East Division Predictions as the Regular Season Winds Down
In a shortened 56-game NHL season, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are right around the corner. While two teams are already eliminated from playoff contention, New Jersey and Buffalo, the other six teams in the MassMutual East Division still have hopes for a postseason birth. Here are my predictions on how the MassMutual East Division will shake up, ranking all teams from last to first with how many points I think they will have at the end of the year.
8. Buffalo Sabres (38 Points)
This season has not been kind to the Buffalo Sabres. The Islanders have beaten them in all six contests so far, winning three straight games by a score of 5-2 in early March. With season-ending injuries to Jack Eichel, Zemgus Girgensons and former Islander Kyle Okposo, their chances at success have dwindled even more. Their final stretch does not get any easier, with two matchups apiece coming up against the Islanders, Penguins and Bruins to close out a disappointing year.
7. New Jersey Devils (40 Points)
The Devils have only seen the win column once over the past month, coming in a 6-3 rout over the aforementioned Sabres. In April alone, they have suffered five losses to the Penguins and four consecutive defeats to the Rangers. After trading Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac to the Islanders for two prospects, a 2021 first-round pick and a fourth-round 2022 pick, it is clear that New Jersey is in full rebuilding mode.
6. Philadelphia Flyers (60 Points)
Inconsistency has doomed the Flyers chances at a second-consecutive playoff appearance. Once sitting at a respectable 14-9-3, they lost by scores of 9-0 and 8-3 (vs. NYR) and 6-1 (vs. NYI) within a week during March. Philadelphia will play New Jersey four times over their last eight games, and will need a Cinderella miracle to land the fourth seed.
5. New York Rangers (62 Points)
Although they’re on the cusp of a playoff spot, it is too little too late for the Rangers. Besides one contest against the Sabres, they have two dates apiece against the Islanders, Capitals and Bruins to finish off their season. If nothing else, they’ve found themselves a star in Adam Fox and they will be a force to watch out for going forward.
4. Boston Bruins (71 Points)
The B’s have been solid all year, but they haven’t lived up to their full potential. Still, Brad Marchand and company only trail the Islanders by three points with a game in hand. Although the Bruins have been knocking on the door, they will come up just short of surpassing the Isles. They will lock in the fourth seed, with upcoming two-game series’ against the Sabres, Devils, and Rangers to end their season.
3. New York Islanders (73 Points)
It is no question that the Islanders have struggled since acquiring Palmieri and Zajac from the Devils. However, chemistry often takes time to develop. Led by Barry Trotz and seasoned vets who understand his system, the Isles will surely turn it up for the home stretch. Favorable two-game series’ against the Sabres, Devils and Rangers will prompt the Islanders to hold third place.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins (76 Points)
Sidney Crosby is second in the division in scoring, and he’s ready to lead Pittsburgh into the postseason for the 15th-straight year. They will close out the season with two games apiece against Philadelphia and Buffalo, but have tough contests vs. Boston and Washington before that. 10 points in their seven remaining contests will leave them with a first round series against the Islanders.
1. Washington Capitals (77 Points)
The Caps have finished first place in their division five years running and they will soon make it six. Powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin, look for Washington to quickly switch in to playoff mode. They will finish off with back-to-backs against the Penguins, Rangers, and Flyers, and will additionally face the Isles and Bruins.
