Photo by Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
- Boston Bruins 43-14-12, 98pts
Boston’s four-game winning streak was snapped by a loss to the Lightning. The Bruins remain the favorite to hoist the cup at the end of the season.
- Tampa Bay Lightning 43-20-6, 92pts
What a way to follow up a win over the league’s best team than by losing to the league’s worst team, albeit in a shootout. Abolish the shootout!
- St. Louis Blues 41-18-10, 92pts
For the first time in team history, the Blues have swept the season series over the Blackhawks. There 2-0 win over Chicago was also history for being the first all-female NHL Broadcast on National Television! You go girls!
- Colorado Avalanche 41-19-8, 90pts
Colorado snapped their two-game losing streak with a win over San Jose on the road. The Avs’ offense is not something to mess with right now.
- Philadelphia Flyers 41-20-7, 89pts
The league’s hottest team, the Flyers have won nine straight games, as six of those wins were against Metro division teams.
- Washington Capitals 41-20-7, 89pts
Washington is now tied with Philadelphia for the lead in the Metro division, as the Caps picked up a big road win over the Penguins.
- Vegas Golden Knights 38-24-8, 84pts
Vegas has won 10 out of their last 12 games, as they lead the Pacific division.
- Pittsburgh Penguins 39-23-6, 84pts
Pittsburgh has not been able to fully put their struggles behind them, as the Penguins have now lost back-to-back games, being outscored 11-4 in that stretch.
- Edmonton Oilers 37-24-8, 82pts
The Oilers have won four of their last five and are right behind the Golden Knights for the Pacific division lead.
- Dallas Stars 37-24-8, 82pts
Dallas has lost five straight games, including being shut-out in both sides of a home-and-home to the Nashville Predators.
- Carolina Hurricanes 37-25-5, 79pts
Carolina has strung together two wins over Metro rivals in the Islanders and Penguins.
- Columbus Blue Jackets 33-22-15, 81pts
Columbus was able to end their West Coast trip with a big 2-1 win over the Canucks. They currently own the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.
- New York Islanders 35-23-9, 79pts
The Islanders have lost six straight and are currently outside the playoff picture. This next West Coast road trip may define the rest of their season.
- Calgary Flames 36-27-7, 79pts
Calgary’s three-game win streak was snapped in a home loss to Vegas, 5-3.
- Toronto Maple Leafs 35-25-9, 79pts
The Leafs lost three games to the California teams, Ducks, Sharks, and Kings. Not a good look at all.
- Minnesota Wild 35-27-7, 77pts
Here comes the Wild! Currently owning the first wild card spot, no one saw this coming from Minnesota, as they have been red hot.
- New York Rangers 36-28-4, 76pts
The Rangers lost a big home game against the Devils, 6-4. Losses like that can prohibit a playoff spot.
- Florida Panthers 34-26-8, 76pts
The Cats took care of business at home against the Canadiens. That win snapped a four-game losing streak for Florida.
- Vancouver Canucks 35-27-6, 76pts
Losing five of your last six will make it near impossible to make the playoffs, even in the more feasible Western Conference.
- Nashville Predators 34-26-8, 76pts
Welcome to the playoff hunt Nashville, as the Predators swept a home-and-home against the Stars.
- Winnipeg Jets 35-28-6, 76pts
The Jets defense has come out of nowhere, as well as Connor Hellebuyck’s outstanding play. The Jets are right in the mix.
- Arizona Coyotes 33-28-8, 74pts
Arizona had won back-to-back games before losing to the Flames on the road, 3-2.
- Montreal Canadiens 31-30-9, 71pts
Montreal lost both games in their Florida road trip, 4-0 to the Lightning and 4-1 to the Panthers.
- New Jersey Devils 28-28-12, 68pts
The Devils got two big wins over tough teams in the Blues and Rangers.
- Chicago Blackhawks 31-30-8, 70pts
The Blackhawks have fallen off track again, with losses to the lowly Red Wings and the defending champion-Blues.
- Buffalo Sabres 29-31-8, 66pts
The Sabres have been really lousy as of late, losing six straight games, and not scoring more than 2 goals in any of those games.
- Anaheim Ducks 28-32-9, 65pts
The Ducks’ two-game win streak was snapped by a 5-4 home loss to the Wild.
- Ottawa Senators 25-32-12, 62pts
Hey look at Ottawa, winners of four of their last five!
- Los Angeles Kings 27-35-6, 60pts
Los Angeles has played very well as of late, as the Kings have won five straight against some pretty tough teams.
- San Jose Sharks 29-35-5, 63pts
The Sharks have lost three straight one-goal games.
- Detroit Red Wings 17-48-5, 39pts
The Red Wing have been eliminated from playoff contention, but that did not stop them from spoiling the hearts of Blackhawk and Lightning fans this week.
AUTHOR: Ronald Romanelli
