Jordan Eberle of the New York Islanders celebrates after scoring a goal on goalie Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers during the third period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Qualification Round at Scotiabank Arena on August 4, 2020 in Toronto. Credit: Getty Images/Andre Ringuette/Freestyle Photo
It seems weird to be talking about an intra-region hockey rivalry on the cusp of a big series that will be contested in an entirely different country, but . . . let’s do it anyway!
Monday was a banner day for the Rangers, who in 2020 went from rebuilding to overachieving to qualifying for a playoff qualifier to one of the most improbable draft lottery victories in the history of draft lottery victories.