Presidents’ Trophy interests players, but not Tortorella
John Tortorella doesn’t want to discuss the race for the Presidents’ Trophy, or as he referred to it Friday, “the Presidents’ whatever it’s called.”
Proper nouns aside, the Blue Jackets coach is fine with his players using it as incentive for the last 13 games. Tortorella also knows what comes with having the best regular-season record in the NHL, especially for the top three teams in the outrageously competitive Metro Division.
The winner would have home-ice advantage throughout the postseason while a team theoretically finishing just two or three points behind the champ could open the playoffs on the road. That’s how tight the division standings are as the Blue Jackets head to New York to face the Islanders today and the New Jersey Devils on Sunday.
Capturing the Presidents’ Trophy would earn the franchise its first banner. Of more immediate relevance, however, is securing home-ice advantage. If the top three teams in the league wind up being from the Metro, the third-place club would start a best-ofseven series away from home.
“That’s what you are fighting for,” captain Nick Foligno said of home-ice advantage. “It just gives us great motivation every game. I know we are playing some teams that are out of (the playoff race) or are fighting for (a playoff spot), and it allows us to have that emotion every time we step on the ice.”
Columbus began Friday in second place overall, two points behind division-rival Washington and one point ahead of Chicago and division-rival Pittsburgh.
The Jackets’ recent 8-2-1 run has put them in firm control of their playoff destiny. They have a game in hand on the Capitals and play them twice. They also have meetings with the Penguins and Blackhawks.
“(The Presidents’ Trophy) obviously gives you something to strive for rather than just (coasting) into the playoffs,” alternate captain Brandon Dubinsky said. “And, when you are playing that way, you are staying on top of your game rather than, ‘Let’s just get through these games,’ and you’re not ready when it gets ramped up for the playoffs. It will allow us to peak at the right time.”
Winning the trophy, or at least finishing first in the Metro, wouldn’t guarantee the Blue Jackets an easy first-round matchup. They could draw playoff-tested Tampa Bay, which appears close to getting star forward Steven Stamkos back from injury.
But raising a regularseason banner (league or division) ensures the Jackets wouldn’t have to beat both Pittsburgh and Washington to reach the conference final. In that scenario, the Capitals and Penguins most likely would face each other in the first round, barring a late charge from the New York Rangers.
There’s a lot to digest with less than a month remaining in the regular season. Just don’t ask Tortorella to handicap the race.
“I don’t mind (the players) talking about it and looking up (in the standings) because I think that’s very important to have the confidence to look up,” he said. “Just as long as (they) are not skipping anything every day.
“I’m not in the conversation about the Presidents’ whatever it’s called. I’m getting ready for the Islanders (today).”