10 NHL Players Who Must Step Up Down the Stretch in 2014-15 Season
With only two weeks remaining in the NHL season, it's time for every player to step up their game. That's especially true for stars on the teams jockeying for playoff positions.
In recent weeks, several notable players have not performed up to their normal standards. One is a starting goaltender, another a star defenseman who could be a candidate for the Norris Trophy. Others are scoring forwards who've lately had trouble finding the back of the net.
Here's a look at 10 notable NHL players who must step up down the stretch. Factors such as injuries, illness, experience and recent production were applied to this ranking.
10. Chris Kunitz, Pittsburgh Penguins
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It's been a difficult month for the Pittsburgh Penguins and usually high-scoring left wing Chris Kunitz. As of March 28, the Penguins won only six of their last 14 games while Kunitz managed only two assists.
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Rossi reports Kunitz has been dealing with an iron deficiency since the 2014 Winter Olympics. The 35-year-old winger has received treatment since being diagnosed with the condition in January, but it's taken time to adjust.
Of late there's been some improvement in Kunitz's game, especially his physical play. While he cannot be faulted for a physical condition, the Penguins need him to regain his scoring touch heading into the playoffs.
9. Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal Canadiens
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The Montreal Canadiens are jockeying for top spot in the Eastern Conference, but their offensive numbers are cause for concern. As of March 28, the Canadiens were 23rd in goals for while their power play was ranked 25th.
One reason is the recent offensive struggles of forward Alex Galchenyuk. Though the 21-year-old reached career highs in goals (20) assists (23) and points (43), since Feb. 14, he's been stuck in a scoring drought. Galchenyuk's managed only seven points over that period, with three of those coming in a Feb. 24 win over the St. Louis Blues.
Galchenyuk's not the only reason behind the Canadiens' anemic offense, but as a top-six forward, he's expected to produce on a consistent basis. The Habs need more production from Galchenyuk if they hope to stage a lengthy playoff run.
8. Tyler Toffoli, Los Angeles Kings
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With only two weeks remaining in the regular season, the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings face the real possibility of missing the playoffs. Having struggled through most of this season, the Kings are in a real battle for one of the final postseason berths in the Western Conference.
It hasn't helped that in recent weeks forward Tyler Toffoli is struggling to score. Despite setting career highs in goals (22), assists (22) and points (44), he's managed only eight points since Feb.16 and hasn't had a multi-point game since Feb. 18.
The 21-year-old Toffoli's inconsistent offense has contributed to his club's struggles. For the Kings to clinch a playoff berth and defend their championship, they need more production from top-six forwards like Toffoli.
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7. Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders
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Prior to being sidelined by a detached retina, New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo was enjoying a stellar performance. With 44 points in 46 games, the 26-year-old was on pace for a career-best season.
Since returning to action on March 10, Okposo has struggled to regain his scoring touch. As of March 28, he has managed a goal and an assist in eight games. The Islanders winning only two of those games serves to highlight his offensive difficulties.
It takes time to get back into game shape following a lengthy layoff. The Islanders need Okposo to regain his form soon and help them return to their winning ways before the playoffs begin.
6. Jimmy Howard, Detroit Red Wings
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Until recently, the Detroit Red Wings were among the top-four teams in the Eastern Conference. Since March 4, however, the Wings won only five of their last 12 games. They've slipped to sixth in the Conference standings.
One reason for their slump is starting goalie Jimmy Howard's struggles since returning in February from a groin injury. The 31-year-old netminder won only three starts in March. That could lead to backup Petr Mrazek seeing more starts, though he lacks Howard's experience.
Howard could still be hampered by the lingering effects of his injury. Still, if the Wings hope to finish higher in the standings, they need a better effort from their starting goalie. Howard must step up his play as the Red Wings prepare for the upcoming postseason.
5. Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks
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The Chicago Blackhawks suffered a serious loss when superstar winger Patrick Kane suffered a broken clavicle that will sideline him until mid-May. Despite Kane's absence, the Blackhawks won nine of their next 14 games.
Given the Blackhawks depth, it's not surprising they've managed well without Kane. However, it was expected veteran winger Patrick Sharp could help replace Kane's production. The 33-year-old Sharp has been mired in a slump since Jan.31, tallying only three goals and seven points.
Despite Sharp's offensive woes, the Blackhawks aren't in any danger of missing the playoffs and should finish among the top-four clubs in the Western Conference. Still, they'll need Sharp to regain his scoring touch as they prepare for another run at the Stanley Cup.
4. Bobby Ryan, Ottawa Senators
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In recent weeks, the Ottawa Senators have staged an impressive run. Written off as a playoff contender, the Senators have won 15 of their last 19 games since Feb. 18, overtaking the Boston Bruins for the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference.
That impressive run has overshadowed top forward Bobby Ryan's inconsistent offense throughout March. Though sitting third on the Senators in points, the 28-year-old Ryan has tallied eight points in 14 games since March 3. Five of those points came in two games, and he was held scoreless in nine others.
Ryan has blossomed into a leader on the young Senators and is clearly their most talented forward. If they're to clinch a playoff berth, however, he must score with more consistency over the remaining two weeks of the schedule.
3. Milan Lucic, Boston Bruins
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It's been a disappointing season for the once-mighty Boston Bruins. As the regular season draws to a close, they are battling with the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers for the final wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference.
One reason they're struggling is the play of left wing Milan Lucic. The 6'3”, 235-pound power forward has only 17 goals and 42 points in 74 games. Only 26 and supposedly in his playing prime, Lucic is on pace for his lowest numbers since his 17 goal, 42 point performance in 2008-09.
Of late, there's been some improvement in Lucic's play. When he is at his best he can change the course of a game with a key goal or a big hit. If ever there was a time the Bruins need Lucic to step up, it's now.
2. Shea Weber, Nashville Predators
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On Feb. 17, the Nashville Predators were atop the Western Conference. The Hockey News' Jared Clinton considered them serious Stanley Cup contenders. Between Feb. 19 and March 14, however, the Predators won only four of fourteen games and were overtaken in the standings by the Anaheim Ducks.
The Predators' slump coincided with a significant decline in defenseman Shea Weber's offensive numbers. Since Feb. 19, the 29-year-old has only one goal and three points. The Tennessean's Adam S. Vingan reports Weber is now listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. There's no apparent connection to this injury and Weber's offensive decline.
Obviously there's more to Weber's game than offense, but the Predators are a better team when he's producing from the blue line. Now that they've clinched a playoff berth, they'll hope Weber finds his scoring touch once he returns to action.
1. Rick Nash, New York Rangers
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New York Rangers winger Rick Nash has led his club in scoring throughout 2014-15. As of March 28, the 30-year-old had 40 goals and 65 points. He's on pace to eclipse his career high of 41 goals set in 2003-04.
While the Rangers have been red hot for nearly two months, Nash's offense has considerably tailed off. Through 16 games from Feb. 22 to March 28, he managed only three goals and seven points. The New York Post's Larry Brooks believes it brings back bad memories of the winger's offensive struggles in the playoffs.
The Rangers' overall strong play has overshadowed Nash's recent struggles. However, if the Blueshirts hope for a return run to the Stanley Cup Final this spring, they need their leading scorer to regain his form.
All player and team stats via NHL.com.
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