Does the New Division worry you?

As many of you know, the divisions in the NHL are being realigned. 

This has me concerned.  Some will ask "why?" Well let's look at how the division would have stacked out this season.

1. Penguins      72 Points (36 - 12 - 0)
2. Capitals        57 Points ( 27 - 18 - 3)
3. Rangers        56 Points (26 - 18 - 4)
4. Islanders       55 Points (24 - 17 - 7)
5. Blue Jackets  55 Points (24 - 17 - 7)
6. Flyers           49 Points (23 - 22 - 3)
7. Devils           48 Points (19 - 19 - 10)
8. Hurricanes    42 Points (19 - 25 - 4) 

The Islanders had the tie breaker with 20 non shootout wins while the Blue Jackets had 19.  

But when you add the other division:

1. Canadiens     63 Points (29 - 14 - 5)
2. Bruins           62 Points (28 - 14 - 6)
3. Maple Leafs  57 Points (26 - 17 - 5)
4. Red Wings    56 Points (24 - 16 - 8)
5. Senators        56 Points (25 - 17 - 6)

Under the new system, the 4th playoff spot goes to the best remaining team in the conference, not the automatic 4th place team in that division.  This means the Senators would be in the playoffs in place of the Islanders. (The Red Wings had more non shootout wins than the Senators)

If you look at the numbers, 2 points separated the playoffs and missing the playoffs. 

Yes, 2 points separate this:

  
From this:

Think about it, 1 more loss and the Capitals missed the playoffs.

I know some people are saying not to worry since the Capitals won the division 5 out of the last 6 years.  That is true, but that was the Southeast Division.  

The Capitals are joining the teams from the Atlantic Division and Columbus. 

Basically things are not about to get easier.

What I hope for is that the tougher competition will elevate the Capitals game and make them a tougher team when the playoffs come around.   

Lets take a look at the teams in the new division.

 

Pittsburgh Penguins:  As a Caps fan, you hate this team, but you have to give the devil their due.  Crosby, Malkin, Kunitz, the list goes on.  They have the talent to win and they always seem to make the trades to get better.  And if you are like me, the Penguins roster make your stomach get all knotted before every Caps - Pens games.

New York Rangers:  As long as John Tortorella is coaching them and Henrik Lundqvist, they will be tough.  They are a psychical team that love to play mind games.  Add a GM that makes moves that are high risk, high reward, you never know what you will get.

New York Islanders:  This team is going to a pain to deal with.  Coach Jack Capuano has the team flying all over the ice.  Players like John Tavares and Michael Grabner make the Islandrs exciting to watch.  One big question is at goal with Evgeni Nabokov.  He is now 37 but he seems to have found a new spring in his step this season.  Can he keep it going?

Philadelphia Flyers:  The Flyers had a rough season but injuries and a goalie whose mind might have been some place else in the universe played a role.  They still have the talent with Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell.  Another thing that makes me worry about the Flyers is their GM.  Paul Holmgrem is going to make a move.  If they can stay healthy, they will be in the mix.

New Jersey Devils:  They also had a rough season, but can you really count out a team with Martin Brodeur?  Add Ilya Kovalchuk and a Devils team that is healthy, they won't be an easy victory.

Carolina Hurricanes:  Simply put, last season was a disaster.  I put a good part of the blame on the injury to Goalie Cam Ward.  He is a great goalie who can steal games when he is playing.  And if you look at them on paper, they have some offensive punch.  Eric and Jordan Staal, Alexander Semin, and Jeff Skinner.  Again if they are healthy and focused, they will be a hand full to deal with.

Columbus Blue Jackets:  They have been the punching bag the last few years but the second half of the season, they were exciting to watch (even Marian Gaborik seem to get caught up in the excitment).  They missed the playoffs by 1 point.  Not bad for a team who's leading scorer was Mark Letestu with 13 goals (Vinny Prospal lead the team with 30 points) And it looks like they finally have the goalie they needed in Sergei Bobrovsky.  This team is young but they seem to know how to play as a team already.  They are going to be a wild card to deal with.

