Fifteen: Montreal ( Atlantic)

Montreal can't seem to find the scoring. I'm not sure who is more needed, Brendan Gallagher RW adds good depth at forward. Carey Price G is a great goalie. The Canadiens are hurting on both ends of the ice. I'm still a believer in what coach Michel Therrien has put together here - this team is better than what their last fifteen days show.

Record: 20 - 13 - 3 43pts ( projected: 23 - 15 - 4 50pts)

19 - 7 - 3 41pts ( projected: 22 - 8 - 6 50pts)

Significant Injuries:
Brendan Gallagher RW
Carey Price G

Both of these guys are important to this team. The backup goalies seem inconsistent, so having Price back in net should boost the team's confidence.

Next Fifteen Days: 12/25/2015 - 1/8/2016
Saturday at Washington
Monday at Tampa Bay
Tuesday at Florida
Friday at Boston
Tuesday at Philadelphia
Wednesday New Jersey visits

Who knows what happens next! I have to believe they are better than the last fifteen. They are capable of winning most of these. And they are capable of losing all of these.

7 out of 12pts

3 - 2 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 12/10/2015 - 12/24/2015:
LOSS 2 - 3 at Detroit
WIN 3 - 1 Ottawa
LOSS 1 - 3 San Jose
LOSS 0 - 3 Los Angeles
LOSS 2 - 6 at Dallas
LOSS 1 - 5 at Nashville
LOSS 1 - 2 at Minnesota

The loss streak could go to 4 pretty easily tonight. Detroit is playing really good hockey. Overall this is not an easy 15 days. Ottawa, San Jose, Nashville and Minnesota should be 7 or 8 points. If they grab 3 points from Detroit, LA and Dallas, they are "righting the ship" so to speak.

It couldn't have been worse for the Habs in this fifteen days. Well, they could have lost to Ottawa. So there is THAT, right? Wow.

2out of 14pts

1 - 6 - 0



Fifteen: Los Angeles (1st Pacific)

Los Angeles is a very solid team. But in any sport, if you don't focus you lose. Drew Doughty D was on the ice a lot in those recent losses. Anze Kopitar C was out there a lot, too. These two are key shutdown guys, so if goals are going in against them, LA probably isn't winning.  I figure coach Darryl Sutter will be able to refocus this group. They have played some unbeatable hockey this season.

Record: 20 - 11 - 2 42pts (projected: 24 - 13 - 3 51pts)

18 - 8 - 1 37pts ( projected: 23 - 9 - 1 50pts)

Significant Injuries:
No significant injuries.

Next Fifteen Days: 12/25/2015 - 1/8/2016
Saturday at Arizona
Monday at Vancouver
Tuesday at Edmonton
Thursday at Calgary
Saturday Philadelphia visits
Monday at Colorado
Thursday Toronto visits

I look for the Kings to bounce back coming out of the Christmas break and, really, this is a light part of the schedule. If they take any of these lightly, however, they could lose some important points. Edmonton, Calgary, Philly and Colorado are playing much improved hockey in December.

9 out of 14pts

4 - 2 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 12/10/2015 - 12/24/2015:
WIN 3 -2 (SO) at Pittsburgh
LOSS 1 - 2 (OT) at Buffalo
LOSS 3 - 5 at Ottawa
WIN 3 - 0 at Montreal
LOSS 0 - 5 at Toronto
LOSS 3 - 5 San Jose

A nice road trip or two. This will be a great measure of just how focused the Kings are. They've got a five game win streak going now. I think they could lose to either Pittsburgh or Montreal but neither are playing so great right now. LA could come away from this with an 11 game win streak at Christmas.

How wrong I was. The opposite occurred. They beat Montreal and Pittsburgh and have some very ugly losses in the others. I can't say I watched many of these games. That loss to Toronto and losing in the 3rd period to San Jose are huge.

5 out of 12pts

2 - 3 - 1



Fifteen: Philadelphia (5th Metropolitan)

Philadelphia has some positive play here. They have good talent. I haven't watched them play of late, so I don't know for sure what is going here.

