NHL Top 10: Feb. 1
We’re heading into the NHL All-Star Break. Teams are ready to kick back, relax and rejuvenate after a hard-fought first half. Which teams land in the top 10 this week?
10. Vegas Golden Knights
Heading into the break, the Golden Knights have been struggling recently. They’re 2-6-2 in their last 10 games which has them slipping in the standings and in the rankings. Chandler Stephenson leads the team with 44 points and with Matty Beniers dropping out of the All-Star Game, Stephenson will be taking his place.
9. New York Rangers
With 14 points in their last 10 games, the Rangers have created separation between them and the Washington Capitals for third in the Metropolitan Division.
Mika Zibanejad leads the team with 22 goals and Artemi Panarin leads with 50 points in 49 games. Goaltender Igor Shesterkin has been solid yet again this year with his 2.46 goals against average and .918 save percentage.
8. Seattle Kraken
After a quiet inaugural season, the Kraken are the current kings of the Pacific Division. Their record heading into the break sits at 29-15-5.
Seattle won 27 games total last season, but thanks to production all up and down the lineup, the Kraken could reach 50 wins or more. Their ability to roll all four lines has been their biggest strength.
7. Winnipeg Jets
The first year under Rick Bowness has been very good for the Jets. Kyle Connor dominates the scoresheet every game and Connor Hellebuyck just doesn’t allow goals. The Jets are second in the central and just one point behind the Dallas Stars for first.
6. Dallas Stars
Another team under a new coach in Peter DeBoer, the Stars are first in the central. After scoring a career-high 38 goals last season, Jason Robertson has netted 33 in 51 goals. Another notable player that has had a great impact on the team is Jake Oettinger who has a 2.26 GAA and a .923 save percentage.
5. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning are doing Lightning type things as of late, winners of eight out of 10 and hitting milestones along the way.
Steven Stamkos recently scored his 500th goal and Nikita Kucherov has been fantastic, scoring 72 points in 48 games. Tampa will always be in the cup conversation no matter where they are in the standings.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
The Leafs are having another great season at 31-12-8, but will they ever get past the first round?
It was discovered Auston Matthew had a knee injury, keeping him out for the next three weeks. But even without Matthews, Toronto is 31-17-2, so the panic might not be as pressing.
3. New Jersey Devils
Arguably the hottest team in the league rests in New Jersey.
Jack Hughes has been nothing less than phenomenal all season long with his 64 points and 33 goals. The Devils are very likely to see their first playoff action since 2018.
They will finally be buyers and if the offense and solid goaltending continues, the Devils might be in the cup conversation as one of the younger teams in the league.
2. Carolina Hurricanes
Raleigh, your Carolina Hurricanes are absolutely dominating night in and night out.
33-9-8 has them first in the Metropolitan division and second in the league. Players like Martin Necas are stepping up in a big way. Carolina does everything right and shows little signs of weakness while doing so.
The Hurricanes shouldn’t be satisfied if they win the division, as another Stanley Cup in the trophy case is what they are focused on.
1. Boston Bruins
Even with their recent three-game losing streak, the Bruins are still on a historic pace to finish with one of the best regular season records ever.
Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci don’t know what aging is, goalies are terrified of David Pastrnak and Linus Ullmark is dominant in the crease. The Presidents’ Trophy is a great achievement, but the curse is out there.
2011 was their last championship, will we see another parade for the Bruins in 2023?
Anthony Desher is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acd5698@psu.edu.
