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Ovechkin’s pursuit of the record, outdoor game in Columbus, and approaching trade deadline highlight the NHL season’s final phase.

The NHL is set to ramp back up following the successful four-nation tournament, with a busy schedule featuring 14 games on Saturday and another 10 on Sunday. Every team is slated to compete at least once this weekend as they return from the break, getting ready for the final stretch of the season.

The road to the playoffs begins on April 19, with all 32 teams participating in a total of 422 games before the intense hunt for the Stanley Cup commences. “A significant amount of hockey remains to be played,” said Pierre-Luc Dubois of the Eastern Conference-leading Washington Capitals. “Some teams will begin their playoff battles with around 18 games left; others will have just 10, but the pace will definitely pick up soon.”

Key storylines to follow include Alex Ovechkin’s effort to surpass Wayne Gretzky’s long-standing career goals record, the upcoming outdoor match between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings at Ohio State’s Stadium, the significant trade deadline on March 7, and various injuries affecting players as the teams head into the final phase of the season.

Ovechkin is currently 16 goals shy of breaking Gretzky’s impressive total of 894, a milestone that once seemed unattainable. Capitals head coach Spencer Carbery is optimistic about Ovechkin’s performance as the 39-year-old enters the final 27 games of the season. “I’m expecting him to be a real difference-maker for us,” Carbery stated. “He looks fantastic and is brimming with energy. It seems like the break allowed him to recharge both physically and mentally.”

While the odds of Ovechkin capturing the record this season may not be in his favor, BetMGM Sportsbook believes he may fall short. Ovechkin netted 15 goals in his last 27 games last season, a pace that could match Gretzky’s record, but dismissing Ovechkin’s skills as one of the greatest scorers of the modern era might be unwise. “There’s a lot of excitement around it,” said teammate Dylan Strome. “It’s going to be tough to achieve this year, but if anyone can make it happen, it’s definitely him.”

The Blue Jackets are gearing up for a historic outdoor game on March 1 against the Red Wings, marking the franchise’s first time in such a setting. Ohio Stadium, known for its college football rivalries, offers a unique stage to highlight Columbus’ unexpectedly strong season. With their top defenseman Zach Werenski and new head coach Dean Evason leading the squad, the Blue Jackets are poised to make a serious playoff push, especially with the return of captain Boone Jenner following an extensive recovery from shoulder surgery.

“I haven’t enjoyed playing hockey this much in a long time, especially being around such a great group of guys,” Werenski expressed during the 4 Nations. “We’re having a blast, putting in the work, and committed to the team without worrying about individual accolades.”

Meanwhile, the Red Wings, holding a slim lead over the Blue Jackets, have benefitted from a midseason coaching shake-up. Since Todd McLellan took over, the team has thrived, winning 15 of their last 21 games, adding an exciting dynamic to the upcoming outdoor showdown.

In the lead-up to the March 7 trade deadline, numerous notable transactions transpired before the break, including a three-team trade that sent Mikko Rantanen and Taylor Hall to the Carolina Hurricanes and Martin Necas to the Colorado Avalanche. The New York Rangers bolstered their lineup with Vancouver’s J.T. Miller, while Dallas brought in Mikael Granlund and Codi Ceci after trading with San Jose. However, there will undoubtedly be more trades in the days leading up to the deadline.

The New York Islanders face a crucial decision regarding Brock Nelson, a key center and impending unrestricted free agent, whose future seems uncertain as he helps the team claw back into playoff contention, sitting just four points shy of the second wild card position in the Eastern Conference. With 82-year-old general manager Lou Lamoriello’s own position unclear, the direction regarding Nelson remains ambiguous.

On the injury front, both Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers may be sidelined as they navigate recovery from injuries sustained during the 4 Nations. Crosby performed for Team Canada despite earlier ailments and missed some NHL appearances, while Tkachuk sustained a lower-body injury in one of the U.S. games.

Additionally, players like Boston’s Charlie McAvoy and Shea Theodore from Vegas are confirmed to be out for their respective teams, while other injuries may become evident as players return to practice in the upcoming days.

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