Every Tuesday, theScore's editors will examine the fortunes of the north's seven NHL franchises. Welcome to "O Canada."

Calgary Flames

Plus: The Flames have split their last four games and have looked solid doing so. This is in large part due to the club's defense, which has held the opposition to fewer than 30 shots in eight straight games.

Minus: Mikael Backlund leads the Flames in scoring. With all due respect to the Swedish forward, this should not be the case. Johnny Gaudreau can be given a pass - having missed time with an injury - but it doesn't excuse Sean Monahan.

The 22-year-old is on pace to score fewer than 20 goals for the first time in his career this season and 20 fewer points than he did one season ago.

Take: The Flames have benefited of late by playing largely underwhelming competition. That being said, they are still picking up points. Though, they will need to be ready for when they start to go toe-to-toe with the heavyweights of the West.

Edmonton Oilers

Plus: Patrick Maroon is making it really easy to forget about Taylor Hall. The Oilers forward has reprised the former's role on the left side of the club's top line and is thriving. Maroon was named the league's second star for his five goals last week, and because of that, he now paces the team in that category.

Minus: While Maroon continues to score at an alarming rate and Connor McDavid does his thing, Jordan Eberle's struggles have flown under the radar. Eberle is currently riding a 14-game goalless skid with just five assists in that span. While we're at it, Milan Lucic has been silent of late as well, going goalless in his last seven games.

Take: The Oilers brass finally came to its senses and sent fourth overall pick Jesse Puljujarvi to the American Hockey League on Monday. After a slow start to his career, it's exactly what the 18-year-old needs to rekindle his scoring touch and get some valuable minutes under his belt.

Montreal Canadiens

Plus: Bring in the reinforcements. The Canadiens should finally be getting some help, as Alex Galchenyuk and Andrei Markov are expected back any time now after spending time in the injury ward.

Minus: The return of the players above will be much appreciated, especially considering that Brendan Gallagher has gone down with another fractured hand.

Take: Despite numerous injuries, the Canadiens continue to trek on. The club remains atop the Atlantic Division and if Galchenyuk can pick up where he left off prior to his injury, the Canadiens should be in cruise control heading into the postseason.

Ottawa Senators

Plus: While he has gone 1-2-0, Mike Condon has amassed a .933 save percentage in his last three games. Condon still has the club clinging to a playoff spot even while the team's offense remains shotty.

Minus: Bobby Ryan has now gone five straight games without a single point. The 29-year-old was also mysteriously scratched against the Washington Capitals on Saturday with neither the player or coach explaining why.

Is there something going on behind the scenes or is it just for his poor play this season? Either way, it's not good.

Take: Despite the Senators managing to hold onto a playoff spot, their offense must improve. The club boasts the 22nd-ranked power play overall and the 27th best at home, something's got to give.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Plus: This is a recording: Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are the real deal.

Minus: In another all-too-familiar trend, the Maple Leafs continue to blow leads at an alarming rate. Sure they got away with it during the Centennial Classic, but it caught up with them once again against Washington a week ago. They also found a way to throw away a game against the Canadiens, after fighting back from two goals down. The team needs to batten down the hatches.

Take: The club's current bye-week will help no one more than Frederik Andersen. After going a stretch of 16 straight games without allowing more than three goals against, Andersen has now conceded four-plus in three of his last four outings.

Andersen has played 33 of the club's 39 games this season. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are reportedly not seeking a stable backup goaltender. If Toronto remains keen on making the playoffs, then the Leafs need to be careful not to burn their No. 1 goalie out.

Vancouver Canucks

Plus: Bo Horvat has arrived. The 2013 first-round pick is on his way to shattering career marks thanks in large to a streak that sees him with 13 points in his last 13 games.

What's shocking is that during that streak he has mustered three or more shots in a game just once. If he can start shooting more and with some puck luck, he could really take off.

Minus: The Canucks have been lightning it up without much help from their power play. The team has connected on just 14.1 percent of its man advantages this season. If Vancouver can get its power-play rolling, then a trip to the postseason looks good.

Take: The Canucks continue to defy preseason predictions, looking to have turned their season around after a dismal start. Being sellers at the trade deadline might still be best for the team long term, but until they fall out of the race, enjoy the ride Canucks fans.

Winnipeg Jets

Plus: Connor Hellebuyck recorded his third shutout of the season on Monday. It's one game, but its exactly the type of performance the Jets need if they want to jump back into the playoffs.

Minus: Losing Patrik Laine to concussion is a big loss to the Jets' lineup.

Take: Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers, Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little will help fill Laine's void, and there's no reason why the Jets can't carry on without the rookie phenom.

The Jets are stacked with offensive talent, but it's the other side of the puck they need to worry about.

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