The resurgent Boston Bruins continued their climb up the Eastern Conference standings this weekend with a critical 3-1 home win over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday. The game was a potential fork in the road moment for both teams.
It was the eighth win in 10 games for the B’s while the Kings lost the opportunity for momentum after their stirring 4-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday. Los Angeles played a well-structured game against Boston but could not beat Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask, who is recovering from a slow start in spectacular style. Rask put together a .949 save percentage in January to spark Boston out of its lethargy of December. Meanwhile, the defending Stanley Cup champion Kings remain out of playoff position in the West, three points behind the Calgary Flames.
Falling Leafs show it was not Carlyle’s Fault
When Randy Carlyle was fired as head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team was in playoff position and was also entertaining to watch with a run and gun style attack style of play. Carlyle’s teams were criticized for a lack of defense but, as it turns out, it is now evident that the former Leafs coach was on to something.
Carlyle allowed the emphasis on offense because his roster left him with no other alternative. New head coach Peter Horachek has demanded defensive structure since taking over. The results have been a disaster. Toronto has lost nine games in a row while scoring just seven goals in that span. Toronto has gone from playoff position to 12th place in the East. Worse still, the Leafs are an eyesore bore to watch. Leafs President Brendan Shanahan cannot blow it up soon enough.
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Lightning Strikes
The Tampa Bay Lightning took over the lead of the Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division. Tampa Bay first scored a statement making 5-1 home win over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. That was then followed by a 3-1 home win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
The Lighting have won five out of six and are the top scoring team in the NHL. Tampa Bay has emerged as a model franchise with owner Jeff Vinik, general manager Steve Yzerman, and a young head coach in Jon Cooper. Cooper is quickly becoming respected as one of the best in the game. Center Steven Stamkos has exploded to lead the team with 27 goals, while fellow center Tyler Johnson has emerged as a star with 17 goals and 32 assists. Injuries to defensemen Matt Carle, Radko Gudas, and Mattias Ohlund raise cause for concern about a deep playoff run, however.
Panthers Fade
The Florida Panthers were tantalizingly close to an Eastern Conference playoff spot before the All Star Break, but are quickly fading with six losses in their last seven games. Florida’s lack of scoring depth is catching up with them as they rank 25th in the NHL for goal scoring and 27th for the power play. The defense is also beginning to crack under the strain of trying to carry the team. Florida ranked 19th for goals against.
Preds Struggle without Rinne
The Nashville Predators have lost four out of five games and fell to second place in the Western Conference behind the Anaheim Ducks.
Show me a good goaltender and I’ll show you a good coach, is an adage that is best evidenced now with Nashville. Rinne missed most of last season and it cost the Preds a playoff spot and coach Barry Trotz his job. New coach Peter Laviolette was riding high with Rinne back between the pipes, as the Predators were in contention for the top spot in the West. Laviolette now must strive to prevent a Nashville free fall until Rinne’s expected return in the middle of this month.
Stars Perk Up
The Dallas Stars are within four points of the final Western Conference playoff spot. Dallas has won four out of six games with the second best goal scoring total in the NHL. Center Tyler Seguin remains on a tear with 28 goals. Dallas scored a big four-point 5-2 win at Winnipeg on Saturday night. The Jets have lost three in a row to stall in their playoff chase.
