NHL Power Rankings: March 23rd, 2011: Vol. 10
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The power rankings really start to crystallize as we enter the final stretch of the 2010-11 regular season. At this point, the hot teams will probably stay hot and the cold teams will probably stay cold entering the playoffs.
(Previous rankings in brackets)
1. (3) Vancouver Canucks (47-17-9): They lead the NHL with a plus-66 goal differential. No other team is better than plus-41. It’s been the most dominant season in Vancouver’s history. Now, the Canucks just wait and hope for an easy first-round opponent.
2. (10) Washington Capitals (43-21-10): In terms of pure momentum, the Caps should actually be No. 1 in the power rankings, but they slip a spot now that Alex Ovechkin is out a week or more.
3. (1) San Jose Sharks (42-23-8): The big three, Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau, are finally showing signs of life. Maybe Anti Niemi doesn’t have to carry the Sharks on his own after all.
4. (13) Anaheim Ducks (40-27-5): 8-2-0 over their last 10 games and that only elevates them to the No. 8 seed with a one-point lead over ninth? Man, the West is tough.
5. (4) Detroit Red Wings (43-21-9): How long do you think Jimmy Howard’s leash will be in the playoffs? Could we see a Chris Osgood revival?
6. (24) New York Rangers (40-30-4): The Rangers have won five straight games to nestle themselves firmly back into a playoff position. With their goaltending and physicality, they’re a team you don’t want to face in the first round.
7. (14) Phoenix Coyotes (40-24-11): The Desert Dogs continue to play with confidence. Red-hot veterans like Shane Doan may be sick of early playoff exits and ready to take Phoenix deep for a change.
8. (5) Philadelphia Flyers (44-19-9): We can probably say they just got too comfortable after staking out such a big league in the standings but the Flyers have played enough stinkers over the last month that we have to start worrying a bit.
9. (16) Pittsburgh Penguins (43-23-8): As terrifying as the Crosby and Malkin injuries are, Penguins fans have to be encouraged by how capable this team has looked without them. If Sid returns for the playoffs, the Penguins have to be considered legit Cup contenders.
10. (21) Nashville Predators (39-25-10): Pekka Rinne may be at the top of the series-stealing-goalie power rankings right now. Fear the Preds!
11. (9) Los Angeles Kings (41-26-6): Dustin Penner’s arrival really seemed to kickstart Anze Kopitar’s game. But a third of the top line is now missing after Justin Williams dislocated his shoulder.
12. (6) Chicago Blackhawks (39-25-8): As amazingly as Jonathan Toews has played, this team is just one point up on ninth. Patrick Sharp’s injury comes at a very inopportune time.
13. (17) Montreal Canadiens (40-27-7): While Carey Price already gives Montreal an X-factor in a playoff series, we can’t discount P.K. Subban and James Wisniewski on the blueline, either. Those guys are beasts at both ends of the ice.
14. (19) Buffalo Sabres (36-28-9): They’re peaking at the right time. It took Ryan Miller and Tyler Myers some time, but they’re regaining their form of a year ago as Buffalo crusades toward the playoffs. 
15. (2) Boston Bruins (40-22-10): If Buffalo peaked at the right time, did Boston peak too early? The Bruins got complacent after their powerhouse road trip and have scuffled since then.
16. (8) Tampa Bay Lightning (39-23-11): The Lightning are really starting to tire, winning two of their last 10 games. Just six goals for Steven Stamkos in his last 25 games.
17. (15) Toronto Maple Leafs (33-31-10): They aren’t gaining ground because Buffalo and New York are hot but the Leafs aren’t losing ground either. Every time we write them off, they pull out a surprising win to stay in the playoff hunt.
18. (7) New Jersey Devils (34-35-4): Slipping out of the race after losing four of seven. Still, it’s been nice to see that Marty Brodeur is by no means finished and that Jacques Lemaire can still coach the hell out of a hockey team.
19. (23) New York Islanders (29-33-12): It will be interesting to see what the Isles can do next year. They have one regulation loss in their last 10 games and have been one of the league’s better teams since the All-Star break.
20. (22) Carolina Hurricanes (34-29-10): They’re the forgotten Eastern Conference playoff hopeful, probably because they never seem to go on a major winning streak. But any team with Cam Ward between the pipes still has a shot.
21. (11) Dallas Stars (38-25-9)
22. (12) Calgary Flames (37-27-11)
23. (28) Atlanta Thrashers (30-30-12)
24. (29) Ottawa Senators (27-37-9)
25. (25) St. Louis Blues (32-32-9)
26. (27) Florida Panthers (29-34-10)
27. (18) Columbus Blue Jackets (33-29-11)
28. (30) Colorado Avalanche (28-36-8)
29. (20) Minnesota Wild (35-31-8)
30. (26) Edmonton Oilers (23-40-10)