Record: 15 - 12 - 7 37pts ( projected: 18 - 13 - 7 43pts)

Significant Injuries:
Same Gagner C

He's a solid player with good hands - he got 7 points in a game with Edmonton a few years back.

Next Fifteen Days 12/23/2015 - 1/6/2015:
Sunday at Anaheim
Wednesday at San Jose
Saturday at Los Angeles
Tuesday Montreal visits

They should win the first two of this west coast swing. Montreal's play of late makes that game a "should win" as well. Sweeping this fifteen would be great.

6 out of 8pts

3 - 1 - 0

Last Fifteen Days 12/8/2015 - 12/22/2015:
LOSS 3 - 4 (SO) New York Islanders
WIN 4 - 2 at St. Louis
LOSS 1 - 3 at Dallas
WIN 4 - 3 (OT) Carolina
WIN 2 - 0 Vancouver
LOSS 2 - 3 (SO) at Columbus
WIN 4 - 3 St. Louis

4 - 1 - 2

10 out of 14pts

Philly has had a good 15 days. Won the games should have and played well in the losses. Two wins against St. Louis elevates the performance.



Fifteen: Ottawa (5th Atlantic)

Vancouver plays mediocre hockey as they are a mediocre team.

Record: 12 - 14 - 9 33pts ( projected: 13 - 16 - 11 37pts)

Significant Injuries:
Henrik Sedin C

If this progresses to something serious, Vancouver will have a hard time.

Next Fifteen Days 12/21/2015 - 1/4/2015:
Tuesday at Tampa Bay
Saturday Edmonton visits
Monday Los Angeles visits
Friday Anaheim visits
Monday Arizona visits

This is a very winnable fifteen - drop the one to Los Angeles and win the rest puts Vancouver in a good spot to start the new year.

4 out of 10pts

1 - 2 - 2

Last Fifteen Days 12/6/2015 - 12/20/2015:
WIN 5 - 2 Buffalo
WIN 2 - 1 New York Rangers
LOSS 4 - 0 at Chicago
LOSS 6 - 2 at Minnesota
LOSS 2 - 0 at Philadelphia
WIN 4 - 3 (SO) at Detroit
LOSS 4 - 5 (SO) at Florida

3 - 3 - 1

7 out of 14pts

About what to expect from Vancouver, maybe slightly better than expected.



Fifteen: Calgary (5th Pacific)

I enjoyed watching Calgary play last season. They are finally playing that way again. Coach Bob Hartley is proven and despite my doubts, if they make the playoffs this season, he will move up a notch in my book. Johnny Gaudreau LW is playing great hockey - 13pts 7g/6a and +8 in the 9 games of december, certainly showing his importance to this team's successes. Mark Giordano D is starting to turn his game around, as well. T.J. Brodie D and Sean Monahan C have been valuable in this December run.

Record: 16 - 16 - 2 34pts ( projected: 16 - 16 - 2 34pts)

Significant Injuries:
Michael Frolik RW

Certainly a solid player.

Next Fifteen Days 12/22/2015 - 1/5/2015:
Tuesday Winnipeg visits
Sunday Edmonton visits
Tuesday Anaheim visits
Thursday Los Angeles visits
Saturday at Colorado
Tuesday Tampa Bay visits

Fifteen days to face those teams, with the exception of Los Angeles, that Calgary wants to be separating itself from. To show themselves playoff worthy, the Flames need to win four of the six and get points from the other two.

9 out of 12pts

4 - 1 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 12/7/2015 - 12/21/2015:
WIN 4 - 2 San Jose
WIN 4 -3 Buffalo
WIN 5 - 4 (OT) New York Rangers
WIN 2 - 1 (OT) at Nashville
WIN 3 - 1 at Dallas
LOSS 2 - 3 at St. Louis
LOSS 2 - 4 at Detroit

5 - 2 - 0

10 out of 14pts

Calgary is starting to play more like they did last season. This fifteen days started by adding five wins for a seven game win streak - very impressive win against Dallas included. Those late losses are not bad losses.



