We’re halfway through the NHL season and it’s starting to become do or die time for playoff positioning. Some teams are in a good spot to make a push, others might as well just give up now and start hoping for good draft positioning. The halfway mark also means we’re approaching the trade deadline, so expect moves to start being made. For now, let’s take a look at how each team played this week and grade them.
Anaheim Ducks: F (Previous grade: Unchanged)
When I say some teams should just start hoping for good draft positioning, the Ducks fit that bill perfectly. There’s just not much left to salvage from this season. Their 5-3 win over the Predators was just their second win in the last ten games. Struggle is an understatement for this team.
Arizona Coyotes: C+ (Previous grade: D-)
It’s crazy that the same team that beat the Bruins in OT and absolutely whalloped the Wild 6-0 also dropped a game to the Flames by a score of 6-2. That sums up the Coyotes’ season pretty well, but they’re still in playoff positioning and primed to make a push. They just need to be a bit more consistent.
Boston Bruins: C- (Previous grade: C+)
The Bruins have taken the lead of the Eastern Conference, but having 1-0-1 weeks like this week aren’t going to help them keep it. The Panthers are nipping right on their heels and the Rangers could easily turn things around as well. Boston will have to do better if they want to build a lead.
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Buffalo Sabres: C (Previous grade: B-)
The Sabres went 1-2-0 this week. They gave the Canucks all they could handle on Saturday, but would ultimately fall 1-0 to cap off their week. You keep wanting Buffalo to pick it up and it just never comes.
Calgary Flames: A- (Previous grade: D)
Last week the Flames were getting grief for a 4-3 loss to the Blackhawks. They took that personally and won all three games this week, including very impressive wins over the Coyotes and the Knights. Playoffs might still be too hopeful, but they’re not out of the race yet.
Carolina Hurricanes: A- (Previous grade: Unchanged)
The Canes may have went 2-1 this week, but they’ve won seven of their last eight games and have finally started to look like the team we know they’re capable of being. If they can keep this up they have a really good chance to make a splash in the playoffs.
Chicago Blackhawks: F (Previous grade: Unchanged)
The Blackhawks lost all three games this week which really is the norm for them. This team is basically just hoping to win the draft lottery again at this point, as there’s really not much of a chance of them making anything happen.
Colorado Avalanche: A- (Previous grade: B)
The Avs won all three games this week. Another good week and it puts them just one point behind Winnipeg, and extends their lead over Dallas to four points. Colorado has won the Central the last two seasons so you know they’re not going to give it to Winnipeg without a fight.
Columbus Blue Jackets: F (Previous grade: D)
The Jackets lost both their games this week and they gave up twelve goals in the process. This team has nothing to hope for outside of good draft positioning and the hope they can use it to put the pieces back together.
Dallas Stars: A- (Previous grade: D)
This was a much needed bounce back week for Dallas in order to stay in the Central race. Despite a 6-3 loss to the Predators, they won their other three games. While beating the struggling Wild and the Blackhawks isn’t super impressive, it’s helpful for Dalls.
Detroit Red Wings: A- (Previous grade: B)
They started off the week with a 3-2 OT loss to the Oilers, but went on to win their next two games including a 4-2 win over their division rival Leafs. They’ve won five of their last six and have points in all six of their last six. They’ve regained a playoff spot as well.
Edmonton Oilers: A+ (Previous grade: Unchanged)
Make it a whole ten wins in a row for the Oilers. That being said their last few wins haven’t come easy, as they’ve only won by one or two goals their last four games, with the last two coming in OT. Ten wins in a row is ten wins in a row though.
Florida Panthers: A+ (Previous grade: A-)
The Panthers had their nine game winning streak snapped in a 4-1 loss to the Devils to end the week, but that doesn’t erase the amount of traction they’ve gained from the winning streak. They’re in second place in the Atlantic, but they’re right on the Bruins heels.
Los Angeles Kings: F (Previous grade: B-)
Eight losses in a row for the team that had the world in front of them. They’ve been competitive in every single game, but have been unable to find that goal that allows them to get the win. The defense and goaltending is still there, but they have to find a way to start winning games again.
Minnesota Wild: F (Previous grade: D)
In the span of two weeks the Wild have thrown away everything they worked to gain over the last couple of months. They have one win in their last nine games and they’ve found themselves well out of playoff positioning.
Montreal Canadiens: D- (Previous grade: B-)
They followed up a good week with a very bad week. They lost three in a row and one of those losses came to the Sharks which has got to be just the worst feeling in the world. The Habs obviously aren’t ready yet, but they’re on their way there.
