Aleksander Barkov has had many titles since his NHL debut over a decade ago. As he matured physically and the Panthers surrounded him with a fun, capable supporting cast that came to include the likes of Jonathan Marchessault, Vincent Trocheck, and even Jaromir Jagr, Barkov’s peers oxymoronically christened him the league’s most underrated star across a myriad of anonymous polls. The offseason retirement of Patrice Bergeron in 2023 meant Barkov, who will likely win the Selke Trophy for the second time in June, could add “best defensive forward on the planet” to his list of unofficial...…Aleksander Barkov has had many titles since his NHL debut over a decade ago. As he matured physically and the Panthers surrounded him with a fun, capable supporting cast that came to include the likes of Jonathan Marchessault, Vincent Trocheck, and even Jaromir Jagr, Barkov’s peers oxymoronically christened him the league’s most underrated star across a myriad of anonymous polls. The offseason retirement of Patrice Bergeron in 2023 meant Barkov, who will likely win the Selke Trophy for the second time in June, could add “best defensive forward on the planet” to his list of unofficial...WW…

Carolina Hurricanes: 2nd in Metropolitan Division, 111 points* New York Islanders: 3rd in Metropolitan Division, 92 points* * – with one game remaining To be announced. When the NHL adopted its current division-centric playoff format, it threw gasoline at already red-hot rivalries like Penguins-Capitals, Bruins-Maple Leafs, and perhaps the most violent, hate-filled clash of them all, Islanders-Hurricanes. Not buying it? Fine. Still, when the teams throw down as the Metropolitan Division’s first and second runners-up (never mind the 20-point gap), it will be their third playoff meeting...…Carolina Hurricanes: 2nd in Metropolitan Division, 111 points* New York Islanders: 3rd in Metropolitan Division, 92 points* * – with one game remaining To be announced. When the NHL adopted its current division-centric playoff format, it threw gasoline at already red-hot rivalries like Penguins-Capitals, Bruins-Maple Leafs, and perhaps the most violent, hate-filled clash of them all, Islanders-Hurricanes. Not buying it? Fine. Still, when the teams throw down as the Metropolitan Division’s first and second runners-up (never mind the 20-point gap), it will be their third playoff meeting...WW…