2015-16 SEASON REACHES THE HALFWAY POINT

The 2015-16 season reaches the halfway point (615 GP) following the conclusion of today’s pair of matinee games (WSH-NYR and NYI-PHI). A look at some of the highlights thus far (compiled with the assistance of the Elias Sports Bureau)

COMPETITIVE BALANCE

Twenty-three teams are within five points of a playoff berth:

* In the Atlantic Division, teams Nos. 2-6 are separated by five points.

* In the Metropolitan Division, teams Nos. 2-6 are separated by eight points.

* In the Central Division, teams Nos. 2-6 are separated by 11 points.

* In the Pacific Division, teams Nos. 2-7 are separated by seven points.

Just 22 points currently separate the 16 teams that occupy postseason spots:

* Last season, only 16 points separated the 16 teams that qualified for the playoffs. That was the narrowest gap in the 16-team postseason era. The last time there was a smaller gap (in any playoff format) was in 1964-65, when four of six total teams qualified for the postseason (13 points).

STANLEY CUP WINNERS AT THE HALFWAY POINT

A look at the eventual Stanley Cup champions’ position in the overall NHL standings through the day of games in which the League reached the midway point of the season (since 2008-09)
2014-15: Chicago Blackhawks, 6th
2013-14: Los Angeles Kings, 8th
2012-13: Chicago Blackhawks, 1st
2011-12: Los Angeles Kings, 11th
2010-11: Boston Bruins, 11th
2009-10: Chicago Blackhawks, 3rd
2008-09: Pittsburgh Penguins, 19th

FRIDAY’S RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
Boston 4, NEW JERSEY 1
CAROLINA 4, Columbus 1
CHICAGO 3, Buffalo 1
COLORADO 5, Nashville 3
Tampa Bay 3, EDMONTON 2
ANAHEIM 4, St. Louis 3 (SO)

SNEAK PEEK AT SATURDAY’S ACTION
All Times Eastern
Washington @ NY Rangers, 1:00 p.m.
NY Islanders @ Philadelphia, 1:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh @ Montreal, 7:00 p.m.
Boston @ Ottawa, 7:00 p.m.
Carolina @ Columbus, 7:00 p.m.
Toronto @ San Jose, 7:00 p.m.
Minnesota @ Dallas, 8:00 p.m.
Nashville @ Arizona, 9:00 p.m.
Tampa Bay @ Vancouver, 10:00 p.m.
St. Louis @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.