NHL 18 is a hockey simulation game developed by EA Sports based on the National Hockey League, published for PS4 and XboxOne. The game also features several game modes such as: Hockey Ultimate Team, Online Mode, revamped version of “be a GM”, Manager Mode, Franchise Mode etc. NHL 18 Coins is the in-game currency to buy players and player packs.

We’ve already seen winning the regular-season title doesn’t mean hoisting the Cup will follow. Chicago did it in 2013 but that was within the confines of a 48-game lockout season (Again, Gary Bettman got what he wanted).

Gary Bettman is getting what he wanted. Folks, get ready for a Nashville-Tampa Bay collision course at the Stanley Cup Final. Original Six, be damned. Let 1990s-era expansion rule.

Fine, let’s pump the brakes on that for now. A lot can and will happen before we get to June and we’ve learned precious little in the NHL is guaranteed. It isn’t as if Nashville and Tampa Bay have lapped the rest of the league.

At the moment, these two might be head and shoulders above the competition. Will it stay that way? (Records in parentheses are as of Sunday’s games).

1. Lightning (24-6-2). Mikhail Sergachev is among the top scoring defensemen with eight goals and 23 points. He’s 19 and, well, GM Steve Yzerman basically stole him from Montreal. (1T)

2. Predators (21-7-4). If Tampa Bay hadn’t stretched its win streak to seven, the Stanley Cup finalist would be on top. Just blew through Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary to a 13-1 count. (4)

3. Golden Knights (21-9-2). Keep questioning their staying power, if you dare. Marc-Andre Fleury is 2-0-1 since coming back from a concussion, with a win over Pittsburgh in his first game against his old team. (7)

4. Capitals (21-12-1). Not real bullish on their long-term prospects, but they’re 7-1-0 over past eight and 10-2-0 over 12. Matt Niskanen’s return to the blue line has been essential. (9)

5. Blues (22-11-2). Have dropped three of four and scored only three goals over that span. Is it a coincidence the dip comes after losing Jaden Schwartz to a long-term ankle injury? (1T)

6. Blue Jackets (20-12-1). Cam Atkinson, a 35-goal scorer last season, saw some press box duty for a game as he’s been mired in a season-long slump. Just six goals and 11 points. (6)

7. Kings (20-10-4). John Stevens heads back to Philadelphia in his second turn as a head coach. His group is licking its wounds after late goals hurt them in twin losses to the Rangers and Islanders. (3)

8. Maple Leafs (20-13-1). You think Auston Matthews has an impact on them? An upper-body injury has kept him out for four games and they’ve scored only four goals. The past three have been losses. (5)

9. Jets (19-10-5). Racked up 94 shots against St. Louis in back-to-back games over the weekend and got a shutout revenge win over the Blues to cap a mixed-bag week. (8)

10. Sharks (17-10-4). Have collected points in five straight as they’re in the midst of six in a row against the Pacific Division, but leading scorer Logan Couture (15 goals) is now out with a concussion. (10)