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The Bin has steam risin' through the cracks of the glass with another coach hittin' the gallow for execution; landscape changes across the Central; and a fierce Metro' rise on the east coast. I have no rest for the wicked; lets get to it.
Firefighters across Ottawa are out in full force attempting to put out all these flames from the dumpster fire that has surrounded the Senators organization since the beginning of fall. First, it was dealing with the new ownership process and Shane Pinto's suspension (41 games) for gambling; then the GM disaster that caused massive financial impact; and now they have given the league it's 4th head coach culprit to hit the stand at the gallow. Wrap 'em up and kick the chair; D.J. Smith's tenure as head coach is over in Ottawa.
Senators cut ties with coach Smith and his assistant Davis Payne following the team losing four games in a row and five of their last six. Smith ended his tenure behind the Sens bench with a rough 131-186 (131-154-32) record and his home crowd fans chanting for him to be canned in his final moments with the club. The team made zero playoff appearances under his leadership; 4/5 losing seasons with three 7th place or worse finishes in the Atlantic. His firing is quite overdue if you ask me. Senators have appointed senior advisor Jacques Martin as the interim head coach & Daniel Alfredsson as assistant coach...
Yes, those names are correct Senators fans. Ottawa POHO and interim general manager Steve Staios has a high desire of wanting winning culture vibes inside the rebirth Senators 'chise to put out this fire and start building a new foundation. What better way to start by appointing house-hold names as the interim replacements! Martin coached the Senators for 10 seasons from '95-04 and is the franchise's (rebirth) winningest coach. Martin's teams only missed the playoffs once, having a 31-38 postseason record. Alfredsson? Well, he is just the franchise's all-time leader in points and a Rushmore figure in Ottawa. Martin is aged, but his hockey brain isn't. Flash from the past could actually turn to be useful.
The move for Martin makes sense under interim basis, but I love the move to appoint Alfredsson assistant. That cat knows puck and could be a solid head coach in the league in the future. This is a big step for him to take, going from a player development role to assistant coach is big-time. I think he will fare well. The Sens need change and STAT. Not just change in coaches, but a change in landscape. I predict Martin and Alfredsson to raise the team chemistry and morale inside the locker-room. Will they respond to the level of the Oilers? I don't know about that yet, but from a morale standpoint this is best case scenario decision by the new owner and interim GM Staios.
Interim coach Martin and the Senators have a lot of work ahead of themselves. Sittin' dead last in the Atlantic with a 11-15 record, the Sens rank 26th in goals against per game; 21st in power-play percentage; and 31st in penalty kill percentage. Sens also rank 2nd in the league in total PIM. No discipline. Martin looks to help that. First order of business is snappin' the losing streak; they then will go from there. Brady Tkachuk is the only interesting factor coming from Senators games lately, thanks to his addiction to not clock out of the office until he is involved in at least one tilt:
video via HockeyDaily365
The Central division has been seeing all kinds of weather changes in the past two weeks. The Avs have lost their lead atop the division with the Stars slipstreamin' past them; Wild are preparin' a full 360; Jets fly strong; and the Predators and Coyotes climb out of the bottom of the division. We also have seen two head coaching changes and an active 16 game point streak. We are experiencing it all: sunny; rainy; twisters; fog; you name it.
For the first time since the beginning week(s), the Avs no longer hold sole possession of the division lead. Colorado has experienced a tropical storm of poor play and inconsistency of late, losin' five of their last ten that includes a loss to the basement Blackhawks and two Ls to the Jets. From 15-6 to 19-11-2. They are facing challenges within their team chemistry. Avalanche defenseman Devon Toews had a strong toned set of words regarding the Avs play as a unit that rattled some cages:
video via Jesse Montano//x
We can tell there is some tension within that locker room. Don't be stirred in the wrong direction; the Avs losin' vibes don't take anything away from what the Stars and Jets are doing. Both teams have faced challenges, but feels some sunshine heat comin' out on the winning side more times than none. The Jets especially; who now hold the top spot. Those rays have allowed them to take advantage of the Avs derail.
The three are in a fist fight atop the division right now. Dallas has Winnipeg's number (2-0), Winnipeg has Colorado's number (2-0), and Colorado has won their lone meeting thus far versus Dallas. That sheds some light; and makes the division super exciting as we hit the final turn of 2023. The division gets even more exciting when you add in the Yotes and Preds, who have flipped a switch to their seasons. Predators have gone 7-3 in the last ten & the Coyotes have gone 6-4. For the Yotes, four of those six dubs are shutouts. Predators are struggling against the powerhouses, but they have been splendid in close games going a smooth 5-0 in extra time this season with three of those dubs comin' in December. The weathercast predicts there to be more changes ahead, for once I think the radar will be on point.
