NHL Update

Another week of hockey, another update. Here we go!

Eastern Conference:                         Points:

1. Pittsburgh Penguins                        59

2. Boston Bruins                                   54

3. Tampa Bay Lightning                      50

4. Montreal Canadiens                       49

5. Washington Capitals                       49

6. Detroit Red Wings                           45

7. Toronto Maple Leafs                       45

8. Philadelphia Flyers                         40

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9. New York Rangers                          40

10. New Jersey Devils                        40

11. Ottawa Senators                            39

12. Columbus Blue Jackets                38

13. Carolina Hurricanes                      37

14. Florida Panters                               35

15. New York Islanders                       31

16. Buffalo Sabres                                26

Western Conference:                       Points:

1. Anaheim Ducks                               61                          

2. Chicago Blackhawks                      61

3. St. Louis Blues                                 57

4. San Jose Sharks                             56

5. Los Angeles Kings                          54

6. Vancouver Canucks                       52

7. Colorado Avalanche                       50

8. Phoenix Coyotes                             47

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9. Dallas Stars                                       45

10. Minnesota Wild                               45

11. Winnipeg Jets                                 41

12. Nashville Predators                       38

13. Calgary Flames                              34

14. Edmonton Oilers                            30

Notes: Not too many crazy changes in the last week. The Ducks FINALLY lost a game in San Jose last night after winning 9 in a row. Sharks are a dangerous team, but are known to choke in the playoffs so I'm not too worried about them. My major concern is playing the Blues, who came back from down 5-3 in the third to beat the Hawks 6-5 in a shootout the other night in St. Louis. They're a really talented team who skates well and has the only goal differential higher than the Hawks. Expect them to be a threat.

The Race for Eighth in the Eastern Conference saw some changes this week as Philly now slipped into 8 and the Devils fell to 10. The Rangers rose from 11 to 9 this week but otherwise the seedings are exactly the same as they were. Also the Coyotes moved up and bumped the Wild into tenth. Expect these battles to last all year because these teams are good, but just a few pieces away from being legitimate threats for the Cup.

GOALS OF THE WEEK:

Patrick Sharp: 12/28/2013 vs. St. Louis

Personally my favorite player on the Blackhawks. The guy's and absolute gamer and had a hell of a week. Had a hat trick on his 32nd birthday against the Avalanche, and delivered this filthy goal against the Blues the next night. Makes splitting a double team look like a cake walk.

Corey Tropp: 12/29/2013 vs. Pittsburgh

Tropp just totally undressed Maatta on then, just dangles the fuck out of the puck and beats Fleury glove side when he thought Tropp was going stick. Filthy.

Blake Wheeler: 12/29/2013 vs. Colorado

Watch goal here:

Couldn't get the video because NHL copyrights and other legal jargon. This goal isn't dazzling, but was a buzzer beater overtime goal to push the Jets past the Avalanche. 

OTHER HOCKEY NEWS: The US Olympic team should be announced Wednesday. Miller is all ready wrapped up as the starting goalie just like 2010, and Quick from the Kings will be his back up. Kane will make this squad and hopefully Saad will to. The US team should be good again, and I'll recap the decisions the committee made when the team is officially announced. 

Isn't he just to die for?

So that's it. Get pumped hockey fans we're halfway there and the Olympics are fast approaching. Here's a clip to give you some goosebumps and hopefully get you through the day.