1.Washington Capitals 54-16-6
With the Presidents Trophy in their possession, the Capitals have little left to play for. It will be interesting to see if the Capitals choose to allow Braden Holtby to chase Martin Brodeur’s wins in a season record, or sit him so he can rest before the playoffs
2. Dallas Stars 47-22-9
The Stars are getting closer and closer to wrapping up the Central Division thanks to their three current game winning streak. The team has scored four or more goals in each of those three contests. Captain Jamie Benn contributed four goals and five points during the three game winning streak. His fourth goal allowed him to get to 40 for the season, the first time in his career he has reached the 40 goal plateau.
3. St. Louis Blues 46-22-9
Brian Elliott three shutouts in a row spurred the five game winning streak the Blues are currently enjoying. Star sniper Vladimir Tarasenko has three goals during the five game winning streak, putting him at 36 for the season.
4.Pittsburgh Penguins 44-25-8
The veteran Penguins found a way to get hot at the absolute perfect time. Sidney Crosby has worked his way back into the Hart Trophy discussion, as his 80 points put him at third in the NHL. He has also been better on the defensive end than the top two point getters, with a 17+/-. Crosby’s flurry has helped the Penguins get back into the top five in offense.
5.Chicago Blackhawks 44-26-7
If Duncan Keith misses playoff time due to his silly play last week, it would really set this team back in their quest to defend their Stanley Cup. Even more frightening for Blackhawk fans is that star goaltender Corey Crawford is still out with an upper body injury. These two are parts of the core that won the Stanley Cup last year, and the Blackhawks will suffer if they cannot get on the ice.
6.New York Rangers 43-25-9
The Rangers may have lost in overtime to the surging Penguins, but good news for them is that prized trade deadline acquisition Eric Staal scored both of the teams goals and is looking more comfortable in his role with the team.
7.Florida Panthers 43-25-9
The Panthers are holding onto their spot at the top of the Atlantic Division, winning three out of their last four games. The ageless wonder Jaromir Jagr passed the 60 point threshold for the 17th time in the win against the Devils, a testament to the kind of legendary career the 44 year old has had.
8.Los Angeles Kings 46-26-5
The Kings manage to hold onto their Pacific crown thanks to a shutout victory over the Flames. However, the team still has games against Dallas and Anaheim left on their schedule and are far from locking the division up.
9.Tampa Bay Lightning 44-28-5
Tampa Bay has one more home game before ending the season on a four game road trip. The team is only two points back in the Atlantic Division race, and still has plenty to play for.
10.Anaheim Ducks 43-23-10
The team has to have April 7th circled on their calendar. That is when they get one last crack at the Kings before the playoffs. The once struggling offense tore apart Calgary during their last game en rout to a 8-3 blowout thanks in large part to Ryan Kesler four point effort.
11.Nashville Predators 39-26-13
The Predators three game losing streak sees them drop out of the top ten. Pekka Rinne looked awful in those contests, but he always seems to play his best when the playoffs come around, so the Predators likely have nothing to worry about.
12.New York Islanders 42-25-9
The once floundering Islanders have managed to survive without starting goaltender Jaroslav Halak. Still though, the team has to play the Penguins, Lightning, Capitals and Rangers before facing the Flyers in what could be the game that decides a playoff spot.
13.San Jose Sharks 43-29-6
San Jose’s 5-2 victory over the Kings was wasted because of a terrible 4-2 loss to the pathetic Canucks. The team is five points behind the Kings for the Pacific crown and is running out of time to track them down.
14.Philadelphia Flyers 38-25-13
Claude Giroux looks like he is gearing up for a playoff run. His three goals and five points in his last five games have come at the perfect time, where the team needs him to play at his best so they can get into the playoffs.
15.Minnesota Wild 38-29-11
Devan Dubnyk has proven that last year wasn't an accident, putting up a 2.30 GAA and a 92 SV% to help his eighth ranked defense.
16.Boston Bruins 40-29-8
The Bruins have only three wins in their last ten games, and are close to getting dumped out of the playoffs unceremoniously.
17.Detroit Red Wings 38-28-11
If the Red Wings were to make the playoffs this year, it would be their 25th season in a row. They control their own destiny, as they face the Bruins for likely a playoff spot on April 7th.
18.Colorado Avalanche 39-34-4
The Avalanche are injured, but not broken. They are five points out of the playoffs and have a rough schedule ahead, but never count out Patrick Roy.
19.Carolina Hurricanes 34-28-16
The Hurricanes kept their faint playoff hopes alive with a win over the Rangers. However, they are still five points out, and with only four more games appear to be headed for best team to not make the playoffs status.
20.New Jersey Devils 37-33-8
The Devils have to wonder what their strategy is this offseason as they were not good enough to make the playoffs this year, yet are not a young team.
21.Ottawa Senators 36-33-9
Erik Karlsson has been the teams one true bright spot, with 78 points in 78 games.
22.Montreal Canadiens 36-36-6
Their shocking 3-0 victory over the Lighting reminded us of how promising the team looked at the beginning of the season before injuries derailed their playoff chances.
23.Arizona Coyotes 34-36-7
The Coyotes are refusing to go quietly into the sunset, as their three game winning streak last week occurred when the Coyotes had nothing to play for. 20 year old Anthony Duclair came out of nowhere this season and has 43 points so far. Duclair has two goals and six points in his last five games, so it will be interesting to see how much more production the Coyotes can get out of him by the end of the season.
24.Buffalo Sabres 32-35-11
Jack Eichel passed the 50 point plateau with a goal against the Jets. His rookie year has to be considered a success even if the team was never in the playoff hunt.
25.Calgary Flames 32-40-6
They have given up 11 goals in their last two contests, which were of course losses.
26.Winnipeg Jets 31-39-7
The Jets struggles on the road continue as they picked up their 20th loss in regulation on the road against the Senators.
27.Vancouver Canucks 28-36-13
The Canucks managed to end their nine game losing streak with an impressive win against the Sharks.
28.Columbus Blue Jackets 30-39-8
A four game losing streak seems an appropriate way to end the season, given how disastrous it has been.
29.Toronto Maple Leafs 28-38-11
The Maple Leafs pulled off a couple impressive victories over the Ducks and Panthers, but it is a classic example of too little too late.
30.Edmonton Oilers 30-42-7
Being the 26th ranked offense is bad. Being the 26th ranked offense AND defense is just miserable as the Oilers are yet again chasing the top pick in the draft.