Sean Tierney, the man behind ChartingHockey.ca and the director of hockey analytics for the OHL's Hamilton Bulldogs, joins the show to discuss a variety of topics, including:
Simulating the rest of the NHL season using mathematical models
Missing playoff pushes for the Canucks, Rangers, and Blue Jackets
Hellebuyck and the Vezina, Matthews and the Rocket Richard
Duties and challenges for a junior-level hockey analytics director
With the NHL season on pause, it's only natural to be going through withdrawal.
But while the lack of games is an unfortunate - albeit necessary - development, there are plenty of ways to fill the void.
Books certainly fall into that category, so here's a list of entertaining and informative hockey reads as compiled by theScore's hockey editors:
'Game Change'
Bill Smith / National Hockey League / Getty
Authored by legendary Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden, "Game Change: The Life and Death of Steve Montador and the Future of Hockey" masterfully mixes the macro- and micro-narratives of a complicated issue into a thought-provoking read about head injuries in hockey.
Dryden - who takes NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to task throughout the 357-page book - drills down on the ins and outs of the neurodegenerative disease known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) while simultaneously telling the story of Montador, a former NHL defenseman who died in 2015 at the age of 35.
You will learn so much from reading "Game Change" because it's a tribute to Montador as well as a lecture to powerful people in the sport about the dangers of on-ice violence.
'Playing with Fire'
B Bennett / Bruce Bennett / Getty
"Playing with Fire" is the gripping autobiography of Theo Fleury's life. Fleury - who co-wrote the book with Kirstie McLellan Day - dealt with a rough upbringing, as his father was an alcoholic and his mother was a drug addict.
In the book, he discusses being sexually assaulted by his junior hockey coach and how it triggered his own alcohol and drug addiction. Despite plenty of obstacles, including his small stature, Fleury carved out a borderline Hall of Fame career, winning the Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal while collecting 1,088 points in 1,084 NHL games. You won't be able to put this book down.
'Behind the Bench'
Eliot J. Schechter / National Hockey League / Getty
Craig Custance takes a unique, well-thought-out idea and executes it perfectly in this brief but insightful read. In "Behind the Bench: Inside the Minds of Hockey's Greatest Coaches," he sits down with several big-name NHL bench bosses - including Mike Babcock, Joel Quenneville, Mike Sullivan, and Ken Hitchcock - and gets them to dissect the biggest games they've ever coached in great detail.
A foreword by Sidney Crosby draws you in right away, and behind-the-scenes looks from the masterminds of some of the most memorable games of a generation create a highly enjoyable reading experience.
'Hockey Confidential'
Claus Andersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty
We all know Bob McKenzie as one of hockey's best insiders, and in 2014 he gave fans an even deeper look behind the scenes with "Hockey Confidential: Inside Stories from People Inside the Game." McKenzie takes readers through 11 chapters that span all sorts of topics, including the story of John Tavares and his lacrosse-legend uncle who shares his name to explanations of how advanced stats like Corsi and Fenwick came to be.
There's also a chapter on Connor McDavid, who hadn't even set foot in the NHL yet. McKenzie goes into detail about McDavid's potential as a future superstar in the league, which is sublime to read now, knowing how the dynamic forward panned out. This is simply an insightful, quick, and easy read for hockey fans.
'King of Russia'
picture alliance / picture alliance / Getty
Dave King had a unique perspective as the first Canadian head coach to ever ply his trade in what became the KHL. In "King of Russia: A Year in the Russian Super League," which he co-wrote with Eric Duhatschek, the longtime bench boss tells the engaging story of guiding a Metallurg Magnitogorsk squad featuring budding phenom Evgeni Malkin in the season following the 2004-05 NHL lockout.
King's amusing and heartfelt journal entries illuminate the unpredictable nature of both hockey and life in Russia while conveying the culture shock that comes with moving halfway around the world. It's an eye-opening account of a league many have heard about but few in North America have experienced firsthand.
It also shows the reader how challenging - but ultimately rewarding - it can be to break out of one's comfort zone by taking on a new adventure.
'Stat Shot'
Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty
With advanced stats becoming an integral tool for evaluating players, "Hockey Abstract Presents ... Stat Shot: The Ultimate Guide to Hockey Analytics" is a great read for those who wish to learn more about this ever-growing pool of data. Rob Vollman puts the daunting task of grasping analytics into layman's terms, making the read both fun and informative.
