The Dallas Stars are soaring in the Western Conference right now
(Photo Credit: AP)
In lieu of the PLUS/MINUS Column, we're going to debut H5L5. The five hottest teams and the five coldest teams in the league and why.
HIGH FIVE
Boston Bruins (39-8-7 - 85 points)
They have the best record in the league, they are playing smart hockey, and have won six of their past eight (the two losses came in overtime). While they are playing great hockey, it's not like they are playing over their heads. This Bruins team is legit and they could make Boston titletown again if they continue whats been status quo for them all year long.
Dallas Stars (26-19-7 - 59 points)
Talk about addition by subtraction. The Stars lose Sean Avery and make a ridiculous push in the standings that now has them 5th in the West. They are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games. In those eight wins include victories at Detroit, vs. Calgary and a 10-2 drubbing of the Rangers. Look out Western Conference, because the Dallas Stars that played Detroit tough in the Conference Finals last year looks like they are back.
New Jersey Devils (34-17-3 - 71 points)
The Devils are the story of the year in the NHL this season. They lose probably the best goalie ever for a good chunk of the season and manage to get great goaltending from Scott Clemmensen. Winger Zach Parise has provided a big offensive punch on a team that's used to winning games 2-1. Brendan Shanahan has provided a big boost to the 4th line and the locker room. What does GM Lou Lamoreillio have up his sleeve for the trade deadline?
Washington Capitals (34-16-4 - 72 points)
G Jose Theodore has finally settled in to the starting role and has looked like a starting goalie over the past month. Washington has won 7 of their past 10 (one of those losses was in OT to the Bruins) and are fortunate enough to play in a division where two of the league's worst teams reside. We all know the Caps are an offensive juggernaut, but they are starting to win low-scoring games, and that should scare the rest of the East.
Los Angeles Kings (23-21-7 - 53 points)
Yes, THOSE Los Angeles Kings. I wrote in FTS earlier this year that they were exceeding expectations and would play hard but wouldn't be a playoff team. Well, we're in the middle of February and the Kings are only three points out of a playoff spot and two games above .500. While I still don't think they'll make the playoffs this year, but GM Dean Lombardi is building something special in the Staples Center.
LOW FIVE
Phoenix Coyotes (24-25-5 - 53 points)
My oh my how the tides have changed in Phoenix. It seems like that we were talking about the Coyotes rise through the Western Conference standings just two weeks ago. Now, after losing six in a row, they sit in 13th place in the West (but only three points out of 8th). With the current financial situation of the Coyotes, it will be interesting to see what the Great One and GM Don Maloney does to try and right the ship and remain cost-effective.
New York Rangers (29-20-5 - 63 points)
If you're a Rangers fan, the five game losing streak (0-4-1) comes as no shock to you. The Rangers have been playing mediocre hockey for months but only know is it showing on the scoreboard and in the standings. Expect a big change (besides the whole pending Sean Avery acquisition) with the roster and, potentially behind the bench. Head Coach Tom Renney changes lines combinations way too frequently and, I know he's a mild-mannered guy, but get pissed once in awhile and see if the team respods to that. The Rangers were worried about advancing past the 2nd round of the playoffs coming in to the season...they may not have a playoff season to worry about at this rate.
Montreal Canadiens (29-19-6 - 64 points)
It looks like Les Habitents are paying the karma penalty for their fans stuffing the ballot-boxes at the All-Star game. They've lost 8 of 10 (bizarro Dallas Stars). Losing Robert Lang will hurt this team more than people realize, but the Canadiens will bounce back and be fine.
Ottawa Senators (18-25-8 - 44 points)
I think it's safe to call the Senators the most dysfunctional team in the league. They've lost four of five and can't seem to get in to any sort of rhythm. Expect a firesale at the deadline with Jason Spezza being the big ticket item.
Vancouver Canucks (24-20-8 - 56 points)
While Vancouver has won two in a row and still hold on to the 8th spot in the West, they had lost 9 in a row (0-6-3) before that. Things don't get easier for the Canucks with only two home games remaining in February.
