The Noise: As new coaches soar, who's next to get the axe?
theScore's new series, "The Noise," is published every Monday. It kicks off each week with a quick look at three teams or players making headlines, good or bad.
Times are Ruff
Based on positive early returns from the mid-season head coach replacements in New York and Boston, front offices across the league might be thinking of accelerating any potential plans to make a change behind the bench.
Doug Weight has galvanized the Islanders and led them to an 8-2-2 record since taking over in mid-January, while Bruce Cassidy, who took over the Bruins last week, has won three straight to start his new gig.
As the playoff race continues to - slowly - thin out the pretenders from the contenders, Stars boss Lindy Ruff has to be feeling the heat.
Dallas lost a heartbreaker Sunday, blowing a 3-0 lead to the Predators to fall six points back of a wildcard spot.
Ruff is a 19-year veteran, but, as evidenced by the Claude Julien situation in Boston, relieving a coach of his duties even if the team's biggest detriment is out of his control has become the norm.
Flying Low
Mirroring Ruff's situation in Dallas, Paul Maurice and the Jets are underachieving.
Hindered by disastrous goaltending and shoddy team defense, two factors constantly outweighing the club's auspicious talent up front, Winnipeg sits in a tie with Dallas at 54 points, having played one extra game.
After appearing to take a leap forward with the Jets in 2014-15, Maurice has yet to lead his club back to the playoffs. A current four-game losing streak certainly isn't lengthening his leash.
So it begs a couple questions: Is there enough time to name Maurice's successor? And will it help a push to the playoffs? The change gave the Bruins and Islanders a jolt, but a decision to pull the trigger won't go quietly for Jets' brass.
Perhaps all of this will become clearer Wednesday, as Maurice, Ruff, and their respective teams have a crucial, potential last-straw inducing Valentine's Day date in Winnipeg.
Sid's spotlight
Given all he's accomplished in the past calendar year, it feels like an eternity since the hockey world has celebrated a Sidney Crosby achievement.
However, we're on the verge of a special one, as the Penguins' captain sits at 998 career points, somewhat shockingly, the same number he was at before playing the Avalanche and Coyotes last week.
Crosby was held pointless in consecutive contests for the first time in nearly a full year as onlookers awaited the milestone, but he will get his next crack at it Tuesday versus Vancouver.
With just 755 games played, Crosby can become the fastest active player to reach 1,000 points and the 86th in NHL history to hit the mark. It sure would be something if he could be the 87th, but don't count on him waiting that long.