Power Ranking the Metropolitan Division
By Marc Penner
Who will come out of the Metropolitan Division? How will the Penguins do? Who wins the cup? There is a lot to unpack with this Power Ranking of the Metropolitan Division, as of Dec 19.2021. So, let’s get right at it.
Record: 21-7-1 = 43 Points
1st – Tied in the Metropolitan Division
1st – Tied in the Eastern Conference
1st – Tied in the NHL Overall
Carolina Hurricanes hold the #1 Playoff Spot, in the Metropolitan Division, at this time.
Offense: Goals For: 95
2nd in the Metropolitan Division
4th in the Eastern Conference
10th in the NHL Overall
Goals For per game: 3.28 – 8th in the NHL Overall
Defense: Goals Against: 62
1st in the Metropolitan Division (Least)
1st in the Eastern Conference (Least)
1st – Tied in the NHL Overall (Least)
Goals Against per game: 2.14 – 1st in NHL Overall
Goalie: Anderson 1.93 GAA – 3rd in the NHL Overall
Special Teams:
Power Play:22.5% – 10th in the NHL Overall
Penalty Kill:88.7% – 2nd in the NHL Overall
Faceoff Win %: 54.4% – 3rd in the NHL Overall
Trending. Defense Wins Championships especially in Pittsburgh. light
Injury Bug:
Necas Dec17.21 DTD Upper Body
Svechnikov Dec13.21 DTD Covid-19
Lorentz Dec13.21 DTD Covid-19
Cole Dec13.21 DTD Covid-19
Staal Dec13.21 DTD Covid-19
Chatfield Dec13.21 IR Lower Body
Jarvis Dec11.21 IR Covid-19
Aho Dec11.21 IR Covid-19
Martinook Dec01.21 DTD Ankle
Gardiner Sept20.21 IR Back
Covid-19 Update: As of Dec 19.21
The Canes got slammed with Covid Dec12.21 in Vancouver.
They Proceeded to lose 2-1 to the Canucks, then had their Minnesota game postponed.
Cap Space: $117,500.
There is no Cap room available to add any pieces as we speak. Any moves involving players will be Dollar for Dollar moves at this point.
Odds of Winning:
Make the Playoffs: 99%
Win the Cup: 6.4%
Carolina got off to an amazing start to the season, winning 9 games in a row. Some might call it a soft schedule, catching the opponent off guard, or just luck. Well maybe, however they rattled off a four-game winning streak Nov13-20th, and another four-game winning streak Dec04-11th. And guess what folks, they are winning at home as well as on the road.
How they Lose:
Injuries and Covid could derail this team. Tougher games are coming up in the schedule.
How they Win:
A deep and solid team that can score goals, stop goals and ranks well in the special teams department. The Canes will make a run for the cup this year.
Washington Capitals
Record: 18-5-7 = 43 Points
1st – Tied in the Metropolitan Division
1st – Tied in the Eastern Conference
1st – Tied in the NHL Overall
Washington Capitals hold the #2 Playoff Spot, in the Metropolitan Division, at this time.
Offense: Goals For: 106
1st in the Metropolitan Division
1st in the Eastern Conference
4th in the NHL Overall
Goals For per game: 3.47 – 5th in the NHL Overall
Defense: Goals Against: 78
5th in the Metropolitan Division (Least)
8th in the Eastern Conference (Least)
10th in the NHL Overall (Least)
Goals Against per game: 2.57 – 6th in NHL Overall
Goalie: Vanacek 2.47 GAA – 20th – Tied in the NHL Overall
Special Teams:
Power Play:16.7% – 25th in the NHL Overall
Penalty Kill:80% – 14th – Tied in the NHL Overall
Faceoff Win %: 46.0 – 30th in the NHL Overall
Trending. Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Eastern Conference. light
Injury Bug:
Backstrom Dec16.21 DTD Covid-19
Dowd Dec15.21 IR Covid-19
Van Riemsdyk Dec15.21 IR Covid-19
Kuznetsov Dec14.21 IR Covid-19
Wilson Dec09.21 DTD Upper Body
Hathaway Dec05.21 IR Covid-19
Mantha Nov03.21 IR Shoulder
Covid-19 Update: As of Dec 19.21
The Caps got slammed with Covid Dec10.21 before the Pittsburgh game.
They Proceeded to lose 4-2 to the Penguins. The Capitals have been losing players to illness ever since. Juggling the lineup has resulted in a, win one lose one trend, for the moment.
Cap Space: $1,699,167.
There is some room available for the Caps to add a missing piece, as we speak. Any moves involving players will likely be a package deal, with the almighty Dollar for Dollar move being a huge factor.
Odds of Winning:
Make the Playoffs: 96.5%
Win the Cup: 7.3%
Washington have put together a couple of winning streaks so far this season. Nov 08-14, they won four in a row and on Nov24-Nov28th, they won three in a row. The Caps can also win at home as well as on the road.
