NHL Teams That Could Make A Second-Half Push

East: Boston Bruins

This is easily my favorite team to have a strong second half. The Bruins are a talented team, but they will be even better when Tukka Rask comes back and is in the net once again for Boston. He is a true difference-maker at goalie, a guy that can carry a team on any given night, and someone the Bruins will be ecstatic to have back. The Detroit Red Wings have had a great season so far for the team that they have, and you have to give some credit to them for what they are doing in their rebuild. However, they are just three points ahead of Boston with five more games played.

The Bruins are better than what they have shown early on. They have the NHL’s worst team shooting percentage, but that is going to get better as the season progresses.

I fully expect the Bruins to overtake Detroit at some point soon. Boston is just the better team, and I expect them to be competing for the Atlantic division with Tampa Bay, Toronto, and Florida when everything is said and done. Take a look at their division odds of +2000 for a sprinkle.

West: Winnipeg Jets

The Jets just lost their head coach for a reason that truly is unexplainable. Paul Maurice stepped down because he "got everything he could out of the Jets." Are you kidding me? I have never seen a coach step down because he feels like he can't win. They also lost Blake Wheeler due to injury, but the key point to take away here is that the Jets will be just fine with the current team they have.

Winnipeg already has most things you need to win a Stanley Cup. A top goalscorer in Kyle Connor, who has been absolutely brilliant for them this season working without Wheeler. They have an excellent defense that blocks shots and plays physical, while also causing turnovers in the neutral zone. Connor Hellebuyck has his name in the Vezina Trophy finalist list almost every season and is a premier goaltender in this league.

They are in a tough division to be sure, but there is no reason to think that the Jets can't come back with a push. They are seven points back of the division-leading Minnesota Wild, who are an interesting team themselves since they have virtually no star power. Nashville is overachieving big time right now with 39 points, while St. Louis and Colorado continue to win.

The Jets to win the central is currently sitting at +4500.

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