Saturday’s loss to the Devils was painful but Sunday’s outcomes might have been worse. The Hurricanes blew out the Penguins during the afternoon and the Blue Jackets defeated the Canucks yesterday evening on the West Coast. Each win made New York’s task, already difficult, that much harder. In addition, K’Andre Miller’s season ended over the weekend and the decision on whether to go pro looms.
Miller’s season ended Saturday in conjunction with Wisconsin’s elimination by Ohio State from the first round of the Big 10 Tournament. Two good columns below on Miller, who is a student-athlete to a certain extent in name only based upon his comments. His main focus has been on the ice and not necessarily in the classroom, which likely will influence his decision.
As noted by others, if the 20-year-old sophomore defenseman, selected 22nd overall in the first round by the Blueshirts in 2018, opts to turn pro sooner rather than later, GM Jeff Gorton would almost certainly look to get the 6-foot-4 Miller into AHL Hartford on a PTO as opposed to burning the first year of an entry-level deal. Having Miller get an early jump on the system would accelerate his learning curve and potential to be a factor next year. Miller likely needs a year or two in the minors before he is ready, largely to hone his play in his own zone, but would be nice to lock him up to cross that off the list of to do items.
There are a lot of questions for the #Badgers men's hockey offseason, but the biggest ones in the coming days will be about the potential for pro signings.https://t.co/dMFoHcOZZf
— Todd Milewski (@ToddMilewski) March 8, 2020
The Wisconsin Badgers opened their doors to me for a behind the scenes look at life as a college hockey player with some of the game’s biggest (and smallest) names.
— Scott Wheeler (@scottcwheeler) March 6, 2020
Four days inside the gym, the apartment, the classroom, and the dressing room: https://t.co/ylru0zHN75 pic.twitter.com/Z6UqKFpSV8
Playoff race - four losses the past five games has damaged the Rangers' chances of making the playoffs.
Sunday, as noted above, the Canes defeated the Penguins for their second straight win in a row while the Blue Jackets nipped the Canucks 2-1.
Games that matter today: Florida is at St. Louis. Tuesday, the Rangers are at the Stars, Lightning visit the Maple Leafs, Bruins at Flyers, Canes visit the Red Wings while the Islanders are on the West Coast taking on the Canucks.
Toronto - 79 points - 69 games
Washington - 89 points - 68 games Philly - 89 points - 68 games Pittsburgh - 84 points - 68 games Columbus - 81 points - 69 games Carolina - 79 points - 67 games
Islanders - 79 points - 67 games Rangers - 76 points - 68 games Florida - 76 points - 68 games Montreal - 71 points - 70 games