Fifteen: Toronto (8th Atlantic)

Coach Mike Babcock is proven. So far it seems he is having to untrain this group completely before getting them to play his system solidly. No one is stepping up as the leader of this team. But I believe in Babcock and even more in GM Lou Lamiorello. This season may be a total rebuild - so any successes are positive.

Record: 10 - 13- 5 25pts ( projected: 11 - 16 - 7 29pts)

Significant Injuries:
No current injuries.

Next Fifteen Days 12/14/2015 - 12/28/2015:
Tuesday Tampa Bay visits
Thursday San Jose visits
Saturday Los Angeles visits
Monday at Colorado
Tuesday at Arizona
Sunday at New York Islanders

I could see this Toronto team stealing one against Los Angeles or the Isles. But I could also see them getting blown out by Arizona and Colorado. This is a good time for the Leafs to make a statement.

4 out of 12pts

1 - 3 - 2

Last Fifteen Days 11/29/2015 - 12/13/2015:
LOSS 2 - 4 Washington
WIN 3 - 0 Edmonton
LOSS 1 - 6 at Winnipeg
LOSS 0 - 1 at Minnesota
WIN 4 - 1 at St. Louis
WIN 3 - 2 (SO) New Jersey

3 - 3 - 0

6 out of 12pts

This could have been a disastrous fifteen days but the wins against St. Louis and New Jersey makes you wonder if the Maple Leafs can turn this terrible season around.



Fifteen: Anaheim (7th Pacific)

Corey Perry RW, Ryan Getzlaf C and Sami Vatanen D are carrying this team, as they should, but this season - they are not getting that support from solid second and third and even fourth liners. The defense is also not as solid. Hampus Lindholm D is certainly having a down year after showing great promise his first two seasons. That loss to the Canes feels like a big indication of where this team is.

Record: 11 - 13 - 5 27pts ( projected: 12 - 14 - 8 32pts)

Significant Injuries:
No current injuries.

Next Fifteen Days 12/14/2015 - 12/28/2015:
Thursday at Buffalo
Saturday at New Jersey
Monday at New York Islanders
Tuesday at New York Rangers
Sunday Philadelphia visits

East coast road trip. If they can win three of the four and then beat the Flyers at home, you have to think Boudreau and company can make a playoff push in the new year. I'm not convinced they are improving that much.

5 out of 10pts

1 - 1 - 3

Last Fifteen Days 11/29/2015 - 12/13/2015:
WIN 4 - 0 Vancouver
LOSS 1 - 2 Tampa Bay
WIN 1 - 0 San Jose
WIN 2 - 1 Pittsburgh
LOSS 1 - 5 Carolina

3 - 2 - 0

6 out of 10pts

Some good wins in this past fifteen days. But that effort against the Canes after 5 days off is a killer.



Shocker: Pittsburgh fires their coach Mike Johnston

I guess this was coming. Pittsburgh has too much talent to be losing like they are.

Reading about the new hire Mike Sullivan is interesting. If his demanding style is embraced by the Pens and he can create a system that generates offense from good own zone play, I think the Pens will be scary.

It's hard to know right now, but I agree with GM Jim Rutherford's statements - this team should produce more.

A new chapter to the season could be starting today.

Fifteen: Colorado (7th Central)

Matt Duchene has certainly proven himself to be that fast dangerous forward - on a team like Los Angeles or Chicago or even the New York Rangers, this kid is top 8 in scoring. Something is not working in Colorado - perhaps, it's coach Patrick Roy at the helm. Perhaps it's too much reliance on aged stars. Mix of all of it, probably. This team can dump a lot at the trade deadline.

Record: 12 - 16 - 1 25pts ( projected: 14 - 19 - 2 30pts)

Significant Injuries:
Gabriel Landeskog LW

Minor injury, so it seems. If not, this is a big hit to a team that can't take any more big hits.

Next Fifteen Days 12/12/2015 - 12/26/2015:
Saturday at Nashville
Sunday at St Louis
Tuesday at Chicago
Thursday New York Islanders visit
Saturday Edmonton visits
Monday Toronto visits

If they don't get three wins in this fifteen days, well, even if they do - they are pretty much out of it.

5 out of 12pts

2 - 3 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 11/27/2015 - 12/11/2015:
WIN 5 - 3 Winnipeg
LOSS 3 - 5 at New York Islanders
WIN 2 - 1 at New Jersey
WIN 2 - 1 at New York Rangers
LOSS 0 - 3 at Minnesota
WIN 2 - 1 Minnesota
LOSS 2 - 4 Pittsburgh

4 - 3 - 0

8 out of 14pts

Sometime it looks like this team is turning the corner and will start winning. But 8 out of 14 points is not going to get them far from the basement. Wins at New Jersey and the Rangers and home to Minnesota certainly keep them from being totally depressing. They have a long way to go.



