Previous ranking: 26
Points percentage: 0.393
Next seven days: @ CBJ (Apr. 7), vs. ANA (Apr. 9), @ WSH (Apr. 12)
Player under pressure: Ivan Provorov. Provorov did it to himself. The Flyers’ defenseman has garnered increasingly positive attention, leading to a “more, please” situation. Consistency is the key for Provorov, and while Philadelphia’s season has gone down the tubes, there’s time for Provorov to shine in April. It would be the perfect segue into whatever Flyers management has planned for the team’s bounce-back attempt next season.
28. New Jersey Devils
Previous ranking: 27
Points percentage: 0.386
Next seven days: vs. MTL (Apr. 7), @ DAL (Apr. 9), @ ARI (Apr. 12)
Player under pressure: Damon Severson. Severson should be entering the prime of his career. He’s 27 and playing a prominent role on the Devils’ blue line. But as his minus-four outing in New Jersey’s blown four-goal lead (and eventual loss) against Florida last week showed, Severson has some work to do. The defender is signed for another year but can prove his continued value through (much) better showings to the end of the Devils’ run.
29. Buffalo Sabres
Previous ranking: 24
Points percentage: 0.444
Next seven days: @ CAR (Apr. 7), @ FLA (Apr. 8), @ TB (Apr. 10), @ TOR (Apr. 12)
Player under pressure: Colin Miller. There were no takers for Miller at the trade deadline. The 29-year-old is still a pending UFA, staring down an uncertain future. Will the Sabres have a place for him amid their crew of up-and-comers? Can he still carve out a role in the league reflective of his current salary ($3.875 million per year)? If Miller believes he can, the best place to prove it is on the ice this next month.
30. Arizona Coyotes
Previous ranking: 28
Points percentage: 0.350
Next seven days: vs. VAN (Apr. 7), @ VGK (Apr. 9), vs. NJ (Apr. 12)
Player under pressure: Jakob Chychrun. Chychrun is technically not a free agent, but it sure seems like he’ll be relocated this summer. It has been a down season for Chychrun on the ice, and he has run into health issues. How much of an effect will that have on potential trade partners? His best course of action: Be excellent in April. But, no pressure.