From evaluating the best way to build a team to projecting the significance of a player's numbers in junior to exploring the application of shot-based metrics, Vollman uses this wide world of numbers to provide in-depth answers to a series of important questions. Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned vet, "Stat Shot" is a must-read for all hockey lovers.
'Coach: The Pat Burns Story'
B Bennett / Bruce Bennett / Getty
Going from a Montreal police officer to a Stanley Cup-winning head coach isn't exactly the standard career path for most in the NHL, but that was the trail blazed by Pat Burns. In this book - which came out two years after Burns' death - Rosie DiManno traces his rise from a cop to the QMJHL to the AHL and then to the NHL with the Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Boston Bruins, and New Jersey Devils.
"Coach" doesn't sugarcoat Burns, showing he had his demons to deal with during a life that was tragically cut short. However, it also paints the picture of a man who was best known for his outwardly combative nature but was truly a teddy bear on the inside.
The latest news as the coronavirus pandemic disrupts the sports world. Pull down the page to refresh. (All times ET.)
For more details on European soccer-related coronavirus updates, tap here.
What you need to know (Last update: 4:40 p.m.)
The NCAA announced the cancellation of its Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments on Thursday afternoon, in addition to remaining winter and spring championships, including the Frozen Four and College World Series.
Major League Baseballsuspended all operations Thursday, which will delay the start of the regular season by at least two weeks.
The NHLsuspended its season Thursday afternoon. The league hopes to resume play at some point in the spring.
The NBAsuspended its season indefinitely in an unprecedented move Wednesday night. The decision came after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. Jazz star Donovan Mitchell then reportedly tested positive for the disease on Thursday morning.
Gobert apologized in an Instagram post late Thursday afternoon: "The first and most important thing is I would like to publicly apologize to the people that I may have endangered. At the time, I had no idea I was even infected."
March 12
Minor leagues follow suit
The American Hockey League and Canadian Hockey League suspended their seasons, while Minor League Baseball announced it's delaying the start of its season.
April UFC event expected to be moved
UFC Fight Night scheduled for April 11 in Portland is expected to be held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas due to precautionary reasons.
NFL cancels owners meeting
The league announced in a statement that its annual owners meetings scheduled for later this month in Florida have been canceled. It remains possible that the April 23-25 draft will be altered as well.
Boston Marathon postponed
The annual race won't be run in April as planned and could reportedly be rescheduled for the fall.
UFC Brasilia behind closed doors
Saturday's Fight Night 170 event in Brazil will reportedly take place without fans in attendance.
Combat sports halted in California
The California State Athletic Commission reportedly suspended all combat sports events through March.
Champions League fixtures postponed
Champions League Round of 16 second-leg fixtures featuring Manchester City versus Real Madrid and Juventus versus Lyon have been postponed.
NCAA conference tournaments canceled
All NCAA conferences canceled their championship basketball tournaments Thursday morning, albeit in delayed fashion; the Big East pulled the plug at halftime between St. John's and Creighton.
NFL teams discussing shutdowns
Numerous NFL teams are reportedly discussing shutting down training facilities, but the start of the new league year will not be pushed back at this time.
MLS suspended
Major League Soccer officially halted play for 30 days due to the coronavirus.
PGA Tour banning fans
The PGA Tour indefinitely barred fans from events beginning with Round 2 of The Players Championship on Friday.
ATP suspends play
The ATP suspended all professional men's tennis tournaments for six weeks.
Raptors in self-quarantine
The Toronto Raptors announced that players, coaches, and traveling staff will self-isolate for 14 days. The club played the Jazz in Utah on Monday.
IOC releases statement
The Olympic flame was lit Thursday in Greece and the IOC followed up with a statement about Tokyo 2020:
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirms its full commitment to the success of the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. We remain absolutely in line with our Japanese hosts in our commitment to delivering safe Olympic Games in July this year.
Hoiberg was cleared to coach
Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg tweeted that doctors cleared him to coach Wednesday night. He was forced to leave the game and taken to hospital, where he was diagnosed with a cold.
FIBA, Euroleague suspended
The International Basketball Federation suspended play in all competitions, and the Euroleague suspended its season beginning Friday. Olympic qualifiers in June are up in the air.
No autographs at The Players
The Players Championship is underway in Florida, but the PGA Tour announced Thursday morning that golfers won't be signing autographs or interacting with fans as they normally would at a tournament.