ACTION FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE...
-G Scott Clemmensen made 27 saves, LW Zach Parise had two goals, and Bobby Holik drew first blood as the Devils (34-17-3) handed the Rangers (29-20-5) their 5th straight loss 3-0. With the win, the Devils move to one point behind the Capitals for 2nd place in the Eastern Conference.
-The Canadiens (29-19-6) dominated the 1st period behind goals from Matt D'Agostini and Tomas Plekanec, but the Flames (31-18-4) would dominate the last two periods and get goals from six different players in the game to win 6-2. Calgary snapped a four game losing streak thanks to goals from Mike Cammalleri (28th of the season), Matthew Lombardi (SHG - also had two assists), Dion Phaneuf, Dustin Boyd (SHG), Rene Bouque and David Moss (PPG) all chipped in for the Calgary win.
OTHER HEADLINES
-The St. Louis Blues signed centre Andy McDonald to a US$18.8-million, four-year contract extension Monday. "The St. Louis Blues realize how integral Andy is to the future of our organization," team president John Davidson said. "He's a top-line centre who will play a major role in the development of our team." The 31-year-old McDonald is in his eighth NHL season. He has missed the past 35 games with a broken left leg, but practised Monday and could play Tuesday when the Blues host Vancouver. In 16 games before the injury, he led the Blues with 18 points, including six goals and 12 assists. "I've been really itching to get back in," McDonald said. "I feel like now I'm at the point where I can contribute." McDonald has 20 goals and 54 points in 65 games with St. Louis since he was acquired from Anaheim in the middle of last season. He was part of the Ducks team that won the 2007 Stanley Cup. In 456 career games, McDonald has 112 goals and 201 assists for 313 points, along with 206 penalty minutes.
-Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Mike Smith is suffering from post-concussion syndrome but is expected to return to action within the next week. "We were hopeful that Mike's symptoms would clear sooner and they haven't, so we're taking a conservative approach with him making sure he is 100-percent before he returns to the ice," said Lightning executive vice president and general manager Brian Lawton. "Although Mike would prefer to be skating and playing right now, the appropriate course of action is to err on the safe side." The 26-year-old will continue to work with the team's medical staff on a regular basis on the rest, recovery and rehabilitation process. Smith hasn't played since a 6-1 home loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on January 30. Acquired from Dallas at the trade deadline last year, Smith is 14-18-9 with a 2.62 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in 41 games for the Bolts this season.
-The Columbus Blue Jackets are hoping rookie goaltender Steve Mason will return to the lineup Friday night. Mason, who has missed the last two games while battling mononucleosis, has been on injured reserve while trying to rest and regain his strength. Mason practised for an hour and 15 minutes on Monday. Coach Ken Hitchcock said the club's goal was to get Mason ready to start on Friday night at home against the Detroit Red Wings. Dan LaCosta was called up to start Saturday's 3-2 overtime win against San Jose. LaCosta will start tonight against Colorado.
-The NHL named it's Three Stars of the Week:
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=266460&lid=sublink07&lpos=headlines_nhl
RUMOR MILL
-The Philadelphia Flyers are interested in Blackhawks winger Cam Barker (they are alos interested in Flyers D Jay Bouwmeester, but who isn't)
-The Edmonton Oilers are looking in to the possibility of acquiring Antoine Vermette from Ottawa
-Avalacnhe winger Milan Hejduk could be heading to the Atlantic Division. The question is if it's the Rangers, Devils, or Penguins.
-The Sabres will throw their hat in to the Erik Cole sweepstakes (what a great fit for the team and city) but would look in to Tyler Arnason as a fallback.
%Sharks @ Bruins - 7PM
Kings @ Islanders - 7PM
Avalanche @ Blue Jackets - 7PM
Thrashers @ Lightning - 7:30PM
Maple Leafs @ Panthers - 7:30PM
Red Wings @ Predators - 8PM
Canucks @ Blues - 8:30PM
% = Game of the Night
^All Times are Eastern
*My weekly power rankings, "PLUS/MINUS", comes out tonight
~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out on Thursdays
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