As the All Star break approaches, the Central Division is emerging as the best in the NHL with not one team below .500. The Central is the best proof that the NHL regular season has become a playoff before the playoff.
Let’s break down the most competitive division in hockey.
Nashville Predators
Boredom is gone and exciting, balanced hockey is in its place under first-year head coach Peter Laviolette. The Preds were challenging Anaheim for the best record in the NHL. Nashville has the metrics of a champion as they rank fifth in the NHL for goal scoring and were tops at goals against.
Nashville boasts the deepest defensive corps in the game. Goaltender Pekka Rinne is also the best but is out until late February with a knee injury. When Rinne returns, the Preds will have the goaltender that allows them to take extra chances on the rush, knowing that Rinne can bail them out as needed. Of concern is that the Preds score by committee and lack a bona fide sniper that can finish.
St. Louis Blues
Right wing Vladimir Tarasenko has become the sniper that the Blues lacked in the playoffs last year when they could not finish scoring opportunities. Tarasenko had 24 goals to lead the team. Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk has also blossomed and is a Norris Trophy candidate for top defenseman in the NHL.
Shattenkirk, Alex Pietrangelo, and Barret Jackman make for a quality defenseman corps. Goaltender Brian Elliott returned from injury to improve his save percentage to .930 on the season, which is Stanley Cup caliber. St. Louis ranked fourth in the NHL for goal scoring and sixth for goals against with the look of a champion. This may finally be the year for the Blues.
Chicago Blackhawks
The Blackhawks tailed off before the break with .500 play but remain an elite Cup contender. Chicago ranked eighth in the NHL for goal scoring and second for goals against. Chicago ranked a weak 17th for shots allowed, however, which must be improved for a deep playoff run.
Goaltender Corey Crawford is covering up the lack of consistent defense with a .920 save percentage. The Blackhawks have plenty of scoring depth but Duncan Keith is having to carry too much of the load on the defensive side. The mega bucks deal for the tandem of right wing Patrick Kane and center Jonathan Toews is proving to be money well spent.
Winnipeg Jets
Head coach Paul Maurice is a top-tier Adams Trophy candidate for coach of the year as he had the Jets in playoff position despite having their defense corps wiped out with injury. Left wing Andrew Ladd emerged as a reliable goal scorer with 17 goals while center Bryan Little added 18. Goaltender Michael Hutchinson was pushing Ondrej Pavelec for more playing time with a .932 save percentage. The Jets are winning with structure, heart and character. The new math crowd cannot stand this team. Realistically, the Jets have to get defensive help to extend their post season hopes for a good run.
Dallas Stars
The Stars run and gun style is perhaps the most exciting to watch in the entire league. The style giveth and taketh as the Stars ranked third in the NHL for goal scoring but 28th for goals against. A surprise playoff team last year, the Stars were led by the electrifying center Tyler Seguin, who had 28 goals.
Colorado Avalanche
After an avalanche of early season losses, Colorado is trying to dig themselves out of a deep hole midway through the year. The Avs dropoff from last year’s division championship is based on an offense that has slumped dramatically to rank 23rd in the NHL for goal scoring.
Minnesota Wild
The Wild are coming off their worst month of play this season as kit appeared as if head coach Mike Yeo was about to face the firing squad. Newly acquired goaltender Devan Dubnyk arrived from Arizona and is charged with becoming the final answer between the pipes for the Wild. The combination of not enough time and too many quality teams in the Western Conference may finish the Wild and their playoff prospects.