McLaren out of Aussie GP
McLaren Racing announced its withdrawal from the Australian Grand Prix after a team member tested positive for the coronavirus.
La Liga suspended
Real Madrid players are in quarantine and La Liga announced a suspension of play for at least the next two matchdays.
––––––––––
March 11
NHL mulling options
The NHL is evaluating its options after the NBA's shocking suspension announcement Wednesday. The league is consulting with medical experts and is scheduled to provide a further update Thursday.
Restricted access at college tourneys
Major college conferences announced that championship basketball tournaments scheduled for the rest of the week will take place with limited fan access.
NFL examining draft plans
The 2020 NFL Draft is currently scheduled for late April in Las Vegas. The NFL, NFLPA, and city and state officials are working together to determine whether one of the league's marquee events can go ahead as planned.
MLB, A's working on solution
The Oakland A's are working with MLB to come up with alternative plans for the club's season-opening seven-game homestand beginning March 26. Oakland and Alameda County have instituted a ban on large gatherings.
Spring college football games being axed
Ohio State and Michigan canceled their spring games scheduled for April 11 and 18, respectively. The Wolverines also announced that coaches won't be allowed to host prospects or go on recruiting trips until April 21.
Sharks to play behind closed doors
The NHL's San Jose Sharks announced they'll play in an empty SAP Center through the remainder of March due to a ban on large gatherings in Santa Clara County, California.
Ohio to ban mass gatherings
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Wednesday the state will order a ban on mass gatherings. That will affect numerous sporting events, including the NCAA Tournament (games are scheduled in Cleveland and Dayton), the NBA's Cavaliers, and the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets.
Seattle teams forced to alter plans
The Mariners are working to relocate two home series due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Seattle, where a ban was ordered on crowds of more than 250 people. The club's spring-training home in Peoria, Arizona, is reportedly being considered as an option.
The XFL's Seattle Dragons will host the Los Angeles Wildcats on Sunday without fans in attendance at CenturyLink Field.
Teams altering scouting plans
The NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens grounded their North American scouts as the virus continues to proliferate.
NFL teams are also changing their pre-draft travel plans. Scouts from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles will reportedly sit out the pro-day circuit.
European hockey seasons shelved
Professional hockey leagues in Germany (DEL) and Austria (EBEL) canceled the remainder of their seasons due to the outbreak in Europe.
Figure Skating worlds called off
The World Figure Skating Championships scheduled to take place in Montreal next week have been canceled.
Fed Cup finals postponed
The Fed Cup finals scheduled April 14-19 in Budapest, Hungary, have been postponed indefinitely. No makeup date has been announced.
The latest news as the coronavirus outbreak disrupts the sports world. Pull down the page to refresh. (All times ET.)
What you need to know
The coronavirus began to affect North American sports in a major way Wednesday after the World Health Organization officially declared its spread a pandemic.
The NBA suspended its season indefinitely in an unprecedented move late Wednesday. The decision came after a Utah Jazz player - believed to be Rudy Gobert - tested positive for COVID-19. Utah-Oklahoma City and New Orleans-Sacramento were both postponed Wednesday night.
The NCAA announced Wednesday afternoon that the upcoming Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments will be held with only essential staff and limited family in attendance.
March 12 (Last update: 9 a.m.)
No autographs at The Players
The Players Championship is underway in Florida, but the PGA Tour announced Thursday morning that golfers won't be signing autographs or interacting with fans as they normally would at a tournament.
McLaren out of Aussie GP
McLaren Racing announced its withdrawal from the Australian Grand Prix after a team member tested positive for the coronavirus.
La Liga suspended
Real Madrid players are in quarantine and La Liga announced a suspension of play for at least the next two matchdays.
March 11
NHL mulling options
The NHL is evaluating its options after the NBA's shocking suspension announcement Wednesday. The league is consulting with medical experts and is scheduled to provide a further update Thursday.
Restricted access at college tourneys
Major college conferences announced that championship basketball tournaments scheduled for the rest of the week will take place with limited fan access.
NFL examining draft plans
The 2020 NFL Draft is currently scheduled for late April in Las Vegas. The NFL, NFLPA, and city and state officials are working together to determine whether one of the league's marquee events can go ahead as planned.
MLB, A's working on solution
The Oakland A's are working with MLB to come up with alternative plans for the club's season-opening seven-game homestand beginning March 26. Oakland and Alameda County have instituted a ban on large gatherings.
