Top story lines to watch in second half of NHL season

With the NHL All-Star break completed, the second half of the season launches Tuesday with 12 games. Here are the important stories that will be unfolding over the next couple of months:

1. Olympic decision coming: NHL officials have not sounded optimistic about allowing players to compete in the 2018 Games. Owners are weary of shutting down the league to accommodate the Olympics and losing players to injury at the tournament. The expectation is players will exert pressure or offer inducements to persuade the NHL to let them go.

"I’m sure (the decision) will be sooner rather than later," Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane said. "Every player, whether it be Canadian or American, relishes the opportunity to play in the Olympics."

Although there is no true time limit, hockey federations from all of the countries would prefer to know as soon as possible to give them time to prepare alternative teams if NHL players aren’t going.

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2. Red Wings’ streak in jeopardy: While the Detroit Red Wings have shown a spark in recent weeks, it still is unlikely they will be able to extend their playoff qualification streak to a 26th season.

Going into Tuesday’s games, they are six points out of a playoff spot. More important, they would have to climb over three other teams just to get in position to challenge the Toronto Maple Leafs, who hold the final wild-card spot.

The Red Wings’ biggest challenge? They have the league’s worst power play at 11.1%

3. Capitals peaking: The Barry Trotz-coached Washington Capitals have gone 12-1-1 in January to make themselves the team to beat for the Stanley Cup championship.

The Caps have looked dominant over the last 30 days, scoring 63 goals in 14 games. That’s better than four goals per game.

With less than 10 weeks left in the regular season, the Caps are putting the pieces together at the right time.

4. Big-name players moving? The NHL has been waiting for two months for the last-place Colorado Avalanche to begin dismantling their roster.

Center Matt Duchene’s name has been mentioned in trade rumors all season. But it seems more likely that the Avalanche would wait until the summer to peddle high-profile players because they would get more value then.

High-profile players who might move include St. Louis Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, Red Wings forward Thomas Vanek and perhaps Dallas Stars scorer Patrick Sharp and defenseman Johnny Oduya.

But the availability of those players depends on where their teams are in the standings. If they are in contention, those players won’t be dealt.

5. Oilers playoff drought should end: The Edmonton Oilers should make the playoffs for the first time since 2006.

The Oilers have an 11-point playoff cushion, they are 7-2-1 in their last 10 and they have Connor McDavid, who is the best young player in the game. It’s hard to see them falling out of the playoffs.

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6. McDavid vs. Crosby: McDavid has a four-point lead on Sidney Crosby in the NHL scoring race, but he undoubtedly hears the king coming after him.

Crosby’s 1.31 points per game average is higher than McDavid’s 1.16. If they stay on the same pace, Crosby will track down McDavid.

It’s said that McDavid is the next Crosby. The problem is Crosby is still Crosby.

7. Ovechkin might not get 50: Alex Ovechkin, with 23 goals, is on a pace to score 38 this season. That would mean he would fail to score 50 for the first time since 2012-13. But with 22 assists in 49 games, he’s on a pace to have his most assists since 2010-11.

Since Ovechkin has a history of closing the season on a torrid scoring pace, you can’t completely rule out a run at 50.

8. Calder Race undecided: The Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews and the Winnipeg Jets’ Patrik Laine are enjoying exceptional offensive seasons. At 40 points, Laine has one more than Matthews.

Matthews has been the better all-around player of the two, but also don’t rule out Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werensky or Toronto forward Mitch Marner being in the mix.

It’s rare for a rookie defenseman to have the kind of impact that Werensky is having. He has been a force on offense and credible as a defensive player. He’s +12 this season for a contending team. Marner and Matthews both have 39 points.

Follow columnist Kevin Allen on Twitter @ByKevinAllen.