Five key story lines for final week of season
Streak, record, awards, more will be on line
Story lines that deserve your attention in the final week of the NHL’s regular season.
1. Detroit streak in jeopardy: Many players weren’t born the last time the Detroit Red Wings missed the playoffs during the 1989- 90 campaign. But the Red Wings’ playoff appearance streak could be stopped at 24 seasons if the Red Wings are beaten by the Boston Bruins on Thursday.
The Red Wings are one point ahead of the Bruins for third place in the Atlantic Division. There are other ways for Detroit to advance to the playoffs, but the most plausible scenario is to finish ahead of Boston. Both teams have three games remaining.
“I think this is the way it’s been for a few years now,” Red Wings winger Gustav Nyquist said. “A lot of the guys in our room have been through this, needing to claw your way into the playoffs.”
2. Goalie record should fall: Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby needs two wins to surpass Martin Brodeur’s record of 48 in a season. The Capitals have four games remaining, beginning Tuesday at home against the New York Islanders. The Capitals play at home vs. the Penguins on Thursday and then play at the St. Louis Blues on Saturday and at home against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. He should play in three of those games.
Brodeur’s mark was set in 2006- 07, and it was expected to stand for an extended period. While Brodeur played 78 games to reach 48 wins, Holtby has played 63 games, meaning he has won in 74.6% of his appearances. Three other goalies ( Jonathan Quick, Pekka Rinne and Devan Dubnyk) have played more games than Holtby this season.
Holtby has been hot down the stretch,
surrendering six goals over his last five games. In that period, his save percentage is .953.
3. An American first: Chicago Blackhawks right winger Patrick Kane is on track to become the first U. S.- born player to win the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s scoring champion. With three games remaining, Kane, with 100 points, had a 12- point lead on Dallas Stars winger Jamie Benn, who played late Sunday. Benn had registered 11 points in his previous eight games, but Kane negated that surge with three goals and an assist in Chicago’s 6- 4 win against Boston on Sunday. Kane is the first American to reach 100 points since Doug Weight in 1995- 96 with the Edmonton Oilers.
4. Rookie race unsettled: Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association will get their final looks at the top candidates for the Calder Trophy this week.
Chicago’s Artemi Panarin has been a favorite from start to finish, but Shayne Gostisbehere’s contributions ( 16 goals, 42 points in 59 games) in helping the Philadelphia Flyers climb into a playoff position are drawing considerable notice. Plus, there is debate about how to factor in Oilers center Connor McDavid, who was recently named rookie of the month for the third time — each month he has been healthy.
That alone presents a solid case that McDavid, averaging better than a point per game ( 45 in 43 games), has been the top rookie. But can writers give it to a player who will play only half of a season because of injury? There is no minimum game rule.
Panarin has 28 goals and 20 more points than the next rookie. Don’t we have to give him credit for playing a full season? Panarin had a goal and three assists Sunday.
5. Division titles up for grabs: Pencil in Thursday as the day the Pacific Division champion will be crowned. The Los Angeles Kings had a one- point lead on the second- place Ducks, who had played one fewer game. Those teams will meet Thursday at Staples Center.
Meanwhile, the Central Division champion also hasn’t been decided. The Stars had a four- point lead, but the second- place Blues had a game in hand. The loser in the Central Division title race will have to play the defending champion Blackhawks in the first round.