Fifteen: Minnesota (4th Central)

Minnesota is a very good team with a very good core. There is talk of them potentially trading for a center. This would be great as long as it doesn't mess up chemistry. Ryan Suter D is so good but needs solid play from his forwards and other d-men - he can't do it all. Zach Parise LW is tough at both ends. Really there are a lot of good players here. But they need to be more consistent. It is nice to see Thomas Vanek LW producing. And what's not to love about Mikko Koivu C (if you aren't playing against him, anyway).

Record: 17 - 9 - 6 40pts ( projected: 20 - 11 - 8 48pts)

Significant Injuries:
No current injuries of concern.

Next Fifteen Days 12/22/2015 - 1/5/2015:
Tuesday Montreal visits
Saturday Pittsburgh visits
Monday Detroit visits
Thursday at St. Louis
Saturday at Tampa Bay
Sunday at Florida
Tuesday at Columbus

Nothing easy in this fifteen days. If they can start with win against Montreal and Pittsburgh, then winning the two of the last three is very plausible for a very good set of games.

8 out of 14pts

3 - 2 - 2

Last Fifteen Days 12/7/2015 - 12/21/2015:
LOSS 1 - 2 (OT) at Colorado
LOSS 1 - 2 (OT) at Arizona
WIN 2 - 0 at San Jose
WIN 6 - 2 Vancouver
WIN 5 - 2 New York Rangers
LOSS 2 - 3 at Nashville
LOSS 3 - 6 Dallas

3 - 2 - 2

8 out of 14pts

Some huge inconsistency in this fifteen days. Losing two points to Nashville and a point to Arizona could be big.



Fifteen: New Jersey (4th Metropolitan)

New Jersey is not empty of talent with forwards Adam Henrique C and Mike Cammalleri LW and defensemen Adam Larsson D and Damon Severson D. Still it's the depth guys that will make or break this season and have kept them in it so far. Lee Stempniak RW and Kyle Palmieri RW are putting in the effort every night. They have to keep doing it though or the bottom might fall out and crush the playoff hopes.

Record: 16 - 13 - 5 37pts ( projected: 19 - 15 - 7 45pts)

Significant Injuries:
No current injuries of concern.

Next Fifteen Days 12/22/2015 - 1/5/2015:
Tuesday at Detroit
Saturday at Carolina
Tuesday Carolina visits
Wednesday at Ottawa
Saturday Dallas visits
Monday Detroit visits

They have to get points out of Detroit in order to make this fifteen days successful. That means the games against the Canes and Sens are wins - anything else and the Devils are putting themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time.

7 out of 12pts

3 - 2 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 12/7/2015 - 12/21/2015:
LOSS 2 - 3 (SO) at Toronto
WIN 3 - 2 (OT) Detroit
LOSS 0 - 4 at New York Islanders
WIN 2 - 0 at Buffalo
LOSS 1 - 5 Florida
LOSS 1 - 2 Anaheim
LOSS 1 - 2 (SO) at Boston

2 - 3 - 2

6 out of 14pts

The lost some points they need here and every fifteen days. Losses at Toronto and home to Anaheim can't happen if they want the playoffs.



Fifteen: Florida (4th Atlantic)

Coach Gerard Gallant seems to put out a good system for his group of players. This could be a statement year for him. Overall, with Aleksander Barkov C in the line-up, the Panthers have a shot at making a run in the playoffs. Good leadership and good chemistry on a team with youth and veterans can be very positive down the stretch - barring injuries, of course. Jaromir Jagr RW continues to impress, at 43. The youngsters on defense, Aaron Ekblad D, 19 and Erik Gudbranson D, 23, should be making an impact for years to come!

Record: 18 - 12 - 4 40pts ( projected: 21 - 14 - 5 47pts)

Significant Injuries:
Dave Bolland C
Nick Bjugstad C

These two are very valuable for playoff success. Bolland is out with a sickness - so this should be temporary. Bjugstad is out until after Christmas and that could cost them a point or two.

