Who will the Canadian fight against?

The Canadian is now part of the playoff conversation and that’s great news, but he is far from alone in the race.

Before Tuesday’s matches, the Habs occupied 8^e rank in the Eastern Association with 41 points. That’s only four fewer than the Bruins, who hold third place in the Atlantic Division with two more games played, but it’s also only six more than the Sabres, who are dead last in the Association.

We can therefore speak, still for the moment, of a race with practically 10 teams for the last two places in the series.

So let’s take a quick look at the teams with which the Canadian is involved in the race.

Lightning de Tampa Bay

7^e42 points

The Lightning are eight points behind the Hurricanes who occupy 3^e place in the Metropolitan section, they will most likely get one of the two passes. It is a good offensive machine which has the second attack (137 goals) in the East. They are one of only two teams involved in this race to have a positive differential. The Lightning also scores beyond expectations since Natural Stat Trick gives them 110.37 expected goals. They’re also the team that has allowed the fewest goals (105) in the East, so there could be a push up.

Pittsburgh Penguins

9^e41 points

It’s an aging team at a crossroads that has the worst defense (152 goals allowed) in the NHL, it’s higher than the expected goals against (133.03) according to Natural Stat Trick, and the attack is performing below expectations with 124 goals scored versus 131.78 expected goals. They have lost four of their last five games and their biggest problem is that the offense is no longer able to compensate for the defensive struggles. But the Penguins are steadily improving month to month this season, which begs the question: will they want to make one last push or will the team clean up their act at the trade deadline?

Ottawa Senators

10^e40 points

Photo AFP

At this time last year, the Ottawans were dead last in the East. It is the other team in the race which displays a positive differential (+1) and their growth is interesting. Their goal production as well as those they allowed correspond almost perfectly to what is expected when we consult the advanced statistics. This means that the team is consistent, apart from a streak of five consecutive losses in November and another of five consecutive victories in December. The Sens are young and there should be little personnel change.

Blue Jackets de Columbus

11^e40 points

Getty Images via AFP

This is a team that offers performances that blow hot and cold on a statistical level. They have scored 135 goals while Natural Stat Trick gives them 120.01 expected goals. They have also allowed 145 goals against 123.46 expected goals allowed, that’s a big difference. Their biggest problem is that they have a poor 4-12-3 record on opposing ice, the worst in the NHL. Why is this a problem? Because they will play more than half (23) of their last 42 games on opposing ice rinks.

Philadelphia Flyers

12^e39 points

Getty Images via AFP

The Flyers have been yo-yoing between the bottom and middle of the Eastern Conference standings since the start of the season. They seemed to have pulled themselves together a month ago, before diving back in again. They allow a lot of goals and they have problems in front of the net since none of the three goalies used this season have an efficiency rating above .900. Samuel Ersson is the least worst of the lot with a snoring .884 and he is also the one who has the “best average” with 3.02.

Red Wings de Detroit

13^e38 points

Getty Images via AFP

With nine players aged 30 or older, the Wings are aging and inconsistent. They have managed to put together two consecutive victories (or more) only five times this season. Even if they experience momentum in the coming months, there is little chance they will rise again. Steve Yzerman will have to think about the future.

Rangers de New York

14^e37 points

Getty Images via AFP

Nothing is going well under the chaotic administration of Chris Drury, who escapes with a team which should have claimed great honors. Since the Jacob Trouba trade on December 8, the Rangers have won 4 in 14 games, only the San Jose Sharks have done worse. The devil is the cows and the fall will continue even if it is a talented team.

Islanders de New York

15^e37 points

Photo Martin Chevalier

Despite all the good will of Patrick Roy, he goes to war with a butter knife, his team being rather limited in terms of talent. The effort is there, but it simply won’t be enough to get out of the hole.

Buffalo Sabers

16^e35 points

Getty Images via AFP

We include them out of politeness since they are mathematically still in the game, but the reconstruction is never ending and morale is not at its best. Let’s not forget the 13-game losing streak, and the Sabers lost 11 of their 14 games in December, it’s difficult to think about the playoffs in such conditions.