1. Washington Capitals: 52-15-5
With three wins in their last four games, the Capitals are officially the first team to reach 50 wins. Braden Holtby has 44 of those wins, though, and the question becomes do they sit Holtby and try to rest him for the playoffs or do they keep Holtby in so he can continue his hot streak.
2. Dallas Stars: 44-21-9
Their three game winning streak has allowed them to preserve their spot on top of the Central Division. Kari Lehtonen has started in all three of those victories and appears to be the favorite to be the starting goaltender come playoff time.
3. St. Louis Blues: 43-22-9
The return of Brian Elliott has been sensational for the Blues. Elliot has two shutouts in his two games since coming back, improving his season SV% to 93.3. The Blues could sure use another effort like what we have seen recently from Elliot when they take on the Capitals.
4. Chicago Blackhawks: 42-25-7
The Blackhawks only have three wins so far in the month of March. The absence of Corey Crawford is a big reason for their funk, and the team in uncertain when their star goaltender will return.
5. New York Rangers: 41-24-8
The Rangers were impressive in their 4-2 victory over the Florida Panthers. The best news from the Rangers perspective is that Rick Nash scored and appears to be back in form after missing close to two months with a leg injury.
6. Los Angeles Kings: 44-24-5
The Kings maintain their spot atop the Pacific Division even though they have lost their last two games. Star goaltender Jonathan Quick gave up seven goals in those two losses, so it will be interesting to see how he plays moving forward.
7. Tampa Bay Lightning: 42-26-5
The Lightning have gotten back on top of the Atlantic Division thanks to a couple of victories in a row. Erik Condra, the only newcomer to the Lightning this season, scored two as he begins to finally seem more at home in Tampa Bay.
8. Anaheim Ducks: 40-23-9
With three wins in the last five games, the Ducks are only four points back from the Kings for the Pacific crown. Ryan Kesler has been having a dominant March, with four goals and 11 points to go along with a 8+/-.
9. Florida Panthers: 40-24-9
The Panthers last week were tested by games against the Red Wings and Rangers, but came up short both times. The move to pick up Jiri Hudler seems to be paying off though, as he has two goals and four points in the last five games.
10. Nashville Predators: 37-23-13
With three wins in their last four contests, the Predators look like a team heading towards the playoffs. Newcomer Ryan Johansen has two goals and six points in his last five games. If Johansen can turn into the top line center the team needs, that would be huge for them in the playoffs.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins: 40-24-8
With a six game winning streak, the Penguins are currently the hottest team in the NHL. Sidney Crosby has been at his best in the month of March, with six goals and 17 points.
12. San Jose Sharks: 41-26-6
With four wins in their last six games, the Sharks are doing just enough to stay in the Pacific Division race. Tomas Hertl has two goals and six points in the last five games, and is showing flashes of the star we all the 22 year old could be.
13. Boston Bruins: 39-26-8
The Bruins had a rough week last week, losing three straight. With upcoming games against the Rangers and Panthers, they picked to wrong time to start a funk.
14. New York Islanders: 38-24-9
The Islanders are holding on by a thread as they continue to lament the injury of star goaltender Jaroslav Halak.
15. Philadelphia Flyers: 35-24-13
The Flyers are for now in the playoffs, but they have a lot of work to do in order to stay there. They have games against the Avalanche and Washington still left in the end of March.
16. Detroit Red Wings: 36-26-11
Detroit is still very much in the race for the Eastern Conference wild card spots. They have a relatively easy end to the month of March with three out of their four games against opponents out of the playoff mix.
17. Minnesota Wild: 35-28-11
They are holding onto the eighth spot in the west thanks to a three game winning streak. Their game at Colorado on March 26th could decide who gets into the playoffs and who does not.
18. Colorado Avalanche: 38-31-4
With 38 wins the Avalanche should be right now in position to get a playoff spot. However, their 31 losses in regulation could be their undoing as they fight with the Wild for the final playoff spot in the West.
19. New Jersey Devils: 35-31-7
The Devils are six points behind the eighth spot with nine games left. They are technically still in it, but a New Jersey appearance in the playoffs this season is looking more and more unlikely by the day.
20. Ottawa Senators: 34-32-8
The Senators are a borderline bottom ten team that is basically out of the playoff picture.
21. Carolina Hurricanes: 31-28-14
Without Eric Staal, the Hurricanes are just not a playoff caliber team.
22. Montreal Canadiens: 34-34-6
With only four wins in the month of March, the Canadiens are out of the playoff picture.
23. Arizona Coyotes: 32-34-7
Mike Smith has been at a different level in these past five games, with a shutout and a 94.9 SV%.
24. Buffalo Sabres: 30-34-10
The Sabres manage to get to 30 wins for the season thanks to a 3-2 victory over the Hurricanes.
25. Calgary Flames: 31-36-6
The Flames should be celebrating their 40th victory right about now. Instead they are stuck celebrating their 30th win and have to wonder what could’ve been for a team that was supposed to make noise in the playoffs.
26. Columbus Blue Jackets: 30-25-8
Their bizarre come from behind victory against the Flyers didn't do much other than get them farther from the first pick.
27. Winnipeg Jets: 30-37-6
The Jets four victories in the month of March are good enough to probably get them the fourth pick in the draft.
28. Vancouver Canucks: 27-33-12
The Canucks have one goal in their last four games.
29. Edmonton Oilers: 29-40-7
The Oilers misery will certainly continue, as they face games against San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim to wrap up the month of March.
30. Toronto Maple Leafs: 26-25-11
Even though the Oilers gave them a run for their money, the Maple Leafs are the favorites to finish with the first overall pick.