Next Fifteen Days 12/22/2015 - 1/5/2015:
Tuesday Ottawa visits
Sunday Columbus visits
Tuesday Montreal visits
Saturday New York Rangers visit
Sunday Minnesota visits
Tuesday at Buffalo

Three must-wins and three other could-wins, Florida is poised for a great stretch. If not, they might sink back into the middle-tier and fighting for the playoffs.

7 out of 12pts

3 - 2 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 12/7/2015 - 12/21/2015:
LOSS 2 - 4 Ottawa
WIN 4 - 1 Washington
LOSS 1 - 3 at Boston
WIN 5 - 1 at New York Islanders
WIN 5 - 1 at New Jersey
WIN 2 - 0 at Carolina
WIN 5 - 4 (SO) Vancouver

5 - 2 - 0

10 out of 14pts

This was a good fifteen days. Losses to both Boston and Ottawa could be bad at season's end - they are direct competition for playoff spots.



Fifteen: Vancouver (3rd Pacific)

Vancouver plays mediocre hockey as they are a mediocre team.

Record: 12 - 14 - 9 33pts ( projected: 13 - 16 - 11 37pts)

Significant Injuries:
Henrik Sedin C

If this progresses to something serious, Vancouver will have a hard time.

Next Fifteen Days 12/21/2015 - 1/4/2015:
Tuesday at Tampa Bay
Saturday Edmonton visits
Monday Los Angeles visits
Friday Anaheim visits
Monday Arizona visits

This is a very winnable fifteen - drop the one to Los Angeles and win the rest puts Vancouver in a good spot to start the new year.

4 out of 10pts

1 - 2 - 2

Last Fifteen Days 12/6/2015 - 12/20/2015:
WIN 5 - 2 Buffalo
WIN 2 - 1 New York Rangers
LOSS 4 - 0 at Chicago
LOSS 6 - 2 at Minnesota
LOSS 2 - 0 at Philadelphia
WIN 4 - 3 (SO) at Detroit
LOSS 4 - 5 (SO) at Florida

3 - 3 - 1

7 out of 14pts

 

About what to expect from Vancouver, maybe slightly better than expected.



Fifteen: Tampa Bay (6th Atlantic)

The Lightning have all the pieces when healthy. Steven Stamkos C - on pace for 33 goals - is  producing but not as much as he has in the past. If he gets on a hot streak and Tampa stays steady until the injuries heal, the Lightning might find themselves in the finals again. It's a BIG if, though. Tampa Bay has yet to play like they did last season. Victor Hedman D and Anton Stralman D are playing solid hockey. Nikita Kucherov RW is contributing well offensively.

Record: 17 - 14 - 3 37pts ( projected: 20 - 15 - 4 44pts)

Significant Injuries:
Ondrej Palat LWBrian Boyle C
J.T. Brown RW
Tyler Johnson C
Matt Carle D

These are all guys that put in respectable minutes and add good depth and provide goals.

Next Fifteen Days 12/21/2015 - 1/4/2015:
Tuesday Vancouver visits
Saturday Columbus visits
Monday Montreal visits
Wednesday New York Rangers visit
Saturday Minnesota visits

Fifteen days to stay at home - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Tampa Bay can certainly make a statement in this fifteen by running the board. No scary games here.

7 out of 10pts

3 - 1 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 12/6/2015 - 12/20/2015:
LOSS 1 -3 at Los Angeles
WIN 4 - 1 Ottawa
LOSS 2 -1 Washington
WIN 2 -1 at Columbus
WIN 5 - 4 (OT) at Toronto
LOSS 3 - 5 at Washington
WIN 5 -2 Ottawa

4 - 3 - 0

8 out of 14pts

 

The three losses are to top-tier teams playing solid hockey. So this week has no surprises for a team that should make the playoffs. Well, it is surprising this team is winning consistently with so many injuries.