Spring college football games being axed
Ohio State and Michigan canceled their spring games scheduled for April 11 and 18, respectively. The Wolverines also announced that coaches won't be allowed to host prospects or go on recruiting trips until April 21.
Sharks to play behind closed doors
The NHL's San Jose Sharks announced they'll play in an empty SAP Center through the remainder of March due to a ban on large gatherings in Santa Clara County, California.
Ohio to ban mass gatherings
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Wednesday the state will order a ban on mass gatherings. That will affect numerous sporting events, including the NCAA Tournament (games are scheduled in Cleveland and Dayton), the NBA's Cavaliers, and the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets.
Seattle teams forced to alter plans
The Mariners are working to relocate two home series due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Seattle, where a ban was ordered on crowds of more than 250 people. The club's spring-training home in Peoria, Arizona, is reportedly being considered as an option.
The XFL's Seattle Dragons will host the Los Angeles Wildcats on Sunday without fans in attendance at CenturyLink Field.
Teams altering scouting plans
The NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens grounded their North American scouts as the virus continues to proliferate.
NFL teams are also changing their pre-draft travel plans. Scouts from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles will reportedly sit out the pro-day circuit.
European hockey seasons shelved
Professional hockey leagues in Germany (DEL) and Austria (EBEL) canceled the remainder of their seasons due to the outbreak in Europe.
Figure Skating worlds called off
The World Figure Skating Championships scheduled to take place in Montreal next week have been canceled.
Fed Cup finals postponed
The Fed Cup finals scheduled April 14-19 in Budapest, Hungary, have been postponed indefinitely. No makeup date has been announced.
This is the 12th edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for 2019-20. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.
In this edition, we look at each team's key player over the final stretch in the race toward the playoffs.
1. Boston Bruins (41-13-12)
Previous rank: 2
The key for another deep playoff run by the Bruins is depth scoring. We know the "Perfection Line" is going to do its thing, but Boston's bottom nine needs to contribute offensively. Enter Jake DeBrusk. After a 27-goal sophomore campaign, the 23-year-old hasn't taken the strides many expected in his third season. With no goals in his last 10 games, DeBrusk needs to start putting the puck in the net in order for the Bruins to secure home-ice advantage for the postseason.
2. St. Louis Blues (39-17-10)
Previous rank: 7
With such a balanced attack, St. Louis has shown it can withstand an injury to one of its premier forwards, but blue-liner Alex Pietrangelo is invaluable. The Blues captain led the club in ice time while chipping in 19 points during its Stanley Cup run last spring and is on pace for a career-best 61 points this season.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (41-19-5)
Previous rank: 1
The Lightning gave up a haul to acquire Blake Coleman before the trade deadline. With Steven Stamkos expected to be out for at least the rest of the regular season, it's time for Coleman to show why he was so coveted by the Bolts' brass. No, he's not going to replace Stamkos, but he needs to play like the impact, two-way forward he is.
4. Colorado Avalanche (39-18-7)
Previous rank: 6
Let's not overthink this one. Nathan MacKinnon's dominance never wavered when the Avalanche lost co-star Mikko Rantanen and captain Gabriel Landeskog to long-term injuries earlier this season. MacKinnon rarely has an off night, and when the 24-year-old is at his best, the Avs can stick with any team.
5. Washington Capitals (40-19-6)
Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Previous rank: 3
The Capitals are a juggernaut offensively, but their play between the pipes will likely dictate how far they go. Braden Holtby will look to rediscover his 2018 postseason form, which saw him help Washington capture its first Stanley Cup with a .922 save percentage. Ilya Samsonov has been terrific this season, but relying on a 23-year-old rookie goaltender come playoff time is never ideal, especially when you have a talent like Holtby who's done it all before.
6. Vegas Golden Knights (36-23-8)
Previous rank: 15
All eyes are on Robin Lehner. He won his Golden Knights debut Friday, stopping 32-of-34 shots. It remains unclear if Lehner or Marc-Andre Fleury will man the crease this postseason, but all signs are pointing toward the newly acquired Lehner taking the helm as the season winds down.
7. Philadelphia Flyers (38-20-7)
Previous rank: 12
Sean Couturier has taken his elite two-way game up another level this season. The 27-year-old leads the club in Corsi For percentage (56.52%) and the Flyers own a team-best 56.04% share of expected goals for at five-on-five when Couturier is on the ice. He's also chipped in 21 goals and is on pace for his third consecutive 70-plus point season.
