The Same Senators that were in the Low 5 last week are in the High Five this week
(Photo Credit: AP)
HIGH FIVE
New Jersey Devils (37-17-3 - 77 points)
You can try and sell me on San Jose or Boston, but the New Jersey Devils are THE hottest team in the NHL right now. They've won four in a row, 13 of their past 15, and have beaten the two best teams in the NHL in their last two games. They get a potential playoff preview match-up in Florida tonight.
Washington Capitals (36-16-5 - 77 points)
The Caps have won six of their past eight and just won two important road division games. The team is firing on all-cylinders and AO is on his way to another 60 goal season. If the goaltending holds up in the nations capital, the Capitals can make a deep run. They are also fortunate enough to play in the Southeast where they could be one of the first teams in the NHL to wrap up their division.
Ottawa Senators (22-25-8 - 52 points)
The same Ottawa Senators that were written off a week ago have now won five in a row. If the Senators really have gotten their act together, they've got the talent and depth to cause match-up problems up and down the Eastern conference standings. While the Sens aren't all the way back yet, they are now on their way to being to smell the playoff hunt.
Columbus Blue Jackets (28-23-6 - 62 points)
Despite the 3-2 SO loss to Dallas last night, Columbus had won four in a row before that and vaulted themselves in to 8th in the Western Conference standings. They get a chance to continue their winning ways with games against St. Louis, @ Toronto, and vs. Anaheim to wrap up the week.
Florida Panthers (28-20-8 - 64 points)
They've won five of their past seven and have pushed themselves in to 7th place in the East. They will get a real test of how strong they are in the remainder of their February schedule, as they host New Jersey, Chicago, Boston and then head to Boston, the NY Rangers and New Jersey.
RUNNER UP - Dallas Stars (28-21-7 - 63 points)
LOW FIVE
Phoenix Coyotes (25-28-5 - 55 points)
It's amazing how the Coyotes went from looking like they'd battle for the 2nd best team in the Pacific Division but now are battling to stay out of last place in the West. They've lost nine of their past ten and it now looks like they will be selling off some of their bigger assets (Olli Jokinen, Derek Morris) at the trade deadline. They get Atlanta at home, three on the road at LA, St. Louis and Nashville, and then close the month with St. Louis at home. That five game stretch will be their last chance to right the ship before it's too late (they open up March with a tough five game road trip at Boston, Buffalo, NY Islanders, Detroit and New Jersey).
New York Rangers (30-22-6 - 66 points)
The Rangers have lost seven in a row on the road (0-6-1) and have managed to score two or less goals in eight of their past nine games (all losses except the 5-4 SO win over the Capitals). A change MUST be made at MSG, and it has to be something besides Sean Avery.
Montreal Canadiens (30-21-6 - 66 points)
Les Habitents are winners of only two games in their past eight in February and both of those wins came over non-playoff teams. The acquisition of D Mathieu Schneider should help get Montreal's meager power play going, but they still need to make another big move.
Colorado Avalanche (26-30-1- 53 points)
Before the 6-5 shootout win over Detroit, the Avs had lost four in a row. Dallas proved that when a team has some talent depth, you can't write them off too early in the season, but I have a feeling the Nuggets won't have any playoff scheduling conflicts at the Pepsi Center.
Pittsburgh Penguins (27-25-6 - 60 points)
They may have played their best game of the year against San Jose, but the Penguins are a mess right now. They are playing well enough that they are always within striking distance of the playoffs, but this team needs to make a move (besides firing Michel Therrien) to shake up the lineup. As long as they can tread water until that happens, the Penguins will be in the playoffs again.
RUNNER UP - Anaheim Ducks (28-25-5 - 61 points)
ACTION FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE...
-The NHL head coaching debut of Dan Bylsma was spoiled by a 35 save performance by Islanders (17-33-6) goalie Joey MacDonald as the Isles skated by the Penguins (27-25-6) 3-2 in a shootout. Center frans Nielsen had a goal and an assist (and a shootout goal), LW Sean Begenheim had two assists, and Jeff Tambellini scored the shootout winner.
-The Rangers (30-22-6) road woes extended to seven straight losses as BJ Crombeen scored the game winner at 14:46 of the 3rd to give the Blues (24-25-7) a 2-1 win. Chris Mason made 19 saves in the win and Carlo Colaiacovo scored the other St. Louis goal. Lauri Korpikoski scored the lone Rangers goal and Henrik Lundqvist made 31 saves in the loss.
