cup favourite Hurricanes are the ones to beat in the Metro, the likes of the New York Islanders, and the Philadelphia Flyers don’t fill us with too much hope that the wildcard spots will be dripping with Metro talent, and it could be another tough year for Metro fans.

So far it seems like some of the teams like Pittsburgh and Washington have had decent starts to the season given how much they were talked badly about during the offseason, and with Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby still playing their best games, they are probably the biggest eye catchers in the east. The Blue Jackets haven’t started great, the Islanders are only watchable because of Matthew Schaefer, and the Rangers just aren’t clicking under Mike Sullivan, but some things at the top have become really clear.

Having Jack Hughes back, a reinvigorated bottom six group, and a hot start for Simon Nemec and Luke Hughes, the Devils couldn’t really be asking for a better start. Head coach Sheldon Keefe wasn’t really given a fair chance last season given how plagued the Devils were with injuries, but with all his big boys back, and a good haul of talent coming in, the Devils look like a sure playoff team, and will definitely be in the mix with Carolina again. Watching the Devils first five games has really shown how the depth has given them a massive advantage, however one thing is clear, Timo Meier needs to find his late season form now otherwise the fear of scoring issues could come soon.

Carolina who are in the hunt every year have had a great start. 5-0-0 to start the year, Seth Jarvis looks crazy good, Ehlers looks like he is having some trouble settling in but he will get there, and K’Andre Miller looks like arguably the move of the offseason. For a team who lost a big guy in Martin Necas and then proceeded to lose Mikko Rantanen, they have pulled themselves back up nicely, and they 100% have the players, the coaches, and the speed to warrant being one of the Cup favourites again.

Last year was all about the Ovi goal chase in Washington, but now it’s all about giving Ovi potentially a solid last season. The supporting cast like Dylan Strome, Connor McMichael, and Aliaksei Protas were all on the Ovi goal record chase train last season, and doubts over whether they could maintain their form crept in over the offseason, but a solid 4-2-0 start has shut that down quickly. The Caps will definitely be contending for a playoff spot this season, and whether it is Ovi’s last or not, the Caps really have a reason to play hard again.

And finally who can forget the Rangers. Mike Sullivan came in with his back-to-back Cup winning credentials, and so far he has been saved by his goalie on one too many occasions. A horrible opening night against his former team didn't look great for Sullivab’s new look Rangers, and a 3-3-1 record doesn't look so attractive either. It is clear that they can’t find their scoring touch. Zibanejad is still missing, Panarin is playing like a $3 million third liner, and the offense just isn’t clicking. Will the Rangers make the playoffs? We still can’t tell, but one thing for sure is that their back end is award winning worthy, Shesterkin may win the Vezina, and Adam Fox is back in that Norris mood.