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 have free-fallen out of top spot and suddenly look vulnerable, the Ducks have vaulted to top spot again and the Habs just keep clicking along.
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. Anaheim Ducks 42-18-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 3) – The Ducks are 7-2 in their last nine games and look as though they have shaken a bit of a slump. They sit atop the Overall Standings once again – goaltender Josh Gibson has been terrific and the offense has rediscovered its groove.
2. Montreal Canadiens 42-18-6 (Two Weeks Ago: 2) – The Habs went just 1-2-1 during a Western road swing – one of the toughest trips on the docket. I am still willing to give them the benefit of the doubt – they still lead the East despite going 5-3-2 in their last 10 games and they still have some guy named Carey Price.
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3. Tampa Bay Lightning 41-20-6 (Two Weeks Ago: 7) – The Lightning have won three games in a row and are second in the East. They own the best offense in the game – by a mile and have been playing some solid defense as of late as well. Ben Bishop has been a true difference maker for this team.
4. New York Rangers 40-17-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 6) – The Rangers have three games in hand over the teams they are chasing in the East and only trail top spot in the Conference by three points. New York has gone 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and has points in 13 of their last 14. The offense is clicking and the defense will only get better when Henrik Lundqvist returns. Look out Eastern Conference!
5. New York Islanders 42-21-4 (Two Weeks Ago: 5) – The Islanders are tied for the most wins in the NHL (42) and sit tied in the standings with the Lightning. John Tavares leads the league in points and Jaroslav Halak is providing them quality goalkeeping for sure. They don’t advance in the Rankings and they don’t slide this week after going 5-2-3 in their last 10 games.
6. St. Louis Blues 14-19-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 4) – The Blues are just 4-4-1 in their last nine games but have looked better recently – 3-1-1 in their last five. Recent wins against Toronto and Edmonton haven’t impressed but there is little doubt about the power of this team.
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7. Nashville Predators 41-19-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 1) – The Predators are struggling to say the least – six straight losses heading into this week. Pekka Rinne is in a slump and the offense has gone cold. While I don’t expect the skid to last, there is no doubt about Nashville being the biggest faller in the Rankings.
8. Pittsburgh Penguins 38-18-9 (Two Weeks Ago: 9) – The Penguins have won their first two games in California – no easy task and have benefitted from strong play by Marc-Andre Fleury. The offense has come alive too – the team is averaging 3.5 goals per game the last two weeks.
9. Detroit Red Wings 36-17-11 (Two Weeks Ago: 8) – the Wings are 5-3-1 in their last nine games – the best win coming Wednesday – against the sizzling Rangers. They enter the week on a two game losing streak but they are healthy, they are talented and they are the Detroit Red Wings!
10. Minnesota Wild 36-23-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 12) – Look out for the Minnesota Wild! They have gone 8-2-0 in their last 10 games overall and have won five of six. The team is 18-4-2 in their last 24 games and added Chris Stewart and Sean Bergenheim at the deadline. With Devan Dubnyk playing All-World the Wild are a mighty scary team heading into the stretch!
11. Chicago Blackhawks 39-21-6 (Two Weeks Ago: 10) – The Hawks have been OK without Patrick Kane – 3-1-1 in their last five games. Corey Crawford has really picked up his game – a .970 save percentage in his last four games and Jonathan Toews has found another gear as well. The additions of Antoine Vermette and Kimmo Timonen will really help down the stretch as well.
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12. Washington Capitals 36-21-10 (Two Weeks Ago: 11) – the Capitals continue to be arguably the biggest surprise in the East this season – they are firmly in a playoff spot and are within striking distance of a better seeding. Alex Ovechkin continues to shine and Brayden Holtby continues to exceed expectations.
13. Los Angeles Kings 31-21-13 (Two Weeks Ago: 13)
14. Vancouver Canucks 37-24-4 (Two Weeks Ago: 14)
15. Winnipeg Jets 33-21-12 (Two Weeks Ago: 15)
16. Boston Bruins 33-22-10 (Two Weeks Ago: 16)
17. Calgary Flames 36-25-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 18)
18. Ottawa Senators 30-23-11 (Two Weeks Ago: 24)
19. Florida Panthers 29-23-14 (Two Weeks Ago: 19)
20. San Jose Sharks 32-26-8 (Two Weeks Ago: 17)
21. New Jersey Devils 28-28-10 (Two Weeks Ago: 23)
22. Colorado Avalanche 30-25-11 (Two Weeks Ago: 21)
23. Philadelphia Flyers 28-26-13 (Two Weeks Ago: 20)
24. Dallas Stars 29-27-10 (Two Weeks Ago: 22)
25. Carolina Hurricanes 25-32-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 27)
26. Columbus Blue Jackets 27-34-4 (Two Weeks Ago: 25)
27. Toronto Maple 26-35-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 26)
28. Arizona Coyotes 21-38-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 28)
29. Edmonton Oilers 18-37-11 (Two Weeks Ago: 29)
30. Buffalo Sabres 19-42-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 30)
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