Well past the halfway point and with one eye towards the 4 Nations Face-off, the 2024-25 season has had its share of surprises. Few would have expected the Washington Capitals to parlay an ambitious offseason into a comfortable lead on the Metropolitan Division field. Fewer still would have the big-spending Nashville Predators to flirt with the first-overall pick.
One aspect of the ongoing campaign that shouldn’t shock anyone is a crowded field of contenders for the final two spots in the Eastern Conference playoffs. The Panthers, Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, and Lightning are postseason institutions that might as well have punched their tickets back in October. The New Jersey Devils are too talented to miss the dance two…