Games are few and points are scarce as we near the end of the 2012 – 2013 NHL season. Teams are not only vying for a playoff spot, but some are fighting for home-ice advantage by winning their division outright. The Northeast Division is such one, with four teams all in the mix. When the season ends, which one will be on top?
Boston Bruins: 42 games played, 57 points
The Bruins currently hold the division lead, but not by much. They have the Montreal Canadiens on their heals who should have passed them if it was not for their recent poor play. The Bruins are no better, as both teams have lost their last three games. Luckily for the Bruins, they have a game-in-hand.
The team is getting healthy, with both Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand returning to the lineup last night after their own varying injuries. Still, their return did not equate to a win, and they lost to the Buffalo Sabres in a 3-2 loss.
One saving grace perhaps is both goalies, Tukka Rask and Anton Khudobin, are playing well. They may not have the most recent wins to show for it, but they have been peppered with shots and still hold a collective 2.05 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.
Key Match ups: Florida Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers and the Tampa Bay Lightning, three teams not expected to make the playoffs, and three wins that need to happen.
