by Vegas Writer
Thursday, Feb 01, 2024Nothing like a bye week at the end of January to slow things down in the NHL. For some teams, the bye weeks and the All-Star Break couldn’t have come at a better time.
There’s been a lot of hockey played over the first half of the season. Some teams have played 50 games, more than any team in the league. Others are slowly trekking their way up there and will have a loaded second half on the horizon.
But it’s time to go through the Top 10 of the week and see how things look with All-Star Weekend upon us.
5-minute major
1) Vancouver Canucks (33-11-5)
The Canucks aren’t slowing down any time soon. They’re 8-0-2 in their last 10 and on an 11-game point streak while going 2-0-1 this week. The top players are still playing absurdly. Brock Boeser is a 30-goal scorer. Everything is coming up Vancouver right now, but coming out of the break may be their toughest test; a five-game road trip starting at Carolina and Boston. The Canucks open the second half with eight out of their first 10 on the road.
2) Boston Bruins (31-9-9)
Remember when the Bruins were supposed to fall off? They keep getting back up. They’ve earned points in 11 of their last 12 and David Pastrnak deserves every bit of Hart Trophy conversation his way (72 points; 33 goals, 39 assists). The only blemish over the last month was a 3-2 loss at home to Carolina; other than that, it’s been wins stacked upon wins for this team. Now, they open the second half on a seven-game homestand with winnable games against Calgary, Washington and Los Angeles.
3) Edmonton Oilers (29-15-1)
If you go with the traditional coach-speak on how tough it is to win in the NHL, then the Oilers’ winning streak is incredible. Sixteen wins should be commemorated. But talk about the benefit of a soft schedule; a streaky Rangers team, the Sharks, the Kings, the Ducks, the Senators, Bedard-less Chicago twice, Calgary, Columbus. I will give them credit for this: That six-game road trip back in December with two back-to-backs was impressive. But they’ll need to have a big win at some point. Their first game on Feb. 6, in Vegas, will suffice.
4) Winnipeg Jets (30-12-5)
Winnipeg has cooled down since its 8-game winning streak by losing four of its last six going into the break, capped off with home-and-home losses to Toronto. The Jets’ offense went cold down the stretch with five goals in their last four games. If a team needs a break, it’s the Jets. And if there’s a player who could use a nap or two, it’s Connor Hellebuyck carrying the Jets on his back.
5) Florida Panthers (31-14-4)
It’s safe to say the Eastern Conference champions might be the hottest team in the conference at 13-2-2 in their last 17 games. Ironically enough, this run started with a win in the Stanley Cup Final rematch over Vegas — and then the Panthers beat Vegas again on Jan. 4. Leading the charge for the Panthers? Not Matthew Tkachuk (though he’s playing very well). It’s Sam Reinhart and his 37 goals. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could hit 60 in a contract year. Back up the Brinks truck.
2-minute minor
6) Vegas Golden Knights (29-15-6)
The Golden Knights have rebounded well despite a third of their roster on injured reserve. They closed the first half going 7-3-1 in their last 11. Adin Hill is back, and William Karlsson might be as well. Think of how crazy things could get if they end Edmonton’s winning streak on Feb. 6.
7) Colorado Avalanche (32-14-3)
Colorado has won 11 of 14 and is looking every bit like the contender it should be. Goaltending is still an absolute crapshoot at the moment, but it always helps when Nathan MacKinnon (84 points) and Cale Makar (58 points) lead the way.
8) Dallas Stars (30-13-6)
Dallas ended the first half going 8-2-1. Considering how things looked three weeks ago, that’s an improvement. The timing is good to get Jake Oettinger some rest. The young goalie has fallen back to Earth hard, but the Stars keep finding ways to win.
9) Carolina Hurricanes (28-15-5)
The only thing you need to know about the Hurricanes: They are 12-3-2 in their last 17. Andrei Svechnikov has been a primary reason for that; 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in that time. When Carolina is healthy, that forward group is tough to beat.
Power play (surprise team)
10) Detroit Red Wings (26-18-6)
The state of Michigan is just riding the wave. Michigan won the National Championship, the Detroit Lions were 30 minutes away from the Super Bowl, and now the Red Wings are on pace to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Eminem is going to be a busy man. No one is blown away by Detroit’s star power, but they have a lot of really good players that have helped in the balance of this lineup. Dylan Larkin (46 points) and Alex DeBrincat (43) have been great. Patrick Kane, though injured, has 16 points in 19 games. He’s come as advertised for a team that’s needed it. Alex Lyon (13-6-1, .924 SV%) has assumed the No. 1 goalie role and is taking it by the horns. Detroit is firmly in the wild card race, and it’s good for the NHL if they get back.
