It's been a difficult 12 months for Brock Boeser.

The Vancouver Canucks forward lost his father, Duke, in May after a long battle with dementia and cancer. Boeser also found himself in trade rumors ahead of the deadline, and on the ice, the sniper has struggled to find the back of the net this season.

"Definitely, some mental stuff that I'm still working through on a personal level," he told The Province's Ben Kuzma. "I have a guy outside our team that I've been working with - kind of a life (coach) guy. With the things I've gone through and last year while still trying to play, it was really hard.

"From that aspect, I'm just trying to get back to my true self and being the hockey player I was before. And get back to that mindset of coming to the rink and getting better every day - scoring goals and having that confidence."

Boeser, a four-time 20-goal scorer, has found twine just 12 times in 57 games this season. His 0.21 goals per game is a career low, and his 9.8% shooting percentage is well below his career mark of 13.2% entering the season.

"I really felt that I've lost that over the last couple of years, just dealing with stuff, and I'm just trying to find that swagger," he said. "It's important to make sure you're good mentally."

Boeser admitted that seeing his name in the rumor mill affected his performance as well. He specifically reflected on one outing where the stress got the better of him.

"When it really affected me was right before that Dallas game (a 5-4 win on Feb. 27 against the Stars)," he said. "I had a terrible game (minus-2, no shots, 15:01 of ice time). I couldn't get dialed in, and that's when it affected me the most, and I was pretty stressed and really thought about it."

Boeser added that it was a big "sigh of relief" when he knew he'd be staying put in Vancouver. He's in the first season of a three-year deal with a $6.65-million cap hit. He can become a free agent in 2025.

The Canucks selected Boeser 23rd overall in the 2015 NHL Draft. He was the Calder Trophy runner-up in 2017-18 after tallying a career-high 29 goals in 62 games.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the Canucks and their fans, it's time to give up.

It's time to abandon the only thing that gave a lost season some hope - the chance to draft Connor Bedard or Adam Fantilli - or whomever else we all talk ourselves into believing is the franchise-changer, for that matter.

Fourteen points ahead of the Blue Jackets and 11 points clear of the Blackhawks and Sharks, the Canucks getting a top-2 pick would require the type of lottery luck that they historically don't have.

The problem all along has been that the Canucks are too good to be bad. Sure, expected goal and high-danger chance shares of around 47% this season are certainly not good, but the team is just not bad enough to lay down against the likes of the Blue Jackets, Blackhawks, Coyotes, Ducks, and Canadiens.

Early in the season, the Canucks were good enough to get multi-goal leads, but they would repeatedly and historically blow them due to poor defensive play and goaltending.

They had a captain good enough to be sought after in Bo Horvat, and they ultimately got a three-pronged package from the Islanders.

Thatcher Demko was considered good before this season, then wasn't, and now has a very good +4.79 goals saved above expectation in just five games following his return. For all the embarrassment brought by their midseason coaching change, the Canucks are now playing, dare I say, well defensively.

How do we find a silver lining as the Canucks return to the worst theoretical place in sports - mediocrity? We bet on them to disappoint their fans by winning.

The market seemed unaware of the Canucks' 4-1 record in their last five games when they made Vancouver a home underdog to the Senators on Saturday. The Canucks cashed plus-money tickets with ease in a 5-2 win - their fourth straight victory.

That's the type of game where you'll find value on the Canucks the rest of the way - priced cheaply against teams with higher playoff hopes. With all 17 of their remaining games against Western Conference teams who are largely better-than-average at best, the Canucks look to be a profitable bet on a nightly basis. So even when they win more than they lose and finish on the brink of a top-10 draft pick, at least that silver lining will come in the form of dollars in your wallet.

"Ted Lasso" taught us that it's the hope that kills you, but winning bets will make you feel alive.

The recipe

We started the season using regular-season point totals as a baseline for rating teams since it's our best measurement. Throughout the campaign, we adjust club ratings using on-ice metrics to remove the cognitive bias of win-loss records, which can be skewed by outliers like special-teams results, poor goaltending performances, and other unreliable events.

The cheat sheet

There are no bad bets at the right price, but how do we know what a good price is?

