O Canada: Jets’ Little coming up big, Flames clinging to playoff spot

Every Tuesday, theScore's editors will examine the fortunes of the north's seven NHL franchises. Welcome to "O Canada."

Calgary Flames

Plus: A win over the Senators prior to the All-Star break helped ease the stress of a previous four-game losing skid. Goals from Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan were both welcome sights in the 3-2 victory.

Minus: Despite the win, Calgary still finished the week 1-2-0, giving up 11 goals in that stretch. The Flames need to be better if they hope to maintain their current playoff spot, and that starts with goaltending.

Take: Gaudreau wasn't just the Flames' lone All-Star representative in Los Angeles; he was arguably the most dominant player at the event. The 23-year-old had four points in two games, along with a plethora of chances. He'll hope his offensive surge can translate back to regular-season play.

Edmonton Oilers

Plus: A 7-2-1 stretch before the break, highlighted by dominant wins over the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks, propelled Edmonton into a tie for the Pacific Division lead.

Connor McDavid also had an eventful weekend at his first All-Star event, capturing the fastest skater award.

Minus: Milan Lucic has found the back of the net just once in his last 16 games. The Oilers are rolling, but added contributions from their $6-million man would go a long way toward keeping momentum.

Take: Edmonton is red hot, averaging five goals per game in its last three. The team now has four games before its mandated bye week, and it'll be crucial to pick up points before the schedule gets even more condensed down the stretch.

Montreal Canadiens

Plus: He's still got it.

Shea Weber picked up his third straight hardest shot title at Saturday's skills competition. The 31-year-old also used his cannon to score two goals in Montreal's last four games.

Minus: Carey Price keeps downplaying his recent poor play, but having allowed three or more goals in 10 of 13 games, it might be time for some skepticism.

Take: The Canadiens' grasp on the Atlantic Division is slowly slipping. The team now holds just a seven-point lead over the Senators, who have three games in hand. Don't look now, but this division race is far from over.

Ottawa Senators

Plus: Mike Condon. Outside of a rare seven-goal outing against the Blue Jackets just over a week ago, Ottawa's netminder has been a rock.

Minus: Derick Brassard has gone eight games since he last scored. The 29-year-old has just eight goals and 25 points on the year, one less in each category than New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad does in 23 fewer games. The trade seemingly has a clear winner - and it isn't Ottawa.

Take: Speaking of trades, the Senators pulled off what should be the first of many ahead of the deadline, acquiring Tommy Wingels from San Jose. Sure, it's not a big name or the top-six forward the Senators are looking for, but props to management for the minor upgrade and getting the trade train rolling.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Plus: The goalies are doing their jobs. Frederik Andersen is coming off back-to-back shutouts - earning third star of the week honors - while Curtis McElhinney was nearly perfect in a 2-1 loss to Philadelphia last week.

Minus: It's a drum that warrants beating once again; the Maple Leafs will need to be better in back-to-back games. The club was uninspired in their latest attempt against the Flyers, but with seven more chances there's no room for fatigue.

Take: With games against the Stars, Blues, and Bruins this week, picking up points will be crucial. The Maple Leafs' offense should take advantage of playing two Western Conference clubs with poor goaltending. Meanwhile, Toronto can take advantage of its games in hand on the Bruins with a victory on Saturday.

Vancouver Canucks

Plus: Like Gaudreau, Bo Horvat had an inspired All-Star tournament, picking up four points in two games, and proving he's certainly a star on the rise.

Minus: The Canucks stumbled into the All-Star break, earning just two points against the bottom-feeding Avalanche and Coyotes. That included a disastrous 3-0 loss to Arizona that saw Vancouver go almost half the game without a single shot on goal.

Take: The Canucks remain within striking distance of a playoff spot. With just two remaining back-to-back sets and with its bye week approaching, Vancouver has one of the lighter schedules in February. It will be important to capitalize if the team wants to remain serious about a postseason berth.

Winnipeg Jets

Plus: Yes, the Jets' top line has been great all year, but lately it's Bryan Little who's been torching the opposition.

Little has nine points over his last five contests - nearly two per game - including four multi-point outings.

Minus: No matter who mans the net these days, pucks are still going in. The Jets have gone 3-5-1 in their last nine games, allowing at least three goals in each. Whether it's Ondrej Pavelec or not, someone needs to stop the puck.

Take: Patrik Laine appeared to have some All-Star jitters in his debut.

He couldn't replicate his superb time from the accuracy contest at the Jets' skills competition - which would have won him the All-Star event - and went pointless in the Central's crushing 10-3 loss to the Pacific.

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