Week 4 Eastern Power Rankings
1) New Jersey Devils (28-8-0) Week 4: 8-1-0
With one week left in the season the Devils are 10 points up on the rest of the East and will probably maintain this top spot. Their only loss of the week was a 5-2 game against the Maple Leafs on Friday night. True still doing his thing, the depth is also still performing, defence and goaltending still maintaining their play. Looking like this this team will play the Islanders or Canadiens in round 1 either squad is not going to give them a hard time. They should use this week to build some confidence and momentum for the playoffs. They do play tough teams in Seattle, Arizona and Toronto this week so they will get tested.
Record Prediction: 34-10-1 (6-2-1 week 5)
2) Toronto Maple Leafs (22-12-2) Week 4: 7-2-0
At the deadline Toslick added 2 vets in NowYoDead and DPtickler who were teammates with slick just last season, great pickups (For basically nothing). The Leafs went 1-2 on Monday night but ended the week going 6-0, this squad is possibly one of the deeper ones in the league now with very little weak links. Their studs in Grammy, Slick, Semple, Shep, Chico, Mike, Chad (the list goes on) will help give this squad another stellar week to close the season. Looking like this this team will play the Islanders or Canadiens in round 1 either squad is not going to give them a hard time. With games against New Jersey, Arizona and Seattle it is unlikely they go 9-0 but who knows. They should use this week to build some confidence and momentum for the playoffs.
Record Prediction: 30-13-2 (8-1-0 week 5)
3) New York Islanders (16-18-2) Week 4: 4-5-0
At the deadline, the Isles were busy, they added to their forward and defensive depth acquiring Owen and Clark but, their goaltending took a hit. After another mediocre 4-5 week, this squad is going to limp into the playoffs and have the pleasure of playing either New Jersey or Toronto. They do have a really tough week playing Seattle, St Louis, Colorado, New Jersey, Montreal and Toronto. This team is certainly going to have to pull up their socks if they want to keep that #3 seed with Montreal right on their tails. Icey and Pens will have to step up in the crease to match the play Eddie provided for them.
Record Prediction: 19-23-3 (3-5-1 week 5)
4) Montreal Canadiens (15-19-2) Week 4: 5-4-0
Another GM who was busy working the phones was ELRookie. He did a nice retool and this team addressed a need they had with defensive depth BUT it costed them most of their goal scoring. Outside of Royal, Rookie, KQ and Se7entee the whole roster is different from the start of week 4 adding 3 bigger names, Execution, DrWally and Chief2step. I have to give Rook some credit, the team definitely looks like they will be tougher to play against, props to you. With games against, Colorado, St Louis, Arizona, Florida, Toronto, New Jersey and New York, they’re going to have to secure some wins if they want to climb the ladder and reach that #3 seed. Goal scoring and goaltending do have some question marks but I feel that overall the team has gotten better.
Record Prediction: 19-23-3 (4-4-1 week 5)
5) Florida Panthers (13-22-1) Week 4: 2-7-0
Unfortunately for Cook, this team is on the downhill, since Tuesday of week 3 this team is an abysmal 3-12-0. The boys in Florida are still in striking distance for a playoff spot but I do believe the roster has gotten weaker and need to change their ways in order to hop into a playoff spot. Newly acquired Kap and Rambo are guys Cook will likely look to drive this team’s offence with older faces like fivestar, cook and brucelee will probably be there for support. With games against Seattle, Colorado, St Louis, Montreal, New Jersey, New York and Toronto, every game is looking like a must win for this squad. Sorry Florida, I think you guys will be golfing come Saturday.
Record Prediction 16-27-2 (3-5-1 week 5)
6) Philadelphia Flyers (6-30-0) Week 4: 2-7-0
Alright team say it with me. THREE. MORE. DAYS. It was not a pretty season for the Flyers but obtaining that first overall pick is a goal that seems like will be alright. Unfortunately for you guys the La Kings are not that far ahead of you guys, I don’t condone tanking but at this point, just show up try your best and have some fun y’all got this.
Record Prediction: 8-37-0 (2-7-0 week 5)