WA-NYR-TradeRumours Let's see if you can figure out what these numbers mean: 53-25 -21-7-57. And: 53-26-23-4-56. If your answer is anything like "The Rangers-Islanders Rivalry," you'd be on the right track. The Islanders are on top by a point as the NHL reaches the far turn and heads toward the homestretch. In one sense the closeness between the rivals can be explained by the fact that each franchise has been traumatized by upheavals. The Nassaumen started the season with a spate of injuries to key players and now face the prospect of being minus ace forward Mat Barzal. Meanwhile, even before the season began the Blueshirts were tormented with the Jacob Trouba issue followed by a historic plunge that lasted from fall into winter. Now both teams are neck and neck in their quest for a playoff berth. "There are so many new variables on each side that it's almost impossible to figure how this is going to finish," says The Old Scout. "Flip a coin and you may have the answer." On the Rangers side, a spate of trades have significantly altered the Blueshirts landscape. "The arrival of J.T Miller has energized the Rangers," adds The Old Scout, "but whether that energy remains intense is a factor that will be answered in the stretch." By contrast, the Islanders achieved one goal by remaining close to the playoff pack while awaiting the recovery of a number of injured regulars including Barzal and Anthony Duclair. But injuries continue to plague them including the loss of key backup goalie Semyon Varlamov as well as top defenseman Noah Dobson. Confounding our two locals are a set of surprises in the Met Division race. In its pre-season forecast, The Hockey News Yearbook predicted that the Capitals would finish fifth and the Blue Jackets eighth and last. That Washington has remained on top has to be one of the season's major upsets. Predicting the homestretch run is challenging. The Islanders should benefit from the schedule break in terms of injury-recovery. Meanwhile, the Rangers high command must contemplate whether any further trades should – or could – be made. That, my friends, is why two words were invented. MELODRAMA and RIVALRY!