Fifteen: Pittsburgh (6th Metropolitan)

Pittsburgh has the top-tier players. They are thin on defense, I suppose, and that does cause problems. So far new coach Mike Sullivan hasn't provided an answer. Sidney Crosby C should rebound and have a sensational second half of the season - hope says this anyway. Ultimately, the forwards have to focus on their own end. There is time for this team to get it together and still make the playoffs.

Record: 15 - 14 - 3 33pts ( projected: 17 - 16 - 5 39pts)

Significant Injuries:
Kris Letang DSidney Crosby C (he returned Friday)

These are core players for the Pens. Any time missed is likely to cost them points in the standings. However, recent slumping is much bigger than these injuries.

Next Fifteen Days 12/21/2015 - 1/4/2015:
Monday Columbus visits
Saturday at Minnesota
Sunday at Winnipeg
Wednesday Toronto visits
Thursday at Detroit
Saturday New York Islanders visit

Pittsburgh needs this fifteen to be great and it very well could be. The only games they should lose here would be against Detroit and the Isles - and then, really, they need points in those two. All six teams believe they can frustrate the Pens and "steal" points from them.

6 out of 12pts

2 - 2 - 2

Last Fifteen Days 12/6/2015 - 12/20/2015:
LOSS 1 - 2 at Anaheim
WIN 4 - 2 at Colorado
LOSS 2 - 3 (OT) Los Angeles
LOSS 1 - 4 Washington
LOSS 0 - 3 at Boston
LOSS 2 - 6 Boston
LOSS 1 - 2 Carolina

1 - 5 - 1

3 out of 14pts

 

A terrible fifteen days for Pittsburgh and their fans. This is a solid group of teams but the way the Pens have lost is what makes this fifteen extra terrible. Well, and losing to Carolina and Anaheim should not happen.

Fifteen: Nashville (5th Central)

Nashville has been up and down all season. Is it a style thing? Is it an effort thing? Is it a match-up thing? I'm not sure and I don't think they are either. James Neal LW and Filip Forsberg C are getting it done decently - maybe a little more production out of them? But really the forward depth drops off fast after those two. Coach Peter Laviolette has his work cut out in order to get this team in the playoffs.

Record: 16 - 11 - 6 38pts ( projected: 18 - 14 - 7 43pts)

Significant Injuries:
Mike Fisher C

He puts in quality minutes for the Predators. Definitely a positive addition when he comes back.

Next Fifteen Days 12/21/2015 - 1/4/2015:
Monday Montreal visits
Saturday Detroit visits
Monday New York Rangers visit
Tuesday at St. Louis
Thursday at Dallas
Saturday at Carolina

There really isn't anything easy in this fifteen. However, the way the Rangers and Canadiens are playing, Nashville needs wins against them. Carolina should be a win as well.

5 out of 12pts

2 - 3 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 12/6/2015 - 12/20/2015:
WIN 3 - 2 at Boston
LOSS 1 - 4 at Chicago
WIN 5 - 1 Chicago
LOSS 2 - 3 Colorado
LOSS 1 - 2 (OT) Calgary
LOSS 1 - 2 at St. Louis
WIN 3 - 2 Minnesota

3 - 3 - 1

7 out of 14pts

 

This is Nashville playing a bit below expectations. Considering that Colorado and Calgary are playing in a zone right now, this could have been a 2 or 3 point fifteen days. Good wins at Boston and home to Chicago and Minnesota save the Preds from falling farther.

 

Fifteen: New York Rangers (2nd Metropolitan)

The Rangers are struggling. Offense has been a small problem, but when the defense struggles the offense is a HUGE problem. Injuries are certainly hurting the team. This fifteen is a great chance to get some momentum back. The top players are fine - Mats Zuccarello RW is still bringing it every night. Support scoring is not coming. Also, the middle in the Rangers' end is being left open a lot more. It's been a tough stretch of late!

Record: 19 - 11 - 4 42pts ( projected: 21 - 13 - 5 47pts )

Significant Injuries:
Kevin Klein D
Dan Girardi D
Derek Stepan C

These are big minute injuries. Hopefully, it is a huge factor in the losses lately.

