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Atlantic Watch – December 31 2024

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The NHL took a Christmas break so we held off updating the Atlantic Watch until today. We’re almost at the halfway point of the regular season. The playoff contenders are beginning to separate from the pretenders. It should be noted that the Lightning have only played 33 through Saturday night. It means that the Bolts have four games in hand over Toronto and Florida. They also have five games in hand over Boston. On a personal note, Happy New Year to all our readers from the staff here at Scrum Sports. 

Atlantic Division Watch – Top Four Teams

Toronto Maple Leafs –  Had three games since our last update and they went 1-2. Of some concern is the two losses were by a combined score of 10-4. Their #1 goalie Anthony Stolarz went on the injured reserve list with the dreaded lower body injury. How the Leafs do while Stolarz is gone will help determine how they finish in the second half of the season.

 Florida Panthers – Though technically tied with Toronto for first place, the Panthers went 1-2 since our last update. After beating Tampa on the road, they lost two consecutive home games. The losses were both embarrassing losses of 4-0. First losing to Tampa then Montreal by that score. I mentioned that offense is a concern two weeks ago. Two shutout losses in a row raises that concern immensely..

Boston Bruins – The Bruins had a decent week after a couple of bad weeks. They went 2-1. They looked great in the two wins. During the loss at the hands of Columbus was a horrible 6-2 defeat. Boston is beginning to shore up their offense scoring eight goals in their two wins. They have improved their goal differential by five goals. Though they are still 27th in the league in goals per game. 

Tampa Bay Lightning – A good week for the Lightning as they went 2-1. They avenged their only loss (against Florida) with a 4-0 shellacking of the Panthers the next day. They also looked very good last night against the NY Rangers. Their top line continues to produce and is arguably the best line in the league. They are the only team in the league that is averaging 4 goals per game. Thanks in large part to the top line of Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and newcomer Jake Guentzel. 

Atlantic Watch – Bottom Four Teams

Ottawa Senators – After a great week, the Senators came back to earth. They played two games and lost them both. They are still solidly in the fifth spot in the division but Ottawa needs to begin making a move if they have any playoff hopes. 

Montreal Canadiens  – The Canadiens leapfrogged past Buffalo and Detroit to claim the 6th spot in the division. They split two games but just weren’t as bad as the Sabres and Red Wings. who went 1-2. If nothing else, the Canadiens made the Atlantic Watch for this week a little more interesting.

Detroit Red Wings – The Wings lost both games last week. This makes four consecutive losses. It cost Coach Derek LaLonde his job. Recycled coach Todd McClellan was hired. Will this change make a difference? Not as much as scoring more goals. The Red Wings are currently 30th in the league in goals per game. 

Buffalo Sabres – The Sabres broke their 13 game losing streak but won both games they had last week. The question for them is whether the hole dug with that losing streak is too deep? Their win streak stands at two. Do they build on that?  

Look Ahead to Next Week

Toronto Maple Leafs: Three games this week. A home and home with the Islanders before a home game against Boston.

Florida Panthers: Three home games could help the Cats turn around their recent fortunes. First up is the struggling NY Rangers. Then they host Carloina and Pittsburgh. 

Boston Bruins: Road warriors this week with three games all on the road. Washington first then the NY Rangers and Toronto.

Tampa Bay Lightning: One home game against Montreal before heading back to the west coast to face Anaheim and the Kings in Los Angeles. 

Ottawa Senators: Three road games will be a test this week. First up, Minnesota, then Dallas and St.Louis. These are four playoff contenders in the Western Conference. 

Montreal Canadiens: Four games in a week is tough for any NHL team. If they are all on the road, it is that much tougher. That’s what the Candiens face. First Tampa, then a trip west to face Vegas. Then Chicago and Colorado Not only is it four road games, it’s four games in each of the four different time zones in the league.  

Detroit Red Wings: Four game week. First two at home versus Washington and Pittsburgh before testing their road play against Columbus and Winnipeg.  

Buffalo Sabres: Four games this week, all on the road. St. Louis and Dallas are first up. Then they end the week in Colorado and then go to Vegas. 

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