NHL Power Rankings: March 3rd, 2011: Vol. 9
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NHL Power Ratings
We’re seeing major moves in the power rankings this week. Several teams have gotten tired of sitting near the bottom and just won’t stop climbing. A few other teams are fading fast. Let’s get to it.
(Previous rankings in brackets)
1. (6) San Jose Sharks (37-21-6): They’re officially back. San Jose has won seven straight games and is 16-2-1 over its last 19 games. Maybe the Sharks are peaking at the right time for a change.
2. (12) Boston Bruins (37-19-7): Winning six in a row is impressive enough – but how about six in a row on the road?
3. (1) Vancouver Canucks (40-15-9): A little slip in the ranks is nothing to worry about. The Canucks are still my pick to win it all; they’ve just gotten a bit complacent.
4. (3) Detroit Red Wings (39-18-7): They’re not going anywhere. Questions remain about Jimmy Howard’s ability to be “the guy” in goal come playoff time but think about the success Detroit’s had with mediocre Chris Osgood over the years.
5. (2) Philadelphia Flyers (40-16-6): Like the Canucks, they’re comfy atop their conference to the point that they’ve sort of fallen under the radar. We still know they’re major Cup contenders.
6. (19) Chicago Blackhawks (35-23-6): It was only a matter of time before Jonathan Toews woke up and realized that this is his team, not Patrick Kane’s. His moment has arrived. He’s playing perhaps the best offensive hockey of his career and has led Chicago to six straight wins.
7. (8) New Jersey Devils (28-31-4): it doesn’t matter who plays goal between Martin Brodeur and Johan Hedberg; the Devils just won’t stop winning. And Ilya Kovalchuk won’t stop scoring. It’s still probably too little, too late for New Jersey, though.
8. (7) Tampa Bay Lightning (37-19-7): One goal in nine games for Steven Stamkos. Will he bounce back or are his struggles the result of playing through an injury, as the rumors suggest?
9. (5) Los Angeles Kings (35-24-4): The Kings supposedly got their man in Dustin Penner, but I’m not impressed. They need more speed and finesse, not more size.
10. (14) Washington Capitals (34-20-10): Finally, they made a play for defense at the trade deadline. Dennis Wideman is solid enough at either end of the rink to be a real help.
11. (18) Dallas Stars (34-23-6): Suddenly winners of three straight. Now that Brad Richards is staying put, we can consider the Stars contenders to make the playoffs again.
12. (9) Calgary Flames (33-24-9): So maybe I was wrong. Maybe the Flames are a playoff team after all. But don’t you see just another first-round exit in the cards?
13. (11) Anaheim Ducks (34-25-5): Bobby Ryan’s penalty-shot overtime winner was inspiring but can the Ducks keep winning without Jonas Hiller? 
14. (4) Phoenix Coyotes (33-22-10): What a tough team to read. Big losing streak, big winning streak and now another big losing streak for the Desert Dogs.
15. (17) Toronto Maple Leafs (28-27-9): Just one regulation loss in 10 games for the surging Maple Leafs. For the first time in years, they look like they just might belong in the playoffs. James Reimer has been the X-factor.
16. (10) Pittsburgh Penguins (37-21-7): Pushing on without their stars and their cushion is big enough that they’ll make the playoffs, but the Penguins’ armor is showing cracks. Three wins in their last 10.
17. (15) Montreal Canadiens (34-23-7): Michael Cammalleri is back on the map but he’s one of the only real talents on this team. I’m not a believer.
18. 924) Columbus Blue Jackets (31-24-7): They teased by winning six of eight but have dropped two straight to burst the bubble. Still, the Jackets have games in hand on all the other Western Conference playoff hopefuls.
19. (16) Buffalo Sabres (30-25-7): Like the Blue Jackets, the Sabres have the edge in their playoff race because of games in hand. Ryan Miller is heating up with a .919 save percentage since the All-Star break.
20. (20) Minnesota Wild (33-25-6): A tough, busy schedule and the Mikko Koivu injury could mean there are just too many hurdles for Minnesota to climb.
21. (13) Nashville Predators (32-23-9)
22. (22) Carolina Hurricanes (30-25-9)
23. (23) New York Islanders (24-32-9)
24. (21) New York Rangers (33-28-4)
25. (25) St. Louis Blues (28-26-9)
26. (28) Edmonton Oilers (21-35-8)
27. (26) Florida Panthers (26-30-7)
28. (27) Atlanta Thrashers (26-27-11)
29. (30) Ottawa Senators (21-33-9)
30. (29) Colorado Avalanche (26-30-8)
