For fans, All-Star weekend means watching the world's best players "compete" in a series of league-sanctioned events to grow the game. For players and coaches, the break provides a barometer of where a team lies heading into the stretch run of the season, and this year, it's as close as ever.

Remarkably, 12 of the 14 NHL clubs outside the playoff picture are within seven points of a spot, the outliers being the lowly Coyotes and Avalanche, who at this point have a snowballs chance in hell of making it.

Here's a look at the ground the outsiders will have to make up once festivities in Los Angeles conclude:

Eastern Conference (cut-line: 56 points)

The Islanders have surged up the standings since Doug Weight took over behind the bench, moving from last place into striking distance with games in hand.

Elsewhere, the Panthers and Lightning - both heavily expected to make the playoffs this season - have some work to do, while the Red Wings' 25-year playoff streak is in jeopardy, but remains salvageable.

Western Conference (cut-line: 53 points)

Save for the last two entries, the West is even closer than the East.

While the 16 teams slotted in postseason positions may feel comfortable right now, remember, the two teams - the Pittsburgh Penguins and San Jose Sharks - that reached the Stanley Cup Final last season, sat near the basement of their respective conferences last season at the midway point.

So as riveting as the skills competition and All-Star Game will be, try not to wear yourself out folks, because the regular season's final push is going to be a wild ride.

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How 'bout those Edmonton Oilers?

After their second road win in as many nights over a Pacific Division competitor - 4-1 over the San Jose Sharks - the Oilers sit in a tie for first place with 64 points at the All-Star break. This is not a drill.

The victory gives Edmonton a 7-0-1 record over their past eight games, and a win over San Jose - a team they've beat just four times in regulation over their last 32 attempts - shows a changing of the guard for a franchise finally on an upswing.

"I think it's a feather in the cap of the players," head coach Todd McLellan said upon notching first place, according to Eric Gilmore of NHL.com. "They bought into a system, they bought into each other, they care about each other. To scratch and claw and win on the road in theses last two games in very tough buildings is something we should be proud of and we should be confident with, but it's only the All-Star break."

McLellan's right, it is only the All-Star break, but the Oilers snapping their 10-season playoff drought looks like all but a formality at this point. Edmonton is 11 points clear of its wild-card chasers 51 games in, and as their past two games have shown, the Oilers are very well competitive with the best the Pacific has to offer.

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The Pacific Division has an interesting blend of teams, ranging from Stanley Cup contenders to attentive lottery ball watchers.

Regardless of their positions in the standings, each team has chips on the table in the trade market leading up to March 1.

Here's a look at some Pacific candidates who could have a new home for the stretch run:

Anaheim Ducks

Several teams will be dialing Bob Murray's number for the next month and beyond.

The Ducks own a surplus of reliable defenseman, and seek an extra piece up front to solidify an underachieving attack.

Cam Fowler's name has been tossed around all season, but is Anaheim better off with him or without him for the postseason? Depends on the price.

If Murray is unwilling to deal one of his top-four blueliners, Josh Manson, Shea Theodore, and pending unrestricted free agent Korbinian Holzer could draw attention.

Arizona Coyotes

We've got some options here.

The Coyotes aren't going anywhere this season, and yet again, Martin Hanzal is the subject of many calls heading John Chayka's way. The 6-foot-6 pivot could be a dream rental for a contender, with his contract expiring following the season.

Beyond Hanzal, franchise icon Shane Doan could be available, but that's up to him. Elsewhere, 26-year-old right-handed defenseman Michael Stone - and his expiring contract - is circulating the rumor mill in the desert.

Calgary Flames

The Flames are in the thick of the wild-card race, but don't have a ton of expendable assets.

If they fall out of contention, Kris Versteeg - a staple in trade deadline discussions in recent years - could likely haul in a draft pick or two from a team heading to the playoffs.

That said, if they look poised to lock down a playoff spot come deadline day, staying the course might be the best bet.

Edmonton Oilers

For the first time in a long time, it looks like the Oilers will be buyers.

With a core so young and few relevant contracts set to expire, Edmonton's surplus of 2017 draft picks - a pair of third- and fifth-round picks - might be the only pieces shipped out of town.

The Oilers have been linked to big names in Kevin Shattenkirk and Jarome Iginla, but they will require Peter Chiarelli to heavily sweeten the pot.

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings will need to be the Kings again if they want to reach the postseason. With just 48 points, Los Angeles is three points out.

General manager Dean Lombardi doesn't have much wiggle room to add, but if the club winds up selling, forward Dwight King could be movable.

King was a solid role player on Los Angeles' two Cup-winning teams, and could be a serviceable rental for a team searching for some depth.

San Jose Sharks

Perhaps no team has a better outlook to its roster than the Sharks.

San Jose returned nearly the exact roster that reached the Stanley Cup Final last season, and that squadron has them in contention for top spot in the Pacific.

The Sharks have minimal cap space, few enticing draft picks, and their only major expiring contracts are Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau, who won't be dealt ahead of the playoff push.

Vancouver Canucks

Like many others, the Canucks are in wait-and-see mode.

