The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As Bruins roll, rest of NHL making a push for playoffs
Bruce Cassidy’s Vegas Golden Knights lost eight of 10 games going into the All-star break after leading the Pacific Division at the midway point of the NHL season. They’re still safely in a playoff spot in the Western Conference, but they can’t keep it up. “There’s not too many teams that can cruise home the last 30 games in this league, and we’re certainly not one of them,” Cassidy said.
Cassidy’s old team, the Boston Bruins, probably could. They’re atop the NHL and running away with the Atlantic Division. With 39 wins and 83 points through 51 games, Boston is on pace to break the record for the best regular season in NHL history. The Carolina Hurricanes are next in the standings at 76 points.
The Bruins are in a class of their own, but the playoff races behind them in the East and West should be hot down the stretch.
Metropolitan
The Hurricanes rode a seven-game winning streak into the break, putting some fear into the Bruins in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy and home-ice advantage through the postseason. Winger Max Pacioretty re-tearing his right Achilles tendon five games into his return didn’t slow them down, and if their goaltending holds up, Carolina stands a good chance of reaching the East final. The second-place New Jersey Devils are contending for the first time since 2018. They’re followed by the New York Rangers, Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Islanders.
Atlantic
The Rangers lost to the Lightning in six games last spring, when two-time champion Tampa Bay reached the Stanley Cup Final for the third consecutive season before getting beat by the Colorado Avalanche. The Lightning are almost certain to face the Toronto Maple Leafs — who haven’t won a playoff series since the NHL salary cap era began in 2005 — in the first round and remain a threat to the Bruins. But Boston has separated itself. The Islanders should have some more confidence after acquiring 30-goal scorer Bo Horvat from Vancouver, but still need to make up ground to get in.
Central
Defending champion Colorado climbed in the standings — winning seven of eight going into the break. It would be foolish to bet against the Avs coming out of the West again. They still trail the Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota Wild in the Central, and the Nashville Predators are on their heels.
Pacific
MVP favorite Connor Mcdavid and the Edmonton Oilers have a little bit of catching up to do in the division. The top spot is held by the Seattle Kraken, who are on pace to make the playoffs in their second season but still need to fend off the Los Angeles Kings and the Vegas Golden Knights. Edmonton — and the rival Calgary Flames — have the talent to not only get in but make a run. Mcdavid leads the league with 41 goals and 92 points, 16 more than No. 2 scorer and teammate Leon Draisaitl.