The end is near, and that has elite teams scrambling and others pushing like never before. The race is real.
1. St. Louis Blues ▲
(Last Week: 4)
The Colorado Avalanche finally brought an end to the Blues' four-game shutout streak Tuesday. But St. Louis only allowed one goal, and has still won five straight. They sit alongside the Dallas Stars for top spot in the Western Conference, and are hitting their stride at the right time.
2. Dallas Stars ▲
(Last Week: 3)
Wins over a solid Sharks team and the Predators, the league's hottest team in the second half, make them a legitimate threat in the West, regardless of any goaltending doubts.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins ▲
(Last Week: 8)
Phil Kessel has come alive. With seven points in his last three games, including a five-point outing, he's helping the team score in bunches. After three straight wins, the Penguins' playoff hopes are no longer a concern.
4. Minnesota Wild ▲
(Last Week: 13)
Devan Dubnyk hasn't conceded more than two goals in a game in nearly two weeks. Meanwhile, his club has swept the reigning Stanley Cup champs this year. Look out.
5. Washington Capitals ▼
(Last Week: 1)
While they don't appear to be showcasing the same firepower they did during the start of the season, the Capitals should still be considered Cup favorites.
6. Los Angeles Kings ▼
(Last Week: 2)
They aren't quite emulating their former Cup-winning selves, but they still sit atop the Pacific Division, which is worth something, for now.
7. San Jose Sharks ▼
(Last Week: 5)
A loss to the Oilers and a win against the Kings in the same week. This team is in the midst of a Sharknado, but three games remaining against teams outside the playoff picture should settle things down.
8. Nashville Predators ▼
(Last Week: 7)
Though they split their games this week, wins over the Canucks and Blue Jackets should be expected. To quote Billy Madison: "That's a little easy, why don't you just give her the trophy."
9. New York Rangers ▲
(Last Week: 14)
A tough loss to the Penguins was the only fault this week for the team that now boasts the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.
10. Tampa Bay Lightning
(Last Week: 10)
They continue to play leapfrog with the state-rival Florida Panthers. An Anton Stralman injury hurts, but shouldn't derail any potential postseason success.
10. Anaheim Ducks ▼
(Last Week: 6)
The team concluded their Canadian road trip with two wins, but the Ducks need to really spread their wings if they hope to take off come playoff time.
11. Philadelphia Flyers ▲
(Last Week: 17)
A couple more wins have now put the Flyers in the driver's seat of their playoff prospects with two games in hand on the slipping Red Wings.
12. New York Islanders
(Last Week: 15)
They got things back on track with two wins over the Hurricanes, but with upcoming games against the Penguins, Lightning, Capitals, and Rangers, things aren't going to get any easier for the Islanders.
13. Florida Panthers ▼
(Last Week: 9)
A loss to the Maple Leafs hurts, no matter who you are, but the loss of forward Vincent Trocheck for an extended period of time would hurt more.
14. Boston Bruins ▼
(Last Week: 11)
The Bruins have just 10 goals to show for their last seven games, and have gone 1-6-0 in that stretch. With just a point separating them from the Red Wings, it's time to snap out of it.
15. Chicago Blackhawks ▲
(Last Week: 16)
Two wins against non-competing teams is good for positioning, but a loss against the Wild - who they've owned in postseason play - hurts. Add to that a possible suspension coming to defenseman Duncan Keith, and things aren't going so smooth for the reigning champs.
16. Colorado Avalanche ▼
(Last Week: 12)
Simply put, the Avalanche have the most difficult stretch of games to conclude the season. The club will tangle with the Capitals, Blue, Predators, Stars, and Ducks in their remaining five games. It won't be easy, but overcoming that could make them the most dangerous team heading into the playoffs.
17. Detroit Red Wings ▲
(Last Week: 18)
Goaltender Petr Mrazek has been pulled five times in his last 14 games. That means lots of pucks are going in, and that's not good. But no pressure, just a 25-year playoff streak on the line.
18. Arizona Coyotes ▲
(Last Week: 23)
Mike Smith has pulled his team out of a Western Conference basement occupied by Western Canada, but not high enough to enter the playoff hunt.
19. New Jersey Devils
(Last Week: 19)
Mathematically alive, but realistically not so much.
20. Carolina Hurricanes ▲
(Last Week: 24)
See above.
21. Montreal Canadiens ▼
(Last Week: 20)
The team could get P.K. Subban, Brendan Gallagher, and possibly goaltender Carey Price back before the season is up, which would help the team achieve ... ?
22. Buffalo Sabres ▲
(Last Week: 25)
Three players hitting the 20-goal mark and some impressive debuts by college prospects have eased the pain of another down year.
23. Ottawa Senators ▼
(Last Week: 22)
The Senators used up all their fairy dust last season and will likely finish in the middle of the pack.
25. Toronto Maple Leafs ▲
(Last Week: 27)
Oddly for Maple Leafs fans, the fact the team is winning games might bring the most pain this season. If they keep it up, the chance to nab Auston Matthews could pass them by.
26. Winnipeg Jets ▲
(Last Week: 28)
Tyler Myers decided to cut his season short to begin receiving necessary surgeries, likely since the team is so far out of it right now.
27. Edmonton Oilers ▲
(Last Week: 29)
A huge comeback win against the Sharks and tight games against the Kings and Ducks are great, but they're still the same lowly Oilers.
27. Calgary Flames ▼
(Last Week: 26)
Did the Flames overachieve last season or are they underachieving this season? Whatever the case, they are now on pace to finish with nearly 22 points less than last season.
29. Columbus Blue Jackets ▼
(Last Week: 21)
John Tortorella was "pissed" at his team this week, and rightfully so.
30. Vancouver Canucks ▼
(Last Week: 30)
On a positive note, one more poor week, and the Canucks might become the new front-runners to land that oh so prestigious lottery pick.
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