The Metro Division has been ultra-competitive this season and there's no better proof of late than the top six teams in the division being separated by just four points.
In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on which of those teams is best of the bunch.
Todd Cordell
I'm really high on Columbus and think they're legitimate contenders this year. There is just so much to like about them.
They're near the top of the league in shot generation, shot suppression, expected goals for%, and penalty differential. They have a very balanced lineup with skilled players on all four lines, one of the best defense pairings in the league, and a Vezina-winning goaltender.
The only weakness is on the power play and I think there's too much talent there not to figure things out sooner or later. When they do, I think they could distance themselves from the pack in the Metro.
Peter Tessier
For me, it's a toss-up between Columbus and New Jersey. It's not that they are the top two teams but that they have been consistent throughout the season. Columbus is a better possession team than the Devils and not riding some questionable PDO hot streak.
That being said the point spread is simply too close to ignore others especially the Penguins and surging Rangers. While I like the Devils and have a ton of respect for the Penguins I think this is the year that Columbus comes out on top and while currently the best team, is also the best team at the end of the season.
James Tanner
I think the best team in the Metro is the Blue Jackets. They have a pretty scary defense combo of Werenski and Jones, and their forward depth is also quite impressive.
But when you have a roster that is probably easily top ten in the league and you have it backstopped by Sergei Bobrovsky, you're going to be an elite team.
The Jackets - and it seems like just a few days ago they seemed like a joke - should be considered with the Leafs, Lightning, Flames and Penguins and Blues as the NHL's top teams.
I think the Penguins if healthy are probably a better team, than the Blue Jackets, but the Jackets have the goalie so I give them the edge.
I don't think Washington, the Rangers or anyone else in the Metro is too good, other than Carolina but they seem to need some kind of scoring superstar in order to transform them into a contender.
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