The Mid Season NHL Report
Just like that forty two games have come and past in the NHL. Some of the predictions I had at the beginning of year came true but there were some big surprises ( New Jersey Devils) as well. Now that we’re half way through the year it’s gut check time for some teams and time to get some trades ready to go so that they can try for Connor Bedard in July. So here it is in all it’s glory the Mid Season NHL Report!
Anaheim Ducks
Not much here to say except that the Ducks are terrible and need some more upgrades to help out their rising stars. Trading for picks is in their future.
Makes Playoffs: Very much No!
Arizona Coyotes
New building, same team and trading for picks is the play for this team too.
Makes Playoffs: The golf course is calling!
Boston Bruins
It’s crazy how much a really good goalie makes a team better. Linus Ullmark has made his mark in this league and so has the young defense core who are mostly under thirty years old. The Bruins are the clear favorites to win the Stanley Cup but can they sustain this winning barrage all the way through the playoffs? We shall see.
Makes Playoffs: Definitely
Buffalo Sabres
A surprising rise in the standings and just getting more scoring from Jeff Skinner and their young stars Tage Thompson and Dylan Cozens. Alex Tuch has been amazing as well. The Sabres need some more pieces to the puzzle to make the playoffs but if they can hold on to some of their young stars they have the makings of a great team. Finally!
Makes Playoffs: No, but they are close!
Calgary Flames
Taking chances, being agressive seem to be things of the past for the Flames. They seem very average and don’t have the fire you need to win a playoff series. Losing two of their high scoring forwards last year makes a difference but the fact that they can’t push teams around says a lot.
Makes Playoffs: Maybe.
Carolina Hurricanes
The question at the beginning of the year was can this team stay healthy. So far yes they can. The Canes are fast, efficient and very dangerous on the power play. Plus they just got Max Pacioretty back from a torn Achilles and has three points in four games. He did leave last nights game early but if he isn’t seriously injured he would help this team even more.
Makes Playoffs: Hell to the yes.
Chicago Blackhawks
This team is in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes but also might have to trade some of their stars because of how terrible they are.
Makes Playoffs: There’s a draft in here.
Colorado Avalanche
After winning the Stanly Cup last year the Avs have struggled with injuries this year and shaky goaltending. When a backup goalie (Alexander Georgiev) becomes a starting goalie and is playing more games that he’s used to there is going to be some period of adjustment. But some of the mistakes this team is making is just not normal for them.
Makes Playoffs: Maybe baby.
Columbus Blue Jackets
A very average team with some above average players that play below average.
Makes Playoffs: “What iron should I use for this shot?”
Dallas Stars
The Stars have a very big team and can also win games by scoring lots of goals. Two of their defensemen are under two hundred pounds. You can’t tell me that’s an accident. If you are going to beat this team in the playoffs you are going to be in pain and have some injuries. The Stars are big and mean and are getting ready for a long playoff run.
Makes Playoffs: Keep your head up.
Detroit Red Wings
The Wings are close to coming back to being a great team. Steve Yzerman has done a great job putting pieces into place that make this team better and every year they go a little higher in the standings. I wouldn’t be surprised if they make the playoffs next year.
Makes Playoffs: One more year and they’re back.
Edmonton Oilers
A slow burning tire fire is how I would describe this team right now. They have amazing scoring up front. Two of the best players in the NHL in McDavid and Draisaitl. The Oilers have no defense that can stop anyone driving towards the net. Which is a huge problem, plus Jack Campbell can’t seem to stop any meaningful pucks coming towards him. I just don’t think the trade deadline will help them when they’re bleeding out in so many different holes.
Makes Playoffs: Maybe…
Florida Panthers
A big team that can score but has trouble on the back end. The Panthers are only six points out of a playoff spot but it’s hard to imagine that they can make it if they continue to play average hockey.
Makes Playoffs: Maybe, but probably not.
Los Angeles Kings
Another team that has had a big comeback into the playoff race are the L.A. Kings. They seem to have the right mix of veteran players and young fast players. As always they will be very difficult to beat just like last year.
Makes Playoffs: Yes.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild are an exciting team that are fast and will create havoc for any team they face in the playoffs. Saying that, moving past the first round might be difficult if they face the Winnipeg Jets.
Makes Playoffs: Yes.
Montreal Canadiens
They were trash last year and they are trash again. The Habs will try to get back on track next year but players will be dealt so that they can get some much needed draft picks.
Makes Playoffs: Not a chance.
Nashville Predators
The Preds are three points back of a playoff spot so they are in a good place to battle to play past mid-April. But Nashville will have to figure out how to be more consistent and go on a bit of a run to make it.
Makes Playoffs: Maybe…
New Jersey Devils
The biggest surprise so far in this NHL season is how the Devils have played in the first half. They have the speed, the skill and the goaltending to really take this team to the next level.
