NHL scores 2017: The state of the league at the All-Star break is still topsy-turvy

Welcome to the NHL All-Star break! No competitive, meaningful-to-the-standings hockey will be taking place from today to Tuesday night thanks to the upcoming All-Star weekend.

We’ve got some fun stuff planned, but since Thursday was the last night of hockey action for a few days — with 13 games no less — let’s look at the NHL’s state of affairs at the unofficial halfway point of the season.

Big one-goal wins by Philadelphia and Boston have put them back in playoff position as the last wild card and third Atlantic spot respectively. Both teams jumped the Maple Leafs, who the Flyers beat 2-1 on Thursday, as the flip-flopping continues in the East.

Johnny Gaudreau kept the Flames in their playoff spot thanks to this gorgeous overtime winner against the Senators.

The Flames stay ahead of the Kings, who also won their game 3-0 against the Hurricanes, by one point in the wild card race.

With the Blue Jackets losing to the Predators 4-3, the Capitals continue to lead the Metropolitan Division and the NHL with 72 points. A 5-2 beatdown on the Devils is their 12th win in 14 January games as the Presidents’ Trophy winners from last year continue to roll.

Also joining the Capitals at the top are the Wild, who blew out the Blues in their own game 5-1 Thursday. They now have 69 points and hold a four-point lead over the Blackhawks in the Central.

A week and a half ago, the Islanders were the NHL’s third-worst team. Now, after firing Jack Capuano, New York has gone on a really stellar run in their last six games that has moved them five points back in the wild card hunt thanks to a 3-1 win over Montreal.

The Coyotes too have strung together wins, with their 3-0 victory over Vancouver their third in a row. Arizona is well out of the playoff race, but these last few games have been a taste of what their young core can do.

Bruins 4, Penguins 3
Capitals 5, Devils 2
Islanders 3, Canadiens 1
Flyers 2, Maple Leafs 1
Kings 3, Hurricanes 0
Flames 3, Senators 2 (OT)
Panthers 2, Lightning 1 (OT)
Predators 4, Blue Jackets 3
Wild 5, Blues 1
Jets 5, Blackhawks 3
Stars 4, Sabres 3
Coyotes 3, Canucks 0
Oilers 4, Sharks 1

1. The Jets have had the Blackhawks’ number all season

Two goals in 33 seconds put the Jets tied with, than in front of the Blackhawks late in the third for an eventual 5-3 win. This season, Winnipeg has won four straight against the Blackhawks and will go for the series sweep on February 10.

A key player in the Jets’ win? Patrik Laine, who retook the rookie scoring lead with 40 points over Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.

2. Where has this Andrew Ladd been all season?

The Islanders bested the Canadiens 3-1, and accounting for two goals in the win was Andrew Ladd, the much-maligned offseason acquisition. Coming into Thursday, Ladd had eight goals. Against Montreal, he increased his total by 20 percent with a pair, including the game winner! If the Islanders have any hopes of staying alive for a playoff run, they better pray their $5.5 million per-year man keeps scoring like this.

3. Minnesota is proof the Bruce Boudreau effect is real

The Wild weren’t supposed to be this good this season. Much like the rest of the NHL, the underdogs and castoffs are taking the league by storm and turning the playoff race on its head. Minnesota was likely a borderline playoff team in a deep Central Division, but now they’re the NHL’s No. 2 team behind the Capitals. A big reason? Boudreau is getting goals out of this team at a consistent rate.

4. Alexander Burmistrov has adjusted to life in Arizona well

Since coming over to Arizona from Winnipeg, Burmistrov has been a point-per-game player with six points in six games. Compared to his two points in 23 games for the Jets to start the season, Burmistrov has really taken to his new role in Arizona.

His goal was the insurance the Coyotes needed in their 3-0 win over Vancouver. It’s been a pretty good start to his career in Arizona.

5. The Predators are turning the Central into a three-way battle again

As the Metropolitan Division took dominance this season, the Central started to fade. Neither the Stars, Predators, or Blues looked as deadly as they once seemed to be at the start of the season. Now, the Blues and Stars are fighting for their postseason lives, the Predators have turned their ship around with a 7-1-1 record in their last nine. A 4-3 victory over the Blue Jackets is their latest victory as they attempt to catch the Blackhawks and Wild above them.

The Sabres had two goals disallowed in the third period in their 4-3 loss to the Stars. The first took 20 minutes to review, thankfully reduced in this video to five.

For convenience, we’ll put the screencap you need to see here.

The second came on a shot with 11 seconds to go in the game, but the review occurred after everyone left the ice.