Metropolitan Division 2018-19 predictions Capitals Penguins

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Sporting News' hockey experts , and predicted the final standings for the 2018-19NHL season. The playoff seeding below was determined by the average finish Christian McCaffrey Jerseys for each team based on ourcombined projections.
The Metropolitan Division has placed a monopoly on the Stanley Cup.
Specifically, this pertains to thePenguins and the Capitals, winners of the last three. Not since the late 1980s has the NHL's ultimate prize remained withina single division three years in a row, when the Flames and Oilers combined for four Cups between 1986-90, let alone four.
What're the odds a Metro team keeps the Cup in house? Washington reigns supreme until proven otherwise, and Pittsburgh enjoyed a long summer of R&Rfor the first time in years. They remain the two most likely contenders. Columbus, Philadelphia and New Jersey were the division's other playoff representatives a year ago, and Carolina is intent on making that leap for itself.
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Metropolitan Division: 2018-19 predictions1. Pittsburgh PenguinsAdditions: Jack Johnson, Matt CullenSubtractions: Conor Sheary, Carter Rowney, Matt Hunwick, Tom Kuhnhackl
It couldn't have been easyto watchthe rival Capitals hoistthe Stanley Cup. Alex Ovechkin and Co. finally broke thespell, going through the Penguins to do it, and a decade of torment isno longer something the Penguins can hold over their heads. That means the Metro is an even playing field for its two elite powers.
As long as the Penguins have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, they're going to be a force to be reckoned with. Matt Murray wilted under the pre sure to fill the Flower's skates last season, for reasons physical as well as mental, and has a lot to prove in a rebound 2018-19 campaign. Pittsburgh can't afford more goalie woes.If he's not a steadying presence in net, the Stanley Cup might not be a realistic consideration. Even still, it feels like the NHL is sleeping on the Penguins a bit, and that's dangerous.
2017 Jake Delhomme Jerseys -18 finish: 100 points, second in Metro2018-19 finish (projected): 104.6 points, first in MetroYear over year: +4.6 points
(Schlager: 108 points; Cerny: 102 points; Spiegel: 104 points)
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2. Washington CapitalsAdditions:NoneSubtractions: Philipp Grubauer, Jay Beagle
Now that the Capitals are through with their summerlongbender (we think?), it's time to get down tobusine s trying topull off therepeat. The will they, won't they discu sion is one of the NHL's Joseph Charlton Jerseys intriguing storylines.
Going back to back is exceedingly difficult, of course. But Washington returns its entire Cup roster, save for the backup goalie and a fourth-line center. By that measure, the Caps are every bit as dangerous and should be regarded as No. 1 until someone proves otherwise. Rookie coach Todd Reirden is no stranger to these players and should adjust seamle sly, even if Barry Trotz's shoes are big ones. And the core of Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Braden Holtby and John Carlson remains one of the best in hockey. This time, thepre sure is off and it might have a liberating effect.
2017-18 finish: 105 points, first in Metro2018-19 finish (projected): 103 points, second in MetroYear over year: -2 points
(Schlager: 104points; Cerny: 104 points; Spiegel: 101points)
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3. Columbus Blue JacketsAdditions: Anthony Duclair, Riley NashSubtractions: Thomas Vanek, Ian Cole, Jack Johnson, Matt Calvert, Mark Letestu
The Blue Jackets are a difficult team to gauge entering the 2018-19 season. There are too many Jeremy Chinn Jerseys moving parts, with the uncertain futures of stars Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovskyhanging over the franchise. Both can becomeunrestricted free agents next summer. And given the choice between Columbus and elsewhere, both seem likely to choose the latter.
That puts GMJarmo Kekalainen is the impo sible positionof deciding between what's best in the present for a team that's become a legitimate contender, and maintaining a strong, healthy outlook for the future. . Prevailing wisdom is that the Blue Jackets are operating as all in on this season, intent to hang on to their superstars to make a playoff run, free-agent decisions be damned. But what happens if a slow start forcesKekalainen to alter those plans?
2017-18 finish: 97 points, fourth in Metro2018-19 finish (projected): 101 points, third in MetroYear over year: +4 points
(Schlager: 98points; Cerny: 107points; Spiegel: 98points)
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4. Philadelphia FlyersAdditions: James van RiemsdykSubtractions: Valtteri Filppula, Brandon Manning
A handful of fortunate teams wildly outperformed expectations last season, and the Flyers were one of them. Claude Giroux returned to MVP form, Sean Couturier emerged as a two-way force and coach Dave Hakstol went from lame duck to genius in the span of a few months. There's a lot of reason for Giovanni Ricci Jerseys optimism in Philly, both on the current NHL roster and a deep prospect farm system , headlined by 2018 first-rounder Joel Farabeeand goalie of the future Carter Hart.
To say Philadelphia has big expectations for Hart, 20, is a gro s understatement. He already bears the weight of decades worth of Flyers goaltending woes on his shoulders, and navigating an impatient fan base is going to be crucial to Hart's development. Of course, the crease is again the team's biggest question mark this season. Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirthare holding down the fort until Hart is ready for the NHL, which may not be for another year or two.
2017-18 finish: 98 points, third in Metro2018-19 finish (projected): 97.3 points, fourth in MetroYear over year: -0.7 points
(Schlager: 101points; Cerny: 96points; Spiegel: 95points)
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5. New Jersey DevilsAdditions Shaq Thompson Jerseys : NoneSubtractions: Patrick Maroon, Micheal Grabner, Brian Gibbons, John Moore, Jimmy Hayes
What are the Devils, if not for Taylor Hall? It was an MVP race to remember last season, with Hall edging out a half dozen other worthy contenders. He simply had one of the most outstanding individual seasons the NHL has seen in some time, during a season where there were several others nearly on par. Curiously, the Devils made zero offseason additions in an attempt to ride the momentum of their surprise playoff berth, and their ranks are decidedly thinner after a few free-agent departures left unfilled.
By natural progre sion, Nico Hischier should continue to develop into a dynamic partner forHall. ButNew Jersey's other youngsters will have to take big steps forward, too, in order to
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