Winners and Losers at the Midpoint of the NHL Season

At the midpoint of the NHL season there have been a few teams that have been winners with outstanding play, and some that have been losers as they have floundered in the standings.

Some teams were expected to do well, others were expected to do badly—and there have been some surprises along the way.

Here are some of the biggest winners and losers from the 2013 NHL season to date.

Chicago Blackhawks

Winners

The Chicago Blackhawks are huge winners at the halfway point of the season. They went perfect in regulation through the first half, 21-0-3 in 24 games, and they continue to play well as the season continues.

With Chicago clicking so well it is an early favorite to contend for the Stanley Cup, and the rest of the season should be exciting for the 'Hawks.

Florida Panthers

Losers

Injuries have really impacted the Florida Panthers thus far, and their season to date can be looked at as a huge loss.

The Panthers were set to entertain trades for Stephen Weiss and Kris Versteeg, but that is no longer a viable option because of season-ending injuries.

Anaheim Ducks

Winners

The Anaheim Ducks have been the second-best team in the NHL to date, and they have had massive contributions from forwards like Ryan Getzlaf and rookie goaltender Viktor Fasth.

The Ducks are starting to thrive under bench boss Bruce Boudreau, and they are playing some of their best hockey in years.

New York Rangers

Losers

The New York Rangers' season to date has been disappointing considering the amount of star power on the payroll. The team has been terrible as of late, but they have some time to turn it around.

Given the expectations and potential of this lineup, anything short of a Stanley Cup win will be looked at as a failure for the Broadway Blueshirts.

Carolina Hurricanes

Winners

Eric Staal has played like a Hart Trophy candidate, Alex Semin has played his best hockey in years and the Carolina Hurricanes have stayed afloat despite the loss of elite goaltender Cam Ward to an injury.

Despite a current losing streak, the Hurricanes have been one of the bigger surprises out of the Eastern Conference in 2013, and they have the potential to go on a lengthy playoff run if they continue to click.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Losers

The Tampa Bay Lightning have two of the league's top scorers in Martin St.Louis and Steven Stamkos, but they are not playing solid hockey.

The team was off to a great start, but crashed to Earth, and it has been touch-and-go the rest of the way to date.

Tampa Bay is a solid team, but there is no reason why they should be in the bottom of the standings.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Winners

The Pittsburgh Penguins have received top-notch contributions from Sidney Crosby, James Neal, Chris Kunitz and solid production from an injured Evgeni Malkin all year long. They are looking like a very dangerous team.

The Pens just keep picking up points left and right, and they have been one of the bright spots of the 2013 season to date.

Washington Capitals

Losers

The Washington Capitals have not played well in 2013, and a big reason for their lack of success has been the hot-and-cold play of Alex Ovechkin.

Ovechkin has been a shell of his former self this season, and even with Mike Ribeiro having a solid year the Capitals are struggling to climb out of the basement.

Montreal Canadiens

Winners

If you said that the Montreal Canadiens would be a team that would lead the Eastern Conference this season, chances are you would have been laughed at.

The improbable has become a reality in 2013 as the Michel Therrien-led Habs are one of the league's top teams through the halfway point.

Calgary Flames

Losers

The Calgary Flames are a team that has disappointed once again early on in the season. After the team tried to make a splash by offer-sheeting RFA Ryan O'Reilly, they were caught up in a controversy that could have led to them losing compensation and O'Reilly because of waiver rules.

When you add a poor start and the fact that they may trade Jarome Iginla this year, the Flames are losers through the first half of the 2013 campaign.

Winnipeg Jets

Winners

The Winnipeg Jets are leading their division and are playing some tremendous hockey early in 2013.

The team is receiving a top effort from players like Andrew Ladd and Evander Kane, and they haven't let injuries to players like Tobias Enstrom derail them during the truncated season.

Philadelphia Flyers

Losers

The Philadelphia Flyers have not played good hockey to date, and things are starting to get tense in Philly. 

Fortunately the team split its series with the New Jersey Devils this weekend, because two straight losses would have left Philly in a bad place in the standings.

Things are still a disappointment in Philly, especially when you look at how Claude Giroux has played.

Minnesota Wild

Winners

The Minnesota Wild have really turned it around, and they sit atop their division thus far in the 2013 season.

Additions like Zach Parise and Ryan Suter have helped, but prospect sensation Jonas Brodin has been a big reason why the Wild have been playing so well as the year has gone on.