A tick past the midway point of the season and there have been some truly remarkable trends in the NHL in 2025-26.

How else to explain, the flip-flop in teams' play from game-to-game, elite teams struggling while former also-rans flex muscle? And then there's the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have gifted late standings points to division and conference rivals at a rate which - if not reversed quickly - will keep them out of the playoffs again.

Is it parity or parody? Out of all of this uncertainty, one of the first round playoff series almost appears guaranteed a month out from the Olympic break.

X: https://twitter.com/NHLWraparound

Neil Smith: https://twitter.com/NYCNeil

Vic Morren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vic-morren-7038737/

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