The following includes my fair price on the games (true moneyline) and the moneyline price I'd need to bet either side. I only need a 1% edge for a favorite if we're getting better than a fair price on the team more likely to win. For the underdog, I'll need 4% or better to make it a bet. For games I project to be closer to a coin flip, a 2.5% edge is enough for a worthwhile wager. I also have a 5% win probability consideration for a team playing in the second game of a back-to-back with travel and a 3% consideration for a team on the second leg of a back-to-back without travel. When it comes to injured players, I do my best to estimate the impact on their team's win probability.

When the betting markets open up the night before, you can compare those prices with our "price to bet" column to see if you're getting any value with either side's moneyline. There's also a possibility that a moneyline moves into a bet-friendly range at some point between market open and puck drop.

Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We have a pint-sized three-game slate to begin the week. Although there isn't much to choose from on the betting board, a couple of plays still pop off the page.

Let's take a closer look.

Stars (-125) @ Kraken (+105)

The Stars bested the Kraken last time out in an airtight affair. Despite the scoreline, neither team was able to generate much offensively, especially Seattle.

The Kraken only mustered four high-danger chances in more than 63 minutes of action. With a goaltender like Jake Oettinger between the pipes, the Stars will always be in great shape when they limit teams that much.

I expect the Stars to prevail once again in the second leg of a two-game set in Seattle. First and foremost, they're the better team in better form. At five-on-five, Dallas has controlled well over 57% of the expected goals share over the last 10 games. That's a top-five clip in the NHL. Seattle slots far below the Stars in that regard, coming in around 48% (19th) during the same span.

With the Stars getting the better chances on a nightly basis, the best way to unseat them is by winning the goaltending battle. I don't love the Kraken's odds of doing that.

Philipp Grubauer has slowed down of late, allowing nine goals over the past two games. He has started every game in March, so it's possible fatigue is getting to him a bit. He's likely in for another tough night against Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, et al.

And if Martin Jones gets the nod? That's even better for the Stars' chances. Among 56 netminders to log 400-plus minutes in 2023, Jones ranks 47th with an .892 save percentage. He is really struggling and unlikely to give the Kraken the quality start they'll need - particularly after a couple weeks of idling.

Look for the Stars to grab another win and take all four points in their visit to Seattle.

Bet: Stars (-125)

Mikko Rantanen over 0.5 assists (+110)

The Avalanche are slowly starting to look like the team we've grown accustomed to seeing. Although they still show some flaws without the puck, they're as dangerous as ever with it.

They've scored an average of 3.85 goals per 60 over the past 10, which is more than all but the Oilers and Stars. They're consistently filling the net.

More goals equates to more points opportunities, and there should be plenty on Monday with Colorado taking on a bruised and battered Canadiens team.

The Canadiens - missing seemingly half their roster - have conceded at least three goals in six straight games and allowed 33 shots or more five times in that span. They're giving up a lot.

With the Avalanche in need of every point they can get, I expect they'll ride the big guns for 20-plus minutes again in this game. The only way they won't is if this turns into a blowout, which probably bodes well for Rantanen's chances of getting in on the action.

Rantanen's registered an assist in seven of his last eight games against bottom-10 scoring defenses. I'm happy backing him to do it again at plus money.

Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the 11th edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2022-23 campaign. Check back for updated rankings every other Monday during the regular season.

In this edition, with the 95th Academy Awards handed out Sunday night, we look to the movies for inspiration and pick one film that sums up each team's season thus far.

1. Boston Bruins (50-10-5)

Previous rank: 1st

"Catch Me If You Can" (2002). Much like Leonardo DiCaprio's portrayal of Frank Abagnale Jr. in this early aughts romp, the NHL-best Bruins have stayed more than one step ahead of the rest of the league thanks to the skill and smarts of their players, coaches, and executives alike.

2. New Jersey Devils (44-16-6)

Previous rank: 3rd

"John Wick" (2014). Few expected the Devils to be this good and this entertaining, much like the Keanu Reeves-driven cult hit and its sequels. Maybe we should have seen it coming in both cases; New Jersey assembled a talented, young core complemented by some skilled vets, and well, Keanu rules. Much like the John Wick movies, the Devils have been much better and more enjoyable to watch than even optimists predicted.

