While the Maple Leafs have found their stride, the Flames are still looking for their A game. Mitch Marner has been on fire for Toronto, while the goaltending has been solid and, at times, spectacular. Calgary is still searching for similar consistency, and tonight is a good test.
Did anybody have the Jets as a Central Division powerhouse a quarter of the way through the season? Yet there they are, in large part due to the return to All-Star form of goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. As for the Capitals, injuries have taken their toll this season, which is why they’re lagging behind in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.
A tale of two cities and teams as the Devils and Rangers renew hostilities on Broadway. New Jersey has been one of the major revelations so far this season, leading the way in the tough Metropolitan Division, while New York is scuffling along, underachieving, but still within striking distance of a playoff spot.
Two teams not headed to the post-season this time around, so it’s all about the young guys. Or the old guys, in the case of the Sharks. Future Hockey Hall-of-Famer Erik Karlsson has been impressive to this point, and the Sharks can steal points. The Coyotes are also looking to the future and a brand-new arena.
Both teams have been surprising so far, but for completely different reasons. The Canadiens have overachieved, with major contributions from their young guns, and a green D corp. The Senators have arguably underachieved after making a number of impressive moves in the off-season.
So, who exactly are the Blues? Who exactly are the Oilers? Are they playoff-bound teams? Some nights yes…some nights, no. On any given Thursday, both of these squads can win convincingly, yet on other nights both teams can’t seem to find a way to put it all together. Yet both St. Louis and Edmonton are still very much alive in the Western Conference playoff hunt.
A big two points are up for grabs tonight in Southern Alberta as both the Blues and Flames continue the dogfight that is the Western Conference. The Blues are coming off a game up north against the Oilers, another team ensconced in the battle.
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