Fifteen: Columbus (8th Metropolitan)

The Blue Jackets haven't built on the promise of their last two seasons successes and really aren't building anything on small successes this season, too. The stars of this team should be Ryan Johansen C, Nick Foligno LW, Brandon Saad LW, and Sergei Bobrovsky G. But really none are elevating their games for wins. If things don't turn, Scott Hartnell  LW could bring something at the trade deadline - he continues to show himself to be a really solid agitating, gritty forward that can deposit the puck in the net.

Record: 11 - 17 - 2 24pts ( projected: 14 - 20 - 3 31pts)

Significant Injuries:
Sergei Bobrovsky G

Bobrovsky is certainly a starter - but this team has a lot of holes defensively, so the goalie isn't going to change much.

Next Fifteen Days 12/12/2015 - 12/26/2015:
Saturday New York Islanders visit
Monday Tampa Bay visits
Tuesday at Dallas
Thursday at Arizona
Saturday Philadelphia visits
Monday at Pittsburgh
Saturday at Tampa Bay


This fifteen days should give Columbus a chance to turn their season around. If they come away with fewer than 5 wins - I don't think this team has any chance at the playoffs.

7 out of 14pts

3 - 3 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 11/27/2015 - 12/11/2015:
WIN 2 - 1 (OT) Pittsburgh
LOSS 1 - 3 at St Louis
LOSS 1 - 2 at Montreal
LOSS 1 - 2 (SO) Florida
WIN 4 - 1 at Philadelphia
LOSS 2 - 3 (OT) Los Angeles
LOSS 4 - 6 at Winnipeg

2 - 3 - 2

6 out of 14pts

Despite some improvement under coach John Tortorella (maybe - what team would lose ALL their games anyway, as Columbus started the season - in other words, any coach would have seen improvement), the Blue Jackets are performing FAR below what many experts thought. Defense is key in this league and this mix of forwards and defensemen don't seem to play it well.



Fifteen: Dallas (1st Central)

The Dallas Stars might have the best offensive full line of any club in the league. Tyler Seguin  C and Jamie Benn. LW are as dangerous as any duo in the league - think Getzlaf/Perry of previous seasons but slightly more dangerous. Coach Lindy Ruff puts out a fun, tough brand here and I think Dallas is one of the more enjoyable hockey teams to watch. A seven game series against Los Angeles or Chicago will be so awesome to see.

Record: 22 - 5 - 2 46pts ( projected: 27 - 7 - 2 46pts)

Significant Injuries:
No significant injuries.

Next Fifteen Days 12/12/2015 - 12/26/2015:
Saturday at St Louis
Tuesday Columbus visits
Thursday Calgary visits
Saturday Montreal visits
Monday at Minnesota
Tuesday Chicago visits
Saturday at St Louis


Many tests on this leg of fifteen days. The Chicago games is always a litmus test for a team. Calgary played them very well last time. A split with St. Louis isn't bad - winning both could be a statement.

10 out of 14pts

5 - 2 - 0

Last Fifteen Days 11/27/2015 - 12/11/2015:
WIN 3 - 2 (SO) Vancouver
WIN 4 - 3 (OT) at Minnesota
LOSS 3 - 4 (SO) at Calgary
WIN 4 - 2 at Vancouver
LOSS 2 - 1 at Edmonton
WIN 6 - 5 Carolina
WIN 3 - 1 Philadelphia

5 - 1 - 1

11 out of 14pts

Dallas is certainly a high-octane offense. Being held to one goal at Edmonton is a shocker. But overall, Dallas is playing winning hockey - seems they can always get a goal when needed.



Fifteen: Washington (1st Metropolitan)

The Caps no longer live and die based on Alex Ovechkin LW. He is now their prime weapon. The defense holds things tighter and Braden Holtby G is certainly benefitting. This Washington team is poised for a long run in the playoffs as they are currently playing. Evengy Kuznetsov C is a happy surprise - currently leading the team in points. The off-season grabs of T.J. Oshie RW and Justin Williams RW are helping now and will definitely help come playoff time.

Record: 19 - 6 - 2 40pts ( projected: 24 - 7 - 3 51pts)

Significant Injuries:
Brooks Orpik D

Nothing huge here - they should be better when he returns but they have been playing well without him.

Next Fifteen Days 12/12/2015 - 12/26/2015:
Saturday at Tampa Bay
Monday at Pittsburgh
Wednesday Ottawa visits
Friday Tampa Bay visits
Sunday at New York Rangers
Monday at Carolina
Saturday Montreal visits

This slate of fifteen should be a wee bit tougher than the last fifteen. But they are getting all of these at their lower performance. The problem is all six of the opponents are in a situation to only play better.

11 out of 14pts

5 - 1 - 1

Last Fifteen Days 11/27/2015 - 12/11/2015:
WIN 4 - 2 Tampa Bay
WIN 4 - 2 at Toronto
WIN 3 - 2 at Montreal
LOSS 1 - 2 (OT) at Winnipeg
WIN 3 - 2 (SO) Detroit
LOSS 1 - 4 at Florida

4 - 1 - 1

9 out of 12pts

The Caps have been one of the truly consistent teams of the season so far. Not a lot of downs. This is another fifteen days of quality play. Losing 4 - 1 to Florida isn't good. But we'll see them bounce back, I suspect.



