1
Bruins
The Bruins’ successful streak has hit double digits, and all their commerce deadline acquisitions are figuring out. Just while you assume this Boston group has peaked, it simply takes its recreation to the following stage. The solely query now’s when the Bruins will clinch the President’s Trophy.
—
49-8-5
2
Hurricanes
Carolina did not make an enormous splash forward of the NHL commerce deadline, but it surely did add Arizona Coyotes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere, and that already seems like match. Gostisbehere has two objectives and 4 factors in his first two video games with the Hurricanes.
—
42-12-8
3
Devils
In his first recreation with the Devils, Timo Meier performed on a line with Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt. I supply my sincerest condolences to any group making an attempt to defend that line. Once these three develop some chemistry collectively, they could be capable to arrange camp within the offensive zone for prolonged intervals of time.
—
41-16-6
4
Wild
The Wild have gotten sizzling, and it hasn’t been on account of their scorching offense. In his final 9 begins, Gustavsson has allowed greater than two objectives simply as soon as, and he has recorded 15.79 objectives saved above common in that point, per Natural Stat Trick. In these video games, Minnesota has scored a complete of 15 objectives, or 1.67 per recreation.
5
36-21-7
5
Golden Knights
I’d prefer to personally thank the Golden Knights for establishing the opportunity of an all-time revenge collection by buying Jonathan Quick from the Blue Jackets. If Vegas and Los Angeles meet within the playoffs, Bruce Cassidy ought to be required to start out Quick in aim.
2
38-20-6
6
Maple Leafs
Toronto’s greatest commerce deadline acquisition, Ryan O’Reilly, has damaged his finger and can miss not less than 4 weeks. That’s powerful information for the Maple Leafs, however not less than O’Reilly ought to be again in time for the postseason. On high of that, the Leafs have a snug lead on the No. 2 spot within the Atlantic Division with the Bolts’ current slide.
2
39-17-8
7
Kings
The Kings have now gained 4 straight video games, and Anze Kopitar has scored 25 objectives for the primary time for the reason that 2017-18 season. Kopitar appears to have discovered some chemistry with Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield. Those three have now spent 280 minutes collectively at five-on-five, and they’re outscoring opponents 20-8 in that point, per Natural Stat Trick.
3
37-20-8
8
Rangers
Despite a few of the optimistic vibes surrounding the Rangers’ splashy deadline acquisitions, they have not been enjoying nice hockey. Over the final two weeks, the Rangers are 2-4-0 with a minus-6 aim differential at five-on-five, in response to Natural Stat Trick.
2
35-19-9
9
Avalanche
The Avalanche entered Tuesday night time on a three-game dropping streak, however they received to play the Sharks, the very best drugs for a group in a stoop. Colorado hammered San Jose, 6-0, and allowed simply 0.87 anticipated objectives in all conditions. That ought to give the Avs some confidence transferring ahead.
4
35-21-6
10
Stars
Roope Hintz has discovered himself on a heater these days. Hintz is driving a six-game level streak, and he has seven objectives and 9 factors in that point. Dallas has a struggle on its palms to safe the highest spot within the Central Division, however that activity can be a bit simpler so long as Hintz is scoring at a scorching tempo.
1
34-17-13
11
Oilers
With 17 video games remaining within the 2022-23 season, Connor McDavid has already set new profession highs in objectives (54) and factors (124). McDavid is on tempo to complete the yr with 68 objectives and 156 factors, which might be the 14th highest-scoring season in NHL historical past. That would put him in the identical ballpark as Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.
1
35-22-8
12
Kraken
Jared McCann had a robust season with the Kraken in 2021-22, and GM Ron Francis rewarded him with a five-year contract value $25 million. That deal already seems like a discount as McCann has recorded his first 30-goal season, and he has loads of time left so as to add to that whole.
6
37-21-6
13
Senators
The Senators had gained 5 video games in a row to place themselves again into the playoff image earlier than dropping a 5-0 stinker towards the Blackhawks. Ottawa is simply three factors behind the Penguins for the ultimate playoff spot, and they’re embarking on an enormous Western Conference highway swing.
—
32-27-4
14
Lightning
The vibes are as dangerous in Tampa as they have been for the reason that group received swept by the Blue Jackets and posted that horribly embarrassing tweet. In Saturday’s loss to the Sabres, Steven Stamkos, Brayden Point, and Nikita Kucherov have been benched for the whole third interval. The subsequent day, the Bolts received blown out by the Hurricanes, 6-0.
6
38-21-5
15
Panthers
The playoff math for the Panthers is not all that favorable, however Matthew Tkachuk is making an attempt his darndest to get them right into a wild card spot. With 81 factors in 61 video games, Tkachuk is on tempo to complete the common season with 104 factors, which might equal his profession excessive from final yr in three fewer video games.
1
32-27-6
16
Islanders
Wins do not get a lot larger than the one the Islanders received towards the Sabres on Tuesday night time. The Isles wanted some respiration room within the Eastern Conference playoff image, and so they received it after Hudson Fasching scored one of many ugliest objectives you may ever see late within the third interval.
