It’s a Super Sunday with the Madness of the March to the NHL playoffs. Let’s take a look.
Wings Wheels Coming off
The Detroit Red Wings will host the St. Louis Blues on Sunday afternoon with coverage on NBC starting at noon ET.
Detroit is reeling with six losses in their last eight games. Then bad stretch has illustrated the Wings lack of quality depth both on defense and with secondary scoring. Goaltender Jimmy Howard has slipped to a .891 save percentage on his last five games. The Wings recent woes have been a reminder as to why many observers picked them to miss the playoffs when the season began. Detroit is stuck in third place in the Atlantic Division and head coach Mike Babcock is no doubt miserable with his demands for structure falling apart consistently as of late.
A High Note for St. Louis
The St. Louis Blues are just three points behind the Anaheim Ducks for the top record in the NHL and President’s Trophy. The Blues have won five out of their last seven games and are flashing a dominant and balanced look with ranks of fourth for both goal scoring and goals against. This does look to be the make or break year for The Note. St. Louis fans are holding their breath as they have gone through too many bright and brilliant regular seasons that have ended in playoff heartbreak. The Blues only figure to get better when top defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk returns later this month. All eyes will be on goalie Brian Elliot who has a .934 save percentage in March. The All Star continues to face doubts that can only be erased with a deep playoff run.
Things are Quite Ducky for Anaheim
The Anaheim Ducks will begin a five game road trip Sunday night at the New York Rangers with coverage on NBCSN starting at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Ducks have the top record in the NHL which would give them home ice advantage throughout the playoffs. The Ducks rank 18th for goals against which remains the elephant in the room in regards to their long term playoff prospects. However the Ducks have tightened up significantly as of late as they have allowed two goals or less in eight out of their last ten games. It is that late defensive improvement that has many observers thinking that head coach Bruce Boudreau and the Ducks can end their mutual playoff jinxes. Goaltender John Gibson has a .932 save percentage in the month of March to further add hope for Ducks fans.
Broadway Blueshirts Thrive Without King Henrik
When goaltender Henrik Lundqvist went down with a throat injury the New York Rangers were written off as a serious contender for the Atlantic Division title. Instead the Broadway Blueshirts have rallied to the cause of backup goaltender Cam Talbot, who has an impossible .967 save percentage in the month of March. Talbot’s success could actually put more pressure on Lundqvist, whom should be returning within a week. If Lundqvist falters at all upon his return, there will no doubt be calls for Talbot’s return. What is currently a great story may turn out to be an uncomfortable situation for all when the King returns to his throne.
The Rangers are just two points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and boast a defense corps that rivals the Nashville Predators as being the best in the game. Rick Nash has been dominant for much of the season (39 goals) but has tailed off as of late with just two goals in his last eight games. Nash figures to have plenty of upside for the final push towards the playoffs.
The Rangers are clearly better than last year’s Eastern Conference championship team and look to be built for a deep run.
Tough Challenge for Bruins
Boston is coming off a Saturday night game at the Florida Panthers and has to face the Lightning at Tampa Bay on Sunday night at 5 p.m. ET. Tampa Bay is just two points behind Montreal for the top spot in the Eastern Conference and has won seven out of their last ten. The Bruins are wildly inconsistent and are being exposed for their notable lack of depth. Lightning center Steven Stamkos has reached the 40 goal mark. Defensive depth remains the top worry for Tampa Bay.
