The NHL All-Star break is right around the corner and it is fitting that the game will take place at the home of the league leaders, Tampa Bay. The Lightning have cooled off as they’ve dropped two straight and are just 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. Oddly enough, the hottest team in the NHL right now is the Colorado Avalanche, who have won eight in a row. However, there is something more important coming up in about five weeks and that is the trade deadline. With no team running away with the league, there could be a lot of action on the trade market and that is the storyline to watch until February 26th. Here is a look at this week’s power rankings in the NHL.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +600
The Lightning (31-11-3) lost at home to Calgary, then returned from a week off to lose at home to Vegas. They’ll begin a road trip this week at Minnesota, then head to Chicago, Nashville and Philadelphia. The Lightning lost those games by a combined score of 9-2, and the struggles continue for their goalie. Andrei Vasilevskiy has allowed 20 goals in his last five games with a save percentage of .873 and that isn’t good enough for the league leaders, who could be in the market for a backup.
2. Vegas Golden Knights
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +900
The Golden Knights (30-11-3) lost at home to Edmonton in overtime, and then in Nashville, but they bounced back to win in Tampa Bay. They’ll stay on the road to visit Florida and Carolina, and then it is back home for Columbus and the New York Islanders. The Golden Knights won’t be sellers at the trade deadlines as many thought they would be and more importantly, they have a lot of cap space. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Vegas took a major gamble at the deadline.
3. Boston Bruins
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +1000
The Bruins (26-10-8) won a home-and-home with Montreal (on the road in a shootout), and on the road against the Islanders, but they lost in overtime at home to Dallas. They’ll visit Montreal again, along with Ottawa and they’ll also host New Jersey this week. Patrice Bergeron continues to roll as he has three goals and four assists for seven points in his last five games. The Bruins have emerged as a quiet contender who is balanced on both ends.
4. Washington Capitals
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +1200
The Capitals (28-14-4) won in Carolina and lost in overtime in New Jersey. They’ll host Montreal and Philadelphia, and then they’ll head to Florida. The Capitals are still a little inconsistent in their own zone, so they could be in the market for help there. Alex Ovechkin is still rolling with two goals and four assists for six points in his last five games, but defensively, Washington still needs work.
5. Nashville Predators
Stanley Cup Odds: +1200
The Predators (27-11-6) won at home over Vegas and Arizona (in a shootout), and they’ll stay home to host Florida and Tampa Bay this week before visiting New Jersey. The Predators have won four in a row, allowing six goals in those four games, and they still have a little cap room to play with. They could be in the market for some depth.
6. New Jersey Devils
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +1300
The Devils (24-12-8) lost at home to Philadelphia, and then won on the road against the Islanders before beating Washington in overtime at home. They’ll head to Philadelphia and Boston this week, along with home games against Detroit and Nashville. Taylor Hall is red hot with four goals and six assists for 10 points in his last five games, and he has scored points in each of his last six games. The Devils also have a lot of cap room to work with, so keep an eye out for them.
7. Winnipeg Jets
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +1600
The Jets (26-13-7) lost in Chicago and Minnesota, and they’ll be back in action in Calgary, San Jose and Anaheim; there is also a home game against Vancouver in there. The Jets lost their two games by a combined score of 6-2, but the Calgary game comes after a week off, so they should be refreshed and raring to go. They’re also another team that has a lot of cap space to work with as the trade deadline gets closer.
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +1600
The Blue Jackets (26-18-3) lost at home to Vancouver, then won over Dallas in a shootout at home. They’ll travel to Vegas and Arizona this week. The Blue Jackets have a bit of cap space and they need a few things, notably to shore up their attack and maybe a backup goalie. They’re 28th in the league in goals and 31st in on the power play, while Sergei Bobrovsky has played 38 games, which is tied for second in the NHL. If the Blue Jackets aren’t going to score goals, they need to keep their goalie as fresh as possible.
9. Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +1600
The Maple Leafs (25-17-5) lost a home to St. Louis and in Philadelphia, both in overtime, and they’ll travel to Ottawa and Chicago this week. They’ll also host Colorado. The Maple Leafs have dropped four in a row and three of those games have been in overtime, so they have been getting points. It goes without saying that the Maple Leafs need help defensively, but they have no cap space. However, they have James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak as free agents, and they could dangle them as bait for defensive help.
10. St. Louis Blues
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +1700
The Blues (28-17-3) won in Toronto in overtime and in Ottawa, and now it is back home to host Arizona, Ottawa and Colorado. St. Louis needs to do something about their scoring, which has dropped since Jaden Schwartz went down with an ankle injury. He was supposed to be out for six weeks, but has just skated for the first time after five weeks and likely won’t be back before the All-Star game. Look for the Blues to find some offensive aid.
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