Post by gmcanucks on Nov 1, 2013 8:37:33 GMT -5
2013-2014 Metropolitan Division Predictions:
1. Philadelphia Flyers (1st in Divison, 2nd in Conference)
After a tight second round loss to the Chicago Black Hawks last season, the Flyers are looking to improve on that performance in 2013-2014.
The Flyers will rely on Jimmy Howard, acquired in the off-season from Vancouver, to carry the load between the pipes. A veteran blueline is led by Sheldon Souray, Christian Ehrhoff and Cody Franson. Lacking a true game breaker up front, the Flyers will need scoring from all four lines to be successful with leadership from captain Jordan Staal and veteran Jason Pomminville.
2. New York Islanders (2nd in Division, 4th in Conference)
The Islanders returned to the playoffs in 12-13 after a one year absence, but were swept in the first round by Philadelphia, their 4th straight opening round loss.
The Islanders count heavily on two of the games best players - goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist and centre Sidney Crosby. Aside from Crosby, the Islanders will need big contributions by youngsters Ryan Nugest Hopkins and Michael Grabner. The defense lacks puck movers, other than Mark Streit, but is very good defensively.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins (3rd in Division, 7th in Conference)
After missing the playoffs in 2012-2013, the Penguins looked poised for a return to the post-season this year.
Pittsburgh is led offensively by wingers Ilya Kovalchuk and Radim Vrbata and centres Mike Ribeiro and Nazem Kadri. An underrated defense features Jay Bouwmeester and youngster Victor Hedman. Solid play from goalkeeper Marc-Andre Fleury will be key to the Penguins returning to the post-season after a two year absence.
4. Carolina Hurricanes (4th in Division, 9th in Conference)
After a succesful regular season that saw the Hurricanes win 50 games for just the third time in the club's history, Carolina was bounced in the first round by the eventual JGHL Cup Champion Nashville Predators. It was the club's third consecutive first round exit.
The Hurricanes are led by Norris Trophy winner Dan Girardi, who leads a relatively unknown but competent blue-line corps. Up front, the club relies on scoring by committee with winger Jiri Tlusty expected to produce career numbers. Any chance of at a playoff berth will depend on the play of veteran goalie Roberto Luongo, who will share time with back-up Anders Lindback.
5. New York Rangers (5th in Division, 11th in Conference)
The Rangers missed the playoffs for the 4th time in the last five years in 2012-2013 and a return to the post-season does not look probable this year.
New York will need a lot of offense from veterans Mike Fisher and Michael Ryder to have any chance of winning games in 2013-2014. The defense is solid, if not flashy, led by Carl Gunnarson and James Wisniewski. Youngster Braden Holtby will get most of the starts in goal after the off-season trade of all-star Antti Niemi.
6. New Jersey Devils (6th in Division, 12th in Conference)
It looks like another rebuilding year after the Devils missed the playoffs in 2012-2013 after making the previous two Conference finals.
With a lack of proven talent up front, New Jersey coach Peter DeBoer will rely on youngsters Josh Bailey and Kyle Palmieri to score the big goals. Chris Phillips is the lone veteran on a defense big on potential but short of big league experience. The Club's strength is in goal where Corey Schneider and Sergei Bobrovsky form one of the league's best duos.
7. Washington Capitals (7th in Division, 13th in Conference)
After four consecutive playoff appearances, including a first round loss to the runner-up Black Hawks last season, the Capitals would appear to be in rebuild mode.
Cody Hodgson is the only proven forward on a roster filled with prospects, so scoring goals will be difficult. It's a similar story on the blueline with 23-year old Dmitri Kulikov expected to get major minutes. It will be up to veteran puckstopper Ryan Miller to keep Washington in games. It won't be easy.
1. Philadelphia Flyers (1st in Divison, 2nd in Conference)
After a tight second round loss to the Chicago Black Hawks last season, the Flyers are looking to improve on that performance in 2013-2014.
The Flyers will rely on Jimmy Howard, acquired in the off-season from Vancouver, to carry the load between the pipes. A veteran blueline is led by Sheldon Souray, Christian Ehrhoff and Cody Franson. Lacking a true game breaker up front, the Flyers will need scoring from all four lines to be successful with leadership from captain Jordan Staal and veteran Jason Pomminville.
2. New York Islanders (2nd in Division, 4th in Conference)
The Islanders returned to the playoffs in 12-13 after a one year absence, but were swept in the first round by Philadelphia, their 4th straight opening round loss.
The Islanders count heavily on two of the games best players - goalkeeper Henrik Lundqvist and centre Sidney Crosby. Aside from Crosby, the Islanders will need big contributions by youngsters Ryan Nugest Hopkins and Michael Grabner. The defense lacks puck movers, other than Mark Streit, but is very good defensively.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins (3rd in Division, 7th in Conference)
After missing the playoffs in 2012-2013, the Penguins looked poised for a return to the post-season this year.
Pittsburgh is led offensively by wingers Ilya Kovalchuk and Radim Vrbata and centres Mike Ribeiro and Nazem Kadri. An underrated defense features Jay Bouwmeester and youngster Victor Hedman. Solid play from goalkeeper Marc-Andre Fleury will be key to the Penguins returning to the post-season after a two year absence.
4. Carolina Hurricanes (4th in Division, 9th in Conference)
After a succesful regular season that saw the Hurricanes win 50 games for just the third time in the club's history, Carolina was bounced in the first round by the eventual JGHL Cup Champion Nashville Predators. It was the club's third consecutive first round exit.
The Hurricanes are led by Norris Trophy winner Dan Girardi, who leads a relatively unknown but competent blue-line corps. Up front, the club relies on scoring by committee with winger Jiri Tlusty expected to produce career numbers. Any chance of at a playoff berth will depend on the play of veteran goalie Roberto Luongo, who will share time with back-up Anders Lindback.
5. New York Rangers (5th in Division, 11th in Conference)
The Rangers missed the playoffs for the 4th time in the last five years in 2012-2013 and a return to the post-season does not look probable this year.
New York will need a lot of offense from veterans Mike Fisher and Michael Ryder to have any chance of winning games in 2013-2014. The defense is solid, if not flashy, led by Carl Gunnarson and James Wisniewski. Youngster Braden Holtby will get most of the starts in goal after the off-season trade of all-star Antti Niemi.
6. New Jersey Devils (6th in Division, 12th in Conference)
It looks like another rebuilding year after the Devils missed the playoffs in 2012-2013 after making the previous two Conference finals.
With a lack of proven talent up front, New Jersey coach Peter DeBoer will rely on youngsters Josh Bailey and Kyle Palmieri to score the big goals. Chris Phillips is the lone veteran on a defense big on potential but short of big league experience. The Club's strength is in goal where Corey Schneider and Sergei Bobrovsky form one of the league's best duos.
7. Washington Capitals (7th in Division, 13th in Conference)
After four consecutive playoff appearances, including a first round loss to the runner-up Black Hawks last season, the Capitals would appear to be in rebuild mode.
Cody Hodgson is the only proven forward on a roster filled with prospects, so scoring goals will be difficult. It's a similar story on the blueline with 23-year old Dmitri Kulikov expected to get major minutes. It will be up to veteran puckstopper Ryan Miller to keep Washington in games. It won't be easy.