Next Fifteen Days 12/20/2015 - 1/3/2016:
Sunday Washington visits
Tuesday Anaheim visits
Monday at Nashville
Wednesday at Tampa Bay
Saturday at Florida

Time to right the sinking vessel! Other than Washington, this is another weaker fifteens days on the schedule.

5 out of 10pts

2 - 2 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 12/5/2015 - 12/19/2015:
WIN 4 - 1 Ottawa
LOSS 1 - 2 at Vancouver
LOSS 5 - 7 at Edmonton
LOSS 4 - 5 (OT) at Calgary
WIN 4 - 2 Edmonton
LOSS 2 - 5 at Minnesota
LOSS 2 - 5 at Winnipeg

2 - 4 - 1

5 out of 14pts

As bad a fifteen days as any team could have. This was not a tough part of the schedule for the Rangers.



Fifteen: St Louis (2nd Central)

St. Louis is well coached by Ken Hitchcock. He always puts a solid team on the ice - defense first with good control in their offense zone in spurts. Vladimir Tarasenko RW is soaring again this season. Alexander Steen LW isn't mentioned enough - he is a top-tier forward as well. I have trouble with both goalies. This is one team that truly could make a step with a better goalie.

Record: 20 - 10 - 4 44pts ( projected: 24 - 13 - 4 42pts)

Significant Injuries:
No current injuries.

Next Fifteen Days 12/20/2015 - 1/3/2016:
Monday at Philadelphia
Tuesday at Boston
Saturday Dallas
Sunday at Dallas
Tuesday Nashville
Thursday Minnesota
Saturday at Toronto

Some big games in this fifteen. Home and home versus Dallas will be pivotal - steal points here and St. Louis stays in the mix, win both and they make a statement. Of course, this means they win a few others.

8 out of 14pts

4 - 3 - 0

Last Fifteen Days 12/5/2015 - 12/19/2015:
LOSS 1 - 4 Toronto
WIN 4 - 1 Arizona
LOSS 2 - 4 Philadelphia
WIN 3 - 0 Dallas
LOSS 1 - 3 Colorado
WIN 4 -3 at Winnipeg
WIN 2 -1 Nashville
WIN 3 -2 Calgary

5 - 3 - 0

10 out of 16pts

If they don't steal one against a hot Calgary team to end the fifteen days, they are just a 500 team.  Counter that with a good win against Dallas.



Fifteen: Boston (2nd Atlantic)

The Bruins continue to surprise me. The core of Patrice Bergeron C, David Krejci C and Zdeno Chara D is proving how great they are and how integral they were to the successes of this franchise. Loui Eriksson LW and Brad Marchand LW (who I despise) are the right complements to this core. When all are clicking this team is difficult to score against and able to generate timely goals to steal wins.

Record: 18 - 9 - 4 40pts ( projected: 22 - 10 - 5 49pts)

Significant Injuries:
Chris Kelly C Out a while with a broken femur.

Certainly a depth player but he doesn't seem to be missed much.

Next Fifteen Days 12/20/2015 - 1/3/2016:
Sunday New Jersey visits
Tuesday St. Louis visits
Saturday Buffalo visits
Sunday at Ottawa
Tuesday Ottawa visits
Friday Montreal visits

Can they put together another streak in this fifteen days? I think so.

9 out of 12pts

4 - 1 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 12/5/2015 - 12/19/2015:
WIN 4 - 0 at Vancouver
LOSS 2 - 3 Nashville
WIN 3 - 1 at Montreal
WIN 3 - 1 Florida
LOSS 2 - 3 (OT) Edmonton
WIN 3 - 0 Pittsburgh
WIN 6 - 2 at Pittsburgh

5 - 1 - 1

11 out of 14pts

Another good fifteen days for this surprise of the season. A floundering Penguins team helps.



