With just eleven games remaining in the season, can the New York Rangers clinch the top spot in the Metropolitan Division, surpassing the Carolina Hurricanes?
The Metropolitan Division is fiercely competitive, with teams like the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Islanders, and New Jersey Devils all vying for a playoff berth. However, our focus shifts to the top of the standings, where the New York Rangers hold a slim one-point lead over the Carolina Hurricanes, who have played one more game. It’s chaos in the Metro.
As the Rangers aim to secure the division title and enter the playoffs with momentum, the Hurricanes have intensified the pressure on them. Despite the Rangers holding a significant lead earlier in the season, their sluggish performance in January, coupled with the Hurricanes’ impressive form since December, has narrowed the gap between the two teams in this title race. Now, as we approach the final stretch of the season, the question arises: who holds the advantage?
Comparatively, Carolina has a less challenging schedule ahead. Their upcoming matches against Boston (twice), Columbus (twice), Pittsburgh, Detroit, Montreal, Washington, Chicago, and St. Louis appear more favorable. Only Boston is actively contending for the Presidents Trophy, while Detroit and Washington currently hold playoff positions apart from the Bruins. With a relatively smoother stretch of games, the Hurricanes are poised to accumulate points consistently.
