Trending ▲, Trending ▼: Montreal making noise, GMs drop the ball

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Each week, theScore looks at the teams, players, and other hockey figures trending upward and taking a step back.

▲ Brad Marchand

The most hated Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy winner in NHL history?

Just maybe.

With seven goals in his last seven games Boston Bruins pest Brad Marchand has thrust himself into "Rocket" Richard territory, now boasting 32 goals through 67 games.

The 28-year-old's most recent stretch has propelled him into a tie for second in goals alongside Winnipeg Jets rookie Patrik Laine and just two back of league-leader Sidney Crosby.

Marchand has been by far the most lethal member of the Bruins with a 13-point cushion on the team scoring lead. He has already eclipsed his previous high of 61 points - set last year - by nine in 10 fewer games.

The chippy forward is also set to post nearly 20 fewer penalty minutes than last season, which has given Marchand more time to spend on the ice scoring goals.

A continued scoring streak by Marchand could make him the first Bruins player to pace the league in goals since Phil Esposito did so during the 1974-75 season.

▼ General managers

Heading into this week's general managers meetings in Boca Raton, Fla., many speculated that the league's 31 GMs would finally solve the issues plaguing the offside review.

Since its inception, some glaring issues have become quite evident.

Calls are being made not over dramatic misses by linesmen, but by teams debating the accuracy of calls to the exact millimeter. Additionally, coaches have found a way to delay and watch highlights on their bench before making their decision to challenge a play, and the headache of whether players' skates remain on the ice when crossing the blue line.

These issues among others have in turn caused the review process to become more time consuming, and above all else an annoyance to fans, players, coaches, and more.

The 31 GMs had the opportunity to make some changes, even if just slightly. Rumors of limiting the time coaches have before challenging were just a one of the many rumored fixes that could be considered. Instead, the same rules will remain for at least another season and with it more frustration is likely to ensue.

▲ Montreal Canadiens

Once appearing to be falling from the sky, the Montreal Canadiens have caught an updraft.

After a dismal beginning to February that saw the club go the first 18 days with a 1-6-1 record, the team - now under the guidance of Claude Julien - has posted seven wins in its last eight games including a current six-game winning streak.

That being said, the Canadiens have still managed to score just 2.25 goals per game over the last eight contests, further highlighting the bounce-back of Carey Price.

The 2015 Vezina Trophy winner has gone 6-1-0 in the seven games he has started during the recent streak and has amassed a ridiculous .953 save percentage, a 1.26 GAA, and a shutout over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

With their current up-swing, the Canadiens have once again pushed their lead in the Atlantic Division to four points over the Ottawa Senators and have - in the meantime - proved that missing out on a top-six forward at the deadline might not have been the end of the world.

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