3. Carolina Hurricanes (43-14-8)

Previous rank: 2nd

"The Perfect Storm" (2000). The Hurricanes have been near-perfect in many aspects of the game this season. Of course, a "perfect storm" like the 1991 one depicted in the film entails a combination of negative circumstances. Yet Carolina has overcome a slew of injuries, including major ones to Frederik Andersen and Max Pacioretty.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs (40-17-8)

Previous rank: 4th

"Groundhog Day" (1993). The Maple Leafs have lived the same campaign six years running: regular-season success, followed by first-round failure in the playoffs. Is this the year Auston Matthews and Co. finally escape Punxsutawney?

5. Vegas Golden Knights (41-20-6)

Previous rank: 7th

"Kill Bill: Volume 1" (2003). Jonathan Quick is playing like someone who's sworn revenge on those who doubted his talents. The 37-year-old is 3-0-0 with a .939 save percentage since joining the Golden Knights after being unceremoniously dumped by the Los Angeles Kings.

6. Dallas Stars (36-17-13)

Previous rank: 11th

"The Wild Bunch" (1969). The synopsis for this classic reads, "An aging group of outlaws look for one last big score as the 'traditional' American West is disappearing around them." While the Stars' best player is 23-year-old Jason Robertson, Dallas has nine players who are at least 30, including 38-year-olds Joe Pavelski and Ryan Suter. Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin are seeking the ultimate prize, too, and this team has a shot at it.

7. New York Rangers (37-19-10)

Previous rank: 9th

"The Expendables" (2010). The Rangers are loaded with older stars, especially after adding a couple at the trade deadline. But can such an impressive collection of marquee names meet expectations while sharing the spotlight? Moviegoers had similar questions about Sylvester Stallone's action hero ensemble extravaganza, and fans in Manhattan are probably hoping the Rangers' script turns out a bit better.

8. Tampa Bay Lightning (39-22-6)

Previous rank: 5th

"Diamonds are Forever" (1971). When general manager Julien BriseBois traded five draft picks for Tanner Jeannot at the deadline, the Lightning's motivation was clear: Diamonds (in Stanley Cup rings) are forever.

9. Minnesota Wild (38-21-8)

Previous rank: 15th

"From Russia with Love" (1963). Kirill Kaprizov has been an offensive force for a Wild team that's struggled to score. This upcoming stretch without him will define their season.

10. Colorado Avalanche (36-22-6)

Previous rank: 6th

"Sleeping Beauty" (1959). No one can dance around the fact the Avalanche have underwhelmed throughout the post-championship regular season, but the whole league is hoping Colorado doesn't awake from its lengthy slumber come playoff time.

11. Edmonton Oilers (36-23-8)

Previous rank: 8th

"The Fast and the Furious" (2001). Connor McDavid has raced away with the battle for the Art Ross Trophy - and likely the Hart Trophy too.

12. Los Angeles Kings (38-20-9)

Previous rank: 10th

"Star Trek: Generations" (1994). The Kings are still led by franchise icons Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, but they continued to transition from the old crew to the new one by trading Quick to the Golden Knights. L.A. has remained relevant by injecting youth and new talent into the equation, just like a certain science fiction franchise did when it brought parts of its two crews together on the big screen.

13. Seattle Kraken (37-22-7)

Previous rank: 13th

"Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" (2004). With only a few weeks left in the regular season, the Kraken find themselves in the thick of the playoff race in the Pacific Division - who saw that coming? Can they make like the Average Joe's crew and go on a run?

14. Winnipeg Jets (38-26-3)

Previous rank: 12th

"Top Gun: Maverick" (2022). The original Jets had many great seasons but were unable to capture a Stanley Cup. Can the current iteration emulate the success of this sequel and find more glory than its 1980s predecessor?

15. Pittsburgh Penguins (34-22-10)

Previous rank: 18th

"The Bourne Identity" (2002). The Penguins appear to have suffered an amnesia-induced identity crisis much like Matt Damon's Jason Bourne. Pittsburgh general manager Ron Hextall either forgot or refused to acknowledge the club's sense of urgency at the deadline given its aging core. Now it may be too late for the Pens to remember who they are, meaning we may not get multiple successful sequels with this team.

