NHL Midseason Shockers: Which Teams Are Soaring and Which Are Stumbling as Playoffs Loom?
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Colorado Avalanche: A+
The Avalanche are on pace to tie the 2022-23 Bruins for the best regular-season record in NHL history. Their plus-79 goal differential is nearly double the next-best team (Tampa Bay at plus-44). Colorado has the favorite to win the Art Ross (Nathan MacKinnon with 81 points), the Rocket Richard (MacKinnon again with 36 goals), the Hart (MacKinnon again) and the Norris (Cale Makar). It would be tough to grade that as anything but exemplary. — Jesse Granger
Columbus Blue Jackets: D
Well, the first team to fire its coach can’t get a good grade, right? Dean Evason was replaced by Rick Bowness on Monday, with the Blue Jackets stuck in second-last place in the East. They’ve scored fewer goals and allowed more goals than a year ago, and they’ve coughed up way too many late leads. The Blue Jackets have a .521 points percentage, but that’s not what they were expecting after nearly making the playoffs one season ago. — Aaron Portzline
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