How they Lose:
Aging Stars, can’t win a faceoff, Injuries and Covid could derail this team.
How they Win:
They get healthy just before the playoffs, score a bunch of goals and stop a few more goals. The Caps can make a run for the cup this year, but there are still a number of questions that will be answered before April.
New York Rangers
Record: 19-7-4 = 42 Points
3rd in the Metropolitan Division
3rd – Tied in the Eastern Conference
3rd – Tied in the NHL Overall
New York Rangers hold the #3 Playoff Spot, in the Metropolitan Division, at this time.
Offense: Goals For: 86
5th in the Metropolitan Division
9th in the Eastern Conference
17th in the NHL Overall
Goals For per game: 2.83 – 17th in the NHL Overall
Defense: Goals Against: 77
4th in the Metropolitan Division (Least)
6th – Tied in the Eastern Conference (Least)
7th – Tied in the NHL Overall (Least)
Goals Against per game: 2.53 – 5th in NHL Overall
Goalie: Shesterkin 2.05 GAA – 9th in the NHL Overall
Special Teams:
Power Play:25.6% – 6th in the NHL Overall
Penalty Kill:84.3% – 6th in the NHL Overall
Faceoff Win %: 47.2% – 27th in the NHL Overall
Trending. Pittsburgh Wins every time when they do this. light
Injury Bug:
Nemeth Dec17.21 DTD Covid-19
Panarin Dec14.21 DTD Lower Body
Lundkvist Dec11.21 DTD Illness
Blais Nov12.21 IR Torn ACL
Covid-19 Update: As of Dec 19.21
The Blueshirts have yet to feel the wrath of Covid. But it’s coming.
Cap Space: $11,034,895.
There is a ton of Cap room available to add any piece or pieces they so choose. We will be watching the upcoming Free Agent list over the next few months, as we know the Rangers will be buyers this year.
Odds of Winning:
Make the Playoffs: 87%
Win the Cup: 2.3%
We knew the Rangers were going to be an improved team this year, and they are. New York began the season winning 6 of their first 9 games. A super start. They followed that up with a four-game winning streak Nov08-16th and a seven-game winning streak Nov 21 to Dec07th. Winners in 11 out of 12 games in that span, along with winning at home as well as on the road, means they are for real.
How they Lose:
Covid has yet to rear its ugly head on the Rangers. The Blueshirts have yet to hit their annual January slump. NYR have yet to make that impact trade, you know, like the one (only one) that worked in 1994. It’s all on the New York horizon and it will be revealing itself very soon.
How they Win:
Kreider keeps scoring at his current insane pace. NYR avoids the Covid obliteration. The Rangers actually make that impact trade and it works. Shesterkin might actually be able to carry this team on his shoulders to a cup, this year.
Pittsburgh Penguins
Record: 16-8-5 = 37 Points
4th in the Metropolitan Division
7th in the Eastern Conference
12th in the NHL Overall
Pittsburgh Penguins hold the #1 Wild Card Playoff Spot, in the Eastern Conference, at this time.
Offense: Goals For: 88
4th in the Metropolitan Division
7th in the Eastern Conference
14th in the NHL Overall
Goals For per game: 3.00 – 14th in the NHL Overall
Defense: Goals Against: 74
3rd in the Metropolitan Division (Least)
4th in the Eastern Conference (Least)
5th in the NHL Overall (Least)
Goals Against per game: 2.41 – 3rd in the NHL Overall
Goalie: Jarry 1.92 GAA – 2nd in the NHL Overall
Special Teams:
Power Play:15.7% – 28th in the NHL Overall
Penalty Kill:93.0% – 1st in the NHL Overall
Faceoff Win %: 52.1% – 9th in the NHL Overall
Trending. Penguins Jarry is Rising to the Top. light
Injury Bug:
Boyle Dec16.21 DTD Lower Body
Guentzel Dec07.21 IR Upper Body
Rust Nov 25.21 IR Lower Body
Malkin Sept20.21 IR Knee
Covid-19 Update: As of Dec 19.21
They Pens got slammed with Covid Oct 26.21 in Tampa Bay. It wreaked havoc on the Pens until Nov18.21
Cap Space: $6,975,000.
There is significant Cap room available to add any piece or pieces they see fit. I really believe management is waiting as long as possible to determine if they are buyers or sellers. Stay tuned.
Odds of Winning:
Make the Playoffs: 89.1%
Win the Cup: 5.5%
Pittsburgh had their own hands tied behind their backs at the beginning of the season with Malkin (Knee), as well as Crosby (Wrist) both out of the lineup. Then in late October, early November, Covid-19 hit the Penguins. Fun Fact: When they Pens got healthy, they started to win. They put together a five-game winning streak Nov18-26th, and another six-game winning streak Dec04-17th and counting. And guess what people, they can win at home as well as on the road.
