FORWARDS
Trending up: Jiri Hudler, Calgary Flames -- Seriously, can we all just stop and recognize the year that Jiri Hudler is having? The 31-year-old Czech winger marked a career-high with his 30th goal of the season Thursday night, notching what would stand up to be the game-winner in the Flames’ 3-1 victory against the Los Angeles Kings. Hudler then added an empty-net goal with less than a minute to play, just for good measure, to leave him with three points on the night. Hudler ranks eighth in the league with almost a point-per-game production (76 points in 78 games) and has been vital in helping the team clinch a playoff berth. Who saw that coming? Just another reason the Flames are one of the most compelling stories of the season.
Trending down: Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings -- The Kings not only failed to defend their Stanley Cup championship, they failed to even snag a spot among the top eight teams in the Western Conference. And if you look at the Kings’ top scoring threats, they are certainly complicit by their inability to deliver down the stretch. Kopitar is mired in a seven-game goal slump and was held off the score sheet in the team’s devastating loss to the Flames. Jeff Carter has gone four straight without scoring a goal and hasn't had a point in his past two. Marian Gaborik failed to register a point in his past three. Maybe all those deep runs and short summers are catching up to the Kings.
Surprise of the week: Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Ottawa Senators -- We’ve heard plenty about Senators goaltender Andrew Hammond and rookie sensation Mark Stone, but Pageau is also making a name for himself with his inspired play recently. The 22-year-old scored a huge shorthanded goal to help spark his team’s stunning 4-3 comeback Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he added another goal in the club’s 3-0 shutout of the Presidents' Trophy-clinching New York Rangers on Thursday. Not too shabby.
DEFENSEMEN
Trending up: Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens -- Fellow Habs defensemen P.K. Subban has eight points in his past six games, but Markov has been producing at a steady clip as well. The 36-year-old veteran finished with a goal and an assist in the Montreal Canadiens’ 4-3 victory against the Detroit Red Wings Thursday night, extending his point streak to six games. Markov has seven points during that span.
Trending down: Cody Franson, Nashville Predators -- Acquired by the Predators before the trade deadline, Franson has failed to dazzle in his second tour with Nashville. The 27-year-old rental defenseman has just one goal and four points since moving over from the Toronto Maple Leafs in February. He has been scratched multiple times, benched during critical points in games, and he is averaging almost six fewer minutes of ice time than when he played for the lowly Leafs.
Surprise of the week: Michael Paliotta, Chicago Blackhawks -- I’m a bit surprised we haven’t seen the Blackhawks defensive prospect make his NHL debut yet. Considering the team has already burned his entry-level contract -- and the club’s third defensive pairing of Michal Rozsival and David Rundblad haven’t been without their shaky moments -- it would seem wise to get him into NHL action before the playoffs begin, no?
GOALTENDERS
Trending Up: Andrew Hammond, Ottawa Senators -- Honestly, this is the Hamburglar’s spot until he gives me reason to think otherwise. And the 27-year-old goaltender just continues to impress, delivering in clutch situations as the Senators continue their magical march toward a potential playoff berth. Most recently, Hammond stopped all 26 shots faced from the Rangers in a 3-0 blanking Thursday night. He is now 19-1-2 with a .939 save percentage and a 1.89 goals-against average in 23 games. Unbelievable.
Trending Down: Jaroslav Halak, New York Islanders -- I’ve said many times this season that the Islanders’ success will likely hinge on the play of goaltender Halak and, boy, does he have to be feeling bad following a disastrous gaffe in Philadelphia on Tuesday night. Halak whiffed on what was a seemingly-innocuous shot from the blue line with less than three seconds remaining in a tie game against the Flyers, and the team lost in regulation. The Isles ended up clinching a spot Thursday, but it wasn’t without some tense moments waiting on other teams for help. Not the way you want to enter the postseason.
Surprise of the Week: Martin Jones, Los Angeles Kings -- A bit surprised the Kings coach decided to go with backup goaltender Jones for the defending champs’ match Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers, which ended up being a 4-2 loss. Granted, Jones has a decent track record against the Oilers (insert easy Edmonton joke here) but he entered the game having made his last start more than a month earlier.