Count on one of the Leafs, Wings or Lightning ending in third place in the division. There’s no other divisional team in the rearview mirror, as the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens are 10 points behind Toronto and Detroit.
“I think our team is in a great position to be primed for a little run here in the back half of the season, so we’re looking forward to playing Monday,” Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly said after helping Team Matthews win the all-star game on Saturday. “That’s quick, but it’s all good.”
The Leafs’ goaltending picture should be complete again soon, as Joseph Woll isn’t far off from returning from the ankle injury he suffered on Dec. 7 against the Ottawa Senators. Another key factor will be the play of Ilya Samsonov, who was turning a corner when the break started. It goes without saying that a difficult decision for coach Sheldon Keefe each time he names a starting goalie would be in the Leafs’ best interest.
Tampa, meanwhile, won eight of nine going into the break, and Detroit won six of nine.
The back-to-back Stanley Cups won by the Lightning resonate with a core that has remained largely intact. Whether that experience helps in the stretch run, we’re going to find out.
“The focus now will be to get back on track and play a consistent game,” said Nikita Kucherov, who leads the NHL in scoring with 85 points, one more than Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche.
“We’re hungry. When you win one, two (Cups), you still want to win. It’s the most fun thing when you lift the Cup and enjoy the moment. We’re here to win the Cup but right now, it’s just make the playoffs.”
In the West, the Avs lead the Central Division by one point over the Dallas Stars and two over the Winnipeg Jets. Colorado is four points behind the Vancouver Canucks, who are tied with the Boston Bruins for first overall with 71 points.
Since the break started, the Canucks acquired Elias Lindholm and the Jets got Sean Monahan.
“I think the (West) is wide open,” MacKinnon said. “Hockey is such an even sport with the parity.
“Teams are definitely making some moves. I don’t know what we’re going to do, but I like our team for sure.”
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