RANK
|
TEAM
|
COMMENT
|
1
|
Columbus Blue Jackets
(9-4-1)
|
They are one of the more consistent, more complete teams in the NHL right now.
|
2
|
New Jersey Devils
(9-3-1)
|
The surprise of the Eastern Conference this season.
|
3
|
Pittsburgh Penguins
(8-6-2)
|
Some speed bumps lately, but Pittsburgh is trucking along.
|
4
|
New York Islanders
(8-5-1)
|
The top line of John Tavares, Anders Lee, and Josh Bailey is one of the best right now.
|
5
|
Philadelphia Flyers
(7-6-2)
|
They’ve pretty much alternated wins and losses, but have looked good out of the gate.
|
6
|
Washington Capitals
(7-6-1)
|
He’s slowed down, but Alex Ovechkin has 11 goals one month in to the campaign.
|
7
|
New York Rangers
(6-7-2)
|
The model of inconsistency and late collapses, the Blueshirts may have finally found life.
|
8
|
Carolina Hurricanes
(4-5-3)
|
Everyone’s darling playoff team coming in has been anything but.
|
RANK
|
TEAM
|
COMMENT
|
1
|
Tampa Bay Lightning
(11-2-2)
|
The best team in the NHL right now. A healthy Steven Stamkos makes a big difference (duh)
|
2
|
Ottawa Senators
(6-3-5)
|
They’ve been a scrappy bunch. Getting Matt Duchene should put them in the class of the East.
|
3
|
Toronto Maple Leafs
(8-7-0)
|
A strong start to the month has been wiped away by losing 5 of 6.
|
4
|
Boston Bruins
(5-4-3)
|
The B’s need more offense. They get some slack for being without Tuukka Rask for a bit.
|
5
|
Detroit Red Wings
(7-7-1)
|
Other than wins against Vegas and Ottawa, Detroit’s wins have come against poor opponents.
|
6
|
Montreal Canadiens
(6-8-1)
|
6-8 in the Atlantic could have been ranked in any order, a strong finish to month prevents 8th.
|
7
|
Florida Panthers
(4-7-2)
|
They haven’t won much, but the teams they’ve beaten are impressive.
|
8
|
Buffalo Sabres
(4-8-2)
|
They’re wins have been close, and they’ve looked bad in the losses.
|
RANK
|
TEAM
|
COMMENT
|
1
|
Los Angeles Kings
(10-2-2)
|
A healthy Jonathan Quick and the production of their youngsters have made all the difference.
|
2
|
Vegas Golden Knights
(9-4-0)
|
The dearth of healthy goaltending may catch up to them, but what a start for the expansion franchise
|
3
|
San Jose Sharks
(8-5-0)
|
A rocky start has been followed up by winning 7 of 9 games, without a goal from Brent Burns.
|
4
|
Calgary Flames
(8-6-0)
|
Still waiting to see how Jagr impacts them, but Mike Smith has definitely secured the crease.
|
5
|
Vancouver Canucks
(7-4-2)
|
A better start to the year than people expected, they’ll go as far as their youth can carry them.
|
6
|
Anaheim Ducks
(6-6-1)
|
They dealt with a lot of injuries to start the season, but were treading water until the past few games.
|
7
|
Edmonton Oilers
(4-8-1)
|
A slow start to the season seems to be almost behind them thanks to the return of Draisatl.
|
8
|
Arizona Coyotes
(2-12-1)
|
No Antti Raanta for most of the young season exposed how bad their goalies are
|
RANK
|
TEAM
|
COMMENT
|
1
|
St. Louis Blues
(11-3-1)
|
The best and most complete team in the West at the moment. Everything is clicking.
|
2
|
Nashville Predators
(7-5-2)
|
Kyle Turris is the 2nd center they’ve needed. That move alone should keep them near top of Central
|
3
|
Chicago Blackhawks
(7-6-2)
|
2-6 could be ranked in any order in the Central right now, but Hawks have played well mostly.
|
4
|
Colorado Avalanche
(8-6-0)
|
The Duchene saga is finally behind them, and they haven’t been terrible out of the gate.
|
5
|
Winnipeg Jets
(7-3-3)
|
You might think they should be higher, but most of their wins haven’t been impressive (except PIT)
|
6
|
Dallas Stars
(8-6-0)
|
Same as above, but most of their losses of have been close. They’ll get consistently going soon.
|
7
|
Minnesota Wild
(5-5-2)
|
They’ve been in almost every game, but much like Anaheim have been dealing with key injuries.
|