-RJ Umberger scored twice for Columbus, but it wouldn't be enough for the Blue Jackets (28-23-6) as James Neal scored the shootout winner past Steve Mason to give Dallas (28-21-7) a 3-2 win. Marty Turco made 41 saves for the Stars and LW Loui Eriksson had a goal and an assist in the win. Brad Richards scored the other goal for Dallas but left the game with a wrist injury (see below)
-Both Nick Foligno (10th of the season) and Dany Heatly (26th of the season) scored in the 1st period and Alex Auld made 24 saves to help the Senators (22-25-8) to a 2-0 win over Nashville (27-27-3). It was Auld's first shutout of the season and the sixth of his career. Ottawa is on a season-high five game winning streak.
-Ales Hemsky (PPG) and Shawn Horcoff each had a goal and an assist while defenseman Sheldon Souray scored the game winner on the power play to give the Oilers (29-23-4) a 3-1 win over the struggling Phoenix Coyotes (25-28-5). Ed Jovanovski scored a power-play goal for the Coyotes, who lost their sixth straight at home and ninth in 10 games since the All-Star break. Phoenix has fallen from fifth place in the Western Conference to tied for 13th with St. Louis during that span.
-You knew Atlanta (21-32-5) and Los Angeles (24-22-9) would be a high scoring game and the two high octane offenses combined for 12 goals, but Erik Christensen scored the shootout winner in a 7-6 thriller from the Staples Center. Ilya Kovalchuk had two goals and an assist and rookie D Zach Bogosian had three assists for the Thrashers while Anze Kopitar had two goals and two assists and Alexander Frolov had a goal and two assists for the Kings.
OTHER HEADLINES
-The Atlanta Thrashers have traded defenseman Mathieu Schneider to his former team, the Montreal Canadiens. In exchange, the Thrashers receive a second round draft pick in 2009 and a third round selection in 2010. In addition to Schneider, the Canadiens will receive a conditional draft pick from the Thrashers. The draft pick is conditional on how far the Canadiens go in the playoffs. If Montreal loses in the first round or doesn't make the playoffs, the Canadiens get a third-round pick from Atlanta. If Montreal wins one round, it becomes a fourth round pick. If Montreal wins two rounds or more, it becomes a fifth-round pick.
-Dallas Stars forward Brad Richards left the game against Columbus last night in the second period after being drilled into the boards by Jakub Voracek. He has been diagnosed with a broken wrist and will meet with a specialist on today to determine the extent of the injury and necessary treatment.
-Colorado Avalanche center Paul Stastny, who has missed the last seven weeks with a broken right forearm, skated with the team Monday and could return to the lineup as early as Friday against the Washington Capitals. Stastny was injured in the final minute of regulation of Colorado's 5-4 overtime win against Phoenix on Dec. 23. He had surgery a week later and has missed the Avalanche's last 23 games. Stastny worked with assistant coach Dave Barr on conditioning, puck-handling and shooting drills Monday. He also practised with the team on other drills. Coach Tony Granato said Stastny has made progress, but will sit out tonight against Ottawa. "He was on a regular line today," Granato said. "He will not play tomorrow. He'll have a full practice with us on Thursday and then see where he's at." The Avalanche host the Senators before heading out on a six-game, 11-day road trip against Eastern Conference teams. "He'll be on the trip," Granato said of Stastny. "Seven weeks since the surgery and a six- to eight-week time frame we'd thought he'd be back, so he's getting close." Stastny had 10 goals and 21 assists this season.
-Chicago Blackhawks left winger Patrick Sharp is expected to miss at least 2-to-3 weeks after suffering what the team is calling a lower-body injury in Saturday's 6-2 win against the Dallas Stars. The talented 27-year-old leads the team with 23 goals this season and ranks fifth on the 'Hawks with 38 points through 54 games. He exited the game in the first period and did not return.
-Wayne Gretzky wants no part of Team Canada in the 2010 Olympics (courtesy of TSN):
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=267413&lid=sublink08&lpos=headlines_nhl
RUMOR MILL
-There could be a big deal coming out of Pittsburgh, stay tuned
-Leafs C Dominic Moore's name is coming up with Vancouver being the top suitor
-With the Coyotes slumping as bad as they are, they will be entertaining offers for Olli Jokinen. Minnesota, New Jersey, Buffalo, Montreal and Edmonton are the top suitors.
-If the Rangers take on Sean Avery, look for a high priced defenseman to head back to Dallas. Wishful thinking wants this to be Wade Redden, but it would more likely be Michal Rozsival.
TONIGHTS ACTION:
Boston @ Carolina - 7PM
Buffalo @ Toronto - 7PM
Chicago @ Tampa Bay - 7:30PM
New Jersey @ Florida - 7:30PM
%Vancouver @ Calgary - 9:30PM
Ottawa @ Colorado - 9:30PM
Edmonton @ San Jose - 10:30PM
% = Game of the Night
^All Times are Eastern
*My weekly power rankings comes out Mondays
~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out on Thursdays
TO EMAIL FTS, EMAIL FROMTHESLOT@GMAIL.COM
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