32. Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago has the entire week off and are just one point better than the Blue Jackets. The Blackhawks have two games in-hand on Columbus, however, and have scored ten fewer goals entering the new week.
31. Columbus Blue Jackets
They’re the worst road team in the league (4-17-2) and only 10 of their 15 wins have come in regulation. That’s a regulation win in only 20 percent of their games this season.
30. Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim starts the post-All-Star part of their season in Chicago. Will Connor Bedard watch the game? Teemu Selanne already has his locker ready in Anaheim.
29. Arizona Coyotes
Arizona is the first team in the league to register 20 regulation losses on the road this season and boast a minus-46 goal differential.
28. St. Louis Blues
Without Ryan O’Reilly in the lineup, the Blues have been sliding away from the playoff picture quickly. They’ve lost their last four entering Monday.
27. San Jose Sharks
With only five wins on home ice, the Sharks are the worst home team in the NHL. At this point we’re just wondering if someone can/will acquire Erik Karlsson.
26. Vancouver Canucks
They’ve moved on past the Bruce Boudreau debacle but still have major decisions coming between now and the trade deadline. How soon will we find out where Bo Horvat will finish the season?
25. Montreal Canadiens
Cole Caufield being done for the year puts them firmly in lottery territory. They also have a minus-54 goal differential, which is better than only Anaheim and Chicago.
24. Ottawa Senators
The Sens only have a minus-nine goal differential entering the new week, which is surprisingly decent considering their record. They’ve won three straight.
23. Detroit Red Wings
With a 5-4-1 record in their last 10, the Red Wings are floating around the late-lottery area. They need to figure out a dollar amount with Dylan Larkin at some point, too.
22. New York Islanders
They were supposed to bounce back this year and have been better at times. But they picked a terrible time to roll off a 3-5-2 run over 10 games. Can they buy enough at the deadline to make a playoff push? Their division might not make that possible.
21. Philadelphia Flyers
The city will be excited for the next two weeks about the Super Bowl, but the Flyers are only 10-12-2 on home ice. Their minus-20 goal differential speaks to the struggles they’ve had in net.