Around the League: The Blackhawks have a slim lead on the President's race, but with many teams scrambling for positioning in the playoffs, it's hard to predict exactly who will be declared the regular season champions. The Canucks are within 5 points of four different teams. That seems like a lot, but it will just take a single bad stretch of games for someone to get knocked out of the playoffs. In the East, the Penguins are directly behind the Bruins and Lightning and only 4 points back from the Devils. With such a small distance separating teams, there's a good chance playoff positions will be decided on the last day of the season. Look forward to the "Games to Watch" this week as they should prove to be intense games deciding positioning and home-ice advantage for the playoffs. Here are the rankings: 1. San Jose Sharks (8-1-0) Last Week: 3 Hit: Still just one point behind for the President's trophy and the Blackhawks no longer have their game in hand on the Sharks. Miss: I guess the Flyers have the Sharks' number as they defeated the Sharks both times they played this season. 2. Chicago Blackhawks (8-2-0) Last Week: 5 Hit: The Blackhawks third line of @donnybrah @Hischier I13I @bbx90 has another good week going 3-0 which is important if the Hawks want to be crowned regular season champs. Miss: Missed opportunity with a game in hand this week to increase their lead on the Sharks a bit, but can't really blame them with the Sharks going 8-1-0. 3. Ottawa Senators (8-0-1) Last Week: Not ranked Hit: This is a stellar week for any team, but the real kicker is that they beat a bunch of playoff teams attempting to improve their position including the Stars, Bruins, and Blues. Miss: "It only took my team 8 weeks to get good." - @Zacha l 37 l 4. Florida Panthers (7-1-1) Last Week: Not ranked Hit: Another week where Florida's defense was dominant allowing just 14 goals in 9 games. Miss: The OTL to the Lightning means the gap is shortened a little, but not much to complain about going 7-1-1 and 4-1-1 against playoff opponents. 5. Montreal Canadiens (6-2-1) Last Week: 9 Hit: Anytime you can leapfrog someone in your division this close to the end of the season, you had a good week. Miss: None 6. Vancouver Canucks (7-2-1) Last Week: Not ranked Hit: The Canucks really needed a big week if they were going to even have a chance at the playoffs, and they definitely came up with one. As mentioned earlier, they're just five points back from several teams. Miss: Decent strength of schedule this week, but next week looks to be extremely tough which may make the Canucks lament some missed opportunities such as games against the Capitals and an OTL to the Penguins this week. 7. Carolina Hurricanes (7-1-1) Last Week: Not ranked Hit: Another team playing spoiler beats the Flames, Kings, and Canadiens whilst allowing just 13 goals in 9 games. Miss: None 8. New York Islanders (7-1-1) Last Week: 2 Hit: Not their hardest week, but they secured points in 8 of 9 and now need just a few points to capture first in the division. Miss: Lost to the Sharks who have two more points than the Islanders in the standings. 9. Detroit Red Wings (5-2-2) Last Week: 15 Hit: Victories against the Jets, Devils, and Avalanche really highlight this week. The Red Wings didn't lose any games in regulation to current playoff teams. Miss: 20 goals for compared to 20 goals against seems about right for the Wings despite a good record this week. 10. Colorado Avalanche (5-4-1) Last Week: 12 Hit: 5-1-1 against playoff teams with a goal differential of +9 in those games. Miss: Suffered 3 regulation losses to teams outside the playoffs which almost ensures the Jets will have home-ice advantage on the Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs. 11. Tampa Bay Lightning (6-3-0) Last Week: 13 Hit: Big week for @Boany including scoring two goals against the Panthers and two goals against the Jets this week. Miss: The Lightning are in the playoffs, but just barely. As is the case with many other teams, if they miss the playoffs the game against Minnesota or a close game against Chicago might prove to be the extra points they needed to get in. 12. Pittsburgh Penguins (6-2-1) Last Week: 10 Hit: The Penguins need to keep performing well and a 6-2-1 week would fit the mold as they close in on the Bruins, Lightning, and the Devils. Also, it's good to see them scoring as they potted 34 goals this week. Miss: A loss to Anaheim (with the Ducks using 3 ECUs) this week looks bad with the Penguins being two points out of the wildcard spots. 13. Calgary Flames (5-2-2) Last Week: 1 Hit: Kept pace with the Kings (who had an extra game this week) with 12 points. Also, the Flames had some impressive wins over the likes of the Jets and Blue Jackets. Miss: Just a +4 this week, though they have an easier schedule next week they're just one point up on the Kings. 14. Los Angeles Kings (6-4-0) Last Week: Not ranked Hit: Some good performances from the @Skid Markie @THEE UNCLE BuCK @Hine 2 line as they pick up two of the three wins versus playoff teams for the Kings this week. Miss: They did well with a hard schedule this week, but two games where they gave up 7 goals probably leaves a sour taste in their mouths. 15. New Jersey Devils (5-2-2) Last Week: Not ranked Hit: Not a ton about this week besides that jumps out, though players gaining some momentum late in the season is always a good thing; @GunHavok has a season-high 8 goals in 3 games and @DADDYRIDESBIKE and @Spooer69 both have their first 3-0 week this season. Miss: A real chance to gain ground on the Blue Jackets goes slightly wasted as they only make up two points on Columbus. 16. Philadelphia Flyers (5-3-1) Last Week: 4 Hit: At this point in the season, the Flyers are looking to agitate some of the playoff teams. They did a pretty good job beating the Sharks this week and for the second time this season. Miss: None Games to Watch: Pittsburgh Penguins at New Jersey Devils Monday Dec. 11th - 9:00 PM EST The Devils lead the Penguins by just 4 points for third place in the Metropolitan with this game potentially being pivotal for who is in a wildcard spot or even in the playoffs. Dallas Stars at Saint Louis Blues Monday Dec. 11th - 10:00 PM EST The Blues and Stars are separated by one point in the West's wildcard spots, the loser of this game could fall out if Vancouver has a big week. Los Angeles Kings at Vancouver Canucks Tuesday Dec. 12th - 11:00 PM EST The Canucks need a huge week if they want to make the playoffs. If they can win some of their other big games, the Kings and Canucks could see this game as a must-win. Letdowns of the Week: Boston falls hard after previously holding second place in the Atlantic; they are now ahead of the Penguins by just two points in the last wildcard spot in the East. Several teams were officially eliminated from the playoffs this week, though the letdown was mostly from the Coyotes as they were picked in preseason by most to challenge for a playoff spot. Surprises of the Week: A number of teams, including the Red Wings and Senators, had big weeks against playoff teams going 5-0-2 and 5-0-1 respectively.
Nice writeup.. would like to mention that the gap did not shorten on the kings though.. 5-2-2 and 6-4.. both of us had 12 point weeks. Canucks gained 1 point though as they had 13.
Oh I had you guys down as 5-3-1 and switched it in the post when I saw I made a mistake, but forgot to edit the hit/miss. Thanks, I need to proofread these better obviously.
