LAS VEGAS — With greater than half of the primary 82-game season in two years already within the books, the NHL’s All-Star weekend is a welcome break for most of the gamers taking part.
For these within the Metropolitan Division, nevertheless, it’s not possible to disregard the looming playoff race that's sure to be neck-and-neck given the present state of the standings. In the intervening time, the highest three groups within the division — the Hurricanes (31-9-2), Rangers (30-13-4) and Penguins (27-11-8) — are separated by simply two factors.
“It appears like nobody else is dropping video games, everybody simply retains on successful,” stated Chris Kreider, who was certainly one of three Rangers named as an All-Star, however is the just one taking part within the weekend festivities. “On the identical time, we’ve solely seen the Canes as soon as. Haven’t seen Pittsburgh, seen Washington as soon as. In the end we now have some actually huge video games down the stretch.
“And that’s enjoyable. These are the video games that you just need to play in, check your self and in the end be taught the issues it is advisable work on.”
The Hurricanes are presently in first place with 64 factors and 5 video games in hand on the Rangers, who're tied with the Capitals for essentially the most video games performed within the division. The Rangers are respiratory down Carolina’s neck with 64 factors and only one fewer win.
Sitting in third after selecting up three factors from extra time losses over their previous 4 video games earlier than the All-Star break, the Penguins have 62 factors by means of 46 video games.
The Rangers have 17 division video games remaining over their last 35 regular-season video games, together with three extra conferences with the mighty Hurricanes. Their first division opponents popping out of their two-week hiatus from sport motion would be the Capitals on Feb. 24 and the Penguins two days later.
Kreider famous that the Rangers had been anticipating an excellent longer break for the Beijing Olympics, however the NHL pulled its gamers out of the Video games in late December amid COVID-19 protocol issues. However to have a break in any respect, the 30-year-old winger stated, is helpful.
“I feel it’s an excellent time to reset for our whole group,” Kreider stated. “We’ve performed essentially the most highway video games within the NHL proper now of any crew. Clearly, we didn’t have numerous video games postponed.”
The Islanders have performed a league-low 39 video games after a slew of postponements as a consequence of their very own COVID-19 outbreak earlier within the season and attendance restrictions in Canada. Third to final within the Metro was not the place the Islanders anticipated to be after making a run to the convention last within the final two seasons, however defenseman Adam Pelech stated his crew is prepared for the problem forward.
With 43 video games left and a steep hill to climb, nevertheless, the Islanders have numerous floor to cowl.
“We’re undoubtedly assured,” stated Pelech, the Islanders’ lone All-Star. “We perceive that we now have to go on a roll right here.”
The identical will be stated for the Devils, who presently sit within the basement of the division and are fifth-to-last within the NHL, with 35 factors. Having misplaced 10 of their previous 12 video games, the Devils are probably grateful for a possibility to regroup.
“We’re clearly struggling,” Devils middle Jack Hughes stated. “Now we have good, younger items in place, however we’re working, we’re studying the best way to win. We nonetheless have 40 video games to go, so we simply obtained to maintain pushing.”
Each sport down the stretch within the Metropolitan Division goes to be significant, each level goes to make a distinction and the highest groups are going to be clawing towards the end line.
“I feel you begin rating watching a little bit bit earlier on within the 12 months,” stated Tom Wilson of the Capitals, who path the Penguins by three factors within the standings. “You take care of you win a sport, you look on-line and it looks as if each Metro crew simply form of retains successful. Nevertheless it’s enjoyable. It’s aggressive. They’ve constructed an important hockey crew in New York. We all know after we’re enjoying a divisional opponent, it’s going to be a battle.
“We’re trying ahead to crunch time right here towards the top of the 12 months, and regardless of who we’re enjoying within the playoffs, if we get in and we’re there, it’s going to be a battle.”
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