1
Bruins
Stanley Cup | What do you get for a workforce that has all of it? The Bruins don’t have any obvious weaknesses, and so they have been atop the ability rankings for weeks now. Boston simply must hope for extra of the identical this vacation season, and if that occurs, a Stanley Cup could possibly be on the horizon.
—
25-4-2
2
Lightning
More jewellery | The Lighting are an awfully ungrateful bunch. They’ve gained two Stanley Cup rings within the final three seasons and nonetheless appear to need extra. Most franchises could be pleased with one, however Tampa Bay is on a mission to make it three championships in 4 years. The workforce is benefiting from its championship window.
2
20-10-1
3
Hurricanes
Max Pacioretty | Considering how way back the commerce occurred, in addition to the truth that the Hurricanes are enjoying so effectively, it may be straightforward to neglect that they acquired Pacioretty within the offseason. One Pacioretty returns from his Achilles harm, which will probably be across the All-Star break, this Carolina lineup will look very scary.
2
20-6-6
4
Wild
Top-six ahead | The Wild have caught fireplace currently, and lots of that has to do with Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello heating up as effectively. If there may be one factor that would put Minnesota excessive as a contender to win the Western Conference, including one other scoring menace at ahead may do it.
6
18-11-2
5
Maple Leafs
Four wins | To be extra particular, these must be of the postseason selection. As has been the case within the final two seasons, the Maple Leafs appear to be one of many NHL’s finest groups within the common season. However, this workforce will in the end be judged on what it does within the playoffs. If Toronto can simply win a spherical, possibly it is ready to go on a deep run with that weight off its shoulders.
3
20-7-6
6
Rangers
Patrick Kane | The Rangers have lastly gotten scorching after an inconsistent begin to the season, and which will make normal supervisor Chris Drury extra inclined to be aggressive forward of the NHL commerce deadline. The Rangers have been a rumored vacation spot for Patrick Kane, and that transfer would reunite him with former Blackhawks linemate Artemi Panarin.
5
18-11-5
7
Penguins
One extra run | Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang are all nonetheless enjoying effectively, however they’re stepping into the twilight of their careers. That trio has delivered three Stanley Cups to Pittsburgh, and the workforce want to make at the least yet one more run with these three on the helm. Based on how issues have gone within the first half of the season, the Penguins will probably be a pressure to be reckoned with within the postseason.
1
19-9-4
8
Stars
Overtime wins | The Stars are in first place within the Central Division, however they may have some extra respiratory room with any success past regulation. Dallas is 2-6 in video games which have gone past regulation, which is a little bit stunning since you’d assume the workforce has a bonus with Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz, and Jason Robertson on the ice in three-on-three.
1
19-8-6
9
Devils
Mojo | For a lot of this season, the Devils have been the most well liked workforce within the league. However, they’ve now misplaced six video games in a row and have solely gotten one level in that stretch. Since the beginning of December, New Jersey ranks thirtieth in capturing proportion (7.29%) and twenty eighth in save proportion (87.55%).
6
21-9-2
10
Jets
Top-four defenseman | The Jets have slowly however absolutely improved underneath first-year head coach Rick Bowness, however their blue line may nonetheless use an impression addition if they’ll make some noise within the playoffs. Josh Morrissey is placing up large numbers this 12 months, however he may use some extra assist.
3
21-10-1
11
Capitals
History | In the short-term, the Capitals hope Alex Ovechkin can catch and cross the legendary Gordie Howe for second on the NHL’s all-time objectives checklist. In the long-term, proprietor Ted Leonsis has already said that he’ll do no matter it takes to verify Ovechkin passes Gretzky to develop into the main goal-scorer in NHL historical past.
5
17-13-4
12
Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon | I do not assume anybody is actually all that fearful concerning the Avalanche’s playoff probabilities, however it’s clear the workforce is nowhere close to the identical with out MacKinnon within the combine. Once MacKinnon returns from his upper-body harm, Colorado might be able to assert itself in a Central Division that lacks a very dominant workforce.
1
17-11-2
13
Golden Knights
Hot streak | The Golden Knights gained 9 straight video games earlier this season, however they’ve been caught in impartial ever since. Vegas hasn’t gained greater than two consecutive video games since that nine-game profitable streak ended on Nov. 12. Luckily for the Golden Knights, the remainder of the Pacific Division has been simply as inconsistent.
5
22-11-1
14
Kraken
Great goaltending | Frankly, the Kraken could be okay with common goaltending, however this can be a Christmas want checklist. Why not shoot for the celebs? If Seattle can lastly begin getting some large saves, this workforce could be sitting atop the Pacific Division.
2
18-10-3
15
Kings
Saves | On the entire, the Kings have been higher than their document would point out. However, their goaltending has been brutal. Regardless of who has been in web for Los Angeles, they’ve had bother maintaining the puck out of the web. The Kings’ workforce save proportion of 87.88% is the bottom within the NHL, and the goaltender place is holding them again.
6
18-12-5
16
Sabres
Playoff spot | The Sabres have gained seven of their final 10 video games, and a playoff spot is now close by. Buffalo hasn’t been to the NHL playoffs for the reason that 2010-11 season, and the fan base is ravenous for a style of postseason motion. It’s nonetheless an extended shot, however the Sabres would possibly really be enjoying significant hockey in March and April.
9
16-14-2
17
Senators
Deadpool | The Senators have begun the method of promoting the franchise, and Ryan Reynolds is reportedly interested by being a part of a gaggle that purchases the workforce. Not solely wouldn’t it be cool for a workforce to be owned by Van Wilder, however it may additionally sign a brand new period for a Senators franchise able to take the subsequent step.
