With the all-star break fast approaching in the NHL, I thought it would be a good time to take a look at some of the top storylines in the NHL. So no power rankings this time around folks. Instead one thing to keep an eye on in every division in the NHL.
Metropolitan: The Blue Jackets are red hot.
It seems ever since John Tortorella’s impassioned postgame speech after a shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks the Jackets have been nearly unstoppable. Since that game they are 8-2 and surging into wild card contention in the east. The Jackets are just two points away from locking up one of the top three seeds in the conference as well. Lead by Pierre Luc Dubois and defenseman Zach Werenski the Jackets are rolling right now. Aided by goaltending standout Elvis Merzlikins who has posted three shutouts in his last four games. If the Jackets can continue the hot streak they can overtake the slumping Isles and secure a playoff destiny.
Atlantic: The Tampa Bay Lightning are back on track.
After a slow start to the season, at one point being out of playoff contention, the Lightning have regained there President’s Trophy form as of late. Sitting six points behind a Bruins team that is 4-3-3 in there last ten. The Lightning are on track to challenge for the division once again. If they hit the playoffs as a one or two seed, look out. It seems the pattern in the NHL is explode onto the scene year one, crash in the playoffs, struggle early in year two, round into form, make a deep cup run as a two or three seed. The Lightning have the necessary fire power to compete. Nikita Kucherov is still at the top of his game with 54 points thus far this season and Alex Killorn has emerged as a nice piece of depth scoring with 20 goals so far this season.
Central: The Blues are the class of the division.
With the Avalanche tending to lose to central division teams, the Blues remain in firm control of the top seed in the Central division. In fact the splits between east and west for the challenging Avs are staggering. Verse Eastern Conference teams the Avs are 11-4-3 against the Western Conference a measly 16-11-3. Not to mention against playoff teams in the Central they are a bad 3-5-2. Those number do not a division champion make. The Blues are simply dominating the Western Conference, 21-5-4. Despite a loss in Colorado on Saturday the Blues are in good position to take the division. The only other real threat to them are the Dallas Stars. Dallas have been red hot in there last ten going 7-3. The Blues look well on there way to locking up the Central and having home ice advantage through the playoffs in the West.
Pacific: Young Vancouver have surged into first place.
This to me is the most shocking result of the NHL season thus far. The Canucks lead by Brock Boeser are the top team in the Pacific division with 58 points. 7-3 in there last ten, the Canucks are playing just absoloutely fantastic hockey right now. They cannot be ignored; they are one of the fastest and youngest teams in the NHL. They are the Pacific’s answer to the Avalanche. Everything about the team is fun to watch right now and they must be on your radar going into the true second half of the season.