Our beloved Washington Capitals:  I really believe they have the talent with Ovechkin, Green, and Backstrom.  I also believe in Oates and I think Holty and Neuvirth make a very good goalie tandem, but I worry about the teams mental toughness.  Like I said, I hope the tougher competition will toughen them out mentally.

Bottom line, making the playoffs won't be a guaranteed thing.  I hope though that creates some exciting scenarios for a playoff push.

Game 16: New Jersey Devils @ Washington Capitals

OH YEAH!

3 for 3 on the PK, 2 for 3 on the powerplay, Ovi gets a hat trick, they controlled the faceoffs.

Life is good.

Capitals win 5 - 1.

Oh, and here are some Devils reactions to the Caps wins.

Game 15 New Jersey Devils @ Washington Capitals

Question:  What is not a good idea when you are up 2 - 1 going into the 3rd?

Answer:  Go on two 5 on 3 PK's that are over a minute each.

I know, silly idea, but hey, maybe I am just old school like that.

Here is how I felt after the game. 

Devils 3 Capitals 2 Final

Game 4: Washington Capitals @ New Jersey Devils

Nope.  They lost 3 - 2 in OT.


The Devils did give the Caps many chances with 5 power plays in the 3rd (well ok, an extended 5 - 3 was part of that).  I sort of think we should have called the Caps the Generals and start playing Sweet Georgia Brown when the Devils had the puck.

Scary stat, at one point, Wizards guard Bradley Beal had more blocks (3 at that point in the 1st quarter) than Caps goalie Michael Neuvirth had stops (2 stops on 3 shot attempts).

Devils @ Capitals

Oh hell 2 the no.  The Capitals were crushed 5 - 0 by the Devils tonight.  They give up a shorty, Parise get a hat trick.

This means the Caps are still in 9th, 1 point behind the 8th place Jets and 3 points behind the Panthers for the SE Division lead.

I need a drink after tonight.

Islanders @ Capitals

Yes they did!  A 3 - 2 win over the Islanders in OT.  Of course, spotting the Islanders a 2 - 0 lead and going 0 - 4 on the Power Play is not good.  But going 3 - 3 on the PK is.

Everyone's favorite whipping boy Jeff Schultz was a -1 in just over 14 minutes of ice time tonight.

In other action, the Panthers beat the Maple Leafs 5 - 3.

The Caps are now in 8th place, 1 point ahead of the Jets (who are in 9th) and 4 points of the 10th place Maple Leafs.  And for those who are wondering, they are 5 points behind 7th place New Jersey.  

As for the SE Division lead, they are 3 points behind the Panthers.

And for the guy wearing the South Carolina Sting Rays Neuvy jersey, you rule.

What does Today's game mean to the Caps 2/26

Well, the Panthers beat the Habs 4 - 2.  This means the Caps are now 3 points behind the Panthers for the SE Division lead. (They are still 1 point behind the Jets for the 8th spot in the playoffs.)

Also, the Lightning beat the Devils, so they are 10th place and 2 points behind the Caps.

The Wait and See game.  So much fun, isn't it?

What does Today's game mean to the Caps 2/21

And this is why 3 point games are a pain.  Both the Maple Leafs and Jets lost in overtime (to the Devils and Flyers respectively.)  This means the Capitals are now two points behind both teams for the 8th spot.

Oh, and the Jets are now tied with the Panthers (pointswise) for the division lead.  Boy, Alzner's goal for the Jets keeps biting the Capitals, doesn't it?

BUT WAIT, there is more.  The 11th place Lightning are now 3 points behind the Capitals after their win over the Ducks.  AND the 12th place Sabres are 4 points behind the Caps after their win over the Islanders.

I am sort of shocked I used the term "respect" with the state of New Jersey and the city of Philadelphia.

Panthers vs. Devils, Canadiens vs. Maple Leafs

Good News:  Canadiens crushed the Maple Leafs, so the Caps still 1 point behind 8th place Maple Leafs.

Bad news:  Panthers beat the Devils, so now ahead by 2 points for division and Capitals stay in 9th.

Oh, and the Caps are 3 points ahead of 10th Jets.

Sunday, a Caps win over the 1st place (in the conference) and second best in the league Rangers puts them in 8th.  Panthers are on Long Island to play the Islanders.