Back in First Place (With a Vengeance)

Here’s a snap shot of the Eastern Conference standings as of this morning:

1. Ottawa – 48 Games; 30-14-4; 64 Points
2. Philadelphia – 46 Games; 26-15-5; 57 Points
3. Carolina – 50 Games; 23-23-4; 50 Points
4. New Jersey – 47 Games; 27-17-3; 57 Points
5. Pittsburgh – 47 Games; 27-17-3; 57 Points
6. Montreal – 47 Games; 24-15-8; 56 Points
7. Boston – 47 Games; 24-18-5; 53 Points
8. New York Islanders – 47 Games; 23-19-5; 51 Points

That’s right, the Philadelphia Flyers, courtesy of weekend wins over the New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators, have tied the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins for first place in the Atlantic Division and would be the #2 seed in the NHL playoffs if the season ended today.

With a 10-1-1 mark in their last 12 games, to say that the Flyers are on a hot streak would be something of an understatement. Paced by the highest rated power play in the league (converting at 25.0% efficiency), the Flyers have scored 153 goals, good for third in the league. They’ve got six players with at least ten goals and ten players with 20 or more points.

And perhaps most impressive, they’ve done it with arguably their best player, Simon Gagne, on the shelf for 30 games with concussion-related ailments.

There are a few hallmarks of a true Stanley Cup contender – balanced scoring, solid goaltending, better than average special teams, and good chemistry. It certainly appears, at least to this point, that the Flyers have all of the pieces in place.

Now it will be up to Coach John Stevens to keep it all together.

No Welcome Mats at Wachovia Center

Rumors out of Toronto have the Leafs shopping center Mats Sundin and the Flyers among the potential suitors. The Ottawa Sun reported that the Flyers would send Jeff Carter and a first round pick to Toronto in exchange for Sundin.

Personally, I don’t see why the Flyers would make any move (including bringing back Peter Forsberg) that would upset the chemistry that this team has developed.

Sure, Sundin has been a great player in this league for a long time, but he’s clearly on the down side of his career. Plus he’s unrestricted at the end of the year, meaning he’d be a six-month rental, and an expensive one at that.

Paul Holmgren has made some outstanding moves since taking the reigns from Bob Clarke last November. In my estimation, the best move he can make now is to not make a move on Sundin.

Or Forsberg.