While last season’s champion Blackhawks have failed to be consistent, it’s been the complete opposite for the Eastern Conference champion Bruins.
The Bruins had a 12-game winning streak snapped Monday, but picked up a point and have notched points in a remarkable 24 of their past 26 games. They have four other four-game winning streaks this season.
Boston rolls four lines that all can be counted on for offense, and 36-year old Jarome Iginla (28 goals, 58 points) has proved he has plenty left in the tank as he looks to win his first Cup. Not to mention Tuukka Rask has 32 wins, a .930 save percentage and a 2.05 goals against average.
Boston ranks third in goals per game, second in goals against, seventh in power play percentage and ninth in penalty killing, owns both one of the best home and road records in the league and is well-coached. It all adds up to another spring run at Stanley for the Bruins, who won the Cup three seasons ago.
(Last week’s rankings in parentheses)
1. Bruins (2): Saw their 12-game winning streak snapped Monday, but get a chance to start a new streak in a rematch of last season’s Stanley Cup Final Thursday when they host the Blackhawks.
2. Blues (1):Â Used backup Brian Elliot in net against the Penguins Sunday, and he stopped all 33 shots in a 1-0 win, providing a nice 1-2 punch with Ryan Miller.
3. Sharks (3): San Jose has picked up a point in 12 of 13 games this month, going 9-1-3, a big reason why they’ve overtaken the Ducks for first in the Pacific Division.
4. Blackhawks (8): Chicago has four 20-goal scorers (Patrick Sharp, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa), and Brandon Saad (19) and Andrew Shaw (18) are right behind. That kind of balance wins you Stanley Cups.
5. Penguins (4): A foot injury will sideline Sidney Crosby’s running mate Evgeni Malkin for 2-3 weeks. He’s not a guy you want missing when the playoffs start.
6. Ducks (6): Losers of six of nine games, Anaheim picked up a dominant 6-2 win against the Panthers Sunday. Problem is, the Panthers aren’t a Western Conference playoff team.
7. Kings (10): Followed a three-game losing streak by winning four in a row. Thursday’s game with the Penguins should be another good test.
8. Avalanche (5): Ended a three-game losing streak with a 5-4 shootout win against the Predators Tuesday. It’s only a matter of time before they clinch a playoff spot, and they will be one tough out.
9. Canadiens (7): After four straight starts of allowing three or more goals, Carey Price finally settled down with a shutout over the Sabres on Tuesday.
10. Rangers (13): Four wins in a row for the Rangers, who will continue to ride Henrik Lundqvist down the stretch. And why not? He’s started 12 of the past 13 games and allowed a combined four goals in his past three games.
11. Flyers (9): Ended a four-game homestand with three wins. What’s more impressive is those wins came against the Blackhawks, Stars and Blues. (Also impressive: this crazy Vincent Lecavalier shot.)
12. Lightning (14): The Lightning have five wins in nine games, but have picked up points in all nine (5-0-4), and we all know how critical points are this time of year.
13. Wild (11): Matt Moulson’s past two goals for the Wild have been game-winners. That’s what you call a good trade deadline pickup.
14. Blue Jackets (16): Huge 4-2 win against the Red Wings Tuesday to get them back on the right side of the playoff fence. Curtis McElhinney was outstanding coming in cold for a sick Sergei Bobrovsky, allowing one goal on 23 shots.
15. Capitals (17): Blew a 3-1 third-period lead Tuesday, but earned a point in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Kings. Washington is now tied with three other teams competing for two wild-cards spots in the East.
16. Coyotes (18): Hold a three-point edge over the Stars for the final Western Conference wild-card spot but now the question is the health of goalie Mike Smith – injured in Monday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the Rangers.
17. Red Wings (19): Gustav Nyquist is sizzling with nine goals in six games, but he can’t do it all for the Wings, who have a touch schedule down the stretch.
18. Stars (15): Trailing a playoff spot by three points, the Stars have a critical five-game, nine-day road trip coming up.
19. Maple Leafs (12): The playoffs are seriously in doubt now after their sixth loss in a row Tuesday. Hard to remember they were atop the conference earlier in the season.
20. Devils (20): A two-game week for the Devils means they can only fall further behind the teams they are chasing for a playoff spot.
21. Canucks (23): Getting Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler back from injuries should boost the offense, as the Canucks continue to cling to playoff life.
22. Predators (25): A mediocre season for the Predators (31-31-10) will end without a playoff appearance for the second year in a row. They should use their draft pick on a goal-scorer.
23. Jets (21): With nine losses in 11 games, the Jets will miss the playoffs for the third straight season since relocating from Atlanta.
24. Flames (26): Give them credit for not giving up. In the past two weeks, the Flames have averaged more than four goals a game and have beaten the Ducks, Stars and Sharks.
25. Hurricanes (22): With their general manger stepping down, a lot of questions need answering, specifically in net and what to do with captain Eric Staal.
26. Senators (24): A disappointing season, but at least they have Erik Karlsson, the Norris Trophy favorite. He set a career high in goals with 20 and has been one of few bright spots for Ottawa.
27. Islanders (29): A 5-4 win in Raleigh Tuesday night gave the Isles a 17-17-1 road record. If they had played like that at home (11-18-8), a playoff spot would be a possibility.
28. Panthers (28): Roberto Luongo has faced an average of 33 shots in his nine games in Florida. That should be a common theme moving forward.
29. Oilers (27): Rock bottom: an 8-1 home loss against the rival Flames. Even with a top draft pick coming up, it’s hard to see them being much better next season with the same roster.
30. Sabres (30): Buffalo has used four different goalies in seven games. Start the audition for next season.