Will the Yotes and Preds continue feelin' the warm sunny weather? Predators are just 4 points back of the Avs and Stars for the 2-spot. Star winger Filip Forsberg has been as valuable as ever for the Preds; dating back to November 22nd (14 games) Forsberg has scored points (12) in each of Nashville's 10 wins and didn't score in each of their 4 losses. The ship moves forward on his demand and sinks on his decline. Preds have a sharp thorn of comp' coming up on the schedj with their first three battles versus the Stars comin' up in the next 10 games. They have a golden opportunity to keep climbin' the ranks and even get a taste of the top of the Central... who would have predicted that when they were 10-10. Yotes have the same level of opportunity with their schedj as they have a fierce line of opps waiting in the distance including a back-to-back slugfest with the Avs that could cause a weather change of it's own. Avs need to reel themselves in and figure a way out of this cold spell and STAT. Those are important games versus the Yotes; if they lose them both then a small twister will form in the middle of the standings.
Central division might be the deepest division in hockey as of today & despite the Blackhawks being in thick dust in the basement; at least we still have Connor Bedard to enjoy. The inner-division play in the coming weeks is going to be quite the treat as the eight squads get active against one another. Expect there to be more weather changes in those standings as this wild division is set to make more noise.
The Metropolitan division has been steppin' up the noise on the ice and in the points standings. Rangers still reign supreme at the top as they rank 3rd in the league in total points (45), but the Islanders and Flyers are comin' in hot with the Canes & Capitals in their rear-mirror. Flyers responded in a big way after being punched in the face by inner-division play as they flipped the table and delivered the impact back. Isles are still hellbent to change their ways in extra time & the Caps have a mix of old and youth that could create quite the potion out of DC.
Firstly, lets talk about the rising Flyers; they responded to some adversity to make a climb into second place of the Metropolitan. Philly rode a 5-game winnin' streak into a nasty ambush to end November. Flyers' five games following saw four losses to just one win against all inner-division foes. That stretch didn't deplete them as they flipped a switch to win seven of their next eight contests with a 5-0 record against squads in the division. The lone L came from the hands of the Predators, who they have lined up for revenge next prior to starting a 5-game road trip to conclude their 2023. Philly is one of the hottest clubs on the ice and have been solid on the road thus far this season; they can exploit this road trip for some major positives and growth. They need to stay on the accelerator, a lapse of winnin' can shift them out of the two spot with ease.
Philly doesn't have any separation as the Caps; Devils; Islanders; and Hurricanes are all bunched together in the standings right behind the Flyers. Islanders are finding better luck in extra time of late and have gone 7-1-2 in their last ten games. Devils are trying to get back on a winning track as they are gettin' healthier. Caps and Canes are huntin'. This division is spicy, ya. There will be no rest for the wicked. Even the Penguins can go on another run to jump up the standings. Each team has shown the capability of building a winning run; which forces the teams at the top to stay wary. When you mix in the busy inner-division schedule this month, it becomes even more apparent.
With the amount of division-play happening, the standings are set for many twist and turns. Flyers have a jam packed schedj with Metro' foes as mentioned; the same case for the others. Islanders next four games are all inner-division; Capitals have three in their next four games; and the Canes have back-to-back games this week versus division foes. The second deepest division in hockey is ready to set off some fireworks to move us into the new year. On the rise they are, the fans are here to rejoice. Let the battles begin.
Power Rankings (as of 12/18):
Record since last drop: 4-2
Notable wins: @ DAL
Look who's back; back again. Defending champs are back up the ladder to claim the top spot jumpin' three spots. May seem like a big jump with the only key win being a slaughter of the Stars. I put value into their recent success in extra time. After losing three in a row in OT/SO they have now won two straight in the stretch since the last PR drop. They have some solid comp' coming up on the schedule- lets see if the Knights can create some separation atop the ranks.
Next up: @ TBL; @ FLA; @ ANA; vs LAK; vs SEA
Record since last drop: 5-1
Notable wins: @ NAS, vs CAR, vs FLA (shutout)
Canucks are back on a tear to complete the return of the Pacific Powers as the one and two in my PRs. Vancouver has won six of their last seven with two big time shutouts of the Panthers and Wild. They may have returned to the top 2, but it won't be easy to stay here. Canucks are about to be tested with eight of their next eleven games being on the road with a trip of seven roadies in a row. Vancouver is just 10-6-1 on the road this season. Giddy up.
