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Players take note: Referees aren’t swallowing their whistles so far in the 2018 NHL playoffs.Penalties are up more than 17 percent over the same time a year ago and are playing a substantial role in several series. Through 19 games in the first round Adidas Conor Sheary Jersey , there have been nearly 10 penalties per game. Last year, there was an average of eight penalties called through 20 games.”The penalties that have been called in the series so far is an indication of how the referees are calling the game,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said Monday. ”They’re calling it as they see it. I think discipline is of the utmost importance.”While the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions haven’t been perfect in that regard against Philadelphia, they haven’t been derailed by a lack of discipline. Around the rest of the NHL, penalties and the ensuing power-play goals are making a big difference: There have been 38 power-play goals through Sunday’s games compared with just 21 in 2017.The NHL wants officials to call playoffs at the same standard as the regular season, which is happening with penalties actually going up from the first period through the third. Each of the 10 pairings of referees working the playoffs has at least one who has worked the Cup Final, so the hope is having that experience helps maintain consistency.The Washington Capitals blew two-goal leads in back-to-back overtime losses on home ice to Columbus because of ill-advised penalties and go into Game 3 on the road (7:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday, NBCSN) knowing it’s a problem that needs immediate fixing.”We need to be a little smarter,” center Nicklas Backstrom said. ”We need to play with better discipline – especially when we have the lead twice. … It’s obviously going to hurt you in the playoffs. That’s the way it is. It’s just fact.”Nine of the 14 regulation goals in the Washington-Columbus series have come on the power play. The Blue Jackets, who surged into the playoffs by not taking a lot of penalties to tax one of the worst special teams units in the league, lead the playoffs in penalty minutes per game.Coach John Tortorella said the Blue Jackets ”have to cure that” because it’s too dangerous to keep taking so many penalties. His players know it even if they’re unsure of the standard.”We need to stay out of the box, but you never know what’s a call and what’s not anymore,” forward Cam Atkinson said. ”But that’s the game right now.”In the West, where Winnipeg leads Minnesota 2-1, the teams realize how tight things are being called.The Wild took five penalties in the first 31 minutes Sunday night and stymied the Jets’ power play in a 6-2 comeback win. The teams combined for 19 penalties – including some fights and misconducts – in the second game of their series.”We’ve just got to watch taking penalties,” Minnesota coach Bruce Boudreau said. ”Both teams were really emotional at the beginning and you’ve got to worry about taking penalties and getting behind the eight ball.”It’s chippy between the Golden Knights and Kings, too, with Vegas up 3-0 going into Game 4 (10:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday Adidas Matt Hunwick Jersey , NBCSN) in Los Angeles. All three games so far have been decided by a goal, L.A. defenseman Drew Doughty was suspended for an illegal check to the head of William Carrier and Kings coach John Stevens is none too happy about a missed call on Vegas forward Erik Haula for hitting Anze Kopitar in the face with the butt end of his stick Sunday night .”We get a guy suspended for making a hockey play, and he butt-ends one of the best players in the world in the face,” Stevens said. ”That’s an intent-to-injure play.”COMEBACK KINGS?Los Angeles is the most recent team to come back from a 3-0 series deficit, doing so in 2014 against the San Jose Sharks on the way to winning the Stanley Cup. Stevens, who was an assistant four years ago, said his team has ”had some resilience all year,” and the tightness of the games against Vegas combined with the excellence of goaltender Jonathan Quick certainly makes an turnaround possible.INJURIESThe Jets lost Tyler Myers to a lower-body injury that coach Paul Maurice thought was avoidable, and the big defenseman’s status is uncertain going into Game 4 (8 p.m. EDT Tuesday, CNBC). Young Tucker Poolman could draw into the lineup in place of Myers if necessary.The Capitals won’t have forward Andre Burakovsky for at least Games 3 and 4 in Columbus because of an upper-body injury. Coach Barry Trotz said