Columbus Blue Jackets Minding the Metro: John Tavares is Good
The Columbus Blue Jackets moved up to the number two spot in the Metropolitan Division last week. Also, John Tavares is really good.
The Columbus Blue Jackets had a solid week going 2-1-0 in their three games. They move up to the number two spot in hockey’s toughest division.
Just as everyone predicted the New Jersey Devils are still leading the division after four weeks of play. The Devils have 16 points in 10 games and won their two games last week. Fueled by a power play that went 3-5 last week, the Devils beat the lowly Arizona Coyotes and Ottawa Senators. The Devils will face a test though this week as they make their Western Canada swing.
Right behind the Columbus Blue Jackets in the standings is the surprising New York Islanders. Really though they should just be called the New York John Tavares’.
Tavares had an incredible week. He had two hat tricks and assist on top of that to lead the Islanders to a 2-1-0 record. Six goals in three games will go a long way towards racking up points and moving up in the Metro.
Rest of the Best
The rest of the division is fairing just fine. Except for the Rangers. The poor, poor Rangers are the only team without double digit points. With just eight points in 10 games the Rangers are one more bad week away from falling out of contention, well before Thanksgiving.
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The Pittsburgh Penguins started out their four game week with two overtime wins, both by a margin of 2-1. They then went on to lose the first two games of a five game road trip by a combined total of 9-2. The Pens, even with a record of 7-5-1, have a goal differential of -14. NEGATIVE 14!!! Only Buffalo and Arizona have worse goal differentials.
Philadelphia Flyers had a down week as well going 1-2-0 as they slid down the standings. The Flyers have a tough week as they travel to Chicago and league leading St. Louis.
Carolina and Washington are there. Just existing in a fine, but not great spot. Carolina has played the second fewest games in the NHL up to this point so they at least have some games in hand.
Next: CBJ To-Do List for Week 5
With the tough schedule New Jersey faces the Columbus Blue Jackets have a solid chance of taking over the top spot. The standing should look different come the end of this week.