1: Pittsburgh Penguins (42-21-5)
Nine wins in a row, and the Atlantic Division title isn’t a distant goal for the 2099 Stanley Cup championships. All this success recently have come when the Penguins are without Kris Letang and Sidney Crosby. Add Crosby in the mix this week, and this Penguins team is the current dangerous team in the East.
2: St. Louis Blues (45-18-7)
Blues don’t exactly have a superstar on their roster, which is probably why they are doing so great, keeping the cap space spread out all kinds of talent. Ken Hitchcock knows what he’s doing, why wan’t this guy out of work before the Blues hired him?
3: New York Rangers (43-18-7)
Slipping a little in March, but going to give them a break. They have been atop the Eastern Conference for so long, they are due for a cold streak. If you’re a Rangers fan, hope this doesn’t carry into the playoffs, if so, there will be problems for the Rangers. Especially with divisional rival Pittsburgh Penguins on a very hot streak.
4: Philadelphia Flyers (39-22-7)
Said all season, until Ilya Bryzgalov came back to earth, the Flyers would remain out of out top 5. Well, Bryzgalov had 3 shutouts in one week, and was named this week’s NHL number one star. With solid goaltending and Claude Giroux embarrassing goaltenders, the Flyers could be dangerous come playoff time.
5: Nashville Predators (40-21-7)
Made the right trade deadline moves and it’s paying off. A Stanley Cup win come June would be nice, but too many lethal teams in the West. Unless Pekka Rinne can keep up his super star play carrying the team on his back.
Honorable Mentions:
New Jersey Devils (40-24-5)
Sure they are not fun to watch and overshadowed by the Rangers. But, who cares? They are tied with the Flyers with 85 points, and winning hockey games. And needless to say, the new and improved two way play from Ilya Kovalchuk is what’s keeping the Devils alive. As well as David Clarkson’s offensive contribution.
Detroit Red Wings (44-22-3)
Injuries to most of their star players have been hurting them. Playing OK without them, they will need some help if they wan’t to keep up with the Blues in the Central division.
Vancouver Canucks (42-19-8)
I get a lot of harsh comments from fans saying I show no love for the Canucks. Don’t get me wrong they are a talented team, but the Sedin’s are not the answer to winning a Stanley Cup. And after losing to Montreal Saturday night, they remain out of our top 5. It’s the Canadiens, everyone is beating them these days.
Pucking Hockey
All Rights Reserved