8. Dallas Stars (37-21-7)
Previous rank: 5
If the Stars had received league-average goaltending this season, who knows where they'd be. The club ranks 24th in league scoring and is last among Western Conference playoff teams. Dallas needs the tandem of Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin to continue to stifle opponents between the pipes in order to make a deep playoff push.
9. Pittsburgh Penguins (37-21-6)
Kevin Sousa / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 4
Sidney Crosby has just one point during the Penguins' six-game losing streak. Pittsburgh owns a 4-9-1 record when the two-time Hart Trophy winner is held off of the scoresheet but is 12-0 when he records two or more points in a game. The proof is in the numbers - when Sid gets buzzing, the Penguins follow suit.
10. Toronto Maple Leafs (35-23-8)
Previous rank: 9
Frederik Andersen may be an obvious answer here, but more than anything, Toronto's blue line has to step up in front of its netminder. Perhaps no defenseman is more important to the Leafs' success right now than Travis Dermott, who's been thrust into a top-pairing role with both Morgan Rielly and Jake Muzzin sidelined. Dermott has excelled in sheltered minutes the past two years, but he needs to prove he's capable of more responsibility.
11. New York Islanders (35-21-8)
Previous rank: 10
Mathew Barzal may be the Islanders' most talented player, but Brock Nelson checks every box in terms of winning hockey games. The 28-year-old pivot leads the team with 23 goals - five of them game-winners - and plays a significant role on the team's power play and penalty kill.
12. Edmonton Oilers (34-23-8)
Previous rank: 11
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have gotten all the attention in Edmonton, but Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has been on a tear as of late. Since Dec. 31, Nugent-Hopkins has the fourth-most points in the league with 33. The secondary scoring has been a delight, and he'll need to continue to be a key source of offense as the Oilers surge toward the playoffs.
13. New York Rangers (35-26-4)
Previous rank: 17
Artemi Panarin has been the Rangers' most valuable player, but unlike the club's play between the pipes, his production hasn't wavered. New York's season did a complete 180 when Igor Shesterkin emerged as a dominant presence in net. With the rookie puck-stopper now sidelined with a broken rib, netminder Alexandar Georgiev will need to step up in a big way for the Rangers to complete their comeback season and clinch a playoff berth.
14. Carolina Hurricanes (35-24-5)
Previous rank: 14
With defensemen Dougie Hamilton and Brett Pesce out of the lineup, Jaccob Slavin has never been more valuable to the Hurricanes. The 25-year-old has seen increased ice time over the last several games and will continue to be tasked with handling other teams' top talents. He's also arguably the top penalty killer for a Hurricanes unit that's allowed just three goals in its last 28 times shorthanded.
15. Columbus Blue Jackets (32-21-14)
Patrick McDermott / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 13
The goal-starved Blue Jackets aren't going to clinch a playoff berth by outscoring their opponents down the stretch, making netminder Joonas Korpisalo all the more important - especially with rookie phenom Elvis Merzlikins sidelined with a concussion.
16. Vancouver Canucks (34-25-6)
Previous rank: 8
Jacob Markstrom was in the midst of a Vezina-worthy season before going down with an injury in late February. Now that he's out for at least another couple of weeks, goaltender Thatcher Demko will need to step up big time to keep the Canucks' playoff hopes alive. In the three games since Markstrom went down, Demko has gone 1-2-0 while allowing 10 goals on 93 shots.
17. Nashville Predators (32-24-8)
Previous rank: 19
A Matt Duchene redemption run to end the season would benefit a Predators team teetering on the fringes of the playoff race. The 29-year-old pivot has underwhelmed in Nashville since inking a splashy 7-year, $56-million offseason deal. If Duchene can begin producing at the level the Preds are paying him, they'll have a good shot at continuing their season deeper into the spring.
18. Calgary Flames (34-26-7)
Previous rank: 18
After a sluggish start to the year, Johnny Gaudreau has seemingly found his game. With three goals and eight assists in his last 10 games, Gaudreau will need to keep things clicking on the Flames' top line as Calgary enters the home stretch.
19. Florida Panthers (33-26-7)
Previous rank: 16
It's an obvious answer, but it couldn't be truer: Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida's $70-million man, is integral to the Panthers' postseason hopes. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner has struggled mightily this season, but he's going to have to earn his paycheck if the Panthers are going to make the playoffs.
