Halfway through the 2022-23 NHL regular season, it appears that the pecking order in the Atlantic Division has already been determined. The Bruins have been red-hot since seemingly Day One and, as a result, have had an iron-clad grip on the top spot in the bracket ever since. The Maple Leafs have also enjoyed a successful first half, good enough for second in the division.
The original Jets land back in Winnipeg for a date with the present-day Jets, who have been firing on all cylinders as of late, and they have to be, in order to keep afloat in the three-team race for first place in the tough Central Division. It’s not about this season for the Desert Dogs, as they will finish out of the playoff picture yet again.
Monday afternoon hockey on Martin Luther King Jr. Day features a Flyers team playing better hockey as of late, but it’s all about the future for Philly. Not so for Boston, who roared out of the gate back in early October and haven’t taken their collective skate off the pedal.
While the Jets are headed to the post-season beginning in April, Les Canadiens are headed in the opposite direction. How many balls they have in the entry draft lottery machine will be of paramount interest and importance to fans of the franchise. There are already a number of impressive young players wearing the uniform who hope to be part of a brighter future.
Both teams were expected to be better this season, and while there’s still half a season to play, most observers still expect both clubs to qualify for the playoffs. Injuries to key players have taken their toll on the Avalanche, while the Flames still look to jell as a team after some major roster revamps during the off-season.
The Devils have been a pleasant surprise in the Eastern Conference, while the second-year Kraken have been a pleasant surprise in the Western Conference. Halfway through the regular season, both teams have their sights set on a playoff spot in their respective Conferences.
The Senators are arguably one of the most disappointing NHL teams so far this season. They may not have been tabbed to be a playoff team this time around, but Ottawa was expected to be closer to the cut-off line than where they currently sit. As for the Penguins, just when people write them off, they play their best hockey.
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