Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks are looking to clinch a playoff berth (and the Pacific Division title, their first since they won it all in 2007) tonight and only need a single point to do it. Considering they are playing the lowly Avalanche, I think they got this one in the bag.
Boston Bruins: Gm Peter Chiarelli appeared on local Boston radio and confirmed that center Patrice Bergeron is on the road to recovery. Bergeron, who has missed 3 games already with a "moderate concussion", has been working out off ice and the hope is that he can return for the playoffs, though the Bruins are being cautious.
Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres are suddenly playing better, with 3 straight wins. No doubt the lack of pressure on this team from being out of the playoff hunt is allowing them to stop squeezing the stick as hard. Thomas Vanek returned to the lineup against the Jets, but was a disappointing -4 on the night.
Calgary Flames: Unlike the Sabres, the Flames continued their downward trend after being sellers at the deadline, with their only win in their last 6 coming at the Pepsi Center in Denver on Monday night. Things won't get much better when they face the Canucks tonight. Hey Nathan MacKinnon, welcome to Calgary.
Carolina Hurricanes: What more can the Canes do at this point than throw their hands up in the air and wave the white towel? Another loss last night, this time to Pittsburgh, gives them only one win in their last 14 games. Now at 14th in the East, Carolina, like Calgary, will be looking at a high draft pick this summer.
Chicago Blackhawks: After a brief rough patch, the Hawks are back at it with 6 straight wins. With Patrick Sharp finally back after a 14 game absence, Patrick Kane putting up an MVP type season, and both goalies splitting Vezina votes, looks like the time is now for the Hawks to get the Cup again.
Colorado Avalanche: If you hadn't heard, goalie J-S Gigure absolutely ripped his teammates after a loss to Calgary on Monday night. "Some guys are more worried about their Vegas trip at the end of the season than playing the games, playing every minute of the game", said the veteran. Harsh words, but so is the team, and they deserved it.
Columbus Blue Jackets: The Jackets are, for the first time in a long time, fighting for a playoff spot. The good news is there appears to be a culture change in Columbus and this team is learning how to win. The bad news, only 2 of their 8 remaining games are at home. Even winning 6 of those gives them less than a 50% chance to make it. Many outside of Columbus are hoping for it though.
Dallas Stars: Despite losing Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy at the trade deadline, the Stars find themselves suddenly surging back into the playoff picture with 3 straight wins and only 2 points behind 8th place Detroit.
Detroit Red Wings: Speaking of the Wings, Mike Babcock doesn't like to use "optimism" to describe his team's playoff hopes. "Optimism, I think, is a totally different thing than a realistic approach...I'm a big believer that we're going to get it done, but I think like that all the time." said the coach in an interview with NHL.com.
Edmonton Oilers: So it seems as though rookie Dman Justin Schultz is going to make the all-rookie team in both the AHL and the NHL...the lockout is still creating interesting stories.
Florida Panthers: After being quiet at the deadline, and sitting dead last in the East, it looks like the Panthers are content to just play out the remaining games with an eye to next season. There are a few bright spots with Calder candidate Jonathan Hubredeau and much anticipated Nick Bjugstad making his NHL debut.
Los Angeles Kings: Despite being a leader on the Stanley Cup champs, Anze Kopitar just might be the quietest superstar in the league. His teammates, however, are putting him the same breath as players like Crosby, Malkin and Datsyuk. Look for the 25 year old to make a bid for the Selke this year as well. He's just that good.
Minnesota Wild: Goaltender Josh Harding is practicing with the team again, which is just an incredible story. After being diagnosed with MS, and having trouble adjusting to the medication, it's starting to look like he may be getting his career back on track. Just awesome.
Montreal Canadiens: One big reason that the Habs have been able to surge to the top of the Northeast division? Forward depth that they haven't had in years. "It's a huge advantage...it's one of our strengths and we have to exploit that strength", said head coach Michel Therrien. This team may be small, but they're fast and can roll out 3 scoring lines consistently.
New Jersey Devils: The absence of star winger Ilya Kovalchuk has been felt hard in Jersey, with the team going 0-3-4 with only 12 goals in those games without him. Luckily Kovy is back at practice and just in time, as the Devils are hot on the heels for the final playoff spot in the East.
New York Islanders: The Isles find themselves in an unfamiliar situation at the moment. Sitting in 7th place in the East, they hold their playoff destiny in their own hands. With John Tavares flying up the scoring charts, and Evgeni Nabokov finally providing stability in goal, looks like they might just get there too.
New York Rangers: Tonight is the first game of a critical back to back against the Leafs. Win both, and they could jump up to 5th in the East. Lost both, and the playoff hopes will be greatly dimmed for the team currently clinging on to 8th.
Ottawa Senators: The Sens have hit a bit of a slump recently and will need to be better to cement a playoff spot. The huge news and wild card in all this is Erik Karlsson, back skating after having a tendon nearly severed. Could he come back in time to save their season?
Philadelphia Flyers: Seriously, what the hell is going on in Philly? First there's word that controversial goalie Ilya Bryzgalov was benched because he "dozed off" during a team meeting, and now was seen doing the same on the bench during a game! Jeez, just buy him out and be done with it.
Phoenix Coytoes: Former Columbus and Calgary head coach, and current Coyotes Development coach Dave King was honored in his home country with the Order of Hockey in Canada, one of the highest awards that Hockey Canada gives. Couldn't have gone to a better guy.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Despite the loss of superstar center Sidney Crosby (who's smile is no longer as pretty as it once was), the Penguins still find themselves in good condition heading into the playoffs. Should Sid come back though, they start looking even better.
San Jose Sharks: The Sharks suffered a brutal 4-0 loss to Columbus and will be in tough to turn it around next game against the Red Wings. The Sharks have the fewest number of regulation wins of the top 8 in the West and just might slip down too far if they aren't careful.
St. Louis Blues: They've got it goin on right now, with 5 straight wins. No small part of that has been the play of 2012 all-star goaltender Brian Elliot, who has shutouts in consecutive games. The Blues might be heating up at the perfect time with the playoffs fast approaching.
Tampa Bay Lightning: Pierre Cedric Labrie became the 6th player this season to score his first NHL goal for the Bolts in their last game against the Senators. On one hand, that's great news, but on the other is the fact that the Lightning continually has to dip into it's prospect pool to ice a full line up. It's no wonder they'll be golfing in May.
Toronto Maple Leafs: As previously mentioned, the Leafs and Rangers home and home is going to be just as big for both teams. I can't even believe I'm saying this, but...the Leafs will win them both, and make the playoffs.
Vancouver Canucks: The big story in Vancouver is the injuries to depth players Chris Higgins and Chris Tanev. While neither is a devastating loss, both are useful in their roles and the Canucks hope that their depth can get them through a 5 game road trip coming up.
Washington Capitals: Is there anyone else to talk about in this spot? It's all Ovechkin, all the time in DC right now, as the newly right wing playing forward has seen a return to his MVP form. Where have all those guys, saying he was done earlier in the year, gone?
Winnipeg Jets: The Jets started off a 6 game home stand with two wins against the Flyers and Sabres. They're looking to continue that type of play if they want to grab that 8th seed in the East.
Phew, that was a long one, thanks for sticking with me everybody! Tonight sees some great match ups in the NHL, with lots of teams jostling for playoff position. Remember to Share, and comments are always welcome! Til next time, readers...
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