There’s been a lot of hockey played over the first half of the season. Some teams have played 50 games, more than any team in the league. Others are slowly trekking their way up there and will have a loaded second half on the horizon.
But it’s time to go through the Top 10 of the week and see how things look with All-Star Weekend upon us.
5-minute major
1) Vancouver Canucks (33-11-5)
The Canucks aren’t slowing down any time soon. They’re 8-0-2 in their last 10 and on an 11-game point streak while going 2-0-1 this week. The top players are still playing absurdly. Brock Boeser is a 30-goal scorer. Everything is coming up Vancouver right now, but coming out of the break may be their toughest test; a five-game road trip starting at Carolina and Boston. The Canucks open the second half with eight out of their first 10 on the road.
2) Boston Bruins (31-9-9)
Remember when the Bruins were supposed to fall off? They keep getting back up. They’ve earned points in 11 of their last 12 and David Pastrnak deserves every bit of Hart Trophy conversation his way (72 points; 33 goals, 39 assists). The only blemish over the last month was a 3-2 loss at home to Carolina; other than that, it’s been wins stacked upon wins for this team. Now, they open the second half on a seven-game homestand with winnable games against Calgary, Washington and Los Angeles.
3) Edmonton Oilers (29-15-1)
If you go with the traditional coach-speak on how tough it is to win in the NHL, then the Oilers’ winning streak is incredible. Sixteen wins should be commemorated. But talk about the benefit of a soft schedule; a streaky Rangers team, the Sharks, the Kings, the Ducks, the Senators, Bedard-less Chicago twice, Calgary, Columbus. I will give them credit for this: That six-game road trip back in December with two back-to-backs was impressive. But they’ll need to have a big win at some point. Their first game on Feb. 6, in Vegas, will suffice.
4) Winnipeg Jets (30-12-5)
Winnipeg has cooled down since its 8-game winning streak by losing four of its last six going into the break, capped off with home-and-home losses to Toronto. The Jets’ offense went cold down the stretch with five goals in their last four games. If a team needs a break, it’s the Jets. And if there’s a player who could use a nap or two, it’s Connor Hellebuyck carrying the Jets on his back.
5) Florida Panthers (31-14-4)
It’s safe to say the Eastern Conference champions might be the hottest team in the conference at 13-2-2 in their last 17 games. Ironically enough, this run started with a win in the Stanley Cup Final rematch over Vegas — and then the Panthers beat Vegas again on Jan. 4. Leading the charge for the Panthers? Not Matthew Tkachuk (though he’s playing very well). It’s Sam Reinhart and his 37 goals. It’s not out of the realm of possibility that he could hit 60 in a contract year. Back up the Brinks truck.
2-minute minor
6) Vegas Golden Knights (29-15-6)
The Golden Knights have rebounded well despite a third of their roster on injured reserve. They closed the first half going 7-3-1 in their last 11. Adin Hill is back, and William Karlsson might be as well. Think of how crazy things could get if they end Edmonton’s winning streak on Feb. 6.
7) Colorado Avalanche (32-14-3)
Colorado has won 11 of 14 and is looking every bit like the contender it should be. Goaltending is still an absolute crapshoot at the moment, but it always helps when Nathan MacKinnon (84 points) and Cale Makar (58 points) lead the way.
8) Dallas Stars (30-13-6)
Dallas ended the first half going 8-2-1. Considering how things looked three weeks ago, that’s an improvement. The timing is good to get Jake Oettinger some rest. The young goalie has fallen back to Earth hard, but the Stars keep finding ways to win.
9) Carolina Hurricanes (28-15-5)
The only thing you need to know about the Hurricanes: They are 12-3-2 in their last 17. Andrei Svechnikov has been a primary reason for that; 19 points (10 goals, nine assists) in that time. When Carolina is healthy, that forward group is tough to beat.
Power play (surprise team)
10) Detroit Red Wings (26-18-6)
The state of Michigan is just riding the wave. Michigan won the National Championship, the Detroit Lions were 30 minutes away from the Super Bowl, and now the Red Wings are on pace to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Eminem is going to be a busy man. No one is blown away by Detroit’s star power, but they have a lot of really good players that have helped in the balance of this lineup. Dylan Larkin (46 points) and Alex DeBrincat (43) have been great. Patrick Kane, though injured, has 16 points in 19 games. He’s come as advertised for a team that’s needed it. Alex Lyon (13-6-1, .924 SV%) has assumed the No. 1 goalie role and is taking it by the horns. Detroit is firmly in the wild card race, and it’s good for the NHL if they get back.
