This week had its share of excitement. From Corey Perry being kicked off the Blackhawks, to Tristan Jarry scoring a goal, to Florida and Toronto having their benches empty due to most of their players getting game misconducts for a brawl. Then of course there’s just been some good games. Let’s take a look at each team and grade how they played this week.
Anaheim Ducks: D- (Previous grade: F)
The Ducks’ long eight game losing streak finally came to an end with a 4-3 shootout win over Colorado. It’s a good win and probably a massive weight off this team’s shoulders, but it’s hard to see them truly coming back from this. They have a long ways to go as a team, but have made some very good strides in the right direction.
Arizona Coyotes: A (Previous grade: D+)
It looks like the Desert Dogs aren’t ready to go down just yet. They’ve won four in a row, with wins over the Knights and Avs. This team’s ceiling isn’t known quite yet because every time you think they’ve reached it they pull something else out of the hat.
Boston Bruins: A- (Previous grade: D)
They started off the week with a rough 5-2 loss to Columbus. They bounced back however, winning their next three. They even got revenge on the Blue Jackets, beating them 3-1 to end their week. Boston’s looked vulnerable in the last couple weeks though, let’s keep an eye on them.
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Buffalo Sabres: D- (Previous grade: D+)
They started off the week in the best possible way, defeating the Rangers 5-1. They then proceeded to drop their next three, giving up thirteen goals in the process. This is not the play we were hoping for from this team.
Calgary Flames: C+ (Previous grade: C)
The Flames went 2-2 this week, beating the Stars and the Knights, but losing to the Avs and Canucks. They’ve looked better the last two weeks, though I wouldn’t be holding my breath for them. It would be nice for them to find a way to win games in regulation.
Carolina Hurricanes: C+ (Previous grade: C)
The Canes went 2-1 this week, beating the Flyers and Sabres, but losing to the Islanders in OT. Despite a winning record, the Canes don’t get a higher grade because they’re still following a win one lose on pattern.
Chicago Blackhawks: F (Previous grade: D-)
Chicago is competing with San Jose for the worst team in the league right now. They started off the week beating Seattle, but then dropped their next three. Even if you ignore the constant drama that comes from this team, they’re still a train wreck just for their play alone.
Colorado Avalanche: D- (Previous grade: A)
The Avs went 1-3 this week, with all three losses coming in succession of one another. Losing to the Kings is completely forgivable, but the Ducks loss might hurt a bit. Looks like another bounce back week is need for the Avs.
Columbus Blue Jackets: C (Previous grade: Unchanged)
The Jackets went 2-2 this week, beating the Bruins and Senators, but losing to the Bruins and Canadiens. I’m sure ending the nine game losing streak has boosted this team’s confidence, but they’re still struggling and struggling hard.
Dallas Stars: B- (Previous grade: C-)
The Stars beat the Jets to start the week, then whooped the Lightning to end the week, losing to the Flames in between. The team seems to have lost their momentum a bit, but it shouldn’t be too worrying yet.
Detroit Red Wings: A- (Previous grade: A)
Detroit lost to the Rangers to start the week then won their next two. They’ve been consistent in their level of play all season and it’s what’s gotten them in the top three of the division so far. I don’t predict a magical run, but this team is coming a long nicely.
Edmonton Oilers: A (Previous grade: C)
The Oilers have won their last four, by far the most momentum they’ve been able to generate this year. With their top guys finally starting to step up, there may be a chance for this team to make up some ground. With the defense and goaltending in the state it is though, as well as the lack of depth, I don’t predict anything magical from them.
Florida Panthers: C (Previous grade: D+)
The Panthers went 2-2 this week. They had a super weird game against Toronto, but that aside this team appears to be struggling to put games together again. They’ve managed to make up a ton of ground the last couple of weeks, but they’re in danger of losing it if they can’t find their footing.
Los Angeles Kings: A- (Previous grade: A+)
They lost 2-1 to the Capitals but didn’t look bad in the loss at all. They then beat the Avs 4-1 to end the week. This team is unbelievably good. The top ranked offense and defense in the league, as well as the top ranked penalty kill. That depth in the center is downright scary as well.
Minnesota Wild: A (Previous grade: F)
The Wild ended their losing streak and bounced back with three wins in a row. It’s still hard to have any hope for this team given the state they’re in, but at least they can say they got some confidence back.
