Where do teams stand in the NHL?
Another two weeks of NHL action is in the books and the Power Rankings landscape has changed just a bit! The Preds still occupy top spot, the Kings are climbing and perceived elite teams like Pittsburgh and Chicago are floundering around in mediocrity.
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. Nashville Predators 40-13-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 1) – The Predators are top spot again and why not – they lead the NHL Overall standings by six points and are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. Their +40 goals differential is tops in the NHL meaning Nashville’s offense and defense are working in perfect unison.
2. Montreal Canadiens 38-16-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 6) – The Habs have vaulted themselves to second in the NHL Overall standings and are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games overall. The Habs continue to be the stingiest defense in the league and Carey Price has MVP-like all season long. Montreal looks like the team in the East to beat – that’s for sure.
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3. Anaheim Ducks 36-16-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 2) – The Ducks have been getting by despite Frederik Andersen’s absence from the lineup. Josh Gibson has filled in admirably. They are just 5-4-1 in their last 10 games overall but still look like the best team in the West right now. Nashville has something to say about that but there is no doubt that the Ducks are one of the two top dogs in the West right now.
4. St. Louis Blues 38-17-4 (Two Weeks Ago: 4) – The Blues went 1-2 last week and are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games – not great. But they are tied with Nashville with a +40 goal differential and still boast one of the most balanced rosters in the game. Despite some recent average play there is zero reason to bump St. Louis out of the top 4.
5. New York Islanders 39-20-2 (Two Weeks Ago: 9) – The Islanders got shut out against Vancouver on Sunday but are still 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. They trail the Habs by just one point in the Eastern Conference. They beat Nashville last week and look as good as any team in the East right now.
6. New York Rangers 36-16-6 (Two Weeks Ago: 11) – The Rangers haven’t slowed down since the injury to Henrik Lundqvist – they are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games overall. They are tied for best in the NHL with a +40 goal differential and are once again a dangerous team in the East.
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7. Tampa Bay Lightning 37-19-6 (Two Weeks Ago: 3) – The Lightning slip this week after a five-game West Coast road trip. They are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. The Bolts still sit in a tie for third in the Overall standings with 80 points, have the best offense in the game by far and are back home where they have just six regulation losses this year.
8. Detroit Red Wings 33-14-10 (Two Weeks Ago: 5) – the Wings snapped out of their three game losing streak last week and have won two straight heading into this week. The Wings gave up six goals in a win against Dallas and have been a tad vulnerable defensively as of late. Still, the Wings are a legit. Top 10 team despite.
9. Pittsburgh Penguins 34-17-9 (Two Weeks Ago: 8) – The Penguins have looked just OK lately even though they have gone 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. Shockingly the offense has been just average this whole season. But this is a healthy team finally – no reason they don’t rise in the Rankings – don’t you think?
10. Chicago Blackhawks 35-20-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 7) – The Hawks sure haven’t looked like themselves! They sit in eleventh in the Overall standings and have gone 4-3-3 in their last 10 games. They lost 4-1 to Colorado Friday and got destroyed 6-2 at Boston Sunday. Chicago fans have every right to be a tad concerned!
11. Washington Capitals 33-18-10 (Two Weeks Ago: 10) – the Capitals are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games overall and are 15 games above .500 as we head into the week. Ovy is scorching and the new focus on defense certainly looks good on Washington!
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12. Minnesota Wild 31-21-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 14) – Look out for the Minnesota Wild! They have gone 8-1-1 in their last 10 games overall and have won three straight heading into this week. No team is hotter! How about Devan Dubnyk and his 13-2-2 record with his new team?
13. Los Angeles Kings 28-18-12 (Two Weeks Ago: 16) – almost cracked the dirty dozen after seven straight wins!
14. Vancouver Canucks 34-22-3 (Two Weeks Ago: 15)
15. Winnipeg Jets 30-20-11 (Two Weeks Ago: 18)
16. Boston Bruins 29-21-9 (Two Weeks Ago: 12)
17. San Jose Sharks 30-23-8 (Two Weeks Ago: 13)
18. Calgary Flames 32-23-4 (Two Weeks Ago: 17)
19. Florida Panthers 26-21-12 (Two Weeks Ago: 20)
20. Philadelphia Flyers 26-23-11 (Two Weeks Ago: 22)
21. Colorado Avalanche 26-23-11 (Two Weeks Ago: 21)
22. Dallas Stars 27-24-9 (Two Weeks Ago: 19)
23. New Jersey Devils 24-26-9 (Two Weeks Ago: 24)
24. Ottawa Senators 24-23-10 (Two Weeks Ago: 26)
25. Columbus Blue Jackets 26-28-4 (Two Weeks Ago: 25)
26. Toronto Maple 24-31-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 27)
27. Carolina Hurricanes 21-30-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 23)
28. Arizona Coyotes 20-32-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 28)
29. Edmonton Oilers 17-34-10 (Two Weeks Ago: 29)
30. Buffalo Sabres 17-38-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 30)
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