It's officially prediction season.
A year ago, the Metropolitan Division was arguably the strongest in hockey.
In fact, it was a bloodbath.
The NHL's top three records (Washington, Pittsburgh and Columbus) hailed from the Metro and its eight member clubs slugged it out all season long. The Blue Jackets were the surprise of them all, compiling 50 wins and 108 points to capture the third seed in the division, earning a first-round date with the eventual Stanley Cup champions.
With another offseason came another round of changes; the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils should be much improved while the Philadelphia Flyers are a young team that could surprise. The Penguins and Capitals figure to be in the mix to win the division once again, while the Blue Jackets, Rangers and Islanders are likely candidates to fill in behind them.
But who knows, really? That's why we're here -- to make some bold predictions.
We've assembled the 1st Ohio Battery team: Jeff Svoboda, Rob Mixer, Sam Blazer and Dan Dukart, to make order-of-finish prognostications for the Metropolitan Division.
Remember: there are no bad predictions. Only stupid ones.
| JEFF SVOBODA | ROB MIXER | SAM BLAZER | DAN DUKART |
| 1. PENGUINS | 1. PENGUINS | 1. PENGUINS | 1. PENGUINS |
| 2. CAPITALS | 2. HURRICANES | 2. CAPITALS | 2. CAPITALS |
| 3. HURRICANES | 3. CAPITALS | 3. BLUE JACKETS | 3. BLUE JACKETS |
| 4. BLUE JACKETS | 4. BLUE JACKETS | 4. HURRICANES | 4. NY RANGERS |
| 5. NY ISLANDERS | 5. NY RANGERS | 5. NY RANGERS | 5. HURRICANES |
| 6. NY RANGERS | 6. NY ISLANDERS | 6. NY ISLANDERS | 6. FLYERS |
| 7. FLYERS | 7. DEVILS | 7. FLYERS | 7. NY ISLANDERS |
| 8. DEVILS | 8. FLYERS | 8. DEVILS | 8. DEVILS |
There's a general consensus that the Hurricanes will be the most improved team in the division. Rob seems to be the most bullish of all.
What are your thoughts on the Metropolitan Division? Where do the Blue Jackets finish?