16. New York Islanders (34-26-8)

Previous rank: 19th

"No Country For Old Men" (2007). The Islanders own the league's oldest roster by average age and are run by an 80-year-old general manager equally as intimidating as Javier Bardem's performance in the 2008 best picture. That said, we don't expect this New York squad to clean up at any awards shows.

17. Florida Panthers (33-27-7)

Previous rank: 17th

"Cats" (2019). The Panthers haven't been as bad as this ill-fated Andrew Lloyd Webber adaptation - Florida is still in the playoff hunt, after all. But the fact that these Cats have to scratch and claw to try to make the postseason coming off a Presidents' Trophy-winning campaign is a disappointment worthy of CGI-enhanced feline costumes.

18. Calgary Flames (30-24-13)

Previous rank: 20th

"Speed 2: Cruise Control" (1997). The Flames underwent a significant recast for the 2022-23 season, and the result has turned out like most sequels do in Hollywood: a major disappointment.

19. Ottawa Senators (33-29-4)

Previous rank: 21st

"Deadpool" (2016). Yes, there's an obvious Ryan Reynolds connection here. But that's not the only reason this one fits. The Senators aren't doing a conventional retool, and Deadpool's whole appeal is his atypicality. Then there's the playful attitude of the Sens' fanbase. Also, Brady Tkachuk is ultra-skilled and fun to watch, yet intense. Sound familiar?

20. Buffalo Sabres (32-28-5)

Previous rank: 14th

"Everything Everywhere All At Once" (2022). This Sabres season has certainly been a thrill ride. Buffalo is the ultimate high-event team, ranking near the top of the league in both goals for and against. There may not be any awards in the Sabres' immediate future, but their roller-coaster campaign has resembled the absurdist dramedy that won Best Picture on Sunday.

21. Nashville Predators (33-24-7)

Previous rank: 22nd

"About Time" (2013). It's about time the Predators retool with a new general manager at the helm. Barry Trotz stepping in this summer is a much-needed breath of fresh air for a team that's floundered in the middle tier of the league for too long.

22. Washington Capitals (32-28-7)

Previous rank: 23rd

"I Am Legend" (2007). We're not saying Washington's season has been bad enough to be described an apocalyptic hellscape, but the title here is fitting in relation to Alex Ovechkin and his 800th career goal a few months ago - the lone bright spot of a underwhelming year of hockey in D.C.

23. Vancouver Canucks (28-32-5)

Previous rank: 27th

"Horrible Bosses" (2011). This one's pretty self-explanatory. The Canucks have been mismanaged in numerous ways recently, from their atrocious treatment of ex-head coach Bruce Boudreau to their ill-advised roster construction. Unlike the movie, though, the players may not be able to do much about it.

24. Detroit Red Wings (30-27-9)

Previous rank: 16th

"Daddy's Home 2" (2017). The Red Wings dipped into their pocketbooks to add numerous free agents last summer. The result? Another middling season, not unlike this more expensive and underwhelming sequel.

25. St. Louis Blues (29-32-5)

Previous rank: 23rd

"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" (2008). Blues supporters recently endured harsh breakups with two fan favorites in Ryan O'Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko, and while it's fun to reminisce on the glory days those relationships brought, it's best for all parties to find a way to move on.

26. Arizona Coyotes (24-32-11)

Previous rank: 28th

"Bad Boys" (1995). The Coyotes own the league's worst penalty differential at -57. That's a group of bad boys right there.

27. Montreal Canadiens (26-34-6)

Previous rank: 26th

"Home Alone" (1990). The Canadiens have been without their "child" (Cole Caufield) since January, as the talented youngster is done for the season due to injury. He wasn't exactly left behind, but Habs fans have undoubtedly been missing the 22-year-old, who could certainly foil burglars given how capable he is of embarrassing opposing defensemen.

28. Philadelphia Flyers (24-34-11)

Previous rank: 25th

"The New Guy" (2002). This version of the movie stars Daniel Briere, the latest executive tabbed with finding a consistent direction for a Flyers franchise stuck in the mud.

