The top 3 teams in the Metro have basically been determined, but where they stand could change at any moment.  The Islanders and Capitals have been swapping the #1 position from week to week, while the Canes have been lurking the entire time, only a game or two behind.  Neither team can seem to grab hold of the top stop, unlike the other division leaders.  The second tier of teams, Blue Jackets, Flyers, and Devils, can't seem to catch the top teams, so will have to settle for a wild card spot.  With the Atlantic teams very behind, two Metro teams will make the playoffs.  I have a feeling that the Devils don't care to make it, so it's CBJ and Flyers by default.

1. Washington Capitals (29-10-8, 66pts)

I am sure this isn't the first time that GM Linke has heard this, his finishing game needs work!  This team has a whopping 8 OTL/SOL, tops in the league.  If he could have converted half of those into wins, he would have a commanding lead.  Or maybe GM Linke needs to address the fact that they are 17th GA!!!  This is giong to make for a very disappointing playoff run when he gets swept in round 2 by a team that can score and defend.  The Caps are still only 7th GF, so he's not lighting the lamp anywhere near the pace of the top teams.  GM Linke needs to make an adjustment or acquire both scoring and defense, if he wants to compete.  He can take advantage of all that cap space he has...oh wait, it's being eaten up by a $19m backup tender, who has contributed in a staggering 4 games.  This horrible FA aquisition is going to bite GM Linke so hard in the ass, he may actually enjoy it.  Next time reach out to me, so I can talk to some sense into you.  Regardless they will finish in the top 3 and do some damage.  I don't see this team having a chance to win the cup, if changes aren't made.

2. New York Islanders (29-12-4, 62pts)

The Islanders are 8th GF and 6th GA, where I am sure they are a little lower than where GM Blueballs expected them to be.  The combination of being able to stop the goals against with the scoring should take him far.  I am not sure if this is cup winning material, but he should have a shot to make it to the finals.  With the Bruins and Captials being their only real competition, a move or two could cement them into the finals.  But let's be real here.  GM Blueballs will not make a move and cross his fingers, hoping he beats the Caps and Bruins.  Good Luck sir!

3. Carolina Hurricanes (29-13-4, 62pts)

GM Old Man Cordell hasn't been on too many rants yelling at the clouds.  I blame the Covid restrictions for that.  Hopefully, he starts back up when it gets nicer out.  He has again surpassed where I expected him to be, tying the Islanders half way through the year.  He will buy more picks at dealine and add more mediocre players to keep for years, hoping they play beyond their skill level.  This cycle is as consistent as Rumpy blowing up out of nowhere and Larry's walks.  He's 11th in GA and GF, so I can't see him making it further than any other year.  Has he ever made it past the 2nd round?  I don't think so.  He will be 3rd in the division and lose out again.  Maybe he should try a different strategy?  Or maybe have someone help him picking the same mediocre players?  I don't know, all I know is that I want more drunk Rich rants.  My popcorn stash is getting huge without them.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets (26-18-2, 54pts)

GM Jesse must be scratching his head wondering how his team is 12th GF and 16th GA because I am.  He has 6 80+SC forwards and all his defenseman are 80+DF minus Krug.  It must be the coaching.  The GF can be addressed with just an addition of a goalie that doesn't suck, but not sure why his team isn't scoring.  Jesse will make it to the playoffs via the 1st wildcard stop, but he won't be able to beat the team he faces without that new goalie.  Let's see if he makes a move.  This is the spot where a trade for Mike Smith from the Pens makes sense.  Such a diappointing season so far for CBJ.

5. Philadelphia Flyers (23-18-6, 52pts)

GM Anthony has put together a decent team, but still lacks the scoring.  He has had a pretty good couple years, acquiring the like of Landeskog, Tom Wilson, Killorn, and Gallagher.  With Wheeler and Krejci added to that and you have a playoff team.  I expected this team to do better than their 15th GF, but 8th GA is about where they should be.  This is another team that probably coud use a little better coaching to move up.  But what the hell do I know?  Flyers recently have beaten the studly Stars 7-1, Islanders 6-0 & 5-1, and Sharks 4-2.  This team will take the final playoff spot, as the Devils don't seem too intersted in making the playoffs.  Makes its in by default to lose in the first round to either the Caps or Islanders.  Not sure he should spend more capital to just lose in the first round.

6. New Jersey Devils (23-21-3, 49pts)

This wannabe tanker has been great before last couple games.  Devils went 7-0-1 recently to accidentally climb the standings.  This team doesn't have much after Bjorkstrand and yet, they are able to be over .500.  They are 21st GF and 22nd GA, so not sure how are still in the playoff picture.  It will be a miracle if they do make it.  This is a total fail at tanking.  Doc, give this guy some lessons.

7. New York Rangers (16-26-5, 37pts)

GM PJ "Ghost" Jennings has the tough job of tanking while have a 99sc player in Matthews.  He also has decent players in AA, Mittelstadt, and Sprong, so it's no wonder why he is 10 points better than the the bottom feeders.  This team doesn't have much coming up in the pipeline either or has anything to trade for more draft picks.  It will be a race to see how may years they waste with Matthews, before he ends up in Zona for his career to die.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins (11-33-3, 25pts)

GM Toby is doing a fantastic job with the tank.  This is with one of the top goalies in the sim.  In fact, he's doing so well that Smith has an terrible .906 sv%.  Toby doens't have much coming up next year, so he will be continuing with the tank for the forseable future.  Keep an eye on Toby to see where Smith and Duchene head off to.