Yardbarker
x
NHL Weekender: Bruins, Flames, Jets are taking flight
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

NHL Weekender: Bruins, Flames, Jets are taking flight

At the end of every work week, Yardbarker takes a look at what the NHL has in store for the weekend. We'll see whose stock is soaring, who needs to get their acts together and what tilts promise to keep you on the edge of your seat. 

In this week's edition, newcomers enter the race for playoff contention, everybody catches trade deadline fever and we check in on how the bench bosses are doing.

Who's on fire


Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports

Through a touch-and-go start to the season, the Boston Bruins have officially wiggled their way into the discussion in the Eastern Conference. They've gone 8-0-2 in their last 10 tilts, including a narrow 6-5 overtime defeat at the hands of the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins — who, in all honesty, aren't their mighty selves this season. The Bruins should be set to put more tallies in the win column with two of their next three games against the floundering Montreal Canadiens.

The scenario is even more interesting out in the Western Conference, where the Winnipeg Jets have won three straight bouts and six out of their last seven to take over the Central Division. They can really create distance on Friday with a victory over the helter-skelter Chicago Blackhawks. In the Pacific Division, the Calgary Flames knocked the San Jose Sharks out of a playoff spot with five straight victories, including a 5-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night. The Sharks, meanwhile, spent this past week idle. They return from their bye week with a home tilt against the Arizona Coyotes in San Jose on Saturday night.

Who's on a skid


Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps it's silly to get too worried about the New Jersey Devils since they're still sitting pretty in the Metropolitan Division. That being said, they've dropped five straight games, including a 5-4 shootout loss to the faltering New York Islanders. If this young team wants to keep competing with the veterans in the league, it needs to kick the losing streak to the curb — and fast.

As far as the Western Conference is concerned, the Los Angeles Kings had better look alive. They don't have the cushy points lead they had to start the season and are starting to show some cracks in their game. They've lost three of their last five games, all by one goal. Sure, L.A. is rumored to be a buyer at the trade deadline, but the Kings would be smart to tally some wins before then. While we're on the subject...

Trade talk


Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

The trade deadline — aka hockey Twitter's worst nightmare — is just around the bend, and there are more names out there than there has been in a while. We already discussed earlier this week that the Buffalo Sabres are looking to sell, and Evander Kane is probably the biggest fish in the pond. Another name to watch — and one that may come as a surprise — is forward James Neal.

It was reported back in November that the Las Vegas Golden Knights were already fielding calls about Neal, whose contract with the new team expires at the end of the season. The 30-year-old winger is on pace to eclipse the 41 points he notched last season so it begs the question: With Vegas being a playoff contender, would it want to part ways with the second-best goal scorer on the squad?

Coaches on tilt 


Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

It may be more accurate to say there may not be any coaches on tilt. After all, the NHL is in slightly unfamiliar territory right now, reaching well into the new year with no coaches having lost their jobs. According to SportsNet, this is the first time since the 1966-67 season that coach hasn't been axed by the midway point of the season.

Of course, a bench boss's job security can change at the drop of a hat. Take Flames coach Glen Gulutzan, for example. He was feeling the heat at the start of the season, but with the Flames on a five-game winning streak following a playoff bid last season, he appears to be in good shape for the time being. The only coach whom everyone is really keeping eyes on is Todd McLellan, since the Oilers have turned out to be such a disappointment this season, but even T-Mac's job seems secure (for now, anyways).

What to watch this weekend


Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Friday, Washington at Carolina, 7:30 p.m. EST, FSCR, NSW+ 

These teams — one leading the division, the other making its way up the standings — face off for the third time in a week. Action kicked off right after the new year with Washington winning 5-4 in overtime. Then on Thursday, the Hurricanes broke up a 1-1 stalemate in the third frame to register a 3-1 victory. The tail end of a home-and-home, back-to-back continues Friday night in Raleigh.

Saturday, Anaheim at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. EST,  PRIT, FSW

The Kings are good this season. The Ducks are, well, not so good, but a lopsided matchup doesn't change the dynamic of this Southern California rivalry. L.A. has won the first two matchups of the season, all by just one goal. Expect the Ducks to be plenty angry when they enter Staples Center on Saturday night.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.