29. Anaheim Ducks (22-35-10)

Previous rank: 31st

"D3: The Mighty Ducks" (1996). Trevor Zegras aside, this season has been more like the third "Mighty Ducks" movie than the first two for Anaheim in terms of quality. It may be a while before the players on the NHL team can call themselves true "Game Changers" like the kids in the new streaming series.

30. Chicago Blackhawks (22-38-6)

Previous rank: 29th

"The Replacements" (2000). It's not exactly subtle that the Blackhawks are gunning for the first overall pick with a lineup that features a dozen players that make you say, "who?"

31. San Jose Sharks (19-36-12)

Previous rank: 30th

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008). This is dedicated to Erik Karlsson, who appears to be aging backwards, much like Brad Pitt did in the 2008 drama. Pushing 33, Karlsson has put together his best statistical season to date despite suiting up for the lowly Sharks.

32. Columbus Blue Jackets (20-38-7)

Previous rank: 32nd

"The Room" (2003). So bad, it's good? Sorry Blue Jackets fans, it's been a tough season.

(Analytics sources: Evolving Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the 11th edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for the 2022-23 campaign. Check back for updated rankings every other Monday during the regular season.

In this edition, with the 95th Academy Awards handed out Sunday night, we look to the movies for inspiration and pick one film that sums up each team's season thus far.

1. Boston Bruins (50-10-5)

Previous rank: 1st

"Catch Me If You Can" (2002). Much like Leonardo DiCaprio's portrayal of Frank Abagnale Jr. in this early aughts romp, the NHL-best Bruins have stayed more than one step ahead of the rest of the league thanks to the skill and smarts of their players, coaches, and executives alike.

2. New Jersey Devils (44-16-6)

Previous rank: 3rd

"John Wick" (2014). Few expected the Devils to be this good and this entertaining, much like the Keanu Reeves-driven cult hit and its sequels. Maybe we should have seen it coming in both cases; New Jersey assembled a talented, young core complemented by some skilled vets, and well, Keanu rules. Much like the John Wick movies, the Devils have been much better and more enjoyable to watch than even optimists predicted.

3. Carolina Hurricanes (43-14-8)

Previous rank: 2nd

"The Perfect Storm" (2000). The Hurricanes have been near-perfect in many aspects of the game this season. Of course, a "perfect storm" like the 1991 one depicted in the film entails a combination of negative circumstances. Yet Carolina has overcome a slew of injuries, including major ones to Frederik Andersen and Max Pacioretty.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs (40-17-8)

Previous rank: 4th

"Groundhog Day" (1993). The Maple Leafs have lived the same campaign six years running: regular-season success, followed by first-round failure in the playoffs. Is this the year Auston Matthews and Co. finally escape Punxsutawney?

5. Vegas Golden Knights (41-20-6)

Previous rank: 7th

"Kill Bill: Volume 1" (2003). Jonathan Quick is playing like someone who's sworn revenge on those who doubted his talents. The 37-year-old is 3-0-0 with a .939 save percentage since joining the Golden Knights after being unceremoniously dumped by the Los Angeles Kings.

6. Dallas Stars (36-17-13)

Previous rank: 11th

"The Wild Bunch" (1969). The synopsis for this classic reads, "An aging group of outlaws look for one last big score as the 'traditional' American West is disappearing around them." While the Stars' best player is 23-year-old Jason Robertson, Dallas has nine players who are at least 30, including 38-year-olds Joe Pavelski and Ryan Suter. Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin are seeking the ultimate prize, too, and this team has a shot at it.

7. New York Rangers (37-19-10)

Previous rank: 9th

"The Expendables" (2010). The Rangers are loaded with older stars, especially after adding a couple at the trade deadline. But can such an impressive collection of marquee names meet expectations while sharing the spotlight? Moviegoers had similar questions about Sylvester Stallone's action hero ensemble extravaganza, and fans in Manhattan are probably hoping the Rangers' script turns out a bit better.

8. Tampa Bay Lightning (39-22-6)

Previous rank: 5th

"Diamonds are Forever" (1971). When general manager Julien BriseBois traded five draft picks for Tanner Jeannot at the deadline, the Lightning's motivation was clear: Diamonds (in Stanley Cup rings) are forever.