Fifteen: San Jose (2nd Pacific)

San Jose is a frustrating team for their fans. There is talent there - like top-tier talent. So expectations have been high for a long time. But there is always something missing - a toughness and a solid shutdown defensive system. New coach Peter DeBoer hasn't produced any different results. Logan Couture C is missed - his toughness adds a lot to this team.

Record: 16 - 15 - 1 33pts ( projected: 18 - 18 - 1 37pts)

Significant Injuries:
Ben Smith RW

This is a long-standing injury and at this point not overly impactful. Ben Smith RW is a good depth player.

Next Fifteen Days 12/20/2015 - 1/3/2016:
Sunday at Chicago
Tuesday at Los Angeles
Monday Colorado visits
Wednesday Philadelphia visits
Saturday Winnipeg visits

Some hot and really good teams in this fifteen. San Jose has to get wins against Philly and the Jets. Even then they need to pull points out Chicago and Los Angeles - no easy task.

4 out of 10pts

2 - 3 - 0

Last Fifteen Days 12/5/2015 - 12/19/2015:
LOSS 3 - 4 Tampa Bay
LOSS 2 - 4 at Calgary
LOSS 3 - 4 (OT) at Edmonton
LOSS 0 - 2 Minnesota
WIN 3 - 1 at Montreal
WIN 5 - 4 (OT) at Toronto
LOSS 2 - 4 at Ottawa

2 - 4 - 1

5 out of 14pts

A typical fifteens days for this kind of team - they get beaten by hot middle tier teams and will beat cold upper tier teams. If Calgary, Edmonton, and even Ottawa had been cooled down, San Jose grabs 5 or 6 points and this is a great fifteen days.



Fifteen: Buffalo (7th Atlantic)

Buffalo has so much to build forward with here. They are a young group of forwards with a thrown together group of aged defensemen. Coach Dan Bylsma has his work cut out but everyone knows this is simply a building for the future year. Jack Eichel C has cooled down but it is easy to see he will be a great player. Ryan O'Reilly C is playing great hockey and becoming a true leader for the Sabres.

Record: 14 - 16 - 4 32pts ( projected: 15 - 19 - 5 35pts)

Significant Injuries:
Tyler Ennis LW

Seems he is a day-to-day injury - he puts in good depth minutes.

Next Fifteen Days 12/20/2015 - 1/3/2016:
Saturday at Boston
Monday Washington visits
Wednesday at Washington
Thursday New York Islanders visit
Saturday Detroit visits

There is nothing easy in this fifteen days except maybe some extra days off. Buffalo has played the good teams well, it seems, right?

3 out of 10pts

1 - 3 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 12/5/2015 - 12/19/2015:
LOSS 2 - 4 at Edmonton
LOSS 2 - 5 at Vancouver
LOSS 3 - 4 at Calgary
WIN 2 - 1 (OT) Los Angeles
WIN 2 - 1 at Detroit
LOSS 0 - 2 New Jersey
WIN 3 - 0 Anaheim
LOSS 2 - 3 (SO) Chicago

3 - 4 - 1

7 out of 16pts

Some respectable wins in this fifteen days. Buffalo is growing. They shouldn't be expected to be a lot better than Edmonton of the last couple of years.



Fifteen: Edmonton (6th Pacific)

Edmonton needs to watch tapes of the Chicago Blackhawks. They have the centers to play a very similar style and maybe a guy like Darnell Nurse D can evolve into a Duncan Keith type. As of now they are more like those Penguins teams that don't win the cup. This team is fun because they have so many early picks on their roster that are starting to raise their games. Leon Draisaitl C is pushing play and working well with Taylor Hall LW.

Record: 14 - 18 - 2 30pts ( projected: 16 - 21 - 3 35pts)

Significant Injuries:
Connor McDavid C (been out a while)
Oscar Klefbom D
Benoit Pouliot LW

These are all guys that put in respectable minutes. McDavid would be an obvious boost to offense.

