Todd Cordell
1. Tampa Bay (45-17-4)
You can make a case the Lightning are the best team in the league with their current lineup and they're without a top-6 forward in Ondrej Palat and a top-4 defenseman in Ryan McDonagh. It's scary to think about how good they will be if and when everyone is healthy.
2. Winnipeg (39-17-5)
Paul Stastny has fit in like a glove alongside Nik Ehlers and Patrik Laine on the Jets new-look '2nd line'. They may have the best, and deepest, forward core in the league and they continue to get it done without arguably their best defenseman in Jacob Trouba. I think the Jets are poised for a deep run this year.
3. Nashville (42-14-9)
The Predators are so good that they are cycling key players in and out of their lineup for rest purposes and they still might grab the No. 1 seed in the NHL.
4. Boston (40-15-8)
I have some concerns about the defense, especially if Charlie McAvoy's injury is remotely serious, but this team is deep and they play as structured of a game as any team in the league. They're built for the playoffs.
5. Vegas (42-18-5)
At this point, we should probably stop waiting for them to slow down. They have a ton of team speed and they continue to use it to their advantage by skating teams into the ground.
Honorable mention: Pittsburgh. They have elite point producers on each of their top-3 lines, which makes them nearly impossible to match up against. They'll be a nightmare come playoff time.
Jared Crozier 1. Nashville (42-14-9)
Winners of 8 straight, only got deeper with Ryan Hartman and Mike Fisher. Carved out a 6 point lead over the Jets in the Central.
2. Tampa (45-17-4)
Back on track after a slight lull, regained top spot in the league and solidified their blue line at the deadline, although Ryan McDonagh has yet to make an appearance.
3. Boston (40-15-8)
A better picture will be painted once they play their games in hand (which ranges from 2-5 on their near rivals). Depending on the pressure of a more compressed schedule down the stretch, will they fall closer to the Leafs or push the Bolts?
4. Vegas (42-18-5)
Back to back losses to the Kings, and then a loss to the lowly Senators made some ask questions, but they are home and cooled in the division with a 10 point lead, and as long as key injuries aren't serious then they should be fine and have time to get back on track.
5. Winnipeg (39-17-9)
Have won 7 of their last 9, and one of those two losses game to the Preds, in a wild 6-5 contest. The Jets are for real and will be a force with their big trade deadline add Paul Stastny fitting right in quickly.
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