NHL Predictions: 5 Bold Projections – The Eastern Conference’s Metropolitan Division Had 4 Teams With Over 100 Points in 2015-16, Helping Secure Playoff Spots for 5 Teams; They’ll Look to Match That Number This Upcoming Season
Following a Puck Prose tradition, it’s about time for another edition of our five bold NHL predictions. We typically release these in anticipation of important dates, such as the trade deadline, All-Star break, start of playoffs, free agency, etc. Now, with a new season set to begin on Wednesday, it’s time to settle in for another long, exciting nine months or so of hockey.
At the beginning of 2015-16, we released a league-wide edition for our five bold NHL predictions. It’s tricky to make accurate projections this early in the year, but we managed to hit on the Dallas Stars being a powerhouse team in the West emerging as a Stanley Cup contender. We also got lucky with our prediction that Connor McDavid would match/or exceed a point-per-game pace in his rookie season – luckily we made sure to protect ourselves to an injury opposed to making an actual point estimate.
We’re shifting gears a bit for 2016-17. Instead of five league-wide predictions, we’ve decided to split it up into a divisional series. Sticking in the Eastern Conference, next, we turn to the Metropolitan Division.
Washington sat atop the standings with 120 points and also claimed Presidents’ Trophy honors in 2015-16. Sitting behind them was the eventual Cup Champion Penguins who surged into the playoffs as the hottest team in the league. Both teams from New York managed to snag a postseason berth topping 100 points in the regular season (Rangers – 101pts, Islanders – 100pts), while the Flyers squeaked in late as a Wild-Card team.
Carolina gave fans reason for optimism last season, but it ultimately became clear they were a lottery team, which led to the departure of longtime captain Eric Staal. New Jersey seemingly had a shot at the postseason before losing Mike Cammalleri and Cory Schneider to long-term injuries.
At the bottom of the division sat the shocker of 2015-16; the Columbus Blue Jackets. They never managed to gain enough ground once switching coaches and ultimately finished last with 76 points.