Burakovsky is going to ”miss some time” after being crunched into the boards by Boone Jenner in Game 2. Speedy winger Jakub Vrana, a surprise scratch for Washington on Sunday, goes back in for Burakovsky.WHO STARTS?Trotz said he has decided who will start in goal for the Capitals in Game 3 but hadn’t yet told Braden Holtby and Philipp Grubauer. After Grubauer allowed eight goals on 49 shots before being yanked at the second intermission of Game 2, the smart money is on Holtby, the 2016 Vezina Trophy winner.BARTON OUTLinesman Steve Barton, who was injured when he inadvertently clipped skates with Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson and had to be helped off the ice by trainers, dislocated his kneecap and tore a quadriceps muscle in his left leg. Barton will require surgery but didn’t tear ligaments in his knee, which doctors said is good news because they expect him to make a full recovery.— In this week's NHL power rankings, we saw a major shift in the top 10. The Tampa Bay Lightning once again asserted themselves as the team to beat Adidas Jeff Skinner Jersey , no surprise. See where the other 30 teams stand here.31. Los Angeles Kings (17-25-3) Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsThey're still the worst team in the NHL, so that at least gives the Kings a higher chance at the Jack Hughes sweepstakes. So when's the front office going to kick start a rebuild and trade their veterans?30. Philadelphia Flyers (16-22-6)The Flyers have now lost eight of their last 10 games, as the goaltending and defensive woes continue to mount. It's a lost season, and GM Chuck Fletcher better start moving out some of his veterans between now and the Feb. 25 deadline.advertising29. Ottawa Senators (17-23-5)Well, they picked up wins in their first two stops on the dreaded California road trip. The Sens are at least getting a lot of production from young stars like Colin White, Thomas Chabot and Brady Tkachuk, so at least the rebuild is showing promise.28. Detroit Red Wings (16-23-7)The Red Wings have lost three straight games and nine of their last 10 overall. At least Dylan Larkin (18 goals, 41 points), continues to grow as a superstar. It won't be long until he's named captain.27. Chicago Blackhawks (16-22-8)Well, the Blackhawks have shown fight during a 5-3-2 run. They have an outside shot at making the playoffs. Patrick Kane has been overlooked at times. He has 58 points this season.advertising26. New Jersey Devils (16-20-7)Three straight losses for the Devils, who continue to disappoint after making the playoffs last year. There are a lot of flaws all over the roster that will need to be addressed, if this team is to become a playoff team again.25. Anaheim Ducks (19-18-8)10 straight losses now? Yikes. The Ducks blew a 3-0 lead at home to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday. Unless GM Bob Murray has some big moves up his sleeves, it's hard to see this team rebounding. It's been a downright awful new year for the Ducks so far.24. New York Rangers (17-19-7) Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY SportsWelp, that five-game losing streak probably ruins any hope the Blueshirts have of making the playoffs. Expect GM Jeff Gorton to have another busy trade deadline, as the rebuild continues on Broadway.advertising23. St. Louis Blues (18-20-4)The Blues have split their last 10 games and have some minor hope at getting back in the playoffs. That was some dominant 4-1 home win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. Now, if they could just find some form of consistency...22. Florida Panthers (17-18-8)The Panthers blew a late lead to Edmonton on Thursday and a two-goal lead to Calgary on Friday. They lost in both games. It's been that kind of a season in the Sunshine State, and GM Dale Tallon better prepare to sell next month.21. Arizona Coyotes (19-21-3)The Coyotes have won their last two games and are out of the Western Conference basement. They have a minimal chance of gaining ground in the playoff spot, but the Coyotes are going to have to go on a hot run soon.advertising20. Colorado Avalanche (20-16-8)The Avalanche may have the best line in hockey Adidas Tage Thompson Jersey , but they've now lost eight of their last 10 games. Things are tense in the Mile High City, and the Avs better get out of this slump soon, if they're to make the playoffs a second straight year.19. Edmonton Oilers (21-20-3)Connor McDavid is doing everything he can to get this extremely flawed roster into the postseason. If Edmonton makes the playoffs, he better be the unanimous Hart Trophy winner.18. Vancouver Canucks (20-21-5)The