NHL Top 10: Feb. 23
No. 10 Winnipeg Jets
Defense is what slots Winnipeg in the last spot of this week’s top 10.
Ranking 4th on the penalty kill this season, assistant captain Josh Morrissey acts as the glue to the thriving defensive core.
They will need to maintain recent success to prevent the passing of creeping wild card teams.
No. 9 Vegas Golden Knights
Bruce Cassidy has done an impeccable job with this franchise in his first season as head coach.
The Golden Knights are tied with the 4th best away record in the NHL, 17-5-5 as of Feb. 22.
Lack of consistent goaltending is what prevents this franchise from a higher spot on this list.
No. 8 Edmonton Oilers
McDavid, McDavid, McDavid, oh, and Leon Draisitl.
The potent duo needs Yamamoto, Hyman and Foegele to take bigger roles in the lineup during the final stretch.
Visiting the Western Conference finals last year, a few changes can make a difference in northern Alberta.
No. 7 Dallas Stars
Along with the aging core, young stars like Heiskanen and Hintz have paved a way of success for the Stars.
Between the pipes is Jake Oettinger who has easily become one of the star netminders of the NHL.
Peter DeBoer, the head coach, has cup final experience that can help this team achieve greatness.
No. 6 Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning are holding their own in the Atlantic under the shadow of the big bad Bruins.
Stamkos, Kucherov and Hedman aren’t going anywhere.
There is no denying that the Bolts are here to compete, they have everything it takes to lift the thirty four and a half pound piece of silver this summer.
No. 5 Toronto Maple Leafs
Additions of Ryan O’Rielly and Noel Acciari from the Blues, the Leafs are a problem.
Despite their efforts in recent playoffs have been below expectations, the new Toronto look has a different buzz this season.
A date with the Lightning to be expected in the future, the Leafs should focus hard on clinching home ice.
No. 4 New Jersey Devils
One unexpected 13 game win streak in the first leg of the season set this team up for success.
The average age of a New Jersey Devil is 25.9 which is freighting for the future of the Metro division.
With Timo Meier on the radar, Devils fans should be excited for what this season could entail.
No. 3 Carolina Hurricanes
At the top of the Metropolitan Division, the Brind’Amour ran Canes can fire from all cylinders.
Scoring threats on all forward lines coming from the likes of Derek Stepan, Martin Necas and veteran Paul Stastny.
An unfortunate end to last season leaves high hopes for Carolina this upcoming playoffs.
No. 2 New York Rangers
The acquisitions of Tarasenko and Mikkola was momentum shifting for the New York Rangers.
With an Eastern Conference appearance under their belt, the only thing holding them back are themselves.
No. 1 Boston Bruins
Boston has been at the number one spot all year and there are no signs of them slowing down.
Approaching 100 points before the trade deadline sets up the B’s for a President’s Trophy winning season.
Who knows how much gas these Bruin veterans have left in the tank after this year.
Ethan Zaretsky is a third-year studying broadcast journalism and minoring in sports studies. To contact him, email:emz5126@psu.edu
