NHL Weekly Recap: Feb. 28
Atlantic
The Panthers have lost three straight games while still being in first while Tampa Bay sits one point back of them in the standings.
The Lightning are on a four-game win streak and seem content with their team at the moment.
Toronto let in seven goals and beat the Red Wings by scoring 10, which basically sums up its season. The Leafs also placed defenseman Jake Muzzin on LTIR to clear cap space.
The Bruins are an odd team that can struggle on any given night and are really carried by their top line.
Detroit will look to continue to add to its team for the future at the deadline because the Red Wings are mostly out of the playoff race.
The Sabres have been shopping defenseman Colin Miller around and one of his potential landing spots is actually in the division in Toronto.
The last place Canadiens have the longest winning streak in the NHL at the moment with five after Martin St. Louis took over as coach and Tyler Toffoli was traded.
Metropolitan
The Hurricanes continue to cruise through the regular season with the most points of any Eastern Conference team, but the question is if they can get it done in the playoffs.
Pittsburgh has also been very good this season but there are rumblings that the Penguins are frustrated with forward Kasperi Kapanen and he could be shipped out of town.
The Rangers’ accelerated rebuild is off to a strong start as they will more likely than not face the Penguins in the first round.
Washington has struggled recently going 5-5 in its last ten, but the Capitals should be a lock for the playoffs.
Believe it or not, the Blue Jackets are the closest to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference as they sit ten points behind Washington.
The Islanders have been fielding trade calls on notable players like Josh Bailey, Semyon Varlamov and Zdeno Chara so they will most likely be out of the playoff race.
In Philadelphia it may be time to call up some of the young guys as the Flyers have fallen completely out of the playoff race.
The Devils continue to sit in the basement of the Metro.
Central
Colorado has 82 points this year and is a clear favorite for the President’s Trophy, but the Avalanche have not been able to get it done in the postseason recently.
The Blues are going to look for defensive help at the deadline and goaltender Ville Husso may be taking over for Jordan Binnington soon.
Minnesota has gotten contributions up and down the lineup which has helped them into a playoff position.
The Predators made lots of noise earlier this week when it was announced that they were shopping superstar forward Filip Forsberg ahead of the trade deadline.
Dallas has approached forward Joe Pavelski about a contract extension as they sit just two points out of a playoff spot.
Winnipeg is likely out of the playoff race after four straight losses and the Coyotes still have Jakub Chychrun, so it will be an interesting trade deadline for them.
Pacific
The Flames had probably the quietest ten game winning streak of all-time and now sit in first place in the Pacific Division.
Los Angeles has outshot opponents in its last 20 games and now sit in second place.
The Golden Knights have lost two straight and tapered off a little since goaltender Robin Lehner was placed on injured reserve.
It looks like Evander Kane was the offensive spark the Oilers needed to get back into the playoff race as they sit in a Wild Card position.
Anaheim has slipped in the month of February and is 4-4-2 in its last 10 games and sit just outside of the playoffs now.
The Canucks seem to be making a playoff push while also shopping JT Miller.
San Jose is out of the playoffs after going 2-4-4 in its last ten and will now have to decide whether to trade or re-sign superstar center Tomas Hertl.
James Morrison is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email jpm6920@psu.edu.
