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          Cross Checks Blog

          Ducks and Sharks streaking, Flames slowing down out West

          • Katie Strang, ESPN.comDec 15, 2014, 10:45 AM ET
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              Katie Strang covers the Detroit Tigers for ESPN.com. She is a graduate of Michigan State University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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          Trending up

          • Anaheim Ducks: With a 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, the Ducks recorded their seventh straight win to improve to 21-6-5. They lead the league with 47 points. A big part of that has been the play of goaltender Frederik Anderson, who has been the netminder of record during that span. According to Elias Sports Bureau, he is only the third goaltender in franchise history to win seven straight in the regular season. Anderson has given up just four goals in the last three games.

          • T.J. Oshie: Another team surging in the West is St. Louis, with the Blues recording their fourth consecutive victory with a 3-2 overtime win against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, and Oshie scored the game-winner for the second straight game. Oshie also tallied the game-winner in the Blues' 6-3 victory against the Islanders on Thursday.

          • San Jose Sharks: It was only a couple of weeks ago that we were discussing Todd McLellan's future with the Sharks, but the team has done a dramatic about-face lately. Winners in seven of their last eight games, the Sharks recently blanked the Nashville Predators for their third consecutive win, pulling even in points with the Vancouver Canucks for second place in the Pacific Division. Looks like McLellan can breathe a little easier, for now at least.

          Trending down

          • Calgary Flames: We've given the Flames plenty of love for their Cinderella start, so it's only fair to point out that they seem to be regressing just a bit. With a 2-1 loss to Chicago on Sunday, Calgary dropped its fifth straight. Offensively, they've been stagnant, with only eight goals during that span. This doesn't mean Calgary still can't be one of the pleasant surprises in the West, but we're going to see them tested now. Can they keep this streak from snowballing?

          • Viktor Fasth: It's not exactly rainbows and unicorns in Edmonton these days, we get it. But Fasth absolutely lost it after being pulled in Friday's loss to Anaheim. Fasth, who surrendered three goals on 12 shots, could be seen slamming his mask and screaming at his teammates. I don't doubt that he had reason to be disappointed about the play in front of him, but I can't imagine that that sat well with the rest of the team. Goaltending in general is a sore spot for Edmonton, with Ben Scrivens saddled with the team's most recent loss, a 2-0 blanking at the hands of the New York Rangers. Scrivens is now 5-11-3 on the season with a 3.10 goals-against average and a .890 save percentage.

          Injury report

          • Corey Crawford: After suffering a foot injury in an embarrassing off-ice incident -- he fell while attending a concert -- Crawford has been progressing ahead of schedule, even skating with the team this past week. Though Scott Darling has proven himself a capable backup option, the Blackhawks have to feel a sense of relief with Crawford looking like he could return at some point this week.

          • Keith Ballard: It could be a while before we see the return of Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard, who suffered facial fractures and a concussion after a scary hit last week from New York Islanders tough guy Matt Martin. Ballard has a concussion history, which has the Wild organization concerned. General manager Chuck Fletcher told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune last week that he was "concerned" for the veteran's well-being, and rightfully so.

          What to watch for

          • Kings court: Though the Blues are battling the Hawks for the hotly-contested Central Division lead, they kick off the week with a daunting home-and-home set against the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings. The Nashville Predators are still nipping at the Blues' heels as well, sitting just two points back in the standings.

          • Third time's a charm: Swedish defenseman Tim Erixon was once a top prospect, spurning the Calgary Flames to sign with the New York Rangers, the club for which his father, Jan Erixon, played. Well, Tim is now on his fourth team after being shipped to the Chicago Blackhawks this weekend in a trade that sent forward Jeremy Morin back to Columbus. At the ripe old age of 23, his stock is dropping. Can he turn things around in the Windy City?