It's the NHL All-Star break, and while the official midway point of the season is long gone, the annual festivities - held this year in Tampa Bay - usually signifies the start of the real stretch run, otherwise deemed the unofficial second half of the schedule.
As the NHL's best head south, let's take a peek into the crystal ball and predict what may go down in the season's final two months.
Penguins push for 3-peat with deadline splash
After a tepid first half, the Penguins have started to turn it on lately, looking like the team that's won the last two Stanley Cups. Pittsburgh, at least momentarily, has slid into third spot in the Metropolitan Division thanks to a 7-3 stretch in its last 10 games, but does this outfit have the depth to push for a three-peat?
The Penguins lost Nick Bonino and Matt Cullen up front in the offseason, but there are several players said to be available who could replenish the offensive potency that's made Pittsburgh so difficult to handle in the playoffs.
Don't be surprised if general manager Jim Rutherford looks to make something happen in pursuit of another ring.
Vegas wins Presidents' Trophy
If you're still not used to the fact that the Golden Knights will be a playoff team in their inaugural season, don't hurt yourself trying to wrap your head around the very distinct possibility of Vegas winning the Presidents' Trophy.
Gerard Gallant's group leads the West with 68 points, and trail the Tampa Bay Lightning by three for first overall with one game in hand. However, with Victor Hedman hurt, the opportunity for Vegas is right in front of them.
Vegas is a virtual lock for the postseason right now, thanks in large part to a 19-3-2 record at T-Mobile Arena, where the Golden Knights will play nine of 10 in a crucial stretch in late February.
Giroux, Voracek set career highs to send Philly to playoffs
The Flyers' ascent back to playoff contention this season has largely been propelled by the nightly success of their top line, and with Sean Couturier already setting career highs across the board, it's reasonable to surmise his running mates can follow suit.
After a down season sparked a move to the wing, Philly captain Claude Giroux has bounced back in a big way. Already one point shy of last year's total with 57 points in 49 games, he's on pace to reach a new personal best of 95. His longtime partner, Jakub Voracek, leads the league with 47 assists, and is on pace to reach 93 points, smashing his previous high of 81.
Should both keep it up, the Flyers will be able to nab a playoff spot after missing out in three of the last five seasons.
Canadian team wins draft lottery
It's not where many of them expected to be, but four of the seven Canadian teams are well in the running for the No. 1 pick in June's draft.
The Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Ottawa Senators all sit 24th or lower in the league standings, and any hopes of a playoff berth are essentially dead.
With Rasmus Dahlin available as the top prize, tanking for the final two months of the season is worth the pain, as the No. 1-ranked prospect would immediately kick any teams impending rebuild into overdrive.
Central, Metropolitan each send 5 teams to postseason
The NHL's playoff format is considerably flawed, but the race for the wild-card spots in each conference promises to be entertaining to the bitter end with the Central and Metropolitan pressing to send five teams each.
Only two points separate second and seventh place in the Metro, while three teams outside the divisional slots in the Central are well within range of latching onto a playoff spot. With an emphasis on inter-divisional games down the stretch, seeding is destined to change frequently, but in the end, the two deepest divisions will be well represented in the postseason.
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