NHL '21: Eastern Division of Death + Stanley Cup Finals Pick
- iAmMizz!
- Jan 12, 2021
- 14 min read
This NHL season will be like no other, and not just because of the ongoing pandemic. The fallout of COVID has changed much more than safety protocols and regulations, it has changed the entire structure of the league. The NHL will be split into four new regionalized divisions in 2021, and not only that, teams will exclusively play the opponents in their respectives divisions. The amount of games has also been condensed, from 82 to 56, with opening night set for January 13 (end date is set for May 8). As of now, all teams will be allowed to play in their home arenas, and roster sizes will be limited to 23 men, with a taxi squad of 4-6 alternates in case of an outbreak.
The 2021 East Division worked out very nicely, but not necessarily for the teams in it. This may be the most challenging division in hockey this year, and it's built on the foundation of the former Metropolitan Division. The only difference is that Boston and Buffalo join the new East, replacing Carolina and Columbus. This swap is actually pretty even for the remaining teams from the already-difficult 2020 Metro, but it's definitely worse for the newbies (Boston and Buffalo) coming from a weak Atlantic group last year. These four playoff spots will be hard to come by, and the regionalized schedule definitely hurts these eight teams more than most, making each of their eight games against each other that much more crucial. The group of death exists in the NHL this season, and it's in the East. Let's take a look at its eight competitors below, because only one will make it to the Semifinals alive:
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals
I'll rank each team one through eight based on my predictions for the 2021 season, citing offseason ins and outs (not including resignings), betting odds (FanDuel), and players to watch.
Here are the links to my other divisional predictions:
Disclaimer... Last year I correctly predicted a Tampa Bay victory over Dallas in the Stanley Cup before the season began, so I'm not totally clueless here, although some of my playoff predictions were much worse than others (cough cough, NJ Devils). If you don't believe me, here's the link.
8. New Jersey Devils (HC: Lindy Ruff)
2020 Record: 28-29-12, 68 points, 8th in Metropolitan
Betting Odds to Win East: +2000
Offseason Additions: Dmitry Kulikov (D), Sami Vatanen (D), Ryan Murray (D), Andreas Johnsson (F), Scott Wedgewood (G), Corey Crawford (G/retires)
Offseason Losses: Cory Schneider (G), Kevin Rooney (C), John Hayden (C), Dakota Mermis (D), Joey Anderson (F), Brandon Baddock (F)
Unsigned Free Agents: Jesper Bratt (F), Mirco Mueller (D), Fredrik Claesson (D), Brian Strait (D), Julian Melchiori (D), Zane McIntyre (G)
Offseason Grade: B–
The Devils made some positive short-term moves to be more competitive this offseason... well up until one totally blew up in their face. It never made too much sense to me as to why they traded for an aged goaltender like Corey Crawford with MacKenzie Blackwood set up as the future, but the former Blackhawks champion has now announced his retirement from the league so nevermind. It may end up being a good thing for New Jersey (at least in terms of financials) that Crawford decided not to play a game there anyway. Vatanen and Murray then return along with Kulikov to bolster the Devils defense. The only other move of note is the trade with Toronto for Andreas Johnsson. The Leafs needed to part ways with Johnsson for cap reasons, and I thought NJ got an underrated upside forward on the cheap here. That was the only move that really contributed to the long-term rebuild. Speaking of which, it looks like another lost season for the Devils in the 2021 division of death. Fans will again turn their attention towards the NHL development of Jack Hughes, Nico Hischier (week-to-week injury to start season), Nikita Gusev, Pavel Zacha and more with the Lindy Ruff era now underway.
