Where Each NHL Team Stands 12 Weeks In
It’s been two weeks since we updated the Rankings – we had a Christmas break, a coach firing and more mumps issues in the game. Oh ya – we have a new top dog in the Rankings as well! We could make an argument for the #2 team to remain on top but the sheer talent of the Hawks puts the “power” in Power Rankings.
NFL Spreads & Matchup Insight
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So where does you favorite team lay in the bi-weekly edition of the NHL Power Rankings? Let’s take a look.
1. Chicago Blackhawks 24-10-2 (Two Weeks Ago: 2) – The Hawks take top spot in the Rankings for the first time this season! They are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games overall, 15-3-1 in their last 19 and now lead the league with a +38 goal differential. The offense and defense are working in perfect unison, vaulting them to #2 in the overall NHL standings.
2. Anaheim Ducks 24-8-6 (Two Weeks Ago: 1) – The Ducks have alternated wins and losses the last seven games – last night was a somewhat flat win against the Canucks. Despite leading the NHL in points they have just a +6 goal differential – not all that great. Still, the Ducks are a solid club and an easy #2 this week.
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3. Pittsburgh Penguins 22-8-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 3) – Two more Pens are down with the mumps! But this proved that it simply doesn’t matter. Even without Sid the Kid they remained elite. They enter the week on an uncharacteristic two game losing streak but still leading the East. This team is too stakes to be out of the top 3!
4. Nashville Predators 23-9-2 (Two Weeks Ago: 6) – The Preds have gotten back on track going 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and winning 11 of their last 15 overall. The team has allowed a league-low 71 goals on the season and has only lost twice in regulation on home ice. The Preds are a force to be reckoned with in both ends of the rink – nice to see!
5. New York Islanders 23-11-1 (Two Weeks Ago: 9) – The Islanders are just 5-4-1 in their last 10 games but the teams around them in the standings haven’t exactly been lighting it up either. They are fourth in the league in goals for but may suffer in goals against with Jaroslav Halak landing on IR.
6. Tampa Bay Lightning 22-11-4 (Two Weeks Ago: 5) – The Lightning are just 4-5-1 in their last 10 games but still lead the league in goals with 119 in 37 games. Ben Bishop is back in the fold after being out since December 15 – he will help the defense immensely.
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7. Detroit Red Wings 19-8-9 (Two Weeks Ago: 7) – the Wings are 4-2-4 in their last 10 games – even when they lose they are getting a point. Jimmy Howard is back healthy which will definitely help, Gustav Nyqvist continues to be the biggest surprise in the game and Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are doing their parts. So much for the Wings being a team on the decline!
8. St. Louis Blues 21-11-3 (Two Weeks Ago: 4) – The Blues enter this week on a four game losing streak having gone 5-4-1 in their last 10 games overall. They are still one of the most well balanced teams in the NHL. The goaltending will work itself out making the Blues worthy of a top 10 spot.
9. Montreal Canadiens 22-11-2 (Two Weeks Ago: 8) – The Habs have been a bit Jekyll and Hyde the last couple of weeks but when on – look like the best team in the NHL. Carey Price is on fire and the team has gone 6-4-0 in their last 10 games overall sitting eighth overall in the NHL standings.
10. New York Rangers 19-10-4 (Two Weeks Ago: 20)
The Rangers are the hottest team in the NHL – eight straight wins heading into this week. The defense is finally starting to come around and Rick Nash continues to sizzle. New York is in its rightful place finally – in the Top 10 in the Power Rankings.
11. Los Angeles Kings 18-11-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 13)
The Kings sit in a tie for eleventh place in the overall standings and have gone 4-4-2 in their last 10 games overall. Marion Gaborik and Anze Kopitar are heating up big time – Jonathan Quick’s average play will figure itself out soon!
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12. San Jose Sharks 19-12-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 12) – are 7-2-1 in the last 10 games but lost Saturday to the Kings. Antti Niemi has started to heat up after a slow start and the offense continues to do its part. I am still expecting San Jose to make a huge jump – it’s just not happening yet!
13. Winnipeg Jets 19-10-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 15)
14. Toronto Maple 20-13-3 (Two Weeks Ago: 11)
15. Vancouver Canucks 20-11-3 (Two Weeks Ago: 10)
16. Washington Capitals 18-11-6 (Two Weeks Ago: 19)
17. Calgary Flames 19-15-3 (Two Weeks Ago: 14)
18. Florida Panthers 16-9-8 (Two Weeks Ago: 17)
19. Minnesota Wild 16-13-4 (Two Weeks Ago: 16)
20. Dallas Stars 15-14-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 24)
21. Boston Bruins 18-15-3 (Two Weeks Ago: 18)
22. Philadelphia Flyers 14-15-6 (Two Weeks Ago: 25)
23. Ottawa Senators 14-14-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 22)
24. Columbus Blue Jackets 15-16-3 (Two Weeks Ago: 27)
25. Colorado Avalanche 13-14-8 (Two Weeks Ago: 21)
26. Buffalo Sabres 14-19-3 (Two Weeks Ago: 26)
27. Arizona Coyotes 13-18-4 (Two Weeks Ago: 28)
28. New Jersey Devils 12-18-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 23)
29. Carolina Hurricanes 10-21-4 (Two Weeks Ago: 29)
30. Edmonton Oilers 7-22-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 30)
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