NHL scores 2017: Oilers, Canucks and Leafs are making the playoff race Canadian again

By the time the final whistle sounded on a light evening of NHL games on Wednesday, the standings looked strange.

We are through the looking glass.

The team that picked third last year has more points than the defending champion.

The perennial Stanley Cup contenders from Boston, the odds-on favorite to win it all in Tampa Bay and the team riding a 25-year postseason streak in Detroit are probably done.

It is January.

It’s January, and instead of wondering who the Oilers will take first overall in the upcoming draft, we’re wondering how deep they can go when the playoffs start.

And for the love of all things hockey, just look at the Western Conference wild card race. It’s ridiculous.

Colorado is at a minus-63 goal differential? Didn’t the Stars just barely miss winning the Presidents’ Trophy last year? And aren’t the Kings still pretty good?

And what on earth is Vancouver doing? Shouldn’t they be tanking right now? Rebuilding?

And wait, you’re telling me ...

Maple Leafs 4, Red Wings 0

Flyers 2, Rangers 0

Canucks 3, Avalanche 2

Oilers 4, Ducks 0

... you’re telling me that the Leafs, Flyers, Canucks and Oilers all took down annual playoff contenders (or at least, in the Avs’ case, more talented teams) on the same night?

I watch a lot of hockey. It’s my job. I don’t remember a season that has so upended every preconceived notion of “inferior” teams in one half of a season quite like this one. And so rarely do nights come along where that’s encapsulated so perfectly.

Nothing makes as much sense as it used to in this league. It’s so fun!

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1. Our Sharks blog is responsible for whatever is plaguing Corey Perry

Seems like awhile ago that Perry was a goal-scoring fiend. He went all of November without a tally and has just five goals since. He was unable to break his extended slump in Anaheim’s shutout loss, and fans are starting to fear (hope?) that it’s just a curse and not an indication his prime is behind him.

2. Steve Mason is capable of greatness

Mason’s shutout in New York made him the third-most winning goalie in Flyers history behind Ron Hextall and Bernie Parent. It’s hard to understate how sensational he’s been at times this season. But the inconsistency is keeping Philly down. Mason carded a .889 save percentage into the game on Wednesday. He’s gone on remarkable runs before (just look back at how the Flyers ended last season), and they’ll need Mason to do it again.

3. Vancouver is suddenly a playoff conversation starter

Left for dead as a rebuild seemed necessary during a bad start to the season, the fact that Vancouver is suddenly occupying the final wild card spot in the Western Conference might feel weird.

But they’re there, ahead of the Flames, Stars, Kings and Jets. It’s a turnaround worth more words than we can dedicate to them here, but credit where credit is due. Vancouver and Jim Benning should be proud.

Auston Matthews is too good.

Leafs fans are too excited.

Colorado’s goal differential is minus-63.

Oh, I already mentioned that? Well, in that case:

Colorado’s goal differential is minus-63.