Todd Cordell
1. St. Louis (12-3-1)
They're 8-1-1 in their last 10, lead the league in 5v5 Expected Goals Against/60, and their top line of Jaden Schwartz - Brayden Schenn - Vladimir Tarasenko is playing as good as any. This team is rock solid.
2. Los Angeles (11-2-2)
No Jeff Carter, no problem. They have the league's best goal differential and Adrian Kempe hasn't missed a beat stepping in on the 2nd line.
3. San Jose (8-5-0)
The Sharks have quietly won four in a row and are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games despite the fact Brent Burns hasn't scored yet.
4. Tampa Bay (11-2-2)
Their offense has been spectacular and, as long as Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov stay healthy, that's not going to change. Everyone's favorite bounce-back pick is living up to the hype.
5. Columbus (9-6-1)
They've lost a couple games in a row but they rank 4th in Corsi For%, 2nd in Expected Goals For%, and Cam Atkinson just returned to the lineup. They'll be fine.
Jared Crozier
1. St. Louis (12-3-1)
The Blues might have more losses than LA and TB but they have a big win over the Kings in their recent matchup and have won 6 of 7.
2. Los Angeles (11-2-2)
They continue to roll without Jeff Carter, and Anze Kopitar is already 2/3 of the way to his dismal goal total of last year.
3. Tampa Bay (11-2-2)
I think the top 3 have separated themselves from the pack and could be put in any order, this week the Lightning are 3rd, but could easily be 1 or 2.
4. Winnipeg (8-3-3)
Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele are on fire (13 and 10 points in last 7 games respectively), and the Jets haven't lost in regulation since Oct 17th (5-0-3).
5. San Jose (8-5-0)
There could have been any one of a number of teams (such as NJ, NYI, Vegas, Nashville) in this spot, but even though they are third in the Pacific right now, the Sharks are rolling after a slow start. Own a 7-2 record in their last 9, and 4 of those wins were by a 3 goal margin.
Peter Tessier 1- Tampa Bay. Healthy Stamkos, Kucherov, depth and goaltending so what's not to like?
2 - Los Angeles. Quick is back? Stevens is getting the most out of the team and they are scoring.
3- St. Louis. Who would have thought it? No decline here and with Fabbri out too and that Schwartz kid, what more can be said.
4- New Jersey. Maybe they are due for a correction but until that happens Devils are the best surprise this season
5-Winnipeg. Yeah, it's a homer pick but how many saw this coming? Wheeler and Scheifele heating up and Hellebuyck playing like an all-star
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