Canucks are predictably struggling to聽score without rookie star Elias Pettersson. They're surprisingly hanging around in the playoff race but how much longer can they do it without their star player?advertising17. Carolina Hurricanes (21-18-5)The Hurricanes have won seven of their last 10 games, and they're suddenly back in the playoff race. Might want to reconsider the idea of trading stalwart defenceman Dougie Hamilton.16. Montreal Canadiens (23-17-5)The Habs were a nice story for a while, but now they're being exposed miserably. Carey Price looks like he won't regain his MVP-like form again, and the defense is lackluster at best. The Canadiens will be lucky to make the playoffs at this point.15. Dallas Stars (23-18-4) Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsThe Stars have been one of the top teams in the new year, picking up points in seven of their last 10 outings. Think the two franchise players got the hint after being called out by the CEO? Sure looks like it.advertising14. Minnesota Wild (22-18-3)They swept the Eastern Canadian road trip and had a big home win over the powerhouse Winnipeg Jets. The Wild have been hot and cold all year, but they look poised to make another trip to the postseason.13. New York Islanders (24-14-4)The Islanders have been red hot as of late, going 8-2-0 over their last 10 games. Head coach Barry Trotz deserves some votes for the Jack Adams Award, given what he's done with a fairly flawed roster.12. Buffalo Sabres (23-15-6)The Sabres have been struggling to find consistency since their hot run in November, but this group is very much in the race for the second seed in the East. And with the trade deadline looming, there are opportunities to add reinforcements.advertising11. Columbus Blue Jackets (25-15-3)The Blue Jackets have quietly been just as good as any team not named Tampa in the East. They're 7-3-0 in their last 10 games. Seth Jones and Artemi Panarin have this team in line for a third straight playoff spot.10. Boston Bruins (25-15-4)The Bruins had a five-game winning streak snapped by the defending champions on Thursday, but they're still one of the hottest teams. The top line remains as dominant as ever.9. Nashville Predators (27-15-4)Well, the Predators have busted out of a slump and have won five of their last seven games. Just like that, they're pushing hard for the Central Division title again.advertising8. Pittsburgh Penguins (25-13-6)Few teams are scarier than the Penguins right now. They've won nine of their last 10, including a big comeback in Anaheim on Friday. Did you really consider writing them off after a sloppy first half?7. Winnipeg Jets (28-14-2) Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY SportsThe Jets may be dominating the regular season, but they won't go anywhere in the playoffs if goalie Connor Hellebuyck continues to struggle. And oh Adidas Rasmus Andersson Jersey , the Jets better avoid Minnesota in the playoffs. The Wild are 3-0 vs. the Jets this season. All is well in Winnipeg, otherwise.6. Vegas Golden Knights (27-16-4)Their seven-game winning streak ended following a home loss to the Sharks on Thursday. That's just fine, though. Vegas looks as dangerous as any other team in the Western Conference right now. Their inaugural season wasn't pure luck after all.advertising5. Washington Capitals (27-12-4)The Capitals have won their last three straight games, and picked up a 14th consecutive win over the Boston Bruins on Thursday. Alexander Ovechkin聽leads the NHL with 32 goals. What a surprise!4. San Jose Sharks (26-13-7)That's now five straight wins for the Sharks, highlighted by a huge road victory over the Golden Knights on Thursday. Erik Karlsson is now up to 41 points through 44 games, so yeah, he and the Sharks are kind of dangerous.3. Toronto Maple Leafs (28-13-2)If there's one team that should scare Tampa Bay in the East, it's the Toronto Maple Leafs. John Tavares is in the midst of a career year with 29 goals and 50 points. Now, if the Maple Leafs could just add some top-four defencemen...advertising2. Calgary Flames (29-13-4)Four different Flames had 50-plus points at the 45-game mark. The last team to do that was the 1995-96 Pittsburgh Penguins. Sean Monahan, Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk are all in the midst of career years.1. Tampa Bay Lightning (34-8-2) Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsSpoiler alert: Nobody is capable of dethroning the Lightning from the top spot. There's no stopping Nikita Kucherov, the league scoring leader. As far as the league is concerned, we're all living in the world of the Lightning.