Tri-State Hockey Fans Shift Focus to Baseball
This summer, hockey fans in the Tri-State area are pondering an early shift to baseball. It’s quite notable—this year marks the first time in NHL history that the Rangers, Islanders, and Devils have all failed to reach the playoffs. Given the Devils’ entry into the league back in 1982, at least one of these teams has participated in the postseason each year since then.
To add to the woes, the Rangers were not only the first of the three teams to be knocked out, but they also became the second team in the entire league to be mathematically eliminated. This happened fast, following a 4-3 loss to the Maple Leafs on March 25th.
Still, one could argue that the Rangers’ season was over long before that. In fact, a pivotal moment came earlier this year when president and general manager Chris Drury announced changes to the organization’s structure on January 16th.
Meanwhile, the Devils also struggled recently, suffering a stinging 5-1 defeat against the Flyers.
New Jersey started the season strong, with an 8-1 record, but that momentum quickly faded. Jack Hughes, the young star, faced injuries that kept him sidelined for significant stretches. There was even an odd incident where he had to undergo surgery after cutting his hand at a team dinner.
Injuries affected other key players too, preventing the lineup from showcasing its true potential.
As for the Islanders, their situation seems to be the most distressing. On Sunday, they fell 4-1 to the Canadiens, wrapping up a vital segment of their season with a dismal 4-9 record. Following this, head coach Patrick Roy was let go with only four games remaining, and new coach Pete DeBoer couldn’t manage to turn the tide for the team.
It’s clear that goaltending issues are hampering the franchise overall. Jacob Markstrom, among goaltenders who played at least 40 games, has a troubling save percentage of .883, ranking him among the bottom tier.
Additionally, like the Rangers, the Devils have had their share of struggles at home, finishing the season at Prudential Center with a record of 21-17-3. Despite this, neither of those scenarios could compare to the Islanders’ collapse.
