As the NHL pauses so that its stars can compete in Sochi, Aaron Powers takes the opportunity to assess his pre-season predictions.
With the 2014 Winter Games upon us, the NHL sends its best to Sochi to represent their respective countries. While the Olympic break falls beyond the halfway point (all teams will have played nearly 60 of their 82 games), it still seems like a good time for a quick recap of the season so far and a preview of the homestretch to come. We’ll look at my preseason predictions and whether or not the teams have stood up to those predictions, or, completely surprised with their quality of play or lack thereof.
Atlantic Division
It’s no surprise that the Boston Bruins sit atop the Atlantic. Their physical play and recent offensive explosion have kept them at No.1. The Bs have overcome some significant injuries and will have to keep doing so after losing workhorse Dennis Seidenberg for the season to a leg injury. The Tampa Bay Lightning have been playing well, and have done so without star Steven Stamkos since Veteran’s Day. They’re holding tight to the No. 2 spot. The Montreal Canadiens have had an up and down season, and it’s mostly been down as of late, losing four straight in January. They’ll have to fight to stave off the Toronto Maple Leafs for the No. 3 spot. The Leafs are keeping a tight grip on the first wild card spot in the East. They’re 20-10-1 at home and should make the playoffs for the second year in a row.
The move to the East hasn’t been all that kind to the Detroit Red Wings, who are a sub .500 team at home and have only won 8 of 18 games in their new division. The Ottawa Senators are right on the Wings’ heels, but unless they really turn it on in the final 20 games, they’ll stay home come April. The Florida Panthers are right where they’re used to being, near the bottom of their division. The only reason they aren’t last is due to the dismal effort thus far of the Buffalo Sabres. New GM Tim Murray hasn’t made the difference yet and Buffalo has only won 15 out of 55 games, posting a league-low 38 points. Look for players like goalie Ryan Miller to garner attention come the March trade deadline.
Aaron’s Preseason Ranking:
Boston
Detroit
Tampa Bay
Montreal
Ottawa
Toronto
Buffalo
Florida
Current Standings:
Boston
Tampa Bay
Montreal
Toronto
Detroit
Ottawa
Florida
Buffalo
Metropolitan Division
Often hailed as the best team on paper, the Pittsburgh Penguins have been one of the best on the ice as well. They’re 23-4-0 at home this season, and have a healthy 15-point lead on the second place New York Rangers. The Rangers started out slow, but have picked up steam under new coach Alain Vigneault. The third place Columbus Blue Jackets have enjoyed their move to the East, and are right in the mix for the No. 2 or 3 spot in the Metro. They’ll have to keep their foot on the pedal to outpace the oncoming Philadelphia Flyers, who despite some defensive woes, are still in the playoff hunt, either via the No. 3 spot or the second wild card berth.
The Carolina Hurricanes, the New Jersey Devils, and the Washington Capitals all have 59 points. It says something about how well the Canes are playing, but even more about the disappointing seasons the Devils and Caps are having. The New York Islanders bring up the rear in the No. 8 spot, and fans in Long Island most likely cannot wait to get the hell out of Nassau Coliseum, where the Isles are 8-12-8 this year.
Aaron’s Preseason Ranking:
Pittsburgh
Washington
Philadelphia
New York Rangers
New Jersey
New York Islanders
Columbus
Carolina
Currents Standings:
Pittsburgh
New York Rangers
Columbus
Philadelphia
Carolina
New Jersey
Washington
New York Islanders
Central Division
To no one’s astonishment, the Chicago Blackhawks sit at No. 1 in the Central. While they didn’t post a record-setting opening two months like they did last season, the defending Cup champs still have the second best points total in the league and are the first team to score over 200 goals. But the St. Louis Blues aren’t far behind, trailing Chicago by only two points. Again, the story in St. Louis has been goaltending, where Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott have posted the league’s best goal differential (+59) and are third in number of goals allowed (130). The Colorado Avalanche took off like a shot—perhaps due to the intensity of first-year coach Patrick Roy—and won 10 of their first 11 games in October. They’re sitting comfortably at No. 3 with the 4th place Minnesota Wild 10 points back. The Wild have been another dominant home team at 20-7-2, but have had their woes on the road, where they’re only 10-14-5.
The Dallas Stars seem to have found their way under Lindy Ruff, and no player more so than Tyler Seguin, who, at his natural center position, has posted 55 pts (24G/31A). Look for the Stars to challenge for a wild card spot in the West. The No. 6 Winnipeg Jets are surprisingly right behind the Stars and have posted nearly identical home and road records. Unfortunately, both of those records are hovering around .500. The Nashville Predators are only two points behind Winnipeg, but the Preds biggest Achilles’ heel this season has been games that stretch beyond three periods. They’ve lost nine in OT, and are only 1-7 in shootouts this season.
Aaron’s Preseason Ranking:
Chicago
St. Louis
Dallas
Colorado
Nashville
Minnesota
Winnipeg
Current Standings:
Chicago
St. Louis
Colorado
Minnesota
Dallas
Winnipeg
Nashville
Pacific Division
I imagine Teemu Selanne is very happy that he came back for another go-round with the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks boast a league-leading 85 points and are second only to Chicago in number of goals scored (191). They’re definitely poised to run away with the Pacific. Though the second place San Jose Sharks probably don’t like looking up at their rivals, their play keeps belying their age and they won’t have to worry too much about giving up the No. 2 spot any time soon. The third-place Los Angeles Kings are 10 points back and are in the middle of a slump, posting a 1-8-1 record in their last 10. They’d better find their way out if they want to remain in the playoff picture.
Speaking of slumps, the Vancouver Canucks have dropped five straight, the first coming against Edmonton on January 27th and continuing through coach John Tortorella’s return from his 15-day suspension. The Nucks need to find the fire and passion that their coach found following the opening puck line brawl against the Flames on January 18th. If they don’t, they’ll give up their second wild card spot to the Phoenix Coyotes. The Yotes have been a decent team this season, and are really the last team that will compete for a playoff spot in the West. The Calgary Flames are 13 points back of Phoenix and, just as with Florida, can thank the more-than-subpar play of a division mate (in this case the Edmonton Oilers) for not being in last place. Edmonton has only won 19 of 58 games, and seem to be contending with Buffalo for who can set the standard for worst in the NHL.
Aaron’s Preseason Ranking:
Anaheim
Vancouver
Los Angeles
San Jose
Calgary
Edmonton
Phoenix
Current Standings:
Anaheim
San Jose
Los Angeles
Vancouver
Phoenix
Calgary
Edmonton
When the NHL season resumes on February 25th, every team will have a clear picture of what they’ll be playing for over the next month and a half. There will be jockeying for playoff position, home ice advantage, or, deciding what hotel and golf course looks the best for that first week away once the season ends. (Buffalo and Edmonton, you might want to book your reservations now). There will be some new faces on new teams come the trade deadline, and team identities will need to be solidified before the battle for Lord Stanley’s Cup begins. Until then, let’s enjoy Sochi and the spirit of international hockey competition. Unless you’re rooting for a squad that’s not Team Canada. Then you’re just out of luck. (Sorry, Slovenia).
Photo: Gene J. Puskar, AP
Question… Are mens rights activists for or against the Sochi olympics???