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          Cross Checks Blog

          Jets and Canucks rising in Western Conference; Blues, Kings have some issues

          • Katie Strang, ESPN.comMar 23, 2015, 11:14 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

          • Winnipeg Jets: You really get a sense of just how badly the Jets want to bring playoff hockey back to Manitoba. They have delivered four straight wins as they look to make their postseason hopes a reality with just 10 games remaining in the regular season. After a big shootout victory against the St. Louis Blues last Thursday, the Jets blanked the Washington Capitals on Saturday to close out a three-game homestand at the MTS Centre. Can you imagine that place rocking in a playoff setting? That's looking more and more likely if the Jets can continue to play with such swagger.

          • Vancouver Canucks: Have to admit that the Canucks were a team I was skeptical of heading into the stretch run, but they continue to prove me wrong as they continue to battle without starting goaltender Ryan Miller. With a 3-1 win against the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday, the Canucks have now won four of their past five games. They head into this week’s action in second place in the Pacific Division, leading the third-place Calgary Flames by four points.

          • Colorado Avalanche: Though the Avs fell in overtime to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday, Colorado has still managed seven wins in its past 10 games as the Avs fight to keep their playoff hopes afloat. Colorado closes out a five-game road trip this week with stops in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

          Trending down

          • St. Louis Blues: If I had to swing my support behind any team right now to hoist the Stanley Cup in June, it would probably be the Blues, but they need to clean up a few things in their game before the playoffs begin. Following Sunday’s overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings on a controversial goal -- which coach Ken Hitchcock said should not have counted because it was scored with a broken stick -- Hitchcock said he was pleased with the effort, but lamented the same individuals taking the same type of penalties game after game. Small details, sure, but those are what count right now. The Blues have dropped three straight, but I think they’ll bounce back in a big way this week.

          • Los Angeles Kings’ offense: The Kings have lost three of their past four games and are facing a make-or-break point in the season. While many seem sold on the idea that once the Kings get their act together they will be as tough to stop as any team in the league, they are growing short on time. What’s more, they've managed only five goals in their past four games. With a three-game swing through the New York metro area coming up, the Kings have to hope to rediscover their scoring touch soon.

          Injury report

          • Stoll still sidelined: Kings center Jarret Stoll remains out with a reported concussion and has not played since sustaining the injury during a game against the Vancouver Canucks on March 12. The injury leaves the Kings facing some depth issues down the middle, hence the recent recall of Mike Richards from their AHL affiliate in Manchester, New Hampshire.

          • Big Buff back? Could Dustin Byfuglien be back in the Jets’ lineup against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night? Coach Paul Maurice is expected to provide an update on Byfuglien's status prior to the game, as well as one on Bryan Little. Both players have missed the past seven games with upper-body injuries. Would be a huge boost for the Jets to get one or both back at such an important time in the season.

          What to watch for

          • Richards’ return: Expect Mike Richards’ return to be met with anticipation after the embattled forward toiled in the AHL since a January demotion. Richards had three goals and 14 points in 16 games for the Manchester Monarchs. Perhaps his presence can provide the Kings with a jolt?

          • The Ducks' goaltending decision: Who will be the Ducks' starting goaltender when Anaheim heads into the playoffs? That is the key question facing Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau right now with both Frederik Andersen and John Gibson having some rough outings recently.

          • Wary of the weekend: As the Flames continue their Cinderella season, they must steel themselves for a tough weekend that includes a pair of road games against two other playoff teams in the Minnesota Wild and the Nashville Predators. The Mark Giordano-less Flames are currently third in the Pacific Division, though the Kings are just two points back with a game in hand.