As we hit what would have been NHL All-Star Weekend — replaced by the 4 Nations Face-Off — it’s a great time to check in on the three local tri-state area teams as the playoff push intensifies. The New York Rangers, New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils have had vastly different seasons, but it’s unlikely we’ll see all three teams in the Stanley Cup chase. Let’s break it down.
The Devils capitalized on their beginning of season success and currently sit third in the Metropolitan Division with 68 points. If I was a betting woman — which I’m not — but if I was, I would wager my college tuition that the Devils will still make the playoffs despite struggling after the Christmas break. After last season’s unexpected failure, major changes followed — Lindy Ruff was fired and Vezina-caliber goalie Jacob Markström was acquired from the Calgary Flames. Brett Pesce, Brendan Dillon and Johnathan Kovacevic bolstered the defense to support Luke Hughes and a young blue line. However, the team’s inconsistency remains frustrating, particularly among the forward group.
The best way to describe the Devils since Christmas? They are a mirror image of the stock market — fluctuating, but trending upward. Their last seven games? Win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win. Their potent forward group — Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, Dawson Mercer and Timo Meier — should be a strength, yet inconsistent goal-scoring has become their Achilles’ heel. One game, they net five goals; the next, they’re shut out. Why? I’m not Sheldon Keefe, but I do know Markström and Hischier returning from injury should help.
Ultimately, the Devils will be fine. They’re a playoff team, but still a few pieces away from true contention. Fortunately for them, the window is just opening, and there’s no rush for General Manager (GM) Tom Fitzgerald to make drastic moves at the expense of young talent.
Speaking of Devils general managers, an ex-Devils GM has some big decisions ahead. Lou Lamoriello’s Islanders find themselves in familiar territory. Unlike the Devils, they had a horrid start, even sinking near the bottom of the Metro at Christmas. Since the New Year, though, they’ve gone on a heater, winning 11 of 14 and sitting just four points out of the final Wild Card spot. However, Islanders fans know the drill — it usually ends in a first-round exit. Can teams get hot in the playoffs? Sure. But it’s not worth counting on.
The Islanders are in a unique spot with valuable trade assets like Brock Nelson, who could bring back a substantial return. However, knowing Lou’s old-school approach, a sell-off seems unlikely — evidenced by his signing of high-character defenseman Tony DeAngelo. GMs don’t add a player with his reputation just to become sellers at the deadline. The harsh truth is the Islanders might need to take a step back to escape mediocrity, starting with accepting their reality.
Adding to their challenges, the Islanders are riddled with injuries. Their fight to get back into the race is impressive, but past seasons suggest it might be smarter to recoup assets, similar to the approach of the Washington Capitals last year. Regardless of their direction, they have the right coach in Patrick Roy and the players are battling for him. But in a tight Eastern Conference race, being buyers or standing pat may not be the wisest move.
The last team to check in on is the Broadway Blueshirts. The Rangers sit fifth in the Metro, just two points behind Columbus for fourth and three points out of the final Wild Card spot. Despite their talent, it’s been an underwhelming season, prompting major changes by GM Chris Drury.
During a brutal stretch of hockey, the Rangers became a different team — literally. They traded former second-overall pick Kaapo Kakko for Will Borgen, who’s been steady and earned an extension. They re-acquired J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks for Filip Chytil and other pieces. They also parted ways with captain Jacob Trouba, sending him to the Anaheim Ducks for Urho Vaakanainen.
Despite some encouraging play, losses to the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes and the Boston Bruins were disheartening after a strong bounce-back. With that being said, a culture shift is evident in New York, led by Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller. Their loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins before the 4 Nations break was frustrating — especially given that the Penguins were missing both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin — but the Rangers rebounded with a gutsy win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, securing two crucial points thanks to Will Cuylle’s late-game heroics.
It’s not a bold take to think the Rangers will sneak into the playoffs, though I admit my bias. Six Blueshirts are competing in the 4 Nations tournament, which should benefit the team. Expect Team USA players Miller and Trocheck to bring added tenacity back to New York as they push for the postseason.