Fifteen: Los Angeles (1st Pacific)

Los Angeles is a very deep team and they work hard. They know how to win. And they know how to not lose. Drew Doughty - D may not win the Norris but I still might pick him number one overall in a league-wide draft. The forwards are big and Anze Kopitar plays like a stronger Patrice Bergeron. Milan Lucic is going to be difficult for teams to play against too. This is a very solid team.

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

Significant Injuries:
Trevor Lewis C
Kyle Clifford LW

Nothing huge here - they certainly want these two back, but neither is key to their winning.

Next Fifteen Days 12/10/2015 - 12/24/2015:
Friday at Pittsburgh
Saturday at Buffalo
Monday at Ottawa
Thursday at Montreal
Saturday at Toronto
Tuesday San Jose visits

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.

10 out of 12pts

5 - 1 - 0

Last Fifteen Days 11/25/2015 - 12/09/2015:
LOSS 1 - 2 (SO) at Tampa Bay
WIN 3 - 2 (OT) Chicago
WIN 2 - 1 (OT) Vancouver
WIN 5 - 3 Pittsburgh
WIN 3 - 1 Tampa Bay
WIN 3 - 2 (OT) at Columbus

5 - 0 - 1

11 out of 12pts

 

Los Angeles is playing that brand of hockey that has won them two Stanley Cups in the last 3 years. Definitely a team that is never out of a game and a lot of the time it just feels like they can push their will on any opponent when they need. That is how this last fifteen days have been for them.



Fifteen: Montreal (1st Atlantic)

Montreal still plays a really good system for their personnel. They are a tough team to play in a best of seven series. P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov are easily one of the top d-pairs in the league. Their forwards are speedy and plenty can finish. All the ingredients that got this team to 9-0-0 to start the season are still here. I think they have another streak in them but I don't think this group gets the cup as they currently sit.

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

Significant Injuries:
Torey Mitchell RW
Brendan Gallagher RW
Carey Price G
Devante Smith-Pelley RW

I would say any time 3 guys in the same position are injured, there has to be an impact. Carey Price is certainly better than Mike Condon, but so far Condon has played well.

Next Fifteen Days 12/10/2015 - 12/24/2015:
Thursday at Detroit
Saturday Ottawa visits
Tuesday San Jose visits
Thursday Los Angeles visits
Saturday at Dallas
Monday at Nashville
Tuesday 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.

9 out of 14pts

3 - 1 - 3

Last Fifteen Days 11/25/2015 - 12/09/2015:
WIN 5 - 1 at Rangers
WIN 3 - 2 (SO) at New Jersey
LOSS 2 - 3 (OT) New Jersey
WIN 2 - 1 Columbus
LOSS 2 - 3 Washington
LOSS 2 - 3 at Carolina
LOST 1 - 3 Boston

3 - 3 - 1

7 out of 14pts

 

After a torrid start, the Habs are kinda just better than most. I think this is worse than they really are. Depth of scoring and depth on defense could cost them playoff position, but once in the playoffs, they'll shorten their bench and be a very tough group to win against.



How the mighty fall...

Two teams that have kinda ruled the top rank at ESPN this season fell last night.

The Montreal Canadiens.
Goalie Mike Condon will be getting a lot of blame indirectly as everyone will be praising "Jim" Carey Price. However, the goals last night are more indicative of that Boston team playing to their strengths. They were patient and kept churning and pushing. My respect for Patrice Bergeron and Zdeno Chara has grown a lot this season. Boston's successes aren't all on those two by any means. But those two do elevate this team, along with David Krejci.

Montreal's problems are the same as last year. Great system. And I do believe this team is slightly better than last season. But they don't have the forward depth to generate quality chances without giving up something defensively. And P.K. Subban often pushes too much, which will have obvious detrimental results when the opposition is an opportunistic fast team like Boston.

Carey Price will return and the Canadiens may go on a small roll when he does. But if things continue on the current path look for people to say how Price just isn't the same after his injury.

The Canadiens are like the Washington Capitals of previous seasons and maybe the Dallas Stars this season, but without the go-to offensive power of those two teams. But all of them lacked that defensive lock-down d-man that can hold it down when the team needs to push.

The New York Rangers.
I think the Rangers came into the season playing lock-down patient hockey with playoff-type focus and intensity. It worked. The goals came and the opponents were often left hanging their heads, unable to garner any goals off of good scoring opportunities. The Rangers can be really great like this. They have speed. They have some true goal-scorers. But overall, the offense doesn't generate easy ones and that means they have to lock it down in their own end.

The last couple of weeks - the Rangers haven't been neutralizing the good scoring chances. They are losing. Also, they haven't been getting goals from Zuccs or Nash.

The Rangers currently do not look like a top-echelon team.