Welcome again to our weekly column Despair For Lafreniere. In simply its second version, we’ve a brand new chief of the pack to debate.
In case you missed our debut, you’ll be able to learn it right here. We’ll observe the groups most within the hunt or on the verge of the hunt of being within the Alexis Lafreniere sweepstakes. We’re beginning to see some early separation on the backside of the standings. Some have been anticipated to be right here. Others not a lot.
Every week, we are going to checklist groups in two teams. The primary group would be the honorable mentions of the week. Then we are going to depend down from 5 to at least one the groups closest to the underside of the standings and supply some evaluation. With out additional ado, let’s see how the rankings look in Quantity Two.
Alexis Lafreniere is the prize for lottery groups within the 2020 NHL Draft. (Picture by Mathieu Belanger/Getty Photographs)The Honorable Mentions
Dallas Stars (Eight-Eight-2) and Tampa Bay Lightning (Eight-5-2): Every of those groups have 18 factors, however the Lightning are on the upswing. They swept the Buffalo Sabres in Sweden. I anticipate this to be the final week we’ll see them on this checklist. They’re a contender. As for the Stars, I really feel like they’re not going to final right here lengthy both. New gamers are beginning to discover their means. This has the look of no less than a playoff workforce. New York Rangers (7-6-2): The Rangers performed 4 video games final week going a decent 2-1-1. After a brutal loss to Ottawa, they got here again and defeated Detroit and Carolina earlier than dropping in a shootout to Florida. Their success will depend upon how a lot progress their youth make. Chicago Blackhawks (6-7-Four): A Three-1-1 stretch has them out of the underside 5. Robin Lehner and Corey Crawford shouldn’t ever have to purchase a meal this season given the variety of photographs they see each evening. Columbus Blue Jackets (6-Eight-Three): The Blue Jackets have main points and are on a collision course for the underside 5. They known as Elvis Merzlikins again from Cleveland after Joonas Korpisalo couldn’t management his feelings throughout their sport in Denver. Main offensive stars are nowhere to be discovered. The one excellent news is that they’re solely six factors out of the playoffs. That is really do or die time.San Jose Sharks (7-10-1): The Sharks have received three straight video games. In addition they have winnable video games this week. The arrow is pointing up as long as they get common goaltending. Despair for Lafreniere Rankings
5. New Jersey Devils (5-7-Four)
The Devils stay on this spot this week after a 2-2 week. With eight of their subsequent 12 at residence, now could be their likelihood to make up some vital floor. They might get out of the Metro basement with a very good week. Oh and Jack Hughes is beginning to determine it out.
Four. Ottawa Senators (6-9-1)
The Senators loved a Three-1 week exhibiting us that you just can not look previous them. Brady Tkachuk is a stud. Anders Nilsson had an excellent week. No less than there are some vital good indicators for the long run. However their outlook has them remaining down right here.
Three. Minnesota Wild (6-10-1)
The Wild had a 2-1 week final week with wins in Anaheim and in Arizona. They’ve been higher however I don’t anticipate a lot enchancment shifting ahead.
2. Detroit Pink Wings (6-12-1)
Hockey in a nutshell. The Pink Wings have been hammered 6-1 by Nashville and 5-1 by the New York Rangers. Then they defeat Boston Four-2 and Vegas Three-2. That is another excuse betting on hockey is a questionable journey.
It’s the Pink Wings’ flip to journey to California. I can’t think about sustained success. However then once more I believed they have been a shoe-in for an Zero-Four week. Okay I’ll be quiet about them now.
1. Los Angeles Kings (5-11-1)
Welcome to the top of the category, Kings! An all dropping week has them in 31st place. They’ve performed noticeably higher however when you have got a expertise hole like they do, they get these outcomes. However they do have 9 of their subsequent 12 at Staples Middle together with three this week. There’s an excessive amount of satisfaction in that room to tank. They’ll get some wins but it surely’s nonetheless trending to be a really lengthy season. No less than one other stud is forthcoming subsequent yr. And have you ever seen Arthur Kaliyev terrorizing OHL goalies?
Alexis Lafreniere Stats
Eyes on the prize people. Listed here are Lafreniere’s stats as of the morning of Nov 11, 2019.
See you subsequent week for extra Despair for Lafreniere.
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