Central Division
Colorado Avalanche
Reto Berra is out with an ankle injury he suffered during a pregame soccer warmup nearly two weeks ago. For the time the Swiss goaltender is out, Colorado has called up Calvin Pickard from the AHL.
With 39 points in 39 games the Colorado Avalanche are in the sixth spot of the strong Central Division. They are currently six points out of a play-off spot.
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild played their last two games of 2015 versus the Detroit Red Wings and the St. Louis Blues. In the game against the Red Wings, a 3-1 victory on home ice, Nino Niederreiter contributed an assist. Furthermore, he received two penalty minutes, fired four shots on goal and finished the game with an even rating in 13:37 TOI. On New Year’s Eve, “El Niño” did even better. He scored a goal on his only shot of the night and added an assist in a 3-1 win against the St. Louis Blues. He logged 13:42 of ice time and combined for a plus-2 rating. After the game the Swiss winger was named the second star of the game. Niederreiter and the Wild then headed to the state of Florida were they faced the Tampa Bay Lightning to play their first matchup in 2016. Nino Niederreiter again found his way on the scoresheet as he extended his point streak to three games with an assist in 13:48 TOI. With nine points through the last nine games, Nino Niederreiter is now back on track to match his scoring total of 37 points he collected last season.
The Wild stand at 47 points out of 37 games which is good for the fourth place of the Central Division as well as for the first wild card spot for the playoffs of the Western Conference.
Nashville Predators
Who is Nashville’s most dangerous offensive threat? Roman Josi of course! In December, the 25-year-old defenseman was a point-per-game player with 15 points in as many games. He ended 2015 on a high note with three assists through the games against the New York Rangers (W 5-3), the St. Louis Blues (L 3-4) and the Dallas Stars (L 1-5). In yesterday’s first game of 2016, a 2-1 win versus the Carolina Hurricanes, Roman Josi was held scoreless tough. As per the end of 2015, Josi was the leading scorer of his team with 29 points. With his performance throughout last year, Roman Josi has proven to be an elite defenseman at the NHL-level. He currently ranks among the top-five defensemen of the league in scoring.
The Predators are ranked in the fifth place of their division with 45 points out of 39 games. With this point total they currently sit in the second wild card spot of the Western Conference.
Winnipeg Jets
Nikolaj Ehlers was held scoreless in Winnipeg’s last three games of 2015, a 1-0 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins, a 4-1 victory versus the Detroit Red Wings and a 2-4 defeat against the Arizona Coyotes. December was quite a disappointing month for Ehlers as he added only one assist to his point totals. With 2015 in the books, 2016 seems to bring back the luck to the 19-year-old winger. In yesterday’s matchup against the San Jose Sharks (W 4-1), Nik Ehlers scored his sixth goal of the season on an empty-netter. He had four shots on goal and ended the game with a plus-1 rating.
The Winnipeg Jets hold the last place of the Central Division with 38 points in as many games and are seven points out of a possible playoff spot.
Pacific Division
Calgary Flames
Flames head coach Bob Hartley still relies heavily on the services of Finnish goaltender Karri Ramo. Therefore, no recent playing action for Jonas Hiller who has to accept his role as the team’s backup.
The Calgary Flames sit in the fifth place of the division with 38 points out of 38 games. They are only one point behind a playoff spot.
Vancouver Canucks
On Monday, the Vancouver Canucks were defeated by the Los Angeles Kings with a final score of 0-5. Sven Baertschi had to leave the game after 6:48 of ice time and did not return. It was later announced that the left winger will miss at least one game with a sore neck. Consequently, he did not figure in the line-up against the Anaheim Ducks on New Year’s Day.
Yannick Weber finished the game against Los Angeles with a minus-2 rating in 21:27 of ice time. In the game versus Anaheim he managed two shots on goal and received two penalty minutes in 18:22 TOI.
Ronalds Kenins was a healthy scratch against Los Angeles but returned to the line-up for the matchup versus Anaheim. He was on the ice for 12:00 minutes but could not add his name to the scoresheet.
Luca Sbisa is still out with a hand injury. There is no update, when he might be back to action.
The Canucks currently sit in the third place of the Pacific Divison with 39 points in 39 games.
ATLANTIC Division
Montréal Canadiens
After being scratched for four consecutive games, Sven Andrighetto found his way back into the line-up on Monday. In a 4-3 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Andrighetto contributed his first assist of the season. He dressed again one day later for the matchup against the Florida Panthers. The 22-year-old was held scoreless as the Habs lost with 1-3. Due to the comeback of Brendan Gallagher from injury, the Habs have sent Sven Andrighetto back to the AHL on Thursday. He therefore missed the Winter Classic between the Habs and the Bruins of Boston on New Year’s Day. One day later, Andrighetto was called up again due to an injury of Montreal’s forward Dale Weise. Hence, he could dress for the next game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday.
Canadiens recalled forward Sven Andrighetto from St.John's. DETAILS -> https://t.co/G0UFUjMVpq pic.twitter.com/V8B7Az5JkL
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) 2. Januar 2016
Through the last couple of weeks, the Habs have one of the worst records of the entire league. Thanks to their good start into the season they are still ranked on the second place of the Atlantic Division with 47 points in 40 games played.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Joel Vermin is side-lined after he hurt his hand on December 15. As injured players cannot be sent down to the AHL, he remains on the Lightning’s roster until further notice.
With 42 points through 39 games, the Tampa Bay Lightning are in the sixth place of their division and trail the Boston Bruins with two points for the last playoff spot of the Eastern Conference.
Metropolitan Division
Philadelphia Flyers
After missing 19 games due to injury, Mark Streit returned to action on Wednesday. In a 4-2 loss against the San Jose Sharks the veteran defenseman saw 17:24 of ice time. He then logged 16:31 minutes in Saturday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. In both games he was not able to register any scoring points.
The Flyers lost three in a row and are now ranked in the sixth place of the Metropolitan Division with 37 points out of 37 games.
AHL – Quick Look:
According to a recent report by bluewin.ch Raphael Diaz (Hartford Wolf Pack – NYR) might be close to return to the line-up within the next couple of days. Christoph Bertschy (Iowa Wild - MIN) totalled eleven shots on goal and collected two assists through two games this week. Dean Kukan (Lake Erie Monsters – CBJ) suffered a lower body injury and is out indefinitely. The injury was caused by a dirty hit in a game against the Charlotte Checkers before Christmas. Christian Marti (Lehigh Valley Phantoms – PHI) is still out with an injury. Through four games last week, Kevin Fiala (Milwaukee Admirals – NSH) amassed four assists. Furthermore, he received two penalty minutes and combined for a minus-3 rating. No points and two penalty minutes for Mirco Müller (San Jose Barracuda – SJS) in the three games he played during last week. Sven Andrighetto (St. John’s IceCaps – MTL) was sent down to the AHL midway through the week and played one game before he got recalled again by the Montreal Canadiens. He scored a goal and ended the game with a plus-1 rating. Tanner Richard (Syracruse Crunch – TBL) had two helpers, four shots on goal and an even rating through three games.