1
33-25-8
17
Sabres
The Sabres want Alex Tuch to get again within the lineup quickly. Buffalo cannot afford to lose far more floor within the playoff race, and Tuch’s offensive prowess can be wanted in upcoming matchups towards the Stars, Rangers, and Maple Leafs.
1
32-27-4
18
Jets
Winnipeg is 3-6-2 in its final 11 video games, and the Predators and Flames are licking their lips as they watch them slip nearer and nearer to the playoff bubble. The most regarding a part of all this for the Jets is that Connor Hellebuyck has not been himself these days. Over the final two months, Hellebuyck has allowed 5.99 objectives above common at five-on-five, which ranks eightieth within the NHL, per Natural Stat Trick.
3
36-25-3
19
Penguins
Pittsburgh could have saved its season on Tuesday night time, not less than in the meanwhile. The Penguins trailed the Blue Jackets, 4-0, within the second interval earlier than rallying from behind to tie the sport within the third. In time beyond regulation, Sidney Crosby delivered the game-winning aim and prevented an unsightly loss for his group.
2
32-22-9
20
Flames
In Tuesday night time’s 1-0 shootout win over the Stars, Jacob Markstrom seemed like his outdated self. He stopped all 40 photographs and saved 4.05 objectives above common. Markstrom has had a tough season by anybody’s requirements, particularly his, however one sizzling stretch might put his group into the postseason.
—
29-23-13
21
Predators
The youth motion is in full impact for the Predators now, and 2020 second-round choose Luke Evangelista scored his first two NHL objectives towards the Canucks on Monday night time. He has already been a brilliant spot for a Nashville group that is wanting towards the longer term.
1
31-23-7
22
Canucks
It’s been an attention-grabbing season in Vancouver for Quinn Hughes. HIs manufacturing continues to be excessive and he may even set new profession highs in a number of classes, however a few of his on-ice impacts have been a bit underwhelming. That may very well be attributed to his rotating solid of defensive companions that features Luke Schenn, Tyler Myers, Ethan Bear, and Noah Juulsen.
6
26-32-5
23
Blues
Brayden Schenn has had a tough go of it this season, and his manufacturing is effectively beneath the place it was final yr. I’m not one to place a lot inventory in plus-minus, however Schenn is a minus-34, which ought to be trigger for concern. The Blues want him to bounce again as a result of he has 5 extra years left on his contract at $6.5 million.
1
27-31-5
24
Capitals
Defenseman Rasmus Sandin has wasted no time getting acquainted along with his new membership. In two video games with the Capitals, the 23-year-old has one aim and 5 factors. He is perhaps a menace within the Metro Division for some time.
2
31-28-6
25
Blackhawks
Now that Patrick Kane has been traded and Jonathan Toews is out on account of sickness, the Blackhawks’ main scorer is … Taylor Raddysh … with 14 objectives on the season. At least the Bulls are within the hunt for a play-in spot and the Cubs and White Sox can be beginning quickly.
2
22-36-5
26
Red Wings
The Red Wings have made it clear that they will not be hanging round within the crowded Eastern Conference playoff race. After dropping two straight video games to the Senators on the finish of February, Detroit turned sellers on the commerce deadline and is now on a six-game dropping streak.
7
28-26-9
27
Canadiens
The Canadiens have misplaced 4 straight video games, and that’s excellent news for the group, even when the on-ice product will not be very entertaining for the followers in Montreal. We’ll see how a lot GM Kent Hughes can overhaul this roster within the offseason.
4
26-33-5
28
Coyotes
After buying and selling Jakob Chychrun, Nick Bjugstad, and Shayne Gostisbehere, an already barren Coyotes roster will solely be extra depleted down the stretch. Arizona can actually make a push for that No. 1 choose and Connor Bedard.
3
22-32-10
29
Ducks
Anaheim did not do itself any favors by beating Montreal in regulation final weekend, however not less than rookie Mason McTavish tallied his 14th aim of the season. It looks as if he is beginning to discover his footing within the second half of the season.
1
21-35-8
30
Flyers
The Flyers are scoring at the next price on the penalty kill (2.2 objectives/hr) than they’re at five-on-five (2.17 objectives/hr), in response to Dimitri Filipovic of Sportsnet. That is a few really hard-to-watch hockey.
1
24-29-11
31
Blue Jackets
Turning Vladislav Gavrikov and Joonas Korpisalo right into a first-round choose and a third-round choose was a commerce deadline win for Columbus. Not solely do the Blue Jackets have the very best probabilities of touchdown the No. 1 choose, however additionally they have some draft capital with which to work.
1
20-37-7
32
Sharks
The Sharks have labored onerous to enhance their draft lottery probabilities in current weeks. San Jose has two wins in its final 10 video games, and 7 of the losses have are available in regulation. The Sharks are coming for the Jackets down the stretch.
3
19-34-12
