Who’s In New Jersey Devils Way To Make The Playoffs?
By Nick Villano
The Obvious
Washington Capitals
The defending Stanley Cup Champions brought back just about everyone, outside of their head coach. Barry Trotz went to the New York Islanders, but I could coach this team to the playoffs. The team did lost backup goalie Philipp Grubauer, but this organization is very excited about Pheonix Copley and what he brings to the table.
The Capitals somehow re-signed John Carlson to a massive deal, and brought back key players like Devante Smith-Pelley and Brooks Orpick. This team hopes it can find lightning in a bottle once again, and it all starts with the team making the playoffs.
As long as the months long celebration of their Cup win doesn’t affect their conditioning, it seems like this team is once again a lock to make the playoffs.
Tampa Bay Lightning
They may not be the defending champs, but the Tampa Bay Lightning are the most dangerous team in the Eastern Conference. When you have a team that finds a way to keep Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Victor Hedman and Tyler Johnson, while also being the frontrunner for Erik Karlsson, they are the team to beat.
The team’s biggest loss this offseason was Chris Kunitz, who overstayed his welcome in Tampa. Brayden Point is only going to get better. This team is thinking more about the Presidents’ Trophy rather than just making the playoffs. Sure, they missed the playoffs just over a year ago, but that’s not likely to happen again.
Pittsburgh Penguins
As long as this team has Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin down the middle, they are near locks to make the playoffs. They are two of the best players in the league. Anything beyond that is just unfair.
Honestly, it seems like the Penguins should win every year. As long as Matt Murray lives up to his hype, they have the best player in the Eastern Conference. Sure, Auston Matthews is getting there, but Crosby is still world’s better.
Boston Bruins
Even with the signing of John Moore to a big deal, the Boston Bruins are still a lock to make the playoffs. Unless Patrice Bergeron and Tuuka Rask get injured while Brad Marchand gets suspended 20 times, this team will make it to the postseason.
They have a good mix of young skill and veteran leadership. Their blue line is quietly one of the better units in the NHL. They did lose a few key free agents in Rick Nash, Riley Nash, Anton Khudobin and Tommy Wingels, but they were mostly replaced. This team is making the playoffs if logic tells us anything.