7. Buffalo Sabres (HC: Ralph Krueger)
2020 Record: 30-31-8, 68 points, 6th in Atlantic
Betting Odds to Win East: +1600
Offseason Additions: Taylor Hall (F), Eric Staal (C), Cody Eakin (C), Tobias Rieder (C), Jack Quinn (F/draft), Brandon Davidson (D), Riley Sheahan (C), Matt Irwin (D), Steven Fogarty (C), Dustin Tokarski (G)
Offseason Losses: Dominik Kahun (C/F), Marcus Johansson (C), Wayne Simmonds (F), Jimmy Vesey (F), Johan Larsson (F/C), Vladimir Sobotka (C), Michael Frolik (F), Andrew Hammond (G), Scott Wilson (F)
Unsigned Free Agents: Matt Hunwick (D), John Gilmour (D), Remi Elie (F), Lawrence Pilut (D), Taylor Leier (F)
Offseason Grade: B
To the surprise of many, the Buffalo Sabres were actually one of the most active buyers this offseason. After trading Marcus Johansson for Eric Staal, they ended up landing big-name free agent and former Hart winner Taylor Hall (52 points in 2020). The top-tier talent should pair nicely with franchise linchpin Jack Eichel (coming off a 78-point campaign), and Staal gives the Sabres an experienced center on the second line. Buffalo could honestly be a darkhorse team this season, with rising stars like Eichel, Rasmus Dahlin and Victor Olofsson mixing with some of the aforementioned veterans (as well as newer vets like Eakin or Rieder). Forgotten stars like Jeff Skinner and Kyle Okposo are also role players on this roster, and youth like Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn (2021 draft pick) may join the starting lines sooner rather than later. The biggest concerns are also plainly obvious though. One, this competitive division. Two, a so-so defensive unit. Three, a goalie pair of Linus Ullmark and Carter Hutton. The Sabres will be a much tougher out in 2021, one that may even jump up to sixth or fifth, but they will likely miss the playoffs all the same.
6. New York Islanders (HC: Barry Trotz)
2020 Record: 35-23-10, 80 points, 6th in Metropolitan
Betting Odds to Win East: +650
Offseason Additions: Dmytro Timashov (F), Austin Czarnik (C)
Offseason Losses: Devon Toews (D), Thomas Greiss (G), Derick Brassard (C), Johnny Boychuk (D/retired), Chris Gibson (G)
Unsigned Free Agents: Jordan Schmaltz (D), Jared Coreau (G)
Offseason Grade: D+
Now that Mathew Barzal is finally resigned, Isles fans can take their long awaited sigh of relief. Tom Kuhnhackl may also return after a PTO brought him to Islanders' camp. Despite all that, it's still be a rough offseason for NYI. I was really high on this team last year, and I put my voice behind it picking the Isles to win the Metro behind the Barry Trotz system. They didn't, but they did have a nice postseason run in the bubble that brought them to the Eastern Conference Finals. I still believe in Trotz and this system, but at some point the Islanders need to bring in talent to take their franchise over the top. They cheaped out instead by trading away Toews (because they couldn't pay him) and losing Greiss in net. It's more disappointing that on the doorstep of the Stanley Cup, the Isles basically made no attempts to get better. Having Jean-Gabriel Pageau (eight goals/11 points in postseason, +10 on ice) for a full season does help New York's chances, but I still think those chances are slim in this division. One thing is for sure, we'll finally see if this defensive/goaltending system is truly about the coaching, not the players, in 2021.
5. New York Rangers (HC: David Quinn)
2020 Record: 37-28-5, 79 points, 7th in Metropolitan
Betting Odds to Win East: +700
Offseason Additions: Alexis Lafreniere (F/draft), Jack Johnson (D), Kevin Rooney (C), Anthony Bitetto (D), Colin Blackwell (C), Anthony Greco (F), Keith Kinkaid (G), Jonny Brodzinski (C), Paul Thompson (F)
Offseason Losses: Henrik Lundqvist (G), Jesper Fast (F), Marc Staal (D), Greg McKegg (C), Lias Andersson (C), Steven Fogarty (C), Vinni Lettieri (C), Boo Nieves (C), Micheal Haley (F)
Unsigned Free Agents: Matt Beleskey (F), Jean-Francois Berube (G)
Offseason Grade: B–
Rangers fans are really amped for this season... I know because I am one. It was all coming together for the Blueshirts last Winter, until the pandemic interrupted the final stretch of the season. When play returned, the Rangers were without rookie phenom Igor Shesterkin (10-2, 2.52 GAA, .932 save percentage) in net, and the Hurricanes promptly swept them from the bubble. At the time, this was a major let-down for fans, but shortly after it turned out to be a blessing in disguise when NYR lucked out for the second straight year in the draft lottery. This time the Rangers were awarded the number one pick, and with the highly coveted Alexis Lafreniere available, Madison Square Garden quickly found its newest centerpiece. The touted rookie will join a stacked young core that includes Artemi Panarin, Tony DeAngelo, Adam Fox, Igor, Kaapo Kakko, Filip Chytil, K'Andre Miller and more. This team does still lack experience, which seemed to be the other problem in last year's bubble playoffs, but leading the way on that front is the newly extended Chris Kreider, along with Jacob Trouba and Mika Zibanejad. Free agents Johnson and Bitetto also add some veteran depth on the blue line, while Rooney and Blackwell give NYR more options at center. I'd love to see the Rangers surpass a team like Boston or Philly to make the top four of this group, but to me this team will only go far in 2021 if Lafreniere is an immediate stud (because of the group they find themselves in). A full season of Shesterkin in net should also be exciting, and the Rangers are a certain darkhorse contender either way. One last thing to watch... David Quinn has been up and down as an NHL coach. This may be his final opportunity to prove that he's the guy to come out of the rebuild leading this roster. If Quinn falters, the Blueshirts should look to make a championship caliber change at HC.
