Tag "Metropolitan Division"
Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft Preview: Metropolitan Division
The final part of the Expansion Draft prediction series is here! If you have read the others, you know that the only division missing is the Metropolitan. As was the case with the Atlantic and Central, there are eight teams to break down here, so let’s dive right in.
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2019/2020 Team Outlook: Washington Capitals
After jubilantly raising Lord Stanley’s illustrious mug for the very first time in franchise history back in June 2018, it was a bitter and rather premature end to the season for the Washington Capitals during the 2018/19 campaign. A fourth straight Metropolitan Division crown was a recipe for yet another hopeful (and successful) postseason in the nation’s capital, but for Alexander Ovechkin and Co., this wasn’t to be this time around.
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2019/20 Team Outlook: Philadelphia Flyers
“Getting strong now…won’t be long now”. (Cue the iconic and timeless theme song from the classic Rocky Balboa films). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Home to the famous Liberty Bell, the “Philly Cheesesteak”, and die-hard sports fans who good or bad, ruthlessly cheer for their Phillies, Eagles, 76ers, and of course, the black and orange, Philadelphia Flyers. Let’s take a closer look and delve into what the upcoming season has in store for one of the most legendary franchises in the National Hockey League.
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2019/20 Team Outlook: Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Known for its Three Sisters Bridges, “Steelerstown”, and the 5-time Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Mario Lemieux, Ron Francis, Jaromir Jagr, and of course Sidney Crosby, are just some of the famous names who have donned the famous uniform in The ‘Burgh. After winning back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017, the die-hard fans in Pittsburgh have rather unpleasantly seen their beloved Penguins endure consecutive postseason appearances end much earlier than expected. Hey, as they say, you can’t win em all. But with 71 and 87 getting into their mid-to-late 30s, the time is now for the Penguins to push and hopefully raise Lord Stanley one more time.
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New York Islanders Season Outlook
Theirs no question the New York Islanders exceeded all expectations, with the loss of cornerstone forward John Tavares. A good reason for that surprise success can be attributed to the direction of both Lou Lamoriello and Barry Trotz. Trotz 48 wins were the most he has achieved, in his first season with any one team. Helping lead the Islanders to a first-round home-ice berth, they’re first since 1988. They would have a terrific opening round where they knocked off the Pittsburgh Penguins in four, before bowing out to the Carolina Hurricanes.
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2019/20 Team Outlook: New Jersey Devils
It’s Devilish-ly good! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to sunny Newark, New Jersey. Home of famous television series, “The Sopranos”, and the New Jersey Devils. After reaching the Stanley Cup Finals during the 2011/12 campaign, it’s been a tough go for the die-hard hockey fans in the swamp over recent years. Entering play this season, the Devils have missed the playoffs in six of the last seven seasons. A long way away from the franchise that hoisted Lord Stanley, hockey’s holy grail in 1995, 2000, and 2003. But Hey, this ain’t your father’s Devils. Long gone are the days of Scott Stevens, Claude Lemieux, Patrik Elias, Scott Niedermayer, Martin Brodeur and “Uncle” Lou Lamoriello. Times are changing for the black and red, and this season will be the most anticipated in recent years, by a country mile.
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Metropolitan Division Post Deadline Review
Two surprise teams sit atop the top three spots in the Metropolitan Division in the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes with the Washington Capitals right there at the top with them. The Pittsburgh Penguins are just a single point away from third and the Columbus Blue Jackets are three points away with a game in hand on each of them. The Philadelphia Flyers are now slipping away, they are seven points back from playoff contention. The New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils round out the division and have been out of the playoff picture for a good portion of the season. Let’s go over each team’s situation for the rest of this season and beyond.
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