Keeping up with the Metropolitans: Week 21

The Penguins met the Flyers outdoors again, and big names came and went in the Met. Check out how the Penguins’ rivals in the Metropolitan division have fared over the last week.

By t.cann112 Feb 24, 2019, 12:23pm EST

NHL: Stadium Series-Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers

Things are really heating up in the Metropolitan after a busy week last week. There were several trades, with several teams adding big name players, and several teams also unloading some well known names. There was an outdoor game featuring the Penguins and Flyers, and the Penguins didn’t come out in one piece yet again when they go outdoors.

For a full trade deadline recap, check back in a few days when I recap all the trades involving the Metro this deadline.

Instead of a lengthy recap of all the games, I’m going to review how each team has done since the midway point on January 6th. That week I broke down how many points each team would need to hit 97 points, which has been the average cut-off point for playoff teams the last three years. Not surprisingly, the Canadiens are the first Wild Card and are currently on a 97 point pace. The Hurricanes have caught back up with the pack after trailing by 10 points in the division at the midway point and are tied with the Penguins for the second Wild Card position. Both teams are on a 95 point pace, and it looks like this season may come down one win.

This week I’ll highlight the rest of the way for the Metro with how each team has done since the halfway point until now, and how many points each team will need per game to reach the 97 point total.

(5)Pittsburgh Penguins

23-12-4 record after 41 games
52 points / 1.27 points per game
The Penguins needed to average 1.1 point per game to reach 97 points

32-22-8 record after 62 games
9-10-4 record since 1/6
72 points / 0.96 points per games since 1/6
The Penguins will need to average 1.25 point per game to reach 97 points

(1)New York Islanders

23-13-4 record after 40 games
50 points / 1.25 points per game
The Islanders needed to average 1.12 points per game to reach 97 points

36-18-7 record after 61 games
13-5-3 record since 1/6
79 points / 1.38 points per game since 1/6
The Islanders will need to average 0.86 points per game to reach 97 points

(2)Washington Capitals

24-12-4 record after 40 games
52 points / 1.3 points per game
The Capitals needed to average 1.07 points per game to reach 97 points

34-21-7 record after 62 games
10-9-3 record since 1/6
75 points / 1.05 points per game since 1/6
The Capitals will need to average 1.1 point per game to reach 97 points

(3)Columbus Blue Jackets

24-14-3 record after 41 games
51 points / 1.24 points per game
The Blue Jackets needed to average 1.12 points per game to reach 97 points

35-23-3 record after 61 games
11-9-0 record since 1/6
73 points / 1.1 points per game since 1/6
The Blue Jackets will need to average 1.14 points per game to reach 97 points

(4)Carolina Hurricanes

18-17-5 record after 40 games
41 points / 1.025 points per game
The Hurricanes needed to average 1.333 points per game to reach 97 points

33-23-6 record after 62 games
15-6-1 record since 1/6
72 points / 1.41 points per game since 1/6
The Hurricanes need to average 1.25 points per game to reach 97 points

(6)Philadelphia Flyers

15-20-6 record after 41 games
36 points / 0.878 points per game
The Flyers needed to average 1.49 points per game to reach 97 points

29-26-7 record after 62 games
14-6-1 record since 1/6
65 points / 1.38 points per game since 1/6
The Flyers will need to average 1.6 points per game to reach 97 points

(7)New York Rangers

17-16-7 record after 40 games
41 points / 1.025 points per game
The Rangers needed to average 1.333 points per game to reach 97 points

27-26-8 record after 61 games
10-10-1 record since 1/6
62 points / 1.0 point per game since 1/6
The Rangers will need to average 1.67 points per game to reach 97 points

(8)New Jersey Devils

16-17-7 record after 40 games
39 points / 0.975 points per game
The Devil needed to average 1.38 points per game to reach 97 points

24-30-8 record after 62 games
8-13-1 record since 1/6
56 points / .77 points per game since 1/6
The Devils highest possible point total is 96

As you can see, the Penguins have the second worst record since the midway point in the Metro. To make matters worse, the Hurricanes and Flyers have the best records since that date. The Penguins control their own destiny, however.

After last nights game against Philadelphia, the Penguins and Flyers will meet one more time on March 17th in Pittsburgh. The Penguins play Columbus three more times this season - in Columbus this Tuesday and also on March 9th, and in Pittsburgh on March 7th in a home-and-home between the two teams. The Penguins and Hurricanes will play two more times - at Carolina on March 19th and in Pittsburgh on March 31st. The Penguins will have a very big game on Saturday night in Montreal, currently in the first Wild Card, their only game left this season.

As of this morning, the Penguins are out of the playoffs, although they are tied with Carolina for the Wild Card. The Canes have been on fire and the Penguins have not. It’s been a rough stretch for the Penguins since that recap eight weeks ago. I hadn’t realized just how bad the Penguins record actually was since then. As they say though, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. The Penguins have 20 games to finish strong. If they can’t do that, the Penguins don’t deserve to make the playoffs.

As always, thanks for reading, and don’t forget to vote for game of the week. There’s lots of good ones as always!