Because the NHL season progresses, two sudden contenders have emerged within the Japanese Convention playoff race: the New York Islanders and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Each groups are making robust pushes to safe postseason berths, defying preseason expectations and injecting pleasure into their respective fan bases.
The New York Islanders have been on a tear, successful their final six video games and climbing up the Metropolitan Division standings. This scorching streak has propelled them into fifth place within the division, leapfrogging the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Rangers.
In response to the consultants at Oddspedia, New York is at the moment +15000 to win the Stanley Cup, which looks like a terrific worth for a staff simply 4 factors out of a playoff spot.
Islanders Success
The Islanders’ current success could be attributed to stellar goaltending, balanced scoring, and improved defensive play.
Ilya Sorokin has been a standout performer for the Islanders, recording his third shutout of the season of their most current 3-0 victory in opposition to the Philadelphia Flyers. Sorokin’s stellar play between the pipes has given the staff confidence and stability, permitting them to play a extra aggressive type beneath new head coach Patrick Roy.
Offensively, the Islanders have discovered contributions from all through their lineup. Simon Holmstrom has been notably scorching, scoring 4 objectives in his final 5 video games. The staff’s energy play has additionally proven enchancment, with Kyle Palmieri breaking a 15-game aim drought of their newest win. This balanced assault has made the Islanders a tough staff to defend in opposition to, as opponents can’t concentrate on shutting down only one line.
Blue Jackets Shock
On the opposite facet of the convention, the Columbus Blue Jackets have been some of the stunning tales of the NHL season. Regardless of being pegged as a rebuilding staff by many analysts, the Blue Jackets are within the thick of the playoff race, holding onto one of many two Wild Card spots within the Japanese Convention.
The staff is +20,000, in line with on-line sportsbooks, which is much more stunning than the Islanders.
The Blue Jackets’ success could be attributed to their high-powered offense, which ranks fourth within the league in objectives per recreation at 3.38. Their energy play has been notably efficient, changing at a 23.5% charge, good for ninth within the NHL. This offensive explosion has been led by a mixture of veteran presence and younger expertise, with gamers like Sean Monahan and Yegor Chinakhov making vital contributions earlier than current accidents.
Defensively, the Blue Jackets have proven enchancment beneath new coach Dean Evason. Whereas they nonetheless rank twenty second in shot try share at 5-on-5, they’ve managed to be environment friendly with their possibilities, boasting the third-highest taking pictures share within the league at 10.0%. This capacity to capitalize on alternatives has been essential to their success.
Consumers on the Deadline
Because the March 7 commerce deadline approaches, each groups should make vital selections about their rosters. For the Islanders, the main target could also be on including depth to their ahead group. Whereas they’ve a robust prime line that includes Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat, they might profit from a further scoring punch of their backside six. Normal Supervisor Lou Lamoriello has traditionally been cautious with the deadline. Nonetheless, if the Islanders stay in rivalry, he could also be extra inclined to maneuver to bolster the staff’s playoff possibilities.
The Blue Jackets, alternatively, discover themselves in an attention-grabbing place. As a staff that wasn’t anticipated to contend this season, they might be tempted to unload some property to proceed constructing for the longer term. Nonetheless, their sudden success may make them be consumers on the deadline. One key determination revolves round defenseman Ivan Provorov, who is ready to turn into an unrestricted free agent on the finish of the season. If the Blue Jackets can’t attain an extension with Provorov, they might look to commerce him for property that may assist them each now and sooner or later.
Each groups have vital wage cap house, which supplies them flexibility on the deadline. The Islanders may doubtlessly goal a top-six ahead to enrich their current core, whereas the Blue Jackets would possibly look so as to add a veteran presence to their younger roster to assist with a playoff push.
Playoffs Not Assured
As thrilling because the current surge has been for the Islanders and Blue Jackets, it’s vital to recollect that there’s nonetheless a protracted option to go within the NHL season. The Japanese Convention playoff race stays extremely tight, with a number of groups vying for the ultimate few spots. New York and Columbus should preserve their present stage of play and doubtlessly enhance via trades to safe their postseason berths. The approaching weeks will decide whether or not these shock contenders can flip their early-season success into a visit to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
