Aside from the fortunate gamers (or unfortunate, relying in your perspective) who’re in south Florida this weekend for the All-Star festivities, the remainder of the NHL gamers have scampered off to their island of selection for a bit of R&R, making it time check out our month-to-month energy rankings.
The high two spots stay the identical. It can be shocking, frankly, in the event that they don’t keep that approach for the remainder of the season. But there’s plenty of jockeying occurring elsewhere. When the league returns for sport motion, the stretch run will probably be upon us. Here we go:
1. Boston Bruins: The B’s lastly had a shedding streak, however they went 10-3-2 with out Jake DeBrusk, a high six ahead who’s now an all-situations contributor. Not unhealthy.
2. Carolina Hurricanes: With simply two fewer regulation losses than the B’s, the Canes ought to hold them sincere the remainder of approach. If it comes right down to a Canes-Bruins ECF, house ice might tip the scales.
3. New Jersey Devils: The younger Devils survived what might have been a season-sinking stoop and are again pushing the league’s elite. Impressive.
4. Tampa Bay Lightning: The Bolts are nonetheless in third place within the Atlantic however with 4 video games in hand on the staff instantly in entrance of them, house ice for the dreaded 2-3 first-round matchup could be very a lot of their grasp.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs: Still formidable offensively, they’ve appeared much more just like the free Leafs of previous of their final two conferences with the B’s. The presumed first-round sequence with Tampa needs to be entertaining, although ridiculously unfair.
6. Dallas Stars: The Stars had a tough January (5-4-4) however they nonetheless sit atop the West, barely.
7. Seattle Kraken: The NHL couldn’t discover a alternative for Matty Beniers from the Pacific-leading growth staff? Really?
8. Winnipeg Jets: Rick Bowness’ membership misplaced 5 of seven in late January they usually scored simply 5 objectives in these losses. Offensively, the Jets are center of the pack.
9. New York Rangers: The Blueshirts, 8-2-2 in January, are one good acquisition away from becoming a member of the record of official Stanley Cup contenders.
10. Vegas Golden Knights: After the information of Mark Stone’s again surgical procedure, the Knights might very effectively be in a dogfight to make the playoffs but once more. The scorching begin would be the solely factor to avoid wasting them.
11. Minnesota Wild: Minny’s a good playoff staff. Not certain in the event that they’re rather more than that.
12. Colorado Avalanche: Does anybody else really feel just like the defending champs are simply biding their time?
13. Edmonton Oilers: Defense and goaltending continues to be suspect, however McDavid-Draisaitl is the most effective 1-2 combo up entrance within the league. And the Oil is heating up proper now.
14. Pittsburgh Penguins: The Pens are scrapping with 4 different groups for one of many two wild playing cards. They’ve not been spectacular, however I’ll nonetheless take the staff that has Sidney Crosby to make it.
15. Washington Capitals: As with the Pens, age is exhibiting on some nights, however they’ve nonetheless obtained some offensive expertise that have to be revered.
16. Los Angeles Kings: The Kings are second within the Pacific, however I’ve a tough time taking severely a staff that’s minus-10 in aim differential at this level within the season.
17. Buffalo Sabres: A 5-1 house loss to Carolina on Wednesday needs to be sobering, however I anticipate the Sabres to be preventing for a playoff spot till the tip. And in the event that they make it, there’s no staff that they’d reasonably take out a decade’s value of frustration on than the B’s.
18. Calgary Flames: Whether Jacob Markstrom or Daniel Vladar is their No. 1 goalie, that key place simply hasn’t been adequate.
19. New York Islanders: Can the Bo Horvat deal re-energize this stuck-in-the-mud staff? It was value a attempt.
20. Nashville Predators: With the Preds ranked twenty sixth in scoring, goalie Juuse Saros is preserving them within the hunt for a playoff spot.
21. Florida Panthers: Can their comeback win towards the B’s catapult the Panthers into the postseason? I gained’t be holding my breath.
22. St. Louis Blues: It looks like a hearth sale is imminent within the heartland.
23. Ottawa Senators: The Sens personal not one however two wins over the Bruins but they’ll’t break free from the pack of different also-rans.
24. Detroit Red Wings: Steve Yzerman’s offseason spending spree has not paid off.
25. Philadelphia Flyers: Somehow, John Tortorella has gotten this staff to .500, form of (21-21-9). They’ve obtained a protracted approach to do, however they’re tougher to play towards on most nights.
26. Vancouver Canucks: Now that the Bruce Boudreau saga is fading from view, it’s nonetheless anybody’s guess if Rick Tocchet will get this franchise again on monitor.
27. Montreal Canadiens: The NHL is a greater place when the Habs are good and worthy of your hate. Jeff Gorton and Kent Hughes have some work to do.
28. San Jose Sharks: Timo Meier or Erik Karlsson on a contender might change issues a bit. They’re not doing a lot good right here.
29. Arizona Coyotes: Even with a 10-8-2 document of their faculty rink, the ‘Yotes are firmly within the Connor Bedard sweepstakes, which has been the plan all alongside.
30. Chicago Blackhawks: Ditto.
31. Columbus Blue Jackets: After signing Johnny Gaudreau, the Blue Jackets couldn’t have anticipated to be on this spot once more. Yet right here they’re.
32. Anaheim Ducks: Someone within the Ducks group wants to inform considered one of their greatest gamers, Trevor Zegras, that incessantly trash-talking when your staff is minus-80 isn’t a terrific look.
Source: www.bostonherald.com