Next up: @ DAL; vs SJS; vs PHI; vs OTT; @ STL
Record since last drop: 4-2
Notable wins: vs LAK, @ BOS
Some may think it's a fool to drop the Rangers to the 3-spot as they have won three in a row that includes a big time overtime winner over the Bruins. However, they have a strong kicker- New York lost three of four prior to that stretch, being outscored 5-17 across those three Ls. That scales out more to the negative, but they are on a good path to climb back into the positive. Rangers have a three-game homestand next to take advantage of, including a rematch against the Capitals who just shut the Rangers out 4-0 two weekends ago.
Next up: vs EDM; vs BUF; vs WAS; @ FLA; @ TBL; vs CAR
Record since last drop: 2-3 (2-0-3)
Notable wins: vs ARI
Damn, the Bruins are addicted to fightin' in the trenches in December! Boston's last four games have been decided in overtime or a shootout; they have lost three of them. Five of the Bruins' eight games in December went into extra time- they are 2-3 in those and now an overall 4-6 in OT/SO this season. Boston rides a two game losing skid into their 3-game road trip including a big one versus the Jets. Lets see how they bounce back.
Next up: @ WPG; @ MIN; @ BUF; vs NJD; @ DET; @ CBJ
Record since last drop: 4-2 (3-1-1)
Notable wins: @ LAK, vs COL
Jets now solely hold the top spot atop the Central division as they continue their rise in the Western Conference. Jets have been destructive droppin' damage from the skies; they are 7-2 in December and is coming off dubs over the Kings; Avs; and Wings. They are puttin' the league on notice; eyes now set on the Bruins next.
Next up: vs BOS; @ CHI; @ MIN; vs MIN; vs TBL
Record since last drop: 2-4 (2-3-1)
Notable wins: N/A
Kings have hit a speed bump and now face a decline in the rankings after using their road win streak to catapult them up the rankings in past weeks. They are gettin' drilled by hurricane weather in the Pacific and face four consecutive inner-division foes before they can take some time away from the Pacific. They need to buckle up and take the pain; the matchup with the Knights on the 28th is a pivotal win to use as confidence to start the new year hot. Can they withstand?
Next up: vs CGY; vs SJS; @ VGK; vs EDM; vs TOR
Record since last drop: 2-3
Notable wins: @ EDM
Panthers take a light stroll back a ranking after an unsuccessful 5-game road trip. Florida finished the trip 2-3 and was shut out in consecutive games by the Kraken & Canucks. None of that matters if they flip the switch back and finish strong in the final stretch of 2023. They have some valuable prey lurkin' in the distance with bouts versus the Bolts; Knights; and Rangers coming up.
Next up: vs STL; vs VGK; @ TBL; vs NYR; vs MTL; @ ARI
Record since last drop: 3-2 (3-1-1)
Notable wins: vs DET
Stars continue to struggle against the good teams not named the Jets as they seek a wave of consistent winning. Dallas have won consecutive games just once since their 4-game winning streak from November 9th to the 14th (15 games played). They stay in the top 10 for their point count and seat within the Central, but if they can't find a way to build consistency then they will ride the rails all campaign long.
Next up: vs VAN; @ NAS; @ STL; vs CHI; vs CHI; vs MTL
Record since last drop: 3-3
Notable wins: N/A
Avs have a similar tale as the Stars, but with more losing. Since their 4-game winning streak to end November, the Avs have lost seven of their last eleven games to lose their spot atop the Central division. They need to figure things out before the calendar year flips over. They start 2024 against a fierce slate of opps.
Next up: vs OTT; vs ARI; @ ARI; @ STL; vs SJS; vs NYI
Record since last drop: 3-3 (3-1-2)
Notable wins: vs NYR, vs NAS (shutout), vs PIT (shutout)
Maple Leafs are back in the top ten thanks to a good stretch that had dubs over the Rangers and shutouts of the Predators and Penguins with a combined 11-0 between the two. Toronto still seeks consistency and needs to figure the defense and goaltending out, but they should be pleased to sit in the 2-spot atop the Atlantic division. Auston Matthews is on a damn tear on the offensive, that alone keeps this team a threat as we roll into 2024.
Next up: @ BUF; @ CBJ; vs OTT; @ CBJ; vs CAR; @ LAK
11-32 (as of 12/18):
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