NHL Weekly Recap: December 9
In Week 9 of the NHL season the first-place Florida Panthers became the first team to reach 40 points on the season.
The Lightning are on a five-game winning streak and recently claimed Riley Nash off waivers to boost the bottom six forwards.
Nash had zero points in 15 games with the Winnipeg Jets.
Toronto is 11 points ahead of the Red Wings in the division but are dealing with some roster issues as star player Mitchell Marner was placed on injured reserve and Jason Spezza was suspended six games.
Spezza is currently appealing the suspension.
Detroit is on a three-game losing streak as it looks for a wild card spot.
The Bruins have only played 23 games so far but have 28 points.
Goaltending has been an issue for them, but Elliott Friedman says that Tuukka Rask will sign with the Bruins once he is ready to play again.
The Jake DeBrusk market is heating up as the Flames, Blues and Rangers have been interested, according to Emily Kaplan.
The Sabres have lost six straight and the news gets worse as center Casey Mittelstadt will be out long term with an injury.
Montreal is also riding a six-game losing streak and is in last place.
Metropolitan Division
The Rangers are in first place in the Metro, but they will look to remain there even with starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin was placed on injured reserve.
Washington is currently in second and followed by the surging Hurricanes who are on a three-game win streak.
The Penguins are on a three-game winning streak but just lost Jake Guentzel to injury as he is now week-to-week.
The Blue Jackets and Devils sit just outside the playoffs as of right now.
Philadelphia has fired Alain Vigneault as head coach as the team sits near last place and replaced him with Mike Yeo.
The Islanders currently sit in last.
Central Division
The Minnesota Wild are on an eight-game win streak and now hold a six-point lead in the Central Division standings.
Nashville is also on a four-game winning streak and Colorado is on a three-game winning streak and are in second and third, respectively, in the division.
St. Louis is playing with multiple players out but still holds a wild card spot.
The Jets had top defenseman Neal Pionk suspended two games while they will also lose their captain Blake Wheeler long term with a knee injury, according to Josh Wegman.
David Pagnotta said the Blackhawks will inevitably move defenseman Calvin de Haan by the deadline.
Pacific Division
The Calgary Flames have lost three straight games but still sit atop the Pacific Division.
Anaheim continues its breakout campaign as rookie Trevor Zegras had the assist of the year this week on Sonny Milano’s goal.
The Oilers have lost four straight but still sit in third place.
San Jose is two points out of a wild card spot but is beginning to shop underperforming forward Kevin LaBanc.
The Kings have activated top prospect Quinton Byfield from injured reserve and reassigned him to the AHL.
Vancouver fired coach Travis Green and general manager Jim Benning after a bad start to the season.
Bruce Boudreau was named the head coach right after the firing and former Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford was named the president of hockey operations.
Emily Kaplan also reports Canucks forward JT Miller may be on the move this season.
James Morrison is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jpm6920@psu.edu.