Montreal Canadiens: D- (Previous grade: C+)
The Habs have lost two in a row, and three of their last four. They still seem incapable of figuring out a way around the wall they’ve ran into and they sank in the division because of it. There’s still time for them to figure it out, but is it likely?
Nashville Predators: D (Previous grade: A+)
The Preds had their six game winning streak ended, and lost two of three this week. They gave the Rangers all they could handle in one of those losses though, so it’s safe to say they still look better than they have most of the season.
New Jersey Devils: B- (Previous grade: D-)
The Devils finally managed to pull together some momentum by winning three in a row only to squander it by ending the week on a 6-3 loss to the Sharks. It’s hard to say where this team will be come April, but one can hope for the best.
New York Islanders: B- (Previous grade: Unchanged)
The Islanders went 2-1 this week, beating the Panthers and Hurricanes. They lost a lot of ground in their nine game losing streak a couple weeks ago, but they’ve played decently well since then and are slowly making it up.
New York Rangers: A- (Previous grade: A+)
They started the week poorly with 5-1 loss to Buffalo, but rebounded with three wins in a row. However, the Sharks win was very shaky and they didn’t quite look like themselves. That’s simply a nitpick though, which is all you can do with a team this good.
Ottawa Senators: D (Previous grade: Unchanged)
They ended their three game losing streak with a 2-0 win over Seattle to carry some momentum into next week, but will it even be enough? This team has no idea who they are and no plan on to who they want to be.
Philadelphia Flyers: D+ (Previous grade: D)
This team is very streaky and I reckon it’s probably going to result in them missing the playoffs. When they find momentum they find momentum, but the issue is they lose it just as fast and for just as long. A five game winning streak is cool, but not when you follow it up with losing three of your next four.
Pittsburgh Penguins: D (Previous grade: D-)
Pittsburgh finds themselves right back where they started this season. They gave everyone a little hope with a brief winning streak, but now they’re right back in the hole watching the rest of the division pass them by. Do they have any fight left?
San Jose Sharks: D+ (Previous grade: F)
The Sharks went 2-2 this week which is better than they usually do. They somehow managed to give the Rangers absolute fits to end the week, but that seems a lot like an over performance than an indication this team is getting any better.
Seattle Kraken: F (Previous grade: D-)
The Kraken earned this F. They’ve lost four in a row and they’ve looked absolutely dreadful for the last two weeks. The division buries them more and more and their dreams for another playoff berth are quickly slipping away.
St. Louis Blues: D (Previous grade: C+)
You have to wonder if St. Louis is running out of gas. The last couple of weeks have seen them slowly start to slip and lose more often than win. It could just be a rough patch, but it could also be that this team just can’t keep up anymore. Hopefully it’s the former rather than the latter.
Tampa Bay Lightning: D- (Previous grade: B+)
Vasilevsky came back and everyone celebrated, but then Tampa decided to immediately lose four in a row after his return. They were tough losses, but we know this team is resilient and knows how to fight back.
Toronto Maple Leafs: B (Previous grade: D-)
They won three in a row this week which is a good bounce back. You can’t help but worry about this team and its issues though, as they will most likely hold them back from ever being a contender. They have time to figure it out, but sooner is always better than later.
Vancouver Canucks: C (Previous grade: D+)
They went 2-1 this week, losing to the Knights, but beating the Ducks and Flames which are both teams that they should beat. They’ve certainly slowed down quite a bit from where they were, but the fact that they’re still winning games should be enough encouragement for their fans.
Vegas Golden Knights: C- (Previous grade: D+)
Vegas went 2-2 this week. Their win over the Canucks snapped a three game losing streak. They then followed it up with another win over the Capitals. Fans shouldn’t worry. This team was bound to lose some steam eventually. It doesn’t mean that a collapse is imminent.
Washington Capitals: C- (Previous grade: D)
They started off the week with a loss to the Sharks. They rebounded with a great win over the Kings, then followed that up with a win over the Ducks. They then ended the week with a loss to the Knights. This team is struggling to score goals right now, but they’ve been pretty dang good at stopping others from scoring.
Winnipeg Jets: D (Previous grade: A)
Thank goodness for the Blackhawks for giving this team a lifeline to cling onto and pull themselves out of a losing streak. After their winning streak ended, Winnipeg lost three in a row. It’s hard to tell if it was just a skid or if they’ve genuinely lost some steam. Time will tell.