Unexpectedly vying for a playoff spot, Vancouver is still very much in a rebuild, and have stated they won't be dealing picks just to make the postseason.

If Vancouver falls down the standings, dealing Alex Burrows - if he's willing to waive his no-trade clause - could be an option for management.

The playoff-experienced 35-year-old will be a UFA July 1, and could prove useful on a contending team.

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The Battle of Alberta wasn't much of a fight this season.

With star pieces in place on both sides and growing optimism for a renewed rivalry between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, it was Edmonton that did all the damage, winning their fourth of four meetings Saturday night - the first ever season sweep over their divisional foes.

Suffice to say, Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan was none too thrilled about dropping another crucial game to a team they're chasing in the standings - on home ice, no less.

"I think we need to relook at everything," Gulutzan said. "How we play without a lead is probably, maybe, the top thing on the list."

"It's embarrassing," he added.

Gulutzan isn't wrong, the Oilers outscored the Flames 21-11 this season.

Calgary remains slotted in the second Western Conference wild-card position with 51 points, one point clear of the surging Canucks, who own two games in hand.

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Pheonix Copley: You're up, kid.

As the sliding St. Louis Blues - Jake Allen aside - gear up for Saturday's contest in Winnipeg, head coach Ken Hitchcock announced the 25-year-old netminder will earn his first career start.

The Blues are just 4-6 over their last 10 games, allowing 36 goals in that span. Enter Copley, who's tasked with providing St. Louis some stability as they look to reset.

In case you haven't heard of him, don't be alarmed, Copley's flown well under the radar to reach this point.

The native of North Pole, Alaska (seriously) went undrafted, and played college hockey at Michigan Tech. From there, Copley's played in the ECHL, followed by three seasons in the AHL.

With St. Louis' farm team - the Chicago Wolves - Copley has put together an 11-4-1 record with a .920 save percentage and 2.32 goals-against average.

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With veteran winger Clarke MacArthur ruled out for the rest of the season, Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said Friday that he's looking to add some forward depth.

However, Dorion's not willing to pay an extravagant price in his quest to bolster his club's attack.

Several teams are reportedly inquiring about recent world junior darlings and Senators property Colin White and Thomas Chabot, according to Bruce Garrioch of The Ottawa Citizen, but it doesn't sound like any deals involving them are going to happen.

"Right now, the asking prices are ridiculous almost for rentals and non-rentals," Dorion said. "We're comfortable with what we have here. We're prepared to give up something to get something. You can't just (give up) top-end players for seventh-round picks."

As of right now, the Senators sit second in the tight Atlantic playoff race with 52 points, but a jolt to the offense could be necessary for the stretch run - Ottawa averages 2.56 goals per game, ranking 21st league-wide.

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This year's NHL All-Star Skills Competition will look a little different.

Introducing the "Four Line Challenge."

With no breakaway challenge this year, the NHL will implement the new competition as a replacement, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. The "Four Line Challenge" will entail players attempting to hit targets in the net from the near blue line, red line, far blue line and far goal line.

Here's the exciting part: goalies will be allowed to participate from the farthest distance if they so please, and will be awarded extra points if they're capable of getting it done.

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Baby steps.

Winnipeg Jets' star rookie Patrik Laine returned to the ice Wednesday, but there is still "no time frame" for his return to game action, head coach Paul Maurice said.

Laine was concussed Jan. 7 following a devastating open-ice hit from Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe.

The 18-year-old goal-scoring aficionado has recorded 21 goals and 16 assists in 42 games this season, and his production has been sorely missed as the Jets have stumbled to a 1-3-1 record in his absence.

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Brandon Wheat Kings forward Nolan Patrick remains in the No. 1 spot on NHL Central Scouting's rankings for the 2017 NHL Draft.

The NHL released its midterm draft rankings Wednesday, and the 6-foot-3, 198-pound pivot leads the pack of North American skaters. Patrick missed 35 games and the world juniors with an upper-body injury, but has scored six goals and 13 points in eight games since returning.

Here's a look at how the rest of the field plays out:

North American skaters

European skaters

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Fans aren't the only ones that awe at Erik Karlsson.

Upon visiting the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night, opposing head coach Ken Hitchcock marveled at the swift blue-liner's skill set.

"He's a great skater but it's his anticipation that puts him ahead of everybody," Hitchcock told Bruce Garrioch of The Ottawa Citizen. "It's his reads, when to jump, when to go, when to attack. He just seems to be a step ahead mentally (of) most players playing that position."

The Ottawa Senators captain lived up to the praise, delivering what's become a standard one-assist, two-hit, five-block performance in 24:16 of ice time, a key cog in the 6-4 win.

Hitchcock went on to coin Karlsson's unique style of play with a special term.

"We consider him to be an offenseman and we consider him to be a guy that's dangerous when you have the puck," Hitchcock said. "If you have the puck, and you make a puck error and he's on the ice, he will make you pay for it every time. That's just what exceptional thinkers do."

He has a point. After all, not too many defensemen lead their teams in scoring three seasons in a row, and counting:

It's no wonder Karlsson has two Norris Trophies to his name.

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