The NHL lockout wiped out over half of the season for the league, but as the playoffs near a number of clubs are within striking distance of the final postseason spots, including the Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals in the East and the San Jose Sharks out West.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are in the top spot in the Eastern Conference with 50 points after going 25-8-0 this season, making it through every overtime and shootout contest with a win. The team is ranked first in scoring with over three goals per game and is second in the NHL on the power play with a 24.4 conversion percentage. The team has a 14 points lead in the Atlantic division and is poised to take the number one seed come playoff time.
Montreal is second in the standings with 45 points and the team is 20-6-5, including 7-2-1 over their last 10 games. The Penguins have been able to stay ahead all this time by going 10-0-0 over that span as well. The Canadiens rank fourth in the league in scoring and sixth in goals against, getting some solid goaltending all season.
The Winnipeg Jets are playing fantastic since heading back to Canada, putting up 36 points while going 17-14-2 this season to give the Canadiens two teams in the top three and four in the top eight, with Ottawa in fifth and Toronto in sixth place.
The Boston Bruins are in fourth place with 43 points, as they are behind the Penguins in the division and the team has gone 20-7-3 on the year with a plus-22 goal differential. The team ranks 13th in scoring and are second in goals against with just 2.1 goals per game. The penalty kill has been great, ranking first in the NHL with a 92.4 percentage.
Ottawa and Toronto are in fifth and sixth to give Canada some representation in the Eastern conference, while the New Jersey Devils are in seventh. The team has 36 points and is three up on the rangers after going 15-11-6 this season.
The Rangers have had issues playing consistently all year after getting the number one seed last season and are in eighth with 33 points while going 15-13-3. The team is ranked 28th in scoring and fifth in goals allowed. Rick Nash has been solid in his first season, but the Rangers need Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards to step their games up as the postseason draws closer.
Carolina and Washington are lurking, including the Caps, who beat the rangers to get to 31 points. The Islanders also have 31 points, while the Sabres and Flyers are behind in the standings.
The Western conference is dominated by the Blackhawks after their record streak and the team has 51 points after going 24-3-3 on the season, three points ahead of the Ducks. Anaheim has been just as hot this season, going 22-5-4 with 48 points to take second place. Vancouver is the other division leader, with the team going 17-9-6 with 40 points.
Minnesota is in fourth place with 38 points, while Detroit is in fifth place ahead of defending Stanley Cup Champions the Los Angeles Kings. The St. Louis Blues are in seventh place, while Dallas is holding the eighth spot with 33 points after going 15-13-3.
The Sharks and Predators are tied for ninth with 32 points, while the Blue Jackets and Coyotes are right behind. CHECK here for the full NHL standings.