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Predicting the 2019-2020 Metropolitan Standings

By Ryan Henkel

SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 26: The Metropolitan Division All-Stars pose after winning the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 26: The Metropolitan Division All-Stars pose after winning the 2019 Honda NHL All-Star Game at SAP Center on January 26, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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1. Washington Capitals

WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Richard Panik #14 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his goal with teammates against the St. Louis Blues during the third period of a preseason NHL game at Capital One Arena on September 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 18: Richard Panik #14 of the Washington Capitals celebrates his goal with teammates against the St. Louis Blues during the third period of a preseason NHL game at Capital One Arena on September 18, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

The Washington Capitals have finished atop of the Metropolitan division for the past four seasons in a row and have captured the President’s trophy twice in those four seasons. Led by the generational superstar that is Alexander Ovechkin, the eight-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy recipient, three-time Hart Memorial Trophy recipient, and 2018 Stanley Cup Champion and Conn Smythe recipient, the Capitals are still in capable hands.

With most of the core still intact, the Caps are set to stand atop of the division again. With a high-powered offense and solid goaltending, the only real flaw that could slow the Capitals down is its defense. While number one defenseman, John Carlson is still potentially a top-20 blueliner, the rest of the defensive core is strongly lacking.

Notable Additions: Radko Gudas, Richard Panik

Notable Losses: Matt Niskanen, Andrei Burakovsky, Brett Conolly, Brooks Orpik

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