NHL Weekender: Blackhawks, Rangers continue to free fall

There may not be a team that had a better week than the Toronto Maple Leafs. Toronto carries a five-game winning streak into this upcoming weekend, including a narrow 4-3 victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Tampa Bay Lightning — a game that looked like it might slip away in the third, no less. The Maple Leafs have the opportunity to go for six on Saturday night when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins. (More on that game a little later.)

Out in the Western Conference, the Dallas Stars are looking to keep up their winning ways and stay in the playoff picture. They were on a roll, notching five straight victories, before they got slapped around by the Vancouver Canucks last weekend in a 6-0 route. Now after a few days off they have the opportunity to right the ship, although it won't be easy. The Stars have two tough matchups on the docket this weekend against the St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks.

Who's on a skid

It's been a rough stretch for the New York Rangers, who have only won three games in their last 12. Once a solid Wild Card contender, the Blueshirts are now on the outside looking in. In addition, they're at the forefront of the trade deadline rumor mill thanks to reported interest from several teams in dealing for Rick Nash. They only need a couple points and a little help to get back into the race — a win over the Ottawa Senators Saturday would help — but they're still in for an uphill battle, burying themselves in the basement of the Metropolitan Division.

As disappointing as the Rangers have been, the biggest question in the NHL is what in the heck has happened to the Chicago Blackhawks? Sure, Chicago hasn't been the overbearing tour de force over the last couple of seasons, but losing eight straight games? That's quite baffling. At this point in the game, even being active at the trade deadline may not be enough. The Blackhawks sit in dead last in the Central Division and haven't registered a win in February.

'Wookie' on the move

The injury bug has bitten the Sharks hard, and after Tomas Hertl got leveled in Tuesday night's game against the Coyotes, San Jose's offense looked very depleted. The team needed a spark up front, but it was still a surprise when bench boss Peter DeBoer moved blue-liner Brent Burns up to left wing — a position he hasn't played in a few years. The "Wookie" moved back and forth between offense and defense for the rest of the game, and he did so again in Thursday night's tilt against the Canucks. While the experiment as a winger didn't last the whole tilt, Burns did score a goal in San Jose's 4-1 win vs. Vancouver.

Trade talk

Dion Phaneuf stole the spotlight this week when he was pulled midgame to facilitate a trade between the Senators and Los Angeles Kings. Even with Phaneuf out in L.A. to help bolster the Kings' depleted resources, Ottawa is likely not finished wheeling and dealing ahead of the deadline. Expect the Senators to remain active.

What to watch this weekend

Friday, Blues at Stars, 8:30 p.m. EST, FSMW, FSSW

If the playoffs started today, both of these Central Division teams would be playing, but in a tight Western Conference race, every win counts — especially since St. Louis only has two points on the Wild Card-contending Stars. Plus both teams are coming off losses but have had plenty of time to rest up before this Friday night fight.

Saturday, Maple Leafs at Penguins, 7 p.m. EST, ATTP

It's too easy to say that this is a matchup between a hot young team and the reigning Stanley Cup champs is big. What really stands about the Pens and Leafs right now is their body of work in the middle part of the season. Both teams have been dominating their opponents since last meeting in December when Toronto emerged victorious 4-3. It was after that tilt that Pittsburgh went on a hot streak and climbed its way into the playoff discussion. It's anyone's guess who will end up on top Saturday night.