Trending up
Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings: It’s easy to be excited about the depth of the young talent making strides in Motown, but let’s not overlook the continued prowess and veteran leadership of Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg, who delivered a spectacular performance in Detroit’s comeback win Sunday against the Buffalo Sabres. Zetterberg recorded a hat trick in the third period and added an assist in the Wings’ thrilling 6-4 victory. The 34-year-old paces the team with 41 points this season.
New York Rangers: With a 5-2 win against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, the Blueshirts gained ground on one of their main Metropolitan Division foes. The Rangers have won seven of their past 10 games and are tied for third place in the division with the Washington Capitals. Rick Nash continues to roll -- he tallied twice in what has already been a phenomenal season for the star winger -- and center Derek Stepan matched his efforts with a two-goal game of his own.
David Perron, Pittsburgh Penguins: Greener pastures indeed for the 26-year-old Perron, who has four goals and six points in the past three games for his new team. Kudos to Pens general manager Jim Rutherford for getting a leg up on the competition and trading for the top-six winger he had been coveting. That move is looking like a shrewd one for Pittsburgh and it has to feel like a major blessing for Perron, who escaped the confines of Edmonton in the process.
Trending down
Buffalo Sabres: Coughing up a 3-0 lead against the Wings, the Sabres were saddled with their 11th straight regulation loss. Let the tanking talk continue.
Toronto Maple Leafs: The Sabres are not the only team foundering at the moment, as the Leafs have dropped four straight and now find themselves seven points behind the last wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Most recently, the Leafs were blanked 3-0 by the surging St. Louis Blues. This has not been an ideal stretch for interim coach Peter Horachek, whose team has been outscored 12-1 by opponents during its current skid after being stoned completely in three of its past four losses. Yikes.
Injury report
Howard's injury, Mrazek’s opportunity: With Red Wings netminder Jimmy Howard sidelined with a groin injury, the team will get an extended look at goaltending prospect Petr Mrazek. Though he was pulled Sunday in the Wings' win after giving up three straight goals, the 22-year-old is considered to be a fine up-and-comer with solid puck-handling abilities.
Schneider set to return: Speaking of goaltenders, New Jersey Devils netminder Cory Schneider is expected to get the start Monday against San Jose after taking a shot to the mask during Friday’s loss to the Anaheim Ducks and sitting out the rest of the game as a result. Schneider feels good and plans to play Monday, according to The Bergen Record.
What to watch for
Caps teetering: The Washington Capitals really seemed to have found their way under new coach Barry Trotz, so we won’t make too much of their two-game skid. But with the Rangers rising and the New York Islanders refusing to regress, the Capitals might do themselves a favor and pad some points with a win over Edmonton on Tuesday before the All-Star break. You have to imagine the break will be a good opportunity for goaltender Braden Holtby to get some rest as well. Though Holtby has been sensational this season, he has shouldered a heavy workload, too, and could likely use some time to refresh.
Tampa to relinquish top spot? The Tampa Bay Lightning have a lead in the Eastern Conference standings, but at least a couple of teams are knocking on the door. Both the Islanders and Red Wings sit just one point behind the Bolts, who travel to Vancouver Tuesday for a game against the Canucks before All-Star festivities begin.