NHL Off the Post: December 27th

NHL action is ready to resume following a brief holiday break. Here's a look at five teams recent fortunes as we prepare to flip the calendar over to 2025 next week. 

The Winnipeg Jets have been cruising through the season, establishing themselves as one of the NHL’s top contenders. With a 12-3-1 record on home ice, the Jets’ ability to defend their territory has been second to none. They'll begin a brief two-game homestand on Saturday against Ottawa and 10 of their next 11 contests will be at home. The Jets shutout victory over Minnesota last week solidified their dominance, showcasing both a potent offense and a steadfast defense. While challenges from the fast-charging Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars loom large in the Central Division, the Jets’ trajectory suggests they’ll continue to soar.

At 8-3 over their last 11 games, the Boston Bruins continue to strike fear into opponents with their disciplined, relentless style of play. Their defensive prowess has been a hallmark this season, regularly stifling even the league’s most potent offenses. The B's currently rank sixth in the league in shots on goal allowed per game. While they’ve hit the occasional rough patch on the road, the Bruins remain a force to be reckoned with, consistently clawing their way to victories in tightly contested matchups. They come out of the holiday break just four points back of the first-place Panthers in the Atlantic Division.

The Colorado Avalanche have been an offensive juggernaut, rolling over opponents with an impressive blend of speed and skill. Winners of three straight games, the Avs have found the back of the net 13 times over that stretch. Their top lines have been clicking, and the power play has been deadly. At the other end of the rink, Colorado has held seven of its last nine opponents to two goals or less. The Avs will benefit from playing four of their next five games on home ice before starting a three-game road trip in mid-January.

The Calgary Flames have struggled to find consistency, with their once-bright start to the season now dimming. Coming out of the holiday break, the Flames sit in fifth-place in the Pacific Division, seven points clear of the sixth-place Seattle Kraken. Defensive lapses and an inability to close out games have plagued them, especially against stronger opponents. While their offense has shown flashes of brilliance, the Flames need to reignite their spark and rediscover the tenacity that made them early season upstarts. 

The New York Islanders have been a team of streaks, riding waves of momentum followed by frustrating slumps. Their recent 6-3 victory over Toronto highlighted their potential to dominate elite teams. However, they followed it up with an embarrassing 7-1 loss against the lowly Sabres on home ice, as the Islanders’ defense and goaltending have had difficulty holding firm against sustained pressure. If they can weather these storms and steady the ship, the Islanders could make a strong push toward the postseason. Despite their recent struggles, the Isles sit just five points back of the Senators for the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.