The NHL playoffs are about two months away and some teams seem to be some locks but others need to get their act together if they're going to make it in. Let's take a look at five teams that need to step it up.
Boston Bruins: It's been a weird season for the Bruins. A lot of people expected them to be the Atlantic division champions again this season, but it's just been a struggle for them. They've been completely dominated by the Canadians as well as other teams in the division. Tuukka Rask isn't playing near the level he was last year. The Florida Panthers are only one point behind them for the final playoff spot, so Boston needs to get its act together and start to win games or this team could actually miss the playoffs this season. .
Pittsburgh Penguins: Pittsburgh has also not been as good as they were advertised going into the season. They currently sit three games back from the Islanders in the division and are fourth in the division. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin need to start to tear up the league again because without them playing well, the Penguins will not make it far in the playoffs.
Los Angeles Kings: Who would've thought that it would be a huge struggle for the Kings to just make the playoffs this season? The defending champions have been good at times this season but they've been through an awful stretch this season that has actually dropped them out of a playoff spot and actually still are. They've won six games in a row though so it seems like they are finally making a comeback. They need to keep this streak up though because the Wild and the Stars are right behind them.
San Jose Sharks: San Jose has been good at times this season, but right now they are just playing some bad hockey. They're 3-5-2 in their last 10 games and are also in danger of missing the playoffs this season, which is something they haven't done in a long time. Their big players like Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau need to step it up for the home stretch of the season or there could be big changes coming if San Jose misses the playoffs.
Minnesota Wild: Minnesota has been very good lately but they are still a few games out of a playoff spot which has been the case all season. There were times this season when everyone thought Mike Yeo would get fired after everything that happened(notably him cussing out the team at practice). He's got them back on the right track and Zach Parise seems to be playing well but if they miss the playoffs this year, there could also be a coaching change at the end of the season.