Todd Cordell
1. Tampa Bay (16-3-2)
They have fewer total losses than any other team in the league has regulation losses. The top line continues to dominate and Andrei Vasilevskiy has been giving the Bolts Vezina-caliber goaltending.
2. St. Louis (16-5-1)
The Blues have an elite top line and may be the best defensive team in the NHL. That's certainly what the numbers suggest as they're 1st in Expected Goals Against/60 at 5v5 by a wide margin.
3. Columbus (14-7-1)
They've won five consecutive games, lead the NHL in Expected Goals For% at 5v5, and just completely locked down a Calgary Flames team that entered the game having won seven of 10.
4. Nashville (13-6-2)
The Predators are finally starting to look like the Predators again. The addition of Kyle Turris has really jump-started the second line and given the top unit some help (and also allowed them to stay together). As long as they stay healthy, they're going to be a big threat come playoff time.
5. Toronto (14-8-1)
There have been some bumps along the way but, you know what? They played a handful of games without Auston Matthews and are still tied for 3rd in points.
Jared Crozier
1. Tampa (16-3-2)
Still the class of the league, only team with fewer than 5 regulation losses.
2. St. Louis (16-5-1)
Schenn, Tarasenko, and Schwartz are challenging Tampa's trio of Stamkos/Kucherov/Namestnikov for the status of the league's best line and getting veteran Bouwmeester back from injury makes their blueline even stronger.
3. Nashville (13-6-2)
Winners of 8 out of their last 10 and 3 straight, still climbing in the ultra-competitive Central.
4. Columbus (14-7-1)
With Bobrovsky leading the way, the Blue Jackets are among the hottest teams in the league, on a 5 game winning streak that has propelled them to the top of the Metro division.
5. Vegas (13-6-1)
How the clock hasn't struck midnight on Cinderella yet is beyond me, but a win on Wednesday gives them sole possession of first place in the Pacific, with games in hand on the chase pack.
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