What Rangers Fans Should Know About The Rest Of The League

BIG 8 VS. SIR SIDNEY: The contrasts between Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby – as well as their respective teams – are stark. The Capitals have become The Elite Of The East while its Captain is hellbent to break another Gretzky record. By contrast, the Penguins are sinking faster than a large-size boulder down a mountain. Pretty soon, Sidney should decide to be traded to a winner. (Time also is running out on coach Mike Sullivan. Or, should I say that time HAS run out?)

WHEN WILL MCDAVID BOLT EDMONTON? Anyone who believes that Connor McDavid will remain an Oiler after his contract runs out, does not understand history, economics, mathematics and marketing. Hockey's greatest star will follow the lead of past Edmonton icons – Gretzky, Messier, Lowe, plus – and leave the Village for a place where lights are brighter and the NHL has its home. (HINT: Either New York or Toronto!)

A BIG MAC FOR BIG MC: Under coach Derek Lalonde, the Red Wings were dead from the neck up. But since GM Steve Yzerman dumped Derek and replaced him with Todd McLellan, the Motor City Skaters are back in the playoff race thanks to a seven-game heater. At their present m.p.h., the Detroiters could find themselves in the postseason for the first time since 2016.

ANOTHER RECORD FOR GUINNESS: If the famed Guinness Book of World Records had a category for "Most Outdoor Games For A Hockey Player," Lightning forward Luke Glendening would qualify. He's accumulated seven total outdoor matches. Here's how: three with Michigan U, one with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins and three at the NHL level with the Red Wings.

PLAYING THE MAN: New Jersey's Jack Hughes has emerged as a major force for the Devils' offense so it was natural for reporters to ask Paul Maurice how he plans to play against Hughes. (This was prior to the Panthers last visit to Newark.) "I don't know how you defend those guys. We don't have a specific plan but you have to make sure you stay between him and the net; and that's quite a challenge." (That night – with Solon Mihas watching – Hughes had six shots and no goals.) "The Bolts Dmen followed the game plan" says Solon, "and just played!"

THE MOST UNDERRATED GM: There's a lot of talent out there in General managerland, but when it comes to "The Most Underrated" The Maven's choice is Don Waddell. I recall his wonderful work in Atlanta, not to mention Carolina and, now, look at those Blue Jackets. Despite the franchise's well-known adversity, Dapper Don has shaped up the organization. That includes a fine coach in Dean Evason. The Hockey News Yearbook picked the BJ's to finish sixth in their division. (Hey, they could make the playoffs!)