Every team in the NHL has reached or is very close to the ten-game mark in the season. There have been a few shockers and some obvious powerhouses returning from last year in the East and the North. Going through the top teams by division, we’ll look at the top of the North and Metro.
Top Metro Teams (MassMutual East)
Boston Bruins
David Pastrnak returned this week and scored a natural hatty including the game-tying goal with 15 seconds remaining. After securing the win with the overtime assist, their top unit showed who runs this league.
They won the President’s Trophy last year but weren’t real contenders in the bubble after Tuukka Rask had to leave in the middle. That being said, they easily have the best line in the metro and they’re essentially a lock to finish top four.
Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers look like Vegas of the East. They have 4 lines that all play hard and could score. Moving Claude Giroux to the wing really helped make this team better all around. Kevin Hayes was moved up to center for the 1st line and he’s made Giroux and Jakub Voracek look 10 years younger.
The lack of depth facing them last year is no more with the emergence of Joel Farabee. The former Boston Terrier has exploded this year and while he was always a high prospect, nobody could have predicted this. He recorded his 1st career hat trick and rejuvenated James van Riemsdyk’s career.
Top North Teams (Scotia)
Maple Leafs
Toronto finally seems to have it figured out defensively. Getting rid of Cody Ceci was a big blessing and the top two lines are producing at the level they need to be. Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have been dominant on the top line and John Tavares is finally producing for the Leafs.
Canadiens
Carey Price has looked lights out all season and the Nick Suzuki trade really seems to be paying off. Shea Weber and Jeff Petry are lockdown defenders.
The bottom of the division isn’t looking too good so I’d expect the Habs to roll into the playoffs as a middle seed.