Dave B’s NHL Power Rankings – March 14, 2012
The NHL season is about to enter the stretch run. Some teams are positioning themselves well heading into the most important part of the year while others are sputtering at precisely the wrong time. Get weekly NHL Handicapping tips from CappersPicks.com.
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Are you ready for the stretch drive? It seems that some teams have already gone into playoff mode already. The Power Rankings reflect that notion.
There are some teams struggling to maintain their elite status this week and there are some climbing – looking for a little credibility.
Enjoy this week’s Dave B’s NHL Power Rankings – March 13, 2012– the number in brackets are where the team ranked two weeks earlier.
1. Blues 45- 18-7 (4) – The Blues have won five straight games and are 9-1-0 in their last 10 games and have given up just 14 goals over that span. Amazing. They have a four point lead in the overall standings are showing no signs of slowing down. Helping is their incredible 29-4-4 record at home.
2. Penguins 42-21-5 (3) – Pittsburgh is another team that is 9-0-1 in their last 10 games and have first in the East in their sights. Crosby could return this week and Chris Letang not far behind – yup, the Penguins are scary.
3. Rangers 43-18-7 (2) – still playing well – 5-3-2 in their last 10 games but their Eastern Conference lead seems a little more tenuous at the moment.
4. Canucks 42-19-8 (1) – The Canucks have gone 2-3-2 in their last seven games and have lost three of their last four games at home. The twins are a mess – they will get back on track at some point so they should be good to hold in to a top 5 position in the rankings.
5. Predators 40-21-7 (6) – Nashville just keeps getting it done – 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. They are tough to play against and are as balanced a team as there is in the NHL – 10 players with at least 10 goals. That’s three complete lines that can score.
6. Red Wings 44-22-3 (5) – The Wings slip out of the Top 5 on the heels of a 4-5-1 stretch. Pavel Datsuyk, Nik Lidstrom and Jimmy Howard have all been out of the lineup which doesn’t help. All are expected back soon.
7. Bruins 40-25-3 (7) – Boston are slipping fast – injuries and inconsistent play have them 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. They sure don’t look like the Bruins we have all come to expect.
8. Devils 40-24-5 (9) – Don’t look now but the Devils have won five straight games and are four points out of eighth in the East. Their offensive weapons have been just that and the defense has allowed just five goals in the last six games.
9. Senators 36-25-9 (12) – Continue to be one of the surprise teams in the NHL – 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. In their next four they play Montreal three times and the freefalling Leafs once. Ottawa should have a good week and could continue to climb the Rankings.
10. Stars 38-26-5 (13) – Dallas is another surprise team – on fire with a 9-0-1 record in their last 10 games. They have opened up a six point lead in the Pacific.
11. Flyers 39-22-7 (14) – Look out the Flyers are coming. They are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and Ilya Bryzgalov has three shutouts in his last four games. He has a 1.75 goals against average since the All-Star break – finally!
12. Blackhawks 37-25-8 (15) – Chicago is 4-1-1 in their last 10 games and are finally getting some decent goaltending. Jonathan Toews could be back soon making them a way better team.
13. Coyotes 34-25-10 (8) – Phoenix lost five straight before beating San Jose. The Coyotes are quickly fading.
14. Sharks 33-25-9 (17) – The Sharks are still a good team aren’t they? I am beginning to wonder. They are 2-6-2 in their last 10 games. If they do nothing this week – they are out of the Top 20.
15. Panthers 32-23-13 (10) – The Panthers have hung around and are worthy of the top 15. They are 5-3-2 in their last 10 games and are on top of the Southeast – barely! [ad-4437448]
16. Flames 32-25-12 (21) – 4-3-3 in their last 10 games and hanging around somehow. With teams around them struggling the Flames end up in the #16 position.
17. Avalanche 36-30-4 (11) – Colorado is also hanging around but the loss of Matt Duchene might be too much. They are still 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and deserve a Top 20 rank.
18. Kings 32-25-12 (16) – The Kings are far better than their average record – 5-4-1 in their last 10 games. They are struggling – no excuses!
19. Sabres 32-29-8 (24) – is 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and they have climbed into a playoff position. Four points back and Ryan Miller finally living up to expectation.
20. Capitals 35-28-6 (20) – suddenly one point back in the Southeast having gone 6-3-1 record in their last 10 games. Washington is the most dangerous #20 ranked team in memory.
21. Jets 32-29-8 (19)
22. Ducks 29-30-10 (18)
23. Lightning 31-30-7 (22)
24. Canadiens 27-32-10 (27)
25. Hurricanes 26-28-15 (29)
26. Islanders 28-31-10 (28)
27. Maple Leafs 30-31-8 (23)
28. Oilers 26-35-7(25)
29. Wild 29-30-10 (26)
30. Blue Jackets 22-40-7 (30)
Dave B will analyze all the risers and the fallers for the rest of the season in his bi-weekly NHL Power Rankings.
