Todd Cordell
1. Anaheim Ducks (38-21-9)
The Caps didn't do anything to deserve losing their top spot but I don't think there's a team I'd take over the Ducks in a playoff series.
2. Washington Capitals (49-14-5)
They've lost five of their last 10 but are still locks to finish tops in the league.
3. Los Angeles Kings (41-22-5)
Only Washington has more wins and no team has allowed more goals. The Kings are 1st in possession and scoring chance for percentage, too.
4. Tampa Bay Lightning (40-25-4)
The Bolts have been lights out over the last couple months. The Caps, and maybe the Penguins with Evgeni Malkin, are the only teams in the East I could see taking out the Bolts.
5. St. Louis Blues (41-21-9)
They were slapped around quite a bit by the Calgary Flames last night but they've won six of their last seven and have posted excellent underlying numbers over the last month or so.
Jason Lewis 1. Washington (49-14-5) - The regular season title is Washington's to lose.
2. St. Louis (41-20-9) - Really coming on strong lately and look poised to take over the division lead from a scuffling Dallas.
3. Los Angeles (41-22-5) - Not winning in dominant fashion, but getting in done with several teams nipping at their heels. Huge win over Chicago had a message sending feel to it.
4. Boston (39-23-8) - Color me surprised that Boston is still anywhere near the top of the East, let alone the league. Really great season for a team some pegged as being on the verge of total rebuild
5. Tampa Bay (40-24-5) - Certainly not letting Boston run away with it. The division is within their reach if they can continue to get great play from their deep forward group it will definitely happen.
Peter Tessier 1. Capitals. Might as well put them here to finish the season. Something tragic will have to happen to unseat them even if they continue at a 4-5-1 pace.
2. Kings. Had I written this before last night I'd have been saying something different. Kings are starting to 'crown' opponents. 7-2-1 in their last 10
3. Blues. I think they are going to slip. Expect them to bend and break but they don't as they battle with Dallas for Central Division title. 6-4-0 in last 10.
4. Stars. Like the Blues they are still hanging on and still battling for the top spot in the Central. 4-3-3 is not grand but it's not bad either.
5. Bruins. Who? What? Where did they come from? Exactly, and doing it with a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 games passing both Tampa and NYR in the east and removing Chicago from my top 5. Sorry Chicago.