It was a week that one of Calgary, Vancouver or Montreal could have really taken over that final playoff spot but none of them really seem to want to make it. Let’s see where I rank the seven Canadian teams this week.
7. Vancouver Canucks: 19-21-3 Overall (1-3-0 In The Last Week) (-2)
It was a rough week for the Canucks who lost three of four to the Senators this week. Pretty much all hopes of a playoff push are diminishing by the the day. Vancouver does have a bunch of games in hand but they haven’t managed to make up any ground on Montreal despite a slide from the Habs the past couple of weeks. I think there is very little hope for the Canucks and it will be an interesting offseason in the management and coaching department.
6. Calgary Flames: 21-24-3 Overall (2-1-0 In the Last Week) (+1)
The Flames really needed to sweep the habs last week and it didn’t quite happen. They won two of three but it just wasn’t quite enough as they find themselves still six points back with just eight games left in the season. Montreal has been bad lately so theres still a sliver of hope but they would basically need to win seven of eight to even have a shot at making the playoffs.
5. Ottawa Senators: 19-27-4 Overall (3-1-0 In The Last Week) (+1)
Ottawa had a great week against Vancouver. it would be interesting to see where they would have landed in the standings if we had a full 82 game season in the North Division because the Sen’s have been turning it on lately. This is a fun team to watch and when they get decent goaltending they seem to be winning games. Look out for next year’s Senators team.
4. Winnipeg Jets: 27-19-3 Overall (0-4-0 In The Last Week) (-1)
The Jets had an abysmal week. Injuries are piling up and they have not looked good from goaltender out. Mark Scheifele disagreed with a benching and it seems like this team might be falling apart at the wrong time. Montreal is just six points behind them with a game in hand so tomorrow’s matchup between the two is huge for both teams. The Jets need to turn it around.
3. Montreal Canadiens: 21-18-9 Overall (2-3-0 In The Last Week) (+1)
The Habs were OK points wise this week but looked not great on the ice. I thought they were good in the first 30 against the Leafs but once again couldn’t score and the magical Matthews goal really put a damper on what I thought was a decent start. This team needs to just at least play .500 hockey in their remaining eight games and they will get a playoff spot. It has not been pretty since Brendan Gallagher and Carey Price have left the lineup. They only move up because Winnipeg was that bad.
2. Edmonton Oilers: 29-16-2 Overall (2-1-0 In The Last Week) (-1)
Another positive week for the Oilers. I still think they aren’t the second best team in the division on paper and am interested to see how they do in a playoff series but damn they have been good lately. Mike Smith, Darnell Nurse, Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid have really carried this team to a very strong second half of the season. Now we have to see if four players can get it done in the playoffs, or if some of the team’s depth will step up. They only fall because the team ahead of them was better.
1.Toronto Maple Leafs: 31-13-5 Overall (3-0-0 In The Last Week) (+1)
The Leafs are back in a familiar spot in my rankings after one week out. This team is by far the best in the North and should have no problem with any Canadian playoff matchup they face. It is all on them not to perform in playoffs as we are within a couple weeks now. Toronto is deep everywhere except maybe goal but Jack Campbell got back to his previous form this week. Hopefully he can be consistent in playoffs for a team that has lacked consistency in big games at the goaltender position the last few years.
Everyone moved somewhere this week in my busiest rankings of the year. This is once again a big week for teams five through three in the standings as Calgary still looks to go on a run, Montreal tries to fend off the Flames and make it difficult on the Jets for the third spot and Winnipeg looks to solidify their spot in the top three. Should be fun! thanks for reading!
Riley's Ramblings 