5
14-16-2
18
Oilers
Depth | Few groups are as high heavy because the Oilers, however they will usually get away with it as a result of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are bodily freaks on skates. Having stated that, it can doubtless take extra for the Oilers to win their first Stanley Cup since 1990. Ken Holland wants to seek out somebody who can take a number of the warmth off McDavid and Draisaitl.
3
17-14-2
19
Panthers
Cap area | The Panthers are very a lot in win-now mode, however the workforce has sputtered towards the Christmas break. Matthew Tkachuk has been nice in his first season with the workforce, however the lack of MacKenzie Weegar has been felt on the blue line. Florida would most likely wish to make a splashy transfer on the commerce market, however that may show robust with no cap area. Sergei Bobrovsky getting paid $10 million for below-average outcomes does not assist.
—
15-14-4
20
Blues
Consistency | The Blues have basically been driving Space Mountain this 12 months. They have profitable streaks of three, seven, and 4 video games. They even have dropping streaks of eight and 4 video games. This workforce can go from purple scorching to ice chilly within the blink of a watch. For the sake of Craig Berube’s blood stress, they may use some extra consistency in the remainder of the way in which.
6
16-16-1
21
Flames
Results | After an offseason of upheaval, the Flames took some large swings on the commerce market and in free company. Coming into opening evening, Calgary seemed like among the best groups within the Western Conference, however that has not come to fruition thus far. A mix of poor goaltending and down years from a number of the workforce’s finest gamers has left the Flames preventing for a playoff spot.
4
15-12-6
22
Islanders
Elite finisher | For the final couple of years, the Islanders have tried to accumulate a high-end scorer, however they have not had any luck. It’s straightforward to see why the Isles have been so adamant about including one other elite ahead. Mat Barzal is nice, however he’s extra of a distributor than a finisher. The Islanders have been slipping within the standings, and so they may use some extra constant scoring.
8
18-13-2
23
Canucks
Clarity | The Canucks had hopes, misguided as they could have been, about making the playoffs this season. After a brutal begin to the season put a dent in these postseason probabilities, Vancouver is in search of some path. There have already been rumors that the workforce could be beginning an overdue rebuild.
5
13-15-3
24
Canadiens
Power play objectives | The Canadiens have been a feisty workforce of their first full season underneath head coach Martin St. Louis, however they could possibly be even feistier in the event that they work out learn how to capitalize on their man benefits. Montreal has scored on simply 13.7% of its energy performs this season, which is definitely the bottom mark within the league.
1
15-15-2
25
Predators
Offense | When it involves stopping objectives (each anticipated and precise), the Predators have been first rate. However, their incapability to generate something on offense has value them various wins. Goaltender Juuse Saros has performed very effectively lately, however it has been for naught as a result of Nashville has been allergic to harmful scoring probabilities.
1
13-13-4
26
Red Wings
Sophomore surges | After great rookie seasons in 2021-22, Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond are each enduring sophomore slumps. The Red Wings and their followers have been hoping that Seider and Raymond would take the subsequent step of their growth this 12 months, however that hasn’t fairly occurred. Fortunately, there may be nonetheless greater than half the season left to show it round.
6
13-11-7
27
Coyotes
New digs | Don’t get me incorrect. Mullett Arena appears like an objectively superior place to look at a hockey recreation. However, NHL groups depend on gate income greater than these in every other main sport, so a 5,000-seat enviornment is lower than splendid in that respect. The excellent news for the Coyotes is that 2023 will carry a voter referendum on a brand new enviornment and leisure complicated in Tempe.
2
10-15-5
28
Flyers
Do-overs | In latest years, the Flyers have made some offers which have come again to chunk them for one motive or one other. Sending a first-round decide to the Sabres in trade for Rasmus Ristolainen and buying Ryan Ellis could be amongst them. On high of that, the Flyers didn’t have sufficient wage cap area to pursue Johnny Gaudreau this offseason. These are robust occasions in Philly.
—
11-15-7
29
Sharks
Major commerce haul | The Sharks have a few veterans who may fetch a giant return on the commerce market this 12 months. Timo Meier is within the final 12 months of his contract at an reasonably priced value of $6 million, and he will probably be one of many largest commerce targets within the NHL. Additionally, Erik Karlsson appears like a Norris Trophy candidate once more, and that makes his $11.5 million cap hit a little bit extra palatable for events.
1
10-18-6
30
Ducks
More losses | No one likes to lose, however this season is effectively past salvaging at this level. The Ducks have a whopping three regulation wins with lower than per week earlier than Santa commits residence invasions everywhere in the world. At this level, Anaheim simply must preserve the losses coming in hopes of touchdown that No. 1 general decide.
2
9-21-3
31
Blue Jackets
Health | The Blue Jackets swung for the fences in free company final summer time, and so they managed to attach by signing Johnny Gaudreau. However, that pleasure has worn off with Columbus floundering close to the underside of the standings. It does not assist that Boone Jenner, Jakub Voracek, and Zach Werenski are all on the shelf on account of harm.
4
10-20-2
32
Blackhawks
Connor Bedard | Kyle Davidson’s plan is working to perfection. The Blackhawks are actually terrible, and they’re headed for some good odds within the 2023 NHL Draft Lottery. Now, all that is left is to get a humiliation of riches for Patrick Kane, obtain the No. 1 general decide, draft Connor Bedard, and begin one other dynasty.
1
7-19-4