How they Lose:
Aging stars, Injuries and a cold goalie could derail this team.
How they Win:
A deep and solid team that plays amazing Team Defense. When healthy and with a full roster, they can score goals. The Penguins will bring home another chip if, they continue to play Rock-Sold Team Defense and Jarry continues to play All-World.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Record: 14-13-1 = 29 Points
5th in the Metropolitan Division
10th in the Eastern Conference
23rd in the NHL Overall
Columbus Blue Jackets are 4 points out of a Wild Card Playoff Spot, in the Eastern Conference1 at this time.
Offense: Goals For: 95
3rd in the Metropolitan Division
6th in the Eastern Conference
12th in the NHL Overall
Goals For per game: 3.18 – 10th in the NHL Overall
Defense: Goals Against: 95
6th in the Metropolitan Division (Least)
10th in the Eastern Conference (Least)
23rd in the NHL Overall (Least)
Goals Against per game: 3.36 – 25th in NHL Overall
Goalie: Tarasov 2.22 GAA – 15th in the NHL Overall
Special Teams:
Power Play:18.6% – 17th in the NHL Overall
Penalty Kill:78.7% – 22nd in the NHL Overall
Faceoff Win %: 50.7% – 12th in the NHL Overall
Trending. 3 Rock-Solid Penguins who will take us far this year. light
Injury Bug:
Boqvist Dec08.21 IR Upper Body
Laine Nov02.21 IR Oblique
Kukan Oct25.21 IR Wrist
Gerbe Sept21.21 IR Hip
Covid-19 Update: As of Dec 19.21
CBJ have yet to feel the wrath of Covid. But it’s coming.
Cap Space: $16,388,617.
There is plenty of Cap room available to add any piece or pieces they wish. Still too many moving parts here to determine if they are buyers or sellers. It’s a roster re-tool for sure.
Odds of Winning:
Make the Playoffs: 7.9%
Win the Cup: .2%
Columbus had a decent start to the season. However, since Nov27th they have lost 10 of 12 games. They can’t seem to win on the road.
How they Lose:
It’s tough to win the playoffs, and even tougher if you can’t win on the road. Covid-19 is yet to hit this team. Yikes.
How they Win:
Laine returns to the lineup and starts using that All-World Shot to actually score goals. Covid-19 never hits the team and they figure out how to win on the road.
Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 12-12-5 = 29 Points
5th – Tied in the Metropolitan Division
10th – Tied in the Eastern Conference
23rd – Tied in the NHL Overall
Philadelphia Flyers are 4 points out of a Wild Card Playoff Spot, in the Eastern Conference, at this time.
Offense: Goals For: 77
6th in the Metropolitan Division
11th in the Eastern Conference
24th in the NHL Overall
Goals For per game: 2.66 – 24th in the NHL Overall
Defense: Goals Against: 95
6th in the Metropolitan Division (Least)
10th – Tied in the Eastern Conference (Least)
23rd – Tied in the NHL Overall (Least)
Goals Against per game: 3.17 – 22nd in the NHL Overall
Goalie: Hart 2.74 GAA – 33rd in the NHL Overall
Special Teams:
Power Play:15.9% – 27th in the NHL Overall
Penalty Kill:81.5% – 11th in the NHL Overall
Faceoff Win %: 54.0% – 5th in the NHL Overall
light. Trending. Pittsburgh Penguins Thank You for Giving us Wins
Injury Bug:
Willman Dec17.21 DTD Covid-19
Hart Dec17.21 DTD Illness
Frost Dec13.21 DTD Covid-19
Brassard Dec09.21 DTD undisclosed
Thompson Nov26.21 IR Shoulder
Ellis Nov14.21 IR Lower Body
Fitzgerald Oct10.21 IR Undisclosed
Laczynski Sept27.21 IR Hip
Morin Sept 20.21 IR Knee
Covid-19 Update: As of Dec 19.21
Phila is starting to get the Covid-19 bug as we speak. Here we go.
Cap Space: $1,586,020.
There is some a Cap room available to add a piece. More likely, this is a tear down and a rebuild coming up. Any moves involving players will be a Dollar Out for draft picks.
Odds of Winning:
Make the Playoffs: 13.5%
Win the Cup: 6.3%
Philadelphia started the season ok. Then they lost 10 in a row from Nov18-Dec08th. They can’t score goals, nor stop them. They are .500 at home and .500 on the road. Whatever they are doing, it’s not working.
How they Lose:
Injuries and Covid will add to this misery.
How they Win:
The Flyers remember how to score goals. Hart channels 1974/1975 Bernie Parent.
