24. That’s how many days until the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin, on April 9th. As the playoff races heat up, more and more teams will start to play more desperate. In the East, teams like Washington and Florida can only afford one, maybe two losses in the rest of the way if they want in. Buffalo is only one point out, but losing is not an option for them as well. In the West, Nashville is two points out, and while Phoenix is five points out, eight of their remaining ten games are against Pacific Division opponents. Now the good part: Phoenix is 17-7 against their own division, four more wins than the next best, Dallas. It will take some work, but it could happen. That’s why we play the games.
By beating Dallas, the Detroit Red Wings were the first team to clinch a playoff spot. They have also clinched the Central Division, as there is no mathematical way for any other team to pass them.
Marian Hossa returned to the Penguins for the first time since the trading deadline and recorded 1 goal, 1 assist, and a +2 rating.
Martin Brodeur recorded his 40th win for a record 7th time this past weekend. As suggested by the guys at NBC, the team name should be changed to the New Jersey Brodeurs, because this guy is amazing.
Dan Cleary has signed a 5-year extension with the Detroit Red Wings
Sergei Korostin, Tobias Stephan, and Chris Conner have all signed new contracts with the Dallas Stars.
Notable Injuries:
Mattias Ohlund: Out for season(knee surgery)
Martin Havlat: Out for season(shoulder surgery)
Suspensions:
Chris Pronger: 8 games(until 4/6, stomping on R. Kessler’s foot)
Steve Ott: 3 games(until 3/19, hit to head)
Georges Laraque: 3 games(until 3/20, elbowing)
Now for the rankings…
Not many changes at the top this week.
30. St. Louis Blues(-3) 29-32-11: Last week: 0-3-1; I don’t think there is a team playing worse than the Blues right now. 1 win in 13 games.
29. Los Angeles Kings 28-39-6: Last week: 1-1-1; The PK is great of late, 1 GA in the past 9 games.
28. Tampa Bay Lightning(+2) 29-35-8: Last week: 3-0; Well Lecavalier finally scored again, maybe that’s what led to 3 in a row.
27. Atlanta Thrashers 31-34-8: Last week: 1-2; With a big comeback against Calgary, the Thrashers picked up their 2nd win in the past thirteen games…woooo!
26. New York Islanders(-5) 32-34-7: Last week: 0-3; The Islanders have fallen off the hockey earth, losing 8 of 10 games and taking themselves out of a playoff spot.
25. Columbus Blue Jackets(-2) 31-29-11: Last week: 1-1; They picked up their first win in five games by beating TB. They play Detroit three times next week. Good luck with that.
24. Toronto Maple Leafs 32-31-10: Last week: 2-1; After a sweep of 8th place Philadelphia, the Leafs are still 6 points back.
23. Florida Panthers(+3) 34-31-8: Last week: 2-0; The Panthers are now on a six game win streak tied with Washington for 8th place.
22. Edmonton Oilers(+3) 35-32-5: Last week: 3-1; Andrew Cogliano set an NHL record with 3 consecutive OT game winning goals.
21. Chicago Blackhawks 34-31-7: Last week: 1-2-1; Sopel and Perreault were placed on IR, Havlat had his shoulder surgery. Just 5 points out, they still need to jump three teams.
20. Washington Capitals 34-30-8: Last week: 2-1; They probably could be 3-0, but Backstrom scored in the wrong net.
19. Buffalo Sabres 34-28-11: Last week: 2-1-1; On the wrong side of a 7-3 whipping, they outscored opponents 13-3 in the next two games.
18. Nashville Predators(-1) 36-29-8: Last week: 1-3; Tied for the last playoff spot in the West, the Preds did not take advantage of extra games, losing 3 of 4.
17. Phoenix Coyotes(+1) 36-31-5: Last week: 2-1; The Coyotes are a ridiculous 17-7 in the Pacific. Guess who they’re remaining games are against? That’s right, the Pacific division.
16. Philadelphia Flyers 35-28-9: Last week: 0-2-1; Although Philly lost two in OT, they surrendered 3 third period goals to Toronto and gave up the lead against Boston late.
15. New York Rangers 37-26-9: Last week: 2-2; Although they’re 6th in the East, only the Devils are playing better defense, which could bode well for them in the playoffs.
14. Carolina Hurricanes 38-30-5: Last week: 1-1; Their 5 game win streak came to end as Buffalo rocked them 7-1. Still, the 2 biggest game of the year against Washington await.
13. Vancouver Canucks: 36-26-10: Last week: 2-2; The Sedin twins and Naslund will have to continue to lead this team to stay ahead of Nashville and in the playoffs.
12. Boston Bruins(-1) 37-27-8: Last week: 1-2-1; The last three wins for Boston have come on Saturdays…that leads to losing 6 of 8 games.
11. Ottawa Senators(+1) 40-25-7: Last week: 2-0; The Senators are on a three game win streak, the longest since Jan. 4.
10. Calgary Flames 36-25-10: Last week: 1-2; Dropping 3 of 4 games, the Flames are no longer the division leader. Nolan has been nominated for the Masterson Trophy.
9. Minnesota Wild 38-26-8: Last week: 1-0-2; The upcoming 4 game road trip against divisional opponents will either secure the division or drop them from the lead.
8. Colorado Avalanche 37-26-6: Last week: 2-2; The Avalanche are now tied for the division lead after winning 9 of 12.
7. Pittsburgh Penguins 40-24-7: Last week: 2-0; Although the Pens won both games, they lost Crosby again for a week.
6. Anaheim Ducks 41-25-8: Last week: 3-0-1; Pronger is now suspended 8 games, how much will his absence hurt? No doubt he will be well rested for the playoffs.
5. Montreal Canadiens 40-24-9: Last week: 2-2; They were involved in three shutouts last week, two of them being wins. The Senators are hot on their heels after beating them.
4. Dallas Stars 42-27-5: Last week: 1-2; The Stars have run into some trouble, losing 5 of 6. They had a lead in Detroit but blew it in the third.
3. New Jersey Devils 42-24-6: Last week: 2-1; After losing to the Canadiens, the Devils took to the road and beat two Western Conference teams.
2. San Jose Sharks 42-21-8: Last week: 3-0; Closing in on Detroit, San Jose has won 11 in a row.
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