Central Division
Colorado Avalanche
When the Avs played the Maple Leafs on Monday, they had to make do without Reto Berra, who picked up an injury in the warmups while playing football with teammates. It was later announced that Berra will miss approximately ten days with an ankle injury.
With a loss in their only game of the week, Colorado stands at a point-per-game pace through 35 games, which leaves them sixth in the seven-team Central Division.
Minnesota Wild
Nino Niederreiter had a decent christmas week with three points in three games. He scored his seventh goal of the year and picked up an assist in a 3-6 loss to Dallas on Monday night. He finished the game with a plus-3 rating and five shots on goal in 14:19 TOI. 24 hours later, he once again featured on the scoresheet with an assist, a plus-1 rating and one shot on goal in 13:42 minutes of ice time against the struggling Montreal Canadiens. In their first game back after the holidays, the Wild struggled to find the net and lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins (1-3). Niederreiter generated three shots on goal and finished the game with 14:02 TOI (minus-1).
Minnesota leads the Wild Card race in the West with 42 points in 34 games, two points out of a Division playoff spot.
Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators looked to remain in the tight race atop the Central Division and faced two Atlantic Division top teams in their two games this week. Roman Josi helped his team down the Montreal Canadiens with a two-point outing (one goal, one assist), a plus-2 rating and one shot on goal in 23:21 TOI in a 5-1 win. He saw his ice time rise to 25:39 minutes on Saturday, but could not prevent a 2-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. He finished the game with a plus-1 rating, two penalty minutes and a shot on goal.
With 40 points in 35 games, the Predators hold the second Wild Card spot in the West, five points clear of the Arizona Coyotes and the Colorado Avalanche.
Winnipeg Jets
Nikolaj Ehlers saw 17:57 minutes of ice time on Monday night in Edmonton (1-3 loss) and fired six shots on goal, but could not find a way to get on the scoresheet (minus-1 rating). The winger had another scoreless performance the day after in Calgary. He hit the goal just once and had an even rating in 12:23 TOI. Ehlers has failed to score in eight consecutive games and has just one point (an assist) in December.
Through 34 games, the Jets sit last in their Division with 32 points.
Pacific Division
Calgary Flames
With finnish netminder Karri Ramo in goal, the Flames split their two games this week. Jonas Hiller backed up his colleague in both games.
Trailing the playoff spots by six points, the Flames’ bad start leaves them at just 34 points in 34 games, despite their good results in the last few weeks.
Vancouver Canucks
Both Sven Baertschi and Yannick Weber had positive ratings in all three games in the past week, an impressive stat. Sven Baertschi scored his fourth of the season in 13:42 TOI (plus-1, two shots on goal) in a 4-5 shootout loss in Florida on Sunday, while Yannick Weber finished the game with a plus-2 rating in 19:29. Back in action on Tuesday in Tampa Bay, Weber had a plus-1 rating, four penalty minutes and a single shot on goal in 18:24. On the opposite side of the ice, Sven Baertschi added another goal to his season tally with the opening goal in a 2-1 win. Once again, he generated two shots on goal and had a plus-1 rating in just 8:57 minutes of ice time. Back from the christmas break, the forward saw his scoring streak come to an end, but still had a plus-1 rating and one shot on goal in 16:17 TOI in a 2-1 overtime win. Yannick Weber played a season-high 23:29, fired three shots on goal, picked up a minor penalty and reached a plus-1 rating. Luca Sbisa remains out with an injury.
Their 37 points in 37 games wouldn’t even be enough for the second Wild Card spot, but the Canucks sit second in a unexpectedly poor Pacific Division and therefore currently hold home-ice advantage, would the playoffs start today.
ATLANTIC Division
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Lightning’s injury situation prompted them to call up Tanner Richard from Syracuse about one week ago. The forward skated with the team in practice, but did not make his premiere in the big league. He was sent back down to the Crunch on Saturday. Joel Vermin remains on IR with a hand injury.
Despite their injury crisis, the Floridians chase the Wild Card spots and trail Ottawa by just one point.
Montréal Canadiens
Sven Andrighetto was a healthy scratch in the Canadiens’ past four games after skating on their top line just two weeks ago. Michel Therrien’s lineup blender remains active though - he will mix up his lines again, which means that the winger will be back in the Habs’ lineup tomorrow.
The Canadiens have lost their division lead to the Detroit Red Wings. The Habs have 43 points in 37 games.
Metropolitan Division
Philadelphia Flyers
Mark Streit is skating and close to a return. He’ll likely give his comeback on Wednesday.
Mark Streit likely will not play until Wed. #Flyers' won't have to make a roster move until then.
— Sam Carchidi (@BroadStBull) December 26, 2015