4. Boston Bruins (HC: Bruce Cassidy)
2020 Record: 44-14-12, 100 points, 1st in Atlantic
Betting Odds to Win East: +250
Offseason Additions: Craig Smith (F), Greg McKegg (C), Callum Booth (G)
Offseason Losses: Torey Krug (D), Zdeno Chara (D), Joakim Nordstrom (F), Alex Petrovic (D), Maxime Legace (G)
Unsigned Free Agents: Brett Ritchie (F), Peter Cehlarik (F), Brendan Gaunce (C)
Offseason Grade: D+
I'm shocked that Boston is still getting the top odds in this competitive group, but it's probably because there is no clear frontrunner to replace last season's Presidents Trophy winners. I'm pretty confident that the Bruins will not win the East this year however. Krug gone, Chara gone, David Pastrnak out to start the season. I know Tuuka Rask is still there, and of course Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk, even Charlie McAvoy and Matt Grzelcyk left on the D. I also know that Bruce Cassidy is a really solid coach... And TRUST ME, I know better as a New Yorker to doubt a Boston team, but I'm doubting a little. The depth and experience in front of Rask is the worst I've seen for the B's in a long time, and even the bottom six forward lines leave a lot to be desired. I don't think the Bruins necessarily fall out of the postseason or anything too dramatic, but they're trending towards the end of an era. This may not be it, but the B's won't win the East either.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins (HC: Mike Sullivan)
2020 Record: 40-23-6, 86 points, 3rd in Metropolitan
Betting Odds to Win East: +400
Offseason Additions: Mike Matheson (D), Cody Ceci (D), Colton Sceviour (C/F), Pontus Aberg (F), Evan Rodrigues (F), Mark Jankowski (C), Josh Currie (C), Frederick Gaudreau (C), Jordan Nolan (C), Maxime Lagace (G)
Offseason Losses: Matt Murray (G), Justin Schultz (D), Patric Hornqvist (F), Nick Bjugstad (C), Conor Sheary (F), Jack Johnson (D), Patrick Marleau (F), Dominik Simon (C), Riley Barber (F), Dustin Tokarski (G)
Unsigned Free Agents: Phil Varone (C), Kevin Roy (C), Adam Johnson (C), Thomas Di Pauli (C)
Offseason Grade: C–
Although the auxiliary pieces have changed over the years, this still feels like the same old Penguins roster that we have seen for the better part of a decade. Of course, that means Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin at the forefront, but a healthy Kris Letang and Jake Guentzel return to supplement the two-headed monster in 2021. Players like Bryan Rust, Jason Zucker, Brian Dumoulin, Jared McCann and Brandon Tanev have also earned their keep, with younger prospects like John Marino and Marcus Pettersson emerging on defense. Matheson and Ceci fill out a solid top six on D in front of Tristan Jarry. As usual under Mike Sullivan, this Pittsburgh team looks scrappy and unrelinquishing. They also look fresh (aside from Kasperi Kapanen), after a 2020 season full of injuries and hardships. I know I just gave them a slightly negative offseason grade, but I based that strictly on transactions. When you take all factors into account (prospects, health, motivation), the Pens look like a much scarier team than a season ago, and I think they could enact some revenge in 2021.
