OUTSIDER SPORTS BUZZ: NHL WEEKLY REPORT
Welcome to Outsider Sports Buzz, NHL edition. Here we break down the biggest news over the course of the week and we give the Outsider Sports staff power rankings.
Image credit to Michael Dwyer / AP Staff
Boston Officially Makes History
The Bruins’ season has been magical, and it felt like it was only a matter of time before setting a new single-season wins total. They officially broke the 62-win mark with a win over the Flyers on Sunday, leaving the 95-96 Red Wings and 18-19 Lightning as second-best. Now with 63 wins, Boston holds the regular season record, but the Bruins still have two games left to add to that mark.
It’s also important to note that this is only the start of what the Bruins are going for. The regular season success is great, but it means nothing if they don’t take advantage of it. That Lightning team mentioned earlier tied the previous record in the regular season, but failed to win a game against Columbus in the first round. Regular season success guarantees nothing.
Avalanche take control of Central
Colorado has gone on a 14-3-0 run since March 11, and with a 5-4 overtime win over the Ducks on Sunday they moved into sole possession of first in the Central division. The Stanley Cup defense for the Avs hasn’t gone as planned, especially with all of the injuries, but despite the bumpy road, they have finally pulled ahead for the final stretch. Now the remaining schedule isn’t easy, three games, playing playoff teams in Edmonton and Winnipeg, as well as playoff hopeful in the Predators.
The Stars and Wild have three games remaining as well, with Dallas playing the Red Wings and Blues twice. The Wild will get to play the Blackhawks and then two teams fighting for their playoff lives in the Jets and Predators.
OUTSIDER SPORTS POWER RANKINGS
Members of the Outsider Sports Hockey Podcast Tom Leone and Mikey D, myself and Outsider Sports writer Arianna Fariss each provided our top 10 teams in the NHL. How we ranked them? Where we ranked each team was how many points assigned to them, with first getting 10 points and 10th getting one point. The team with the most points is ranked first. How we ranked each team is underneath our rankings.
1. Boston Bruins (40 points)
The Bruins continued to make history as they set the new single season win total on Sunday. They were impressive against a strong Devils team and with one of the best teams in front of a strong goaltending tandem, it’s going to take a lot to knock off this team in a seven-game series.
2. Carolina Hurricanes (35 points)
The Hurricanes remained in second, but they won only one game this week as New Jersey inched closer, just one point back now. The Hurricanes still have a game in-hand, but if they lose in Ottawa on Monday, things aren’t as comfortable heading into the final two games.
3. New Jersey Devils (32 points)
The Devils took care of business to start the week, dealing a big blow to the Penguins and stomping the Blue Jackets. They won both games at home by a score of 13-2. The week didn’t have the best ending, losing 2-1 on Saturday night in Boston, but if a late season loss has positives to draw from, it’s this one. New Jersey was under siege early, and it would’ve been easy to accept defeat to the NHL’s best after going down 2-0 under six minutes into the game. But they answered immediately with Jack Hughes setting up Jesper Bratt, tying the team's record for points in a season.
They competed with the teams best the rest of the game, and kept themselves in it the entire way. The next step is winning, but it was a good sign for a young team heading into the playoffs.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs (24 points)
The Maple Leafs had a good week, but find themselves tied with the red-hot Golden Knights in our rankings. They won two out of three games and the only loss was in overtime against the Bruins.
All eyes are on Tampa Bay now, with a first-round matchup coming.
5. Vegas Golden Knights (24 points)
The Golden Knights continue to climb our rankings, tying Toronto for fourth in our rankings, and it’s thanks to a six-game point streak. They are just 3-0-3 in those six games, but getting three points in those losses has kept them ahead of the surging Oilers for the top seed in the West.
6. New York Rangers (20 points)
New York continues to win big games and respond. The Rangers responded to their first back-to-back losses since late February with wins over Washington and Tampa Bay. They fell in overtime to St. Louis but then picked up a 4-0 win over the Blue Jackets. They sit two points behind the Devils for home ice in the first round, so they still have something to play for in the final two games.
7. Edmonton Oilers (20 points)
The point streak grew to 13 games for the Oilers with three more wins this week. They’re keeping up with Vegas, just two points back with two games to pay. Connor McDavid and company are certainly capable of making up the ground and putting on a show in the playoffs. It feels like this could be the year for him after setting new career-highs while running away with the Hart Trophy, but we need to see it before we believe it.
8. Colorado Avalanche (16 points)
Colorado has been knocking on the front door of the Central for a few weeks now, and they finally kicked it in and took the division lead. It won’t be an easy finish for the Avs, but they’re the defending champs for a reason.
9. Tampa Bay Lightning (7 points)
The Lightning jumped back into our rankings despite not picking up a single point in three games this week. They’re locked into the three-seed now, but the Lightning are focused on a big first-round matchup with the Maple Leafs.
10. Minnesota Wild (3 points)
The Wild fell out of the Central Division lead, but winning the division isn’t out of the question yet. They have a bit of an advantage over the Avalanche in terms of strength of schedule, but have just three games to make up the two points they trail.
Also receiving votes: Dallas Stars (2 points)
How we ranked them:
Ben Mandell: Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Carolina Hurricanes Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild.
Tom Leone: Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild.
Mikey D: Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild.
Arianna Fariss: Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, Minnesota Wild.