Overview
- New York sits last in the Eastern Conference at 22-29-6 after a 2-0 home loss to Carolina, getting outshot 42-16 in its seventh home shutout of the season.
- General manager Chris Drury has moved into sell mode, trading Carson Soucy to the Islanders and leading scorer Artemi Panarin to the Kings.
- Head coach Mike Sullivan labeled the effort "simply unacceptable" and heads to Milan to coach Team USA, with J. T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck on the U.S. roster and Mika Zibanejad set for Sweden.
- Asked for the message to teammates, Miller said "I don't know," a remark that heightened scrutiny of the captain during the break.
- Adam Fox and Igor Shesterkin are expected back from lower-body injuries after the pause, with choices looming before the March 6 deadline and media speculation about possible leadership changes.