9. Minnesota Wild (38-21-8)

Previous rank: 15th

"From Russia with Love" (1963). Kirill Kaprizov has been an offensive force for a Wild team that's struggled to score. This upcoming stretch without him will define their season.

10. Colorado Avalanche (36-22-6)

Previous rank: 6th

"Sleeping Beauty" (1959). No one can dance around the fact the Avalanche have underwhelmed throughout the post-championship regular season, but the whole league is hoping Colorado doesn't awake from its lengthy slumber come playoff time.

11. Edmonton Oilers (36-23-8)

Previous rank: 8th

"The Fast and the Furious" (2001). Connor McDavid has raced away with the battle for the Art Ross Trophy - and likely the Hart Trophy too.

12. Los Angeles Kings (38-20-9)

Previous rank: 10th

"Star Trek: Generations" (1994). The Kings are still led by franchise icons Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty, but they continued to transition from the old crew to the new one by trading Quick to the Golden Knights. L.A. has remained relevant by injecting youth and new talent into the equation, just like a certain science fiction franchise did when it brought parts of its two crews together on the big screen.

13. Seattle Kraken (37-22-7)

Previous rank: 13th

"Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" (2004). With only a few weeks left in the regular season, the Kraken find themselves in the thick of the playoff race in the Pacific Division - who saw that coming? Can they make like the Average Joe's crew and go on a run?

14. Winnipeg Jets (38-26-3)

Previous rank: 12th

"Top Gun: Maverick" (2022). The original Jets had many great seasons but were unable to capture a Stanley Cup. Can the current iteration emulate the success of this sequel and find more glory than its 1980s predecessor?

15. Pittsburgh Penguins (34-22-10)

Previous rank: 18th

"The Bourne Identity" (2002). The Penguins appear to have suffered an amnesia-induced identity crisis much like Matt Damon's Jason Bourne. Pittsburgh general manager Ron Hextall either forgot or refused to acknowledge the club's sense of urgency at the deadline given its aging core. Now it may be too late for the Pens to remember who they are, meaning we may not get multiple successful sequels with this team.

16. New York Islanders (34-26-8)

Previous rank: 19th

"No Country For Old Men" (2007). The Islanders own the league's oldest roster by average age and are run by an 80-year-old general manager equally as intimidating as Javier Bardem's performance in the 2008 best picture. That said, we don't expect this New York squad to clean up at any awards shows.

17. Florida Panthers (33-27-7)

Previous rank: 17th

"Cats" (2019). The Panthers haven't been as bad as this ill-fated Andrew Lloyd Webber adaptation - Florida is still in the playoff hunt, after all. But the fact that these Cats have to scratch and claw to try to make the postseason coming off a Presidents' Trophy-winning campaign is a disappointment worthy of CGI-enhanced feline costumes.

18. Calgary Flames (30-24-13)

Previous rank: 20th

"Speed 2: Cruise Control" (1997). The Flames underwent a significant recast for the 2022-23 season, and the result has turned out like most sequels do in Hollywood: a major disappointment.

19. Ottawa Senators (33-29-4)

Previous rank: 21st

"Deadpool" (2016). Yes, there's an obvious Ryan Reynolds connection here. But that's not the only reason this one fits. The Senators aren't doing a conventional retool, and Deadpool's whole appeal is his atypicality. Then there's the playful attitude of the Sens' fanbase. Also, Brady Tkachuk is ultra-skilled and fun to watch, yet intense. Sound familiar?

20. Buffalo Sabres (32-28-5)

Previous rank: 14th

"Everything Everywhere All At Once" (2022). This Sabres season has certainly been a thrill ride. Buffalo is the ultimate high-event team, ranking near the top of the league in both goals for and against. There may not be any awards in the Sabres' immediate future, but their roller-coaster campaign has resembled the absurdist dramedy that won Best Picture on Sunday.

21. Nashville Predators (33-24-7)

Previous rank: 22nd

"About Time" (2013). It's about time the Predators retool with a new general manager at the helm. Barry Trotz stepping in this summer is a much-needed breath of fresh air for a team that's floundered in the middle tier of the league for too long.

