Anaheim Ducks
After four losses this week, the Anaheim Ducks finally found their way back to winning ways. Jonas Hiller, however, played only one game from beginning to end. Against the Toronto Maple Leafs (1-3 loss), he was back-up and defenseman Luca Sbisa was scratched from their lineup to mend a bruise he suffered earlier. Against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, Hiller got the start but was replaced after three goals against and a .400 SV%, while Luca Sbisa (21:31 TOI) scored his third assist in the 2-7 loss. Despite this disgrace, the coach layed his trust in Jonas Hiller again. Against the Colorado Avalanche, Hiller finished the game with a .895 SV%. The Ducks scored six goals in one period and won the game 6-4. Luca Sbisa (19:18 TOI; +2) posted an assist and had four shots on goal. Finally, they earned another two points against their rival, the Los Angeles Kings (2-1). With 23:27 minutes, Luca Sbisa got a lot of ice time and showed the league that he has fully recovered from his injury. The Ducks are now with 97 points on second place of the league.
Colorado Avalanche
After the Calgary Flames traded Reto Berra to the Colorado Avalanche, he has decided to stay in Colorado and signed a three-year extension worth $4.35 million. With 91 points, his new team is currently clinging to a playoff spot. This week, they earned four points in overtime (3-2 against the Winnipeg Jets) and in shootout (3-2 against the Chicago Blackhawks) in their home stadium. The only loss of this week was against the Anaheim Ducks (4-6) who led the league for a long time. Reto Berra was not allowed to play for the Avalanche so far due to a missing work permit for the United States. However, things are settled now and Berra will make his debut on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets.
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild had a rough week facing three of four teams who are still fighting for a playoff spot. In addition, they faced the St. Louis Blues, the current leader of the league, last Saturday night. Nino Niederreiter (13:37 TOI) had an equal rating and contributed two shots, three hits and blocked one shot. Even though the Wild lost the game, they earned one point. The same happened against the Edmonton Oilers (second to last of the league) when they lost 4-3 after shootout. The Wild celebrated their only victory of the week against the New York Rangers (2-1). Nino Niederreiter (15:01 TOI; +1) scored his twelfth goal of the season. However, they had to accept another shootout loss on Saturday night in another battle for a playoff spot against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Both teams, the Blue Jackets and the Wild, are on their way to making the playoffs. The Wild currently have 80 points.
Nashville Predators
With a lot of help from Roman Josi, it turned out to be the week of the Nashville Predators. They played against two of the best teams of the league and gained six points over the week. It was a close call against the Ottawa Senators, when the Predators won the game 4-3 in overtime. Roman Josi (31:15 TOI, -3) had two shots on goal, two hits and blocked two shots. Against the Buffalo Sabres, who are currently last in the standings, the Predators won 4-1 without having any problems and Josi (25:52 TOI; +2) scored his first point of the week. Against the current Stanley Cup Champion, the Chicago Blackhawks, Roman Josi (25:35 TOI; +1) won the game for his team with three great assists on all three goals of the night. He was elected as first star of in their 3-2 victory. On Saturday, however, they didn’t have a chance against the St. Louis Blues (1-4 loss). Roman Josi (22:15 TOI) only fired one shot on goal. The Predators are currently 17 points away from a playoff spot.
New Jersey Devils
On the road, Damien Brunner and the New Jersey Devils had to play against two direct competitors for a playoff spot this week. In three games overall, they only gained two points against the Philadelphia Flyers, their biggest rival in the fight for a playoff spot. Damien Brunner (10:17 TOI) had three shots on goal but could not score. Unfortunately, they lost the other two games against the Florida Panthers (3-5), who are far below them in the standings, and the Tampa Bay Lightning (0-3). Against the Panthers, Damien Brunner (13:59 TOI) had two assists, but against the strong Lightning, he (12:27 TOI) had not a chance, not even on the power play. With 71 points, the Devils are currently five points behind a playoff spot.
New York Rangers
Raphael Diaz had to watch all four games of the week from the press box. Although he participated in the New York Rangers’ warm-up once, he has been scratched every single time. This week, his new team celebrated two victories against the Detroit Red Wings at home (3-0) and the Winnipeg Jets on the road (4-2). However, they had to accept defeats against the Carolina Hurricanes (1-3) and Nino Niederreiter’s Minnesota Wild (1-2). With a total of 76 points, the Rangers still cling to a playoff spot.
Philadelphia Flyers
Mark Streit and the Philadelphia Flyers had only two home games to play this week at the Wells Fargo Center. They lost against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday (1-2) and did not get any points in the fight for a playoff spot. Mark Streit (20:42 TOI; -1) fired two shots on goal and blocked another two shots for his team. On Saturday evening, the Flyers blanked the leader of the Metropolitan Division, the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-0. Streit (19:37 TOI) did not succeed in scoring again and ended the game with an equal rating, two shots on goal and three blocked shots. With 75 points, the Flyers are on a Wild Card spot right behind the New York Rangers.
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are having a hard time making the playoffs. This week, the team of Yannick Weber had three chances to earn important points. But in the first game of the week against the New York Islanders, the Canucks blew a 3-0 lead and lost the game 4-7 by receiving seven goals in the last period. Weber (19:00 TOI; -1) posted an assist and had two shots on goal. After this setback, the Canucks struggled against the Winnipeg Jets, who are right behind the Canucks in the race for a playoff spot. In the end, the Canucks won the game after shootout (3-2). In the last game of the week, against the Washington Capitals, the Canucks were close to winning further points – but not close enough. Although fighting their way back from a 1-3 deficit, they lost 3-4 in the end. Because he played as a forward, Weber had less than 10 minutes time on ice in the games against Winnipeg and Washington. With five points away from a playoff spot and their opponents having games in hand over the Canucks, the playoff ship seems to be sailed.
