In the NHL, confidence is everything. Nothing bolsters
confidence more than putting a goal on the board to take a lead over an
opponent. It can change the way the scoring team plays. It can affect the way a
trailing team plays.
Look at the Predators, one of the most successful teams this
season. They have 30 wins in their first 52 games. All but seven of those
victories came in games in which the Predators scored the first goal. On the
other end of the spectrum, the Kings have 26 losses in 50 games, with 22 of
them coming in games when their opponents scored first.
In this week's power rankings; we take a look at some of the
numbers behind who leads, who trails, who wins and who loses.
1. TAMPA BAY
LIGHTNING
Previous ranking: 1
The Lightning are 17-1-1 when leading after the first
period, and 24-2-1 when leading after two periods. Their 27 leads entering the
third period are the most in the NHL through 50 games.
2. CALGARY
FLAMES
Previous ranking: 2
The Flames are the comeback kids of the NHL, winning seven
of the 21 games in which they were trailing entering the third period.
3. WINNIPEG JETS
Previous ranking: 4
The Jets are 13-3-1 when leading after the first period, and
they are 8-8-0 when trailing after the first period.
4. SAN JOSE
SHARKS
Previous ranking: 3
Over the past two seasons, the Sharks are 52-2-4 when
leading after two periods. That includes a 22-1-2 mark this season.
5. NEW YORK
ISLANDERS
Previous ranking: 5
The Islanders know how to close out teams: They're 21-1-3
when leading after two periods, despite being just a plus-2 in third period
goals.
6. NASHVILLE
PREDATORS
Previous ranking: 6
The Predators are 26-2-0 when leading after two periods, the
most wins in the NHL this season when leading into the final frame.
7. TORONTO MAPLE
LEAFS
Previous ranking: 7
There is only one team in the NHL that's yet to lose a game
when leading after two periods, and that team is the Toronto Maple Leafs
(23-0-0).
8. VEGAS GOLDEN
KNIGHTS
Previous ranking: 8
The Golden Knights are 19-0-2 when leading after two
periods, one of six teams in the NHL this season that has yet to lose a game in
regulation when entering the third with a lead.
9. PITTSBURGH
PENGUINS
Previous ranking: 9
Over the past two seasons, the Penguins are 46-0-3 when
leading into the third period. That includes a 22-0-1 mark this season.
10. BOSTON BRUINS
Previous ranking: 10
The Bruins are 1-14-2 when trailing into the third period,
where they're a plus-6 in goals.
11. MONTREAL
CANADIENS
Previous ranking: 13
The Canadiens have scored the first goal in 20 of their 28
wins this season, going 20-5-3 when they do.
12. COLUMBUS BLUE
JACKETS
Previous ranking: 12
The Jackets are 1-13-1 when trailing entering the third
period for a .067 winning percentage.
13. WASHINGTON
CAPITALS
Previous ranking: 11
The Capitals have six overtime losses. Each one has come in
a game in which their opponent scored the first goal of the game.
14. MINNESOTA
WILD
Previous ranking: 15
The Wild are 2-17-1 when trailing into the third period,
going 2-17-5 in that category last season.
15. DALLAS STARS
Previous ranking: 14
The Stars are 19-1-2 when leading after two periods and
1-13-0 when trailing after two periods.
16. COLORADO
AVALANCHE
Previous ranking: 16
Fifteen of the Avs' 22 wins have come in games when they
were leading after two periods.
17. BUFFALO
SABRES
Previous ranking: 17
The Sabres are 6-11-1 when trailing after two periods; not
bad, when you consider they were 4-29-2 when trailing entering the third last
season.
18. CAROLINA
HURRICANES
Previous ranking: 18
The Hurricanes are one of only two teams in the NHL that
have yet to win a game in regulation in which they trailed after two periods.
19. VANCOUVER
CANUCKS
Previous ranking: 19
Seventeen of the Canucks' 22 losses have come when they've
given up the first goal of the game.
20. ST. LOUIS
BLUES
Previous ranking: 20
The Blues are a putrid 1-18-3 when trailing entering the
third period, where they've been outscored 52-44.
21. ARIZONA
COYOTES
Previous ranking: 23
Its feast or famine for the desert dogs: They're 16-0-1 when
leading after the second period and 2-18-2 when trailing into the third.
22. ANAHEIM DUCKS
Previous ranking: 22
The Ducks are tied with the Blackhawks with nine overtime
losses. Four of them came when Anaheim led their opponents after the first
period.
23. EDMONTON
OILERS
Previous ranking: 21
For the Oilers, 19 of their 24 regulation losses this season
came when they were trailing after two periods.
24. NEW YORK
RANGERS
Previous ranking: 24
Inexplicably, the Rangers are 1-11-1 when trailing after the
first period. Their .077 winning percentage in that category is the worst in
the NHL this season.
25. PHILADELPHIA
FLYERS
Previous ranking: 27
If the Flyers are trailing entering the third period,
they're probably not rallying for the win. Philadelphia is 1-20-3 when losing
after two periods, one of four teams that have lost 20 or more games entering
the third period with a deficit.
26. FLORIDA
PANTHERS
Previous ranking: 25
Six of the Panthers' eight overtime losses have come in
games where Florida had a lead after the first period.
27. NEW JERSEY
DEVILS
Previous ranking: 28
Bad things happen when the Devils don't score first. New
Jersey is 2-14-2 (.111) when its opponent scores the first goal of the game.
28. CHICAGO
BLACKHAWKS
Previous ranking: 26
The Blackhawks are 2-17-5 when trailing after two periods.
They've had a lead after two periods just 11 times in 51 games.
29. DETROIT RED
WINGS
Previous ranking: 30
Five of the Red Wings' 19 wins have come after they trailed
entering the third period.
30. LOS ANGELES
KINGS
Previous ranking: 29
The Kings have trailed entering the third period 22 times in
50 games this season. Their record? That would be 0-21-1. Ouch.
31. OTTAWA
SENATORS
Previous ranking: 31
The Senators are 3-20-1 when trailing after two periods.
They were 6-37-2 last season.
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