Dave B’s NHL Power Rankings – Post Trade-Deadline Edition
The Olympic Break is over and the NHL Trade Deadline has come and gone – now we can focus on the game alone as we head into the stretch run of what has been an incredible season.
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A few of the usual suspects on the Rankings improved at the deadline adding to their already stacked teams while others decided to stand pat go with what propelled them to the top.
So what does it all mean? Let’s break it all down in Dave B’s bi-weekly edition of the NHL Power Rankings
1. St. Louis Blues (Two Weeks Ago: 1)
The Blues added Ryan Miller at the deadline – a step up from Jaroslav Halak and are in the midst of a five game win streak heading into this week. There are zero holes on this team – they retain top spot this week for good reason.
2. Chicago Blackhawks (Two Weeks Ago: 3)
The Blackhawks are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games overall – rounding into form after a pre-Olympic slump. Corey Crawford is a big part of the uptick – he has won four straight starts and has given up one goal over that span. A win last week at Soldier Field against the Pens adds more fuel to the fire – the Hawks will challenge the Blues in the West.
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3. San Jose Sharks (Two Weeks Ago: 6)
The Sharks are making things interesting in the Pacific. They have gone 7-2-1 in their last 10 games overall and have crept within four points of Anaheim. They are healthy, they are rested after many of their players failed to make their respective Olympic teams. The Sharks leap ahead of their Pacific Division foes this week.
4. Anaheim Ducks (Two Weeks Ago: 4)
The Ducks failed to secure any help at the trade deadline – the team could have used a little spark! They are just 4-4-2 in their last 10 games overall and have lost two straight in overtime. Anaheim is better than they have been playing and hold fourth spot in the Rankings – barely.
5. Boston Bruins (Two Weeks Ago: 5)
The Bruins picked up Andre Meszaros to help their struggling blue line – a sneaky trade that has made this team a whole lot better. The Bruins are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and are an East-best +61 in goal differential. Is there a better all around team in the East?
6. Pittsburgh Penguins (Two Weeks Ago: 2)
The Pens slipped because of injuries and sketchy defensive play in which they have given up 23 goals in their last six games. Pittsburgh added some depth at forward at the trade deadline – maybe they should have focused on defense!
7. Colorado Avalanche (Two Weeks Ago: 7)
The Avs are seventh in the overall standings – seven points up on the Kings – so it makes sense that they land at seventh in the Rankings. Nathan McKinnon continues to impress and Patrick Roy is the obvious choice for Coach of the Year to this point.
8. LA Kings (Two Weeks Ago: 13)
The Kings are the hottest team in the NHL right now and enter this week riding a seven game win streak. The Olympic break proved to be just what this team needed and the addition of Marion Gaborik may be the scoring touch that this team needs to be the serious contender most envisioned when the season started.
9. New York Rangers (Two Weeks Ago: 9)
The Rangers are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and the addition of Martin St. Louis to play alongside buddy Brad Richards could be a season-changing move. With Henrik Lundqvist finding his form the Rangers are suddenly a very dangerous team in the East.
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10. Minnesota Wild (Two Weeks Ago: 12)
The Wild are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games and the addition of Matt Moulson makes this team better going forward. The only concern? The Wild are going to ride Darcy Kuemper between the pipes for the foreseeable future.
11. Toronto Maple Leafs (Two Weeks Ago: 8)
The Leafs were curiously quiet at the traded deadline but they continue to win despite being outplayed in many of their games. The Leafs are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games but slip out of the top 10 mostly because of their inability to improve their team via trades.
12. Montreal Canadiens (Two Weeks Ago: 10)
The Habs round out the dirty dozen this week – they fleeced the Islanders and got Tomas Vanek for a bag of pucks. He could be the missing piece that takes Montreal deep into the playoffs especially when Carey Price returns which is rumored to be this week.
13. Philadelphia Flyers (Two Weeks Ago: 14)
14. Dallas Stars (Two Weeks Ago: 16)
15. Columbus Blue Jackets (Two Weeks Ago: 17)
16. Detroit Red Wings (Two Weeks Ago: 19)
17. Tampa Bay Lightning (Two Weeks Ago: 11)
18. Washington Capitals (Two Weeks Ago: 22)
19. Phoenix Coyotes (Two Weeks Ago: 15)
20. New Jersey Devils (Two Weeks Ago: 23)
21. Ottawa Senators (Two Weeks Ago: 20)
22. Winnipeg Jets (Two Weeks Ago: 21)
23. Vancouver Canucks (Two Weeks Ago: 24)
24. Carolina Hurricanes (Two Weeks Ago: 18)
25. Nashville Predators (Two Weeks Ago: 25)
26. Calgary Flames (Two Weeks Ago: 26)
27. Edmonton Oilers (Two Weeks Ago: 27)
28. Florida Panthers (Two Weeks Ago: 29)
29. Buffalo Sabres (Two Weeks Ago: 30)
30. New York Islanders (Two Weeks Ago: 28)