2. Philadelphia Flyers (HC: Alain Vigneault)
2020 Record: 41-21-7, 89 points, 2nd in Metropolitan
Betting Odds to Win East: +500
Offseason Additions: Erik Gustafsson (D), Derrick Pouliot (D)
Offseason Losses: Matt Niskanen (D/retired), Tyler Pitlick (F), Derek Grant (F/C), Nate Thompson (C), Andy Welinski (D), Kurtis Gabriel (F)
Unsigned Free Agents: Mikhail Vorobyev (C), Chris Stewart (F)
Offseason Grade: C–
With the chance to really go all-in, the Flyers played it safe this offseason. They had a few losses right off the bat with Niskanen announcing his retirement and Pitlick/Grant/Thompson going elsewhere. Gustafsson was brought in to take the former blue-liner's spot, but it will be Ivan Provorov, Travis Sanheim and Phillipe Myers who fill the role. This new Philly defensive core is now the franchise's greatest strength (ironically), especially playing in front of Carter Hart (24-13-3, 2.42 GAA, .914 save percentage). My only concern lies with the forward depth. Behind Sean Couturier, Travis Konecny and Claude Giroux are players like Kevin Hayes (coming off a career season, 23 goals), Oskar Lindblom and Jakub Voracek, but it gets kind of dicey after that. I actually had the Flyers making the playoffs last year in large part due to Alain Vigneault's coaching influence, and they did not disappoint. Now I could see them taking a small step back and dropping to third or fourth, but I'll trust AV's regular season prowess and keep them second for now.
1. Washington Capitals (HC: Peter Laviolette)
2020 Record: 41-20-8, 90 points, 1st in Metropolitan
Betting Odds to Win East: +550
Offseason Additions: Justin Schultz (D), Zdeno Chara (D), Conor Sheary (F), Craig Anderson (G), Trevor van Riemsdyk (D), Daniel Carr (F), Paul LaDue (D)
Offseason Losses: Braden Holtby (G), Radko Gudas (D), Ilya Kovalchuk (F), Travis Boyd (C), Tyler Lewington (D), Henrik Lundqvist (G/opt-out)
Unsigned Free Agents: Liam O'Brien (C)
Offseason Grade: B–
It wasn't easy to pick a winner here, with four great franchises at the top (all of which have been a staple in the playoffs in recent seasons), and even some rising franchises in the Rangers, Isles and Sabres just behind them. In the end I'm going with a team I despise, but a team I also respect. I had the Caps falling to fourth last season in part because I thought they made a terrible coaching hire after Trotz moved on. Turns out I was right, but the talent on Washington still propelled them to a top playoff seed. Now the Capitals have fourth best betting odds, but a coach I really respect in Peter Laviolette, and that's one of the reasons that I bumped their offseason grade up to B– and their projection to first place in the East. Side note, what a division for coaches with Laviolette joining Vigneault, Cassidy, Sullivan, Trotz and even Ruff. Wow! What a group. This isn't the division of death for no good reason after all, and who better to top it than Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson? Not to mention Evgeny Kuznetsov, Jakub Vrana and T.J. Oshie. I actually think this team is better without Holtby too. The long-time Caps tendy had dropped off in form, and prospect Ilya Samsonov offers much more upside starting the bulk of the games. It doesn't hurt that Washington also brought in two proven winners in Chara and Sheary, as well as Schultz. This team is bursting with experience, and unless they come out looking old (which I doubt), they have what it takes to put the best full season together.
While I'd love to be a homer and put the Rangers in the top four, it's just hard to leave any of these four above out. In another division, the Rangers, Sabres or Isles may have easily made it (like the West or North), but it'll be really challenging to pull that off with this schedule looming. I expect this group to be tight and intense, and overall records may suffer a bit in comparison to other division winners (because they'll be stucking facing each other the entire year). With the matchups set, let's turn to the playoff bracket for the Eastern Division of Death.
