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| Pavelski and Galiardi celebrate a 7 game win streak that has the Sharks right back in contention. |
- Chicago Blackhawks
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- Anaheim Ducks
- Boston Bruins
- Montreal Canadiens
- Vancouver Canucks
- San Jose Sharks
- Minnesota Wild
- Los Angeles Kings
- Toronto Maple Leafs
- Ottawa Senators
- St. Louis Blues
- Detroit Red Wings
- New York Rangers
- Washington Capitals
- New Jersey Devils
- New York Islanders
- Edmonton Oilers
- Winnipeg Jets
- Phoenix Coyotes
- Columbus Blue Jackets
- Nashville Predators
- Philadelphia Flyers
- Dallas Stars
- Carolina Hurricanes
- Tampa Bay Lightning
- Buffalo Sabres
- Calgary Flames
- Florida Panthers
- Colorado Avalanche
This is how I see all the divisions as of now:
Atlantic:
Obviously Pittsburgh is on top after that incredible 15 game win streak they put together. They made some huge trade deadline acquisitions but lost Crosby, Letang, and Martin to injuries. If they can get healthy in the final month of the season they will be the front runner to win it all come playoff time. The Rangers and Columbus made their second blockbuster trade of the season in an exchange that sent Gaborik out of New York. The depth they added with Brassard, Clowe, and Moore should put this team in a good spot heading into playoffs. Do not forget the Rangers also have one of the very best goalies in the league in their net. The Islanders are still hanging around and could be a late season hot streak away from a playoff spot. New Jersey got off to a quick start but have only won 2 of their last 10 and dropped 5 straight. They need to get it together if they want this shortened season to be a little bit longer. Philly is on bottom of the division despite playing some of their best hockey the past week or so. They have an outside shot at sneaking in the playoffs but chances are this year is done for them.
Northeast:
Montreal and Boston are still battling it out for 2nd place and the loser of that battle will most likely finish 4th. They both have 24 wins and 8 regulation losses and they meet each other tonight. These teams have been consistent and are looking like true contenders in the east. Toronto and Ottawa are still in the mix as well. Surprisingly, this may have beaten the Atlantic division as the strongest in the east. Buffalo was a major disappointment this year but they made some moves thinking about the future and could be back in the mix next year.
Southeast:
This division makes me laugh. Washington jumped from 11th to 3rd in the east with a win the other night. They have less points than New Jersey who is currently outside of the playoffs. Winnipeg is on a 5 game skid that cost them the division lead. No matter what happens in the regular season, nobody in the Southeast should be expecting a Stanley Cup this year.
Central:
Chicago is still sitting pretty on top of the Western Conference as they keep winning games. Detroit and St. Luis are still hanging on to the last two playoff spots while Nashville and Columbus look to stay in the hunt. Columbus sent 4 guys out to New York for Marian Gaborik in a surprise move. Meanwhile Nashville is getting desperate in their own way by playing Pekka Rinne every night for the rest of the year. This is a deep division with great playoff aspirations, and it is still wide open going down the stretch.
Northwest:
Vancouver was expected to be on top of this division and most people expected Minnesota to be in the mix too. This is exactly the case. This division is very predictable due to the huge range of talent on the respective clubs. Calgary is doomed for this season and years to come. Although Vancouver has not been as dominant as many people expected, they have a good shot at having a deep playoff run if they can get their goalie situation ironed out. It is worth noting the young Oilers are very much alive in the playoff race, but again they are a long way from Cup contention.
Pacific:
Anaheim has dropped off a little bit but they still look like a lock for the 2 seed in the West. Perry and Getzlaf have received their massive contracts so they have sit back a little bit and slowed down their scoring. The Sharks are in their 2nd 7 game winning streak of the year. They won their first 7 on the year before appearing to be a bad team. They moved a couple of players out and brought a few into town and now look poised to have a deep playoff run that Sharks' fans have wanted for years. Los Angeles is quietly hanging around the middle of the West while Dallas and Phoenix have dropped out of the playoff mix. Dallas traded away Morrow, Ryder, Roy, and Jagr despite still being in the mix for most the season. It seems they need to really reevaluate where there are as a team and decide whether or not next year is the year they are buyers or sellers.
Central:
Chicago is still sitting pretty on top of the Western Conference as they keep winning games. Detroit and St. Luis are still hanging on to the last two playoff spots while Nashville and Columbus look to stay in the hunt. Columbus sent 4 guys out to New York for Marian Gaborik in a surprise move. Meanwhile Nashville is getting desperate in their own way by playing Pekka Rinne every night for the rest of the year. This is a deep division with great playoff aspirations, and it is still wide open going down the stretch.
Northwest:
Vancouver was expected to be on top of this division and most people expected Minnesota to be in the mix too. This is exactly the case. This division is very predictable due to the huge range of talent on the respective clubs. Calgary is doomed for this season and years to come. Although Vancouver has not been as dominant as many people expected, they have a good shot at having a deep playoff run if they can get their goalie situation ironed out. It is worth noting the young Oilers are very much alive in the playoff race, but again they are a long way from Cup contention.
Pacific:
Anaheim has dropped off a little bit but they still look like a lock for the 2 seed in the West. Perry and Getzlaf have received their massive contracts so they have sit back a little bit and slowed down their scoring. The Sharks are in their 2nd 7 game winning streak of the year. They won their first 7 on the year before appearing to be a bad team. They moved a couple of players out and brought a few into town and now look poised to have a deep playoff run that Sharks' fans have wanted for years. Los Angeles is quietly hanging around the middle of the West while Dallas and Phoenix have dropped out of the playoff mix. Dallas traded away Morrow, Ryder, Roy, and Jagr despite still being in the mix for most the season. It seems they need to really reevaluate where there are as a team and decide whether or not next year is the year they are buyers or sellers.
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