Nashville Predators: B (Previous grade: C+)
The Preds won two of three this week and are fighting hard to keep that wild card spot. They recognize that the top three of the division has a decent lead so rather than focus on gaining on them they’ve focused on holding their wild card spot. This is a team that wants to make the playoffs.
New Jersey Devils: C- (Previous grade: B+)
Injuries have hit the Devils hard. Multiple stars are missing and they’re struggling to keep up with the other playoff teams. The fact that they’re competing at all is a testament to how deep their roster is. They managed to end the Panthers winning streak at the end of their week, but that won’t do much to erase the two losses.
New York Islanders: D- (Previous grade: C-)
Wins are coming fewer and farther apart for the Islanders. It’s starting to look like they just don’t have the stamina to make the push and keep up with the younger teams. They got to stop their free fall soon or they can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.
New York Rangers: D- (Previous grade: D)
Their 2-1 win over the Capitals ended what was a four game losing streak for the Rangers. Their recent skid has seen them give up the number one spot in the East and now they have to pass the Panthers and the Bruins to get it back. They do have the talent to do it though.
Ottawa Senators: F (Previous grade: Unchanged)
Their 5-4 win over the Sharks at the end of the week ended what was a five game losing streak for the Sens. Playoff hopes are all but gone for this team and they’re most likely looking for draft capital.
Philadelphia Flyers: B (Previous grade: D-)
The Flyers finally managed to stop their free fall. They’ve won their last three which has allowed them to maintain their positioning in the top three of the Metro division. It’s a tight race over there right now though and they’ll have to continue winning games.
Pittsburgh Penguins: C- (Previous grade: C+)
They got a 4-1 win over the Flyers which must have been satisfying, but they went on to lose their next two after that. The top guys like Crosby are desperately trying to carry the weight, but they just don’t have much help.
San Jose Sharks: F (Previous grade: Unchanged)
They ended their twelve game losing streak only to immediately lose their next two after. That’s one win in their last 15 games. Ten wins total halfway through the season. If this was the English Premier League they would be well on their way to being relegated.
Seattle Kraken: A+ (Previous grade: A)
The Kraken now have nine wins in a row. They have points in their last thirteen. They’ve pulled themselves into the playoff race on the backbone of Joey Daccord, who has been nothing short of spectacular. This is what we wanted to see from this team, and they’re finally delivering.
St. Louis Blues: C- (Previous grade: C+)
They had a rather impressive win over the Rangers, but lost their other two games. They’ve not been able to gain ground on the teams in front of them and it’s becoming painfully obvious they’re probably not going to be able to keep up as the season progresses.
Tampa Bay Lightning: B (Previous grade: D)
The Bolts are finally on a winning streak as they’ve won their last three in a row. They’re still a couple spots out of a top three spot in their division, but they’ve managed to acquire the second wild card spot and will now look to lock it down over the next couple of weeks.
Toronto Maple Leafs: D- (Previous grade: A-)
You get hope after one good week and they throw it away again. They started off strong with a 7-1 win over the Sharks, but then proceeded to lose their next three straight. Things aren’t going to get any easier for them and they will have to find a way to get some footing with how tight the playoff race is right now.
Vancouver Canucks: A+ (Previous grade: C)
Canucks have won five in a row and are sitting pretty in the number one spot in the Western Conference. They actually overtook the Bruins for the number one spot in the league. The Canucks haven’t had a regular season this good since they won the President’s Trophy for the second straight season in 2011-12.
Vegas Golden Knights: D (Previous grade: D+)
The Knights continue to struggle. They’re not able to win games at a consistent pace and they’re giving up ground because of it. They had a prime opportunity to separate themselves from the struggling Kings, but have been unable to do so and now have the Oilers and Kraken on their heels.
Washington Capitals: C- (Previous grade: D-)
The Caps went 2-2 this week, but it won’t be enough to get them back into playoff positioning. They’ve had a weird season and the lack of production from their top guys is the headline of it. Their era is clearly coming to an end and while they are desperately trying to stave that off with a playoff berth, it’s looking less and less likely.
Winnipeg Jets: A+ (Previous grade: A-)
The Jets had their eight game winning streak snapped by the Flyers, but I doubt it hinders them much. They’ve taken the number one spot in the Central division but only have a one point lead over Colorado. They’ll have to keep winning or risk being overtaken again.