EAST PLAYOFFS
(4) Boston @ (1) Washington
This is an obvious trap-series for a Caps team that has been upset numerous times in the past, but I actually like their focus more against the big bad Bruins. Facing a team like Columbus or Carolina, Washington has taken their first round opponent lightly in the past. Boston is a known juggernaut in the playoffs however, so that won't be the case this time. Bear down for what is set to be a hard-hitting, low-scoring, and overtime-thrilling roller coaster ride between these two. Caps hold on in 7.
(3) Pittsburgh @ (2) Philadelphia
Philadelphia reached the quarterfinals last season (before losing to the New York Islanders), but Pittsburgh was a surprise first-round knockout... and by first round I mean the qualifying round against Montreal. As I stated above, I think there's a bitter taste in Crosby and the Pens mouths right now and this season may be somewhat of a revenge tour for them. If they can stay healthy, I like their chances to go on a little playoff run, starting with the less experienced Flyers. Penguins in 6.
EAST FINALS
(3) Pittsburgh @ (1) Washington
Thus far I've picked two number one seeds to make the final four and one number four seed. This time I'm going in a new direction. If Crosby and Malkin have one more run left in them (they absolutely should), this could be the team to do it. The youthful pieces on defense remind me of Philly last year, while Letang and the forwards still provide a veteran influence around them. Jarry is the final touch (2.43 GAA, .921 save percentage in 2020), and I'll take him in a long series over Samsonov. This long-standing rivalry has provided many highlight reel moments, and it will no doubt provide more if this matchup comes to pass, but the Caps should be exhausted after a grind of a battle with the Bruins and I just have a weird feeling about Pittsburgh this season. Pens in 7.
Final Four East Representative: Pittsburgh Penguins
STANLEY CUP BRACKET
Rules state that the final four teams will be re-seeded based on record. My final four based on my four NHL 21 articles (other three linked towards beginning of article):
(4) Carolina Hurricanes @ (1) Vegas Golden Knights
It was a nice surprising run for the Canes (a four seed out of the Central), but here is where they hit a brick wall in Vegas. I see the Golden Knights shutting down this high-octane offense once and for all as they out-class Carolina in the Semi's. Vegas in 5.
(3) Pittsburgh Penguins @ (2) Toronto Maple Leafs
This is a closer matchup for me, but in the end it's an easy decision all the same. Toronto probably has more goal-scoring ability and raw skill (outside of Crosby/Malkin), and they got a lot grittier this offseason, but they aren't battle-tested like Pittsburgh. The Pens are coming out of the much more challenging division. Mike Sullivan is a better coach than Sheldon Keefe. Tristan Jarry is a better goaltender than Frederik Andersen. Sidney Crosby is even a better leader than Auston Matthews. Plain and simple though; Pittsburgh has been here before, the Leafs have not. Penguins in 6.
STANLEY CUP FINAL
(3) Pittsburgh Penguins @ (1) Vegas Golden Knights
In the end the Cup Final is a matchup that isn't as unique as some may have hoped. A Western Conference franchise versus an Eastern Conference franchise (no EastvEast or vice versa). It's still unique though, as it will be the first time these two teams ever face one another in a final. Vegas has only been to one Stanley Cup Championship Series, losing to the Washington Capitals in five games in 2018 (their inaugural season). They have never won a Cup, but they've been pretty close considering their short history. The Pittsburgh Penguins have won five Stanley Cups, the two most recent championships being in 2016 and '17 (back-to-back), against the San Jose Sharks and Nashville Predators. This Pens core group has hoisted the Cup three times since Crosby was drafted. They will not hoist it a fourth, at least not in 2021. I said it back in the Western article when I selected Vegas over Colorado saying that this could be the year I finally see the Golden Knights winning it all. Their roster has just been magnificently constructed since their expansion draft season, and this is the culmination of that. Two top goaltenders (Lehner/Fleury), a really deep defense led by Alex Pietrangelo, Shea Theodore and Alec Martinez, and a combination of experience, skill, physicality and chemistry throughout the forward lines make the Golden Knights my pick to be the 2021 Stanley Cup Champions. Future odds to win the Cup currently at +850 (Penguins +2000), and I was correct with both teams at this point last season. Signing off for the final time this preseason, give me Vegas to break through against Pittsburgh in 7.
NHL 2021 Stanley Cup Champions: Vegas Golden Knights
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