NHL Metropolitan predictions 2022: Final standings, playoff projections, winning pick

The Metropolitan Division in the NHL always seems to be one of the most competitive. So it comes as no surprise that heading into the 2022-23 season, there is more than half of the division that is seen as Cup contenders. 

Last year saw the Hurricanes and Rangers take a leap forward, claiming the top two spots in the division and finishing two of the top seven teams in the league. The Penguins and Capitals relied on their veteran core to get back to the postseason, while the Islanders faltered and underwhelmed. The Blue Jackets and Devils finished where most expected of them, with the Flyers were a lot worse than anticipated, ending the year as the fourth-worst team in the league. 

Looking ahead to this season, it feels like it's going to be more of the same. There are five teams who have rosters that could win the division — the Rangers, Hurricanes, Penguins, Capitals and Islanders. All five improved their rosters in different ways. 

A team from the Metro has not been to the Stanley Cup Final since 2018 when Washington won it all. Will that change this season?

MORE: When does the NHL regular season start? 

The Sporting News breaks down the Metropolitan Division and predicts who will be crowned the division champion. 

SN's Metropolitan Division predictions

1. New York Rangers

The Rangers took the NHL by storm last year, with the stellar play of Igor Shesterkin helping the team go all the way to the Eastern Conference Final. The team saw young players like Alexis Lafreniere, K'Andre Miller, Kappo Kakko and Filip Chytil take a step forward in their development, and there's another step to be taken this year. It's hard to be as good as Shesterkin was last year, but he'll be elite yet again and help the Rangers to their first division win since 2014-15. 

2. Carolina Hurricanes

After winning the division last year, Carolina got better by adding Brent Burns and Max Pacioretty to an already talented roster. Having Pacioretty out until at least February hurts, and I think plays a factor into the team not repeating as division champs. But if Carolina can remain one of the best defensive teams and generate more offense this season, look out for the Canes in the playoffs. 

3. Pittsburgh Penguins

We all were ready to write our goodbyes to the Penguins' core at the end of last season, but instead, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust all re-signed in Pittsburgh. Yes, the group is getting older, but they continue to show no signs of stopping any time soon. The team has made the playoffs every year since 2006, and there is no reason to think that changes this season. 

4. New York Islanders

The Islanders went from being one win away from the Stanley Cup Final in 2021 to missing the playoffs last year, as the team could not overcome a rough start to the year. Between the emergence of Noah Dobson and the addition of Alex Romanov, the Isles should be able to generate more offense from the back end, but this is still going to be a team that relies on its defense and goaltending to win games. 

5. Washington Capitals

I really liked the moves the Capitals made, bringing in Darcy Kuemper, Connor Brown and Dylan Strome. However, are the moves enough to win in a very competitive Metro? It seems everyone at the top of the division got better, and someone has to be the odd man out of the five. Washington will once again be a tough team to play against and will be in the hunt for the postseason until the end, but the Capitals just narrowly miss out on playing in the playoffs. 

6. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets made the biggest splash of the offseason, landing Johnny Gaudreau in free agency. But there are still some questions about the team on the blue line and depth at the forward position. Columbus also is without a true No. 1 center, and while they should be a better team than last year, they still aren't good enough for the postseason. 

7. New Jersey Devils

After missing out on the Gaudreau sweepstakes, the Devils settled with signing Ondrej Palat to give them a new top-six winger. There's a lot to like with the Devils and some of their young players, but New Jersey isn't ready to contend. Hopefully Vitek Vanecek can be a steady presence in the crease after the Devils used seven different goalies last year. 

8. Philadelphia Flyers

Expectations could not be lower for the Flyers. Gaudreau basically told the Flyers he'd sign with them in free agency, but financially, Philadelphia couldn't afford him. Ryan Ellis is likely out for the year and Sean Couturier could miss significant time as well. Philly fans should work on their photoshop skills to try and manifest Connor Bedard to the black and orange. 

Metropolitan Division odds

The Hurricanes enter the season as the favorite to win the Metropolitan Division, according to Sports Interaction. 

Sporting News Eastern Conference playoff predictions

*Bolded teams indicate Metropolitan Division teams

First round

Second round

Eastern Conference Final

Stanley Cup Final

Conn Smythe: Frederik Andersen, Hurricanes