Pittsburgh Penguins(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
New Jersey Devils
Record: 10-14-5 = 25 Points
7th in the Metropolitan Division
12th in the Eastern Conference
26th in the NHL Overall
New Jersey Devils are 8 points out of a Wild Card Playoff Spot, in the Eastern Conference, at this time.
Offense: Goals For: 80
6th in the Metropolitan Division
11th in the Eastern Conference
22nd in the NHL Overall
Goals For per game: 2.72 – 21st in the NHL Overall
Defense: Goals Against: 102
8th in the Metropolitan Division (Least)
13th in the Eastern Conference (Least)
27th in the NHL Overall (Least)
Goals Against per game: 3.38 – 27th in NHL Overall
Goalie: Bernier 3.06 GAA – 53rd in the NHL Overall
Special Teams:
Power Play:12.5% – 30th in the NHL Overall
Penalty Kill:80.0% – 14th in the NHL Overall
Faceoff Win %: 47.6% – 26th in the NHL Overall
Trending. Pittsburgh Penguins - What we like so far. light
Injury Bug:
Subban Dec17.21 DTD Covid-19
Blackwood Dec17.21 DTD Neck
Bratt Dec17.21 DTD Illness
Boqvist Dec15.21 DTD Covid-19
Jaros Dec12.21 IR Covid-19
Hischier Dec10.21 IR Covid-19
Graves Dec10.21 IR Covid-19
Bernier Dec09.21 IR Hip
Thomspon Nov12.21 IR Shoulder
Wood Oct10.21 Hip
Crawford Dept20.21 IR undisclosed
Covid-19 Update: As of Dec 19.21
The Devils are dealing with Covid-19 right now.
Cap Space: $10,913,606.
There is plenty of Cap room available to add any piece they want at any time. Sellers of bad contracts, waiting for Free Agency and buyers, all at the same time in Jersey.
Odds of Winning:
Make the Playoffs: 1.7%
Win the Cup: 0.0%
The Devils got out of October feeling good about themselves until November hit. They lost 8 games in November and already lost 9 of their last 10 games in December so far.
How they Lose:
Injuries and Covid continue to take its toll on this team.
How they Win:
They don’t. There are just too many holes to fill here. It’s a tear down rebuild, starting now.
New York Islanders
Record: 8-12-5 = 21 Points
8th in the Metropolitan Division
14th in the Eastern Conference
29th in the NHL Overall
New York Islanders are 12 points out of a Wild Card Playoff Spot, in the Eastern Conference, at this time.
Offense: Goals For: 54
8th in the Metropolitan Division
16th in the Eastern Conference
32nd in the NHL Overall
Goals For per game: 3.28 – 8th in the NHL Overall
Defense: Goals Against: 73
2nd in the Metropolitan Division (Least)
3rd in the Eastern Conference (Least)
4th in the NHL Overall (Least)
Goals Against per game: 2.84 – 15th in NHL Overall
Goalie: Sorokin 2.47 GAA – 25th in the NHL Overall
Special Teams:
Power Play:16.2% – 26th in the NHL Overall
Penalty Kill:83.6% – 7th in the NHL Overall
Faceoff Win %: 52.2% – 8th in the NHL Overall
Trending. Pittsburgh Penguins If you're not first you're last. light
Injury Bug:
Palmeri Dec15.21 DTD Lower Body
Barzal Dec13.21 IR Covid-19
Pulock Dec15.21 IR Lower Body
Covid-19 Update: As of Dec 19.21
The Islanders have been decimated with Covid since November. NYI proceeded to lose 11 games in a row with a depleted roster from Nov07-Dec05th.
Cap Space: $7,625,000.
There is some Cap room available to add or swap a few pieces. The big question is, can NYI get back into the Wild Card race in order to make those moves.
Odds of Winning:
Make the Playoffs: 15.2%
Win the Cup: .5%
The Islanders were odds on cup favorites entering into this season. Covid-19 completely altered that plan.
How they Lose:
Injuries and Covid continue to derail this team.
How they Win:
The entire NYI roster remains healthy for the rest of the year. They recapture their scoring touch. They squeak into the last Wild Card Playoff Spot in the Eastern Conference and they make the run they had planned in August.
My View from the Cheap Seats
There is never a dull moment in the highly competitive Metropolitan Division. A Division known for its hard hitting and intense rivalries. Unfortunately, Covid-19 is the biggest unknown random factor playing havoc with certain teams, so far this season. The team that manages all that comes with and around Covid-19, will be a true and unique champion.
Only four times since 2009 has a member of the Metropolitan Division been crowned the Stanley Cup Champion. Pittsburgh Penguins 2009, 2016, 2017 and Washington Capital 2018.
The Penguins have shown a great amount of resilience and the ability to overcome adversity. The Pittsburgh Penguins will be hoisting the 2021-2022 Covid-19 Stanley Cup.
Quote of the Day:
Nelson Mandela