22. Washington Capitals (32-28-7)

Previous rank: 23rd

"I Am Legend" (2007). We're not saying Washington's season has been bad enough to be described an apocalyptic hellscape, but the title here is fitting in relation to Alex Ovechkin and his 800th career goal a few months ago - the lone bright spot of a underwhelming year of hockey in D.C.

23. Vancouver Canucks (28-32-5)

Previous rank: 27th

"Horrible Bosses" (2011). This one's pretty self-explanatory. The Canucks have been mismanaged in numerous ways recently, from their atrocious treatment of ex-head coach Bruce Boudreau to their ill-advised roster construction. Unlike the movie, though, the players may not be able to do much about it.

24. Detroit Red Wings (30-27-9)

Previous rank: 16th

"Daddy's Home 2" (2017). The Red Wings dipped into their pocketbooks to add numerous free agents last summer. The result? Another middling season, not unlike this more expensive and underwhelming sequel.

25. St. Louis Blues (29-32-5)

Previous rank: 23rd

"Forgetting Sarah Marshall" (2008). Blues supporters recently endured harsh breakups with two fan favorites in Ryan O'Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko, and while it's fun to reminisce on the glory days those relationships brought, it's best for all parties to find a way to move on.

26. Arizona Coyotes (24-32-11)

Previous rank: 28th

"Bad Boys" (1995). The Coyotes own the league's worst penalty differential at -57. That's a group of bad boys right there.

27. Montreal Canadiens (26-34-6)

Previous rank: 26th

"Home Alone" (1990). The Canadiens have been without their "child" (Cole Caufield) since January, as the talented youngster is done for the season due to injury. He wasn't exactly left behind, but Habs fans have undoubtedly been missing the 22-year-old, who could certainly foil burglars given how capable he is of embarrassing opposing defensemen.

28. Philadelphia Flyers (24-34-11)

Previous rank: 25th

"The New Guy" (2002). This version of the movie stars Daniel Briere, the latest executive tabbed with finding a consistent direction for a Flyers franchise stuck in the mud.

29. Anaheim Ducks (22-35-10)

Previous rank: 31st

"D3: The Mighty Ducks" (1996). Trevor Zegras aside, this season has been more like the third "Mighty Ducks" movie than the first two for Anaheim in terms of quality. It may be a while before the players on the NHL team can call themselves true "Game Changers" like the kids in the new streaming series.

30. Chicago Blackhawks (22-38-6)

Previous rank: 29th

"The Replacements" (2000). It's not exactly subtle that the Blackhawks are gunning for the first overall pick with a lineup that features a dozen players that make you say, "who?"

31. San Jose Sharks (19-36-12)

Previous rank: 30th

"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008). This is dedicated to Erik Karlsson, who appears to be aging backwards, much like Brad Pitt did in the 2008 drama. Pushing 33, Karlsson has put together his best statistical season to date despite suiting up for the lowly Sharks.

32. Columbus Blue Jackets (20-38-7)

Previous rank: 32nd

"The Room" (2003). So bad, it's good? Sorry Blue Jackets fans, it's been a tough season.

(Analytics sources: Evolving Hockey, Natural Stat Trick)

Copyright © 2023 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Interim Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere sees a long road ahead for the organization to get where it wants to be, but he isn't interested in a complete teardown.

"We have to be careful. I want to make sure that 'rebuild' doesn't mean fire sale," Briere said at his introductory press conference Sunday, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.

"There's a big difference between the two. So I want to make that clear. We're not going to get rid of everybody. We have some good players here, some players that are in certain roles that we're going to keep as well."

Briere was handed the reins to the front office Friday after the club fired Chuck Fletcher, who held the GM position for four-plus seasons. The Flyers only made the playoffs once under his tenure, and Fletcher drew plenty of criticism over the past two campaigns for a long list of transactions that failed to keep Philadelphia competitive.

Fletcher brought Briere aboard as a special assistant in 2022. The former Flyers winger doesn't believe his lack of experience running an NHL team will be an issue.

"There's no doubt in my mind that I can do the job," he said. "I'm going to have some great people around me as well. It's not something that I'm going to do alone. I'm not gonna lie: It's something that I saw myself doing from early on when I was playing. I always believed that I could be in this position one day."

The Flyers have won only two of their past 10 games and sit 26th in the league standings with a 24-31-11 record.

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