by Sean Murphy
Wednesday, Jan 31, 2024The NHL All-Star break is upon us with most teams approaching or eclipsing the 50-game mark heading into February. Here's a look at some news and notes from around the league before the action resumes on Monday.
Shark bites
The Sharks have pulled themselves out of the league basement thanks to a 4-1 surge. They'll play one more game (in Anaheim) on the final night of action before the break on Wednesday. A victory would actually move them just two points behind the Ducks. Of course, winning isn't paramount in San Jose right now as the Sharks would undoubtedly like to finish as close to the bottom as possible to give themselves a chance to win the lottery and draft a potential franchise player in June (Macklin Celebrini is this year's biggest prize, drawing admittedly lofty comparisons to Sidney Crosby). Of note, the Sharks won't play another home game until February 17th.
March of the Penguins
Perennially active as buyers prior to the trade deadline, this year figures to be no different for the Penguins. They're well within striking distance of a Wild Card spot (not to mention third place in the Metropolitan Division) heading into the break. You do have to wonder whether Father Time is finally catching up with the Pens as their aging core had a difficult time carrying the load for stretches this season. Note that Pittsburgh is just 2-5 over its last seven games and will face a difficult schedule immediately following the break with three of its next four games coming against the Jets (two games) and Panthers. Management will undoubtedly do whatever it can to give Crosby, Malkin, Letang et al one more shot at hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup in June.
Back on Broadway
The Rangers limp into the break losers of eight of their last 12 games. There is reason for optimism, however, as the Blueshirts delivered a 7-2 victory in Ottawa last time out and will play five of their next seven games on home ice. In fact, they won't travel any further west than Chicago until March 28th when they make a two-game trip to Colorado and Arizona. New York is a team I'll look to bet in the coming weeks as there's simply too much talent for it to continue to sputter the way that it has. An eight-day break could be just what the doctor ordered, especially for All-World goaltender Igor Shesterkin who has struggled to the tune of a pedestrian 2.86 goals against average and .900 save percentage this season.
Rocky mountain high
It's hard to call a perennial Stanley Cup contender like the Avalanche undervalued but that's been the case lately. Colorado checks in 13-5 over its last 18 games and has been laying some very reasonable prices lately (-140 at home against the Kings last time out - a game it won 5-1). Only two teams enter the break with more points (the Canucks and Bruins) and the Avs are well withing striking distance of both, just four points back. A word of caution, the Avs will begin a difficult six-game eastern road swing against the Rangers in Manhattan on Monday. Looking ahead they wrap up the regular season by playing nine of their final 13 games on home ice.
Kane is able
It may come as a surprise to some but the Red Wings rank second in the Eastern Conference in goals scored with 174. The addition of veteran super-scorer Patrick Kane has certainly given them a boost but he's missed six straight games due to a lower-body injury suffered on January 14th. The good news is, Kane himself has said that he should be ready to return to the lineup following the All-Star break. The 35-year old has produced 16 points in 19 games since joining the Wings in November. Detroit currently holds down the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference but sits just two points behind the third-place Lightning in the Atlantic Division.
Shark bites
The Sharks have pulled themselves out of the league basement thanks to a 4-1 surge. They'll play one more game (in Anaheim) on the final night of action before the break on Wednesday. A victory would actually move them just two points behind the Ducks. Of course, winning isn't paramount in San Jose right now as the Sharks would undoubtedly like to finish as close to the bottom as possible to give themselves a chance to win the lottery and draft a potential franchise player in June (Macklin Celebrini is this year's biggest prize, drawing admittedly lofty comparisons to Sidney Crosby). Of note, the Sharks won't play another home game until February 17th.
March of the Penguins
Perennially active as buyers prior to the trade deadline, this year figures to be no different for the Penguins. They're well within striking distance of a Wild Card spot (not to mention third place in the Metropolitan Division) heading into the break. You do have to wonder whether Father Time is finally catching up with the Pens as their aging core had a difficult time carrying the load for stretches this season. Note that Pittsburgh is just 2-5 over its last seven games and will face a difficult schedule immediately following the break with three of its next four games coming against the Jets (two games) and Panthers. Management will undoubtedly do whatever it can to give Crosby, Malkin, Letang et al one more shot at hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup in June.
Back on Broadway
The Rangers limp into the break losers of eight of their last 12 games. There is reason for optimism, however, as the Blueshirts delivered a 7-2 victory in Ottawa last time out and will play five of their next seven games on home ice. In fact, they won't travel any further west than Chicago until March 28th when they make a two-game trip to Colorado and Arizona. New York is a team I'll look to bet in the coming weeks as there's simply too much talent for it to continue to sputter the way that it has. An eight-day break could be just what the doctor ordered, especially for All-World goaltender Igor Shesterkin who has struggled to the tune of a pedestrian 2.86 goals against average and .900 save percentage this season.
Rocky mountain high
It's hard to call a perennial Stanley Cup contender like the Avalanche undervalued but that's been the case lately. Colorado checks in 13-5 over its last 18 games and has been laying some very reasonable prices lately (-140 at home against the Kings last time out - a game it won 5-1). Only two teams enter the break with more points (the Canucks and Bruins) and the Avs are well withing striking distance of both, just four points back. A word of caution, the Avs will begin a difficult six-game eastern road swing against the Rangers in Manhattan on Monday. Looking ahead they wrap up the regular season by playing nine of their final 13 games on home ice.
Kane is able
It may come as a surprise to some but the Red Wings rank second in the Eastern Conference in goals scored with 174. The addition of veteran super-scorer Patrick Kane has certainly given them a boost but he's missed six straight games due to a lower-body injury suffered on January 14th. The good news is, Kane himself has said that he should be ready to return to the lineup following the All-Star break. The 35-year old has produced 16 points in 19 games since joining the Wings in November. Detroit currently holds down the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference but sits just two points behind the third-place Lightning in the Atlantic Division.