20. Minnesota Wild (32-26-7)
Jamie Sabau / National Hockey League / Getty
Previous rank: 22
Alex Stalock has posted a 7-1-1 record with a .932 save percentage in the month of February to launch the Wild from deadline sellers to postseason candidates. The 6-foot puck-stopper has given the club new life and could be the difference between Minnesota sneaking into the playoffs or narrowly missing out.
21. Arizona Coyotes (32-27-8)
Previous rank: 21
Taylor Hall has played well since his arrival in Arizona earlier this season. He's managed nine goals and 16 assists in 32 games and will need to continue to provide consistent offense for the Coyotes, who rank 22nd in the league in goals scored.
22. Winnipeg Jets (33-28-6)
Previous rank: 20
The Jets' resiliency in 2019-20 following a difficult offseason is an embodiment of their captain. Blake Wheeler's never-say-die attitude will be critical for Winnipeg in the thick of a tight Western Conference playoff race, particularly with star winger Patrik Laine nursing a lower-body injury.
23. Chicago Blackhawks (29-28-8)
Previous rank: 24
Patrick Kane has gone consecutive games without a point for just the third time this season. The Blackhawks' chances at a playoff spot this season are quickly fading, and any late-season surge would require an all-world stretch from "Showtime" himself.
24. Montreal Canadiens (30-28-9)
Previous rank: 23
Although they're not mathematically eliminated from the postseason, the Canadiens will need a bit of a miracle to make the playoffs. A lot would need to go right, and that includes Max Domi, who has eight points in his last seven games, staying hot. Domi hasn't replicated last season's success, but a strong finish would increase the likelihood of Montreal committing long term to the pending restricted free agent.
25. Buffalo Sabres (29-28-8)
Kevin Hoffman / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Previous rank: 25
This key player comes with a caveat. With nothing to lose at this point in the season, the Sabres might as well give Sam Reinhart an audition as the club's second-line center for the rest of the season. Reinhart was moved to the wing after struggling at center early in his career, but as a more mature player now, it's possible he could fill a massive organizational need for the Sabres down the middle. If not, then at least they know for sure. At the very least, moving him away from Jack Eichel would limit his production during a contract year.
26. New Jersey Devils (26-27-12)
Previous rank: 28
If the Devils want to deal P.K. Subban this offseason, they need him to play well down the stretch to get his trade value up. If they want to keep him, he needs to finish strong to gain confidence going into the summer. Either way, it's beneficial if he plays well in the last 17 games.
27. Anaheim Ducks (26-31-8)
Previous rank: 27
The Ducks made a gutsy move by dealing Ondrej Kase and bringing in Danton Heinen from the Bruins. In three games with Anaheim, Heinen has potted a goal and added an assist. The Ducks will be hoping to see their gamble pay off with a strong close to the year from Heinen, who's an impending restricted free agent.
28. San Jose Sharks (28-33-4)
Previous rank: 26
Leading the team in goals with 22, Evander Kane has shown that the seven-year, $49-million extension he signed in 2018 is paying off. He helps bring grit to the Sharks' lineup with a whopping 118 penalty minutes and is also a big offensive threat. With San Jose looking to bounce back next year, Kane will need to carry over his confidence into the summer and next season.
29. Ottawa Senators (23-31-12)
Previous rank: 30
The Senators are giving prospect Josh Norris an audition centering the team's first line between Brady Tkachuk and Bobby Ryan. With no clear-cut future No. 1 center in the organization, Norris, who was acquired from San Jose in the Erik Karlsson trade, has a glorious opportunity to prove himself down the stretch.
30. Los Angeles Kings (25-35-6)
Previous rank: 29
Despite a wildly disappointing season from the Kings, Anze Kopitar has continued to play at an elite level. Leading the team in points by a wide margin, Kopitar has shown that he isn't going to mail it in during his team's rebuild. He will need to finish the year strong and carry his play into next season to keep Los Angeles' morale up.
31. Detroit Red Wings (15-47-5)
Previous rank: 31
With last place in the NHL all but locked up, there's no "key player" for Detroit during the stretch run. What's key for the Red Wings is having the lottery balls fall their way once the season ends. Anything outside of the first overall pick and the rights to select Alexis Lafreniere would be extremely disappointing after what's been a disastrous season.