Makes Playoffs: Yes.
New York Islanders
Another team that needs some more consistent play to make the playoffs. The Islanders have lost five in their last six games and will have to get back on track to even have a chance to make the playoffs.
Makes Playoffs: A big maybe.
New York Rangers
Coming off an amazing comeback win last night agains the Dallas Stars, the Rangers have lots of heart and work hard every night to win. They seem to have won the goalie sweepstakes in Igor Shesterkin who has been solid again. The Rangers are going to be hard to beat if they make the playoffs.
Makes Playoffs: Most likely yes.
Ottawa Senators
Just like the Red Wings the Senators are close to making back to the playoffs. They keep drafting amazing talent and that talent is performing better than expectations. If the Sens can keep developing their young talent they will become a force in the NHL.
Makes Playoffs: Not this year but maybe next year.
Philadelphia Flyers
Too many unforced errors for the Flyers have cost them points in the first half of the season. Plus Konecny was injured for a while so that hurt them because he is one of their main scorers. If they can have a great last half to the season the Flyers have a chance to get back into the playoff mix. But I just don’t know if this team is capable of that.
Makes Playoffs: A huge maybe.
Pittsburg Penguins
The Pens are always going to be in the playoff picture when they have three hall of famers on their team. Crosby, Malkin and Letang make a huge impact on this team and with them in the lineup they will be hard to beat in the playoffs. The big question is their goaltending and if it will hold up or bring them down.
Makes Playoffs: Most likely yes.
San Jose Sharks
The Sharks haven’t found the right combo of veterans and youth and will once again find themselves outside of the playoffs. I think it’s definitley time for them to off load some of their older players for draft picks and start a rebuild.
Makes Playoffs: No.
Seattle Kraken
A year ago the Kraken were basement dwellers and what a difference a year makes. Just last night they went into Boston and beat the best team in the league. Not only did they get a shutout but they stopped the Bruins home winning streak. The Kraken are sitting in the top three in the Pacific division and if they keep playing like this in the second half of the season they will make the playoffs.
Makes Playoffs: Yes.
St. Louis Blues
Always a dangerous team to play against the Blues this season have had lots of injuries which has made it difficult for them to get into any sort of rhythm. The Blues are two points out of a playoff spot and will be pushing hard in the second half of the season to make it in. It’s going to be fun to watch if they can make it.
Makes Playoffs: Maybe.
Tampa Bay Lightning
This team just doesn’t seem to quit. Always looking dangerous and full of talent they will be back in the playoffs and most likely playing the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Lightning have been healthy most of the first half of the season and that has made a huge impact as they look to go back to the finals for the fourth time in a row.
Makes Playoffs: Yes.
Toronto Maple Leafs
This might be one of the best seasons I have ever seen the Leafs play. Most likely they will be playing the Lightning in the first round which means another hard first round. The Leafs haven’t won a first round since 2004 and this is definitely their best shot to move onto the next round with this team. Matt Murray is having resurgence in goal and he has to continue this trend in the playoffs if they want to make a deep run.
Makes Playoffs: Yes.
Vancouver Canucks
What an absolute tire fire of a team. Not only are the Canucks not good enough to make the playoffs. They aren’t playing bad enough to be in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes. Also to add fuel to the fire is the fact that the Canucks may have mis-handled an injury to Tanner Pearson’s hand according to Quinn Hughes. Pearson will have to miss the rest of the season and may miss some of next season with a hand injury. Add all of this up and you have a team that has no direction and no end in sight when it comes to their playoff drought.
Makes Playoffs: Rogers Arena will be more silent than most Canucks games.
Vegas Golden Knights
A great big team that has potential to win the Western Conference. The Golden Knights just got news that Mark Stone will miss at least a week with an upper body injury. We will have to see if that slows down Vegas at all who almost have sixty points at the mid point of the season. The key to their success seems to be the solid play of goalie Logan Thompson and the play of their veteran defense. If they stay healthy the Golden Knights are going to be hard to beat.
Makes Playoffs: Yes.
Washington Capitals
Nicklas Backstrom has just come back to this team after recovering from hip resurfacing surgery and he has already a point in two games. If he can return to form quickly the Capitals will be good to go for the playoffs. Darcy Kuemper won the Stanley Cup last year with Colorado and now has been average for the Capitals. The Caps will need great goaltending to make a run and they might have to go with who ever the hottest goalie is.
Makes Playoffs: Most likely yes.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets are back! Which is great news because this team is too good with amount of talent that is on this team. Hellebuyck carries this team to either great heights or another quick exit from the playoffs. So the second half of the season will show us if he can keep up his greatness.
Makes Playoffs: Yes.
So there you have it, another NHL report in the books! If you want to be part of the conversation you can make a comment here or on twitter. My handle is @ Jobe22.
Have a great second half of the season and I will see you for playoff predictions in April!
Be well
Joseph
