Where do teams stand in the NHL?
Just a week remains in the NHL Regular season – the race is on for position for the Stanley Cup Playoffs – the hardest tournament in all of sports. Some teams have made quite a statement down the stretch – others have bumbled their way to close out their Regular seasons – it has definitely been fun!
NHL Lines & Matchup Insight
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So where does your favorite team sit? Let’s break it down in the bi-weekly edition of Dave B’’s NHL Power Rankings.
1. New York Rangers 50-21-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 1) – The Rangers still sit atop the Overall Standings and enter the week on a four game win streak. Henrik Lundqvist is getting back to form – he is 3-0-0 with a.949 save percentage in his last three games and the team has a league-best +59 goal differential. There are zero weaknesses on this team – scary as we head into the postseason.
2. Anaheim Ducks 50-23-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 4) – The Ducks are one point back in the Overall Standings and are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games overall and have won four of five heading into the final week. Goaltending is once a question mark for this team for the playoffs but there is no doubt that they are the team to beat in the West.
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3. St. Louis Blues 49-23-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 6) – The Blues have won three straight games and still have arguably the most battle-ready team for the playoffs. The Blues beat the Blackhawks Sunday – quite a statement. They have the fourth best offense in the game and the defense is also top 5 in the NHL. St. Louis is healthier than they have been in a while and could make some noise in this year’s playoffs.
4. Montreal Canadiens 50-23-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 2) – The Habs are just 5-2-3 in their last 10 games overall. They do have some concerns however – Max Pacioretty’s injury and their lackluster 4-1 loss to Florida to name a couple. That said Carey Price has Montreal with the third best record in the NHL – good for fourth on this week’s Rankings.
5. Tampa Bay Lightning 48-24-8 (Two Weeks Ago: 3) – The Lightning are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games but are just 2-3-1 in their last six. Tampa’s recent hiccup is more likely the exception – not the rule. Ben Bishop has been solid and the offense continues to be the best in the NHL – by far.
6. Chicago Blackhawks 48-25-6 (Two Weeks Ago: 5) – The Hawks still have a shot at top spot in the Central and have gone 6-4 in their last 10 games. The best news for this club is that Corey Crawford is playing his best hockey of the season and that Patrick Kane is on the verge.
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7. Nashville Predators 47-22-10 (Two Weeks Ago: 7) – The Predators won’t go away – they are 5-2-3 in their last 10 games and still own the third best defense in the league. James Neal and Matt Cullen have returned at just the right time for this team- look out for Nashville!
8. Washington Capitals 44-25-11 (Two Weeks Ago: 12) – the Capitals have benefitted from balanced scoring lately and are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games overall. Braden Holtby has been remarkable – they could reasonably catch the Isles for second place in the Metropolitan Division – amazing.
9. Minnesota Wild 44-26-8 (Two Weeks Ago: 8) – The Wild are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and yet they are still fighting to make the postseason. They have one of the toughest closing-week schedules but with Devan Dubnyk playing the way he is and with Zach Parise finding another gear, it is expected that the Wild enter the playoffs as a very dangerous team.
10. Boston Bruins 41-25-13 (Two Weeks Ago: 18) – The Bruins took a LONG time to get going but appear to be peaking at just the right time – five straight wins heading into this week. Tuukka Rask has rediscovered his All-World form and this experienced team seems poised to make some noise before their season is over.
11. New York Islanders 46-27-6 (Two Weeks Ago: 9) – The Islanders lost seven of eight games but have gone 2-0-1 in their last three games overall. There is legitimate concern for you Isles fans however – the clock may have struck midnight.
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12. Los Angeles Kings 39-25-14 (Two Weeks Ago: 17) – the Kings have won two straight games by a combined 11-3 score including a beat down of the Ducks. They may not make the playoffs but LA is certainly making things interesting!
13. Winnipeg Jets 40-26-12 (Two Weeks Ago: 14)
14. Ottawa Senators 40-26-13 (Two Weeks Ago: 15)
15. Vancouver Canucks 45-29-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 13)
16. Calgary Flames 43-29-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 16)
17. Detroit Red Wings 41-25-13(Two Weeks Ago: 11)
18. Pittsburgh Penguins 42-16-11 (Two Weeks Ago: 10)
19. Columbus Blue Jackets 39-35-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 23)
20. Dallas Stars 38-31-10 (Two Weeks Ago: 21)
21. San Jose Sharks 39-31-9 (Two Weeks Ago: 22)
22. Florida Panthers 36-29-15 (Two Weeks Ago: 19)
23. Colorado Avalanche 36-31-12 (Two Weeks Ago: 20)
24. Philadelphia Flyers 32-29-18 (Two Weeks Ago: 25)
25. Carolina Hurricanes 29-39-11 (Two Weeks Ago: 26)
26. New Jersey Devils 32-34-13 (Two Weeks Ago: 24)
27. Edmonton Oilers 23-43-13 (Two Weeks Ago: 28)
28. Toronto Maple 30-43-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 27)
29. Arizona Coyotes 24-47-8 (Two Weeks Ago: 29)
30. Buffalo Sabres 23-49-8 (Two Weeks Ago: 30)
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