Next Fifteen Days 12/20/2015 - 1/3/2015:
Monday Winnipeg visits
Saturday at Vancouver
Sunday at Calgary
Tuesday Los Angeles visits
Thursday Anaheim visits
Saturday Arizona visits

Edmonton needs to slow down the offensive push and get solid in their own end. Anaheim and Arizona have to be wins. Three points out of Vancouver and Winnipeg bodes well.

5 out of 12pts

2 - 3 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 12/5/2015 - 12/19/2015:
WIN 4 - 2 Buffalo
WIN 4 - 3 (OT) San Jose
WIN 7 - 5 New York Rangers
WIN 3 - 2 (OT) Boston
LOSS 2 - 4 at New York Rangers
LOSS 0 - 4 at Chicago
LOSS 1 - 5 at Colorado

4 - 3 - 0

8 out of 14pts

The solid start to this fifteen days gets balanced by those late losses. Streaky team here. But really Edmonton has yet to find that tough defensive play that separates fun teams from GREAT teams.



Fifteen: Winnipeg (7th Central)

Winnipeg needs another good defenseman or Anze Kopitar C from the Kings. There are a lot of second tier players here. Dustin Byfuglien D can be dominant in his own end and his shot is killer. I don't know that another coach will get more out of these guys but Paul Maurice has been there long enough. Let someone else try :)

Record: 14 - 15 - 2 30pts ( projected: 14 - 18 - 4 32pts)

Significant Injuries:
No current injuries.

Next Fifteen Days 12/16/2015 - 12/30/2015:
Friday New York Rangers visit
Monday at Edmonton
Tuesday are Calgary
Sunday Pittsburgh visits
Tuesday Detroit visits

Here's a chance for Winnipeg to make a run...or not. Some of these teams are kinda hot, the others have been really good. Pittsburgh is a question mark despite having all-world talent.

2 out of 10pts

0 - 3 - 2

Last Fifteen Days 12/1/2015 - 12/15/2015:
WIN 6 - 1 Toronto
WIN 2 - 1 (OT) Washington
LOSS 1 - 3 at Chicago
WIN 6 - 4 Columbus
LOSS 0 - 2 at Chicago
LOSS 3 - 4 St. Louis

3 - 0 - 3

6 out of 12pts

That solid start gets balanced by those late losses. The St Louis loss really hurts - blowing a 3 - 1 lead and getting no points from it. Realistically, the Jets are where they are. It is what it is...



Fifteen: Carolina (7th Metropolitan)

The Canes have some really good talent. And anytime a team has defenseman like Justin Faulk D it will have a chance every night. Faulk plays that way. Both ends of the ice he is contributing. Add in a guy like Jeff Skinner LW getting hot and this team can make strides. If the Jordan Staal C and Eric Staal C start clicking, this team can be scary to meet in the playoffs. This next fifteen days will tell a lot.

Record: 12 - 14 - 5 29pts ( projected: 13 - 17 - 7 33pts)

Significant Injuries:
Nathan Gerbe LW
James Wisniewski D

These are good players and would definitely add good depth. They aren't the solution to this team's woes, however, the added depth would help if the Canes got on a run.

Next Fifteen Days 12/16/2015 - 12/30/2015:
Friday Florida visits
Saturday at Pittsburgh
Monday Washington visits
Saturday New Jersey visits
Sunday at Chicago
Tuesday at New Jersey

This is quite a difficult fifteen days. Wow. No cold teams here. If the Canes win most of these, I will consider it a "statement" fifteen.

4 out of 12pts

1 - 3 - 2

Last Fifteen Days 12/1/2015 - 12/15/2015:
LOSS 1 - 5 New Jersey
WIN 3 - 2 Montreal
WIN 5 - 4 Arizona
LOSS 5 - 6 at Dallas
WIN 5 - 1 at Anaheim
WIN 5 - 4 (OT) at Arizona
LOSS 3 - 4 (OT) at Philadelphia

4 - 1 - 2

10 out of 14pts

Strange team play here. No real momentum in a direction except for a lot of offense for their opponents. If they can turn this into a regular outcome of every fifteen days, they could squeeze into the playoffs, maybe?