Let’s take a look around the league at team performance over the past week, along with updated projected standings.
Pacific Division
The Edmonton Oilers regained top spot in the projected Pacific Division standings with a 2-0-0 record this week. The Oilers have defensemen have been dropping like flies of late and their defensive depth will be put to the test over the next few games with Darnell Nurse, Duncan Keith, Cody Ceci, and Slater Koekkoek all currently on the sidelines. The Calgary Flames went 1-1 despite outplaying their opponent in both games this week and fall to second in the full season projections. The rest of the division remains unchanged in the projected standings from last week. The Seattle Kraken finally found some goaltending support this week and went 3-1-0 and appear to be trending upward. With the Kraken having a strong projected record, the Golden Knights may have objects in the rear view mirror that are closer than they appear. The Canucks continued to struggle amid calls for change from their fanbase and got their only win of the week against the Canadiens following Montreal’s own front office housecleaning.
Central Division
The Minnesota Wild wrestled the top spot in the projected standings back from the Avalanche this week. The Avs put together a 2-1-0 record this week, while the Wild were a perfect 4-0-0. For the most part, the rest of the division seems to be settling in, with the exception of the Stars and Jets. The Stars have been heating up, with a 3-0-0 record this week propelling them up the projected standings. The Jets, in contract, have been struggling and continued their slide down the projected standings. They went 1-3-0 this week with their only win coming against the Flames in a game that they were thoroughly outplayed and Connor Hellebuyck was outstanding.
Atlantic Division
The Atlantic was the only division that did not see any movement in the full season projected standings. The Toronto Maple Leafs still sit at the top, increasing their lead with a 3-0-0 record this week. The Florida Panthers have come back to earth a bit following their blistering hot start. A 2-2-0 record this week sees their lead in the current standings dropping but they still sit a close third in the full season projections. The Montreal Canadiens continued to struggle, with a 1-3-0 record this week leading to a regime change for the blue blanc et rouge. GM Marc Bergevin is out and Jeff Gorton comes in as Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations.
Metropolitan Division
The Washington Capitals continue to sit atop the projected standings in the Metropolitan Division this week. The New York Rangers kept pace with a 2-0-0 record this week propelling them ahead of the Hurricanes in the full season projection. The Hurricanes have cooled off of late and their 1-3-0 record this week resulted in a drop in the full season projections. We are finally starting to see some separation in the division, with the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders starting to fall off the back. With respective 0-2-1 and 0-2-0 records this week, these two teams need to turn things around quickly to keep pace.
Complete Regular Season Projections
For a full set of updated roster plots and in-season tracking, see the 2021-2022 Season Projections page. Also, subscribe to catch more regular season briefings and league wide updates throughout the season.
