NHL Power Rankings: Devils partying like it’s 1995, 2000 and 2003
Well, hockey betting fans, the NHL trade deadline rapidly approaches, and that means the season is more than two thirds complete. Now is the time for teams to jockey for playoff positions and, consequently, spots on the NHL betting power rankings. Just as Pittsburgh did against UConn in a major March Madness rankings matchup, the Devils made a huge statement against the Sharks on the weekend.
1. New Jersey Devils (37-17-3): If I hear “and wait until Marty comes back” one more time…but seriously, folks. They’re brimming with confidence, Zach Parise looks All-World and they beat the Sharks on the weekend.
2. Detroit Red Wings (37-12-8): We’ll give them a mulligan at the sportsbook since they were hot as a pistol before stumbling last week.
3. San Jose Sharks (37-8-9): Raise your hand if you knew the Sharks had lost six of seven. WTF?
4. Washington Capitals (36-15-5): They really hit their stride again but they’re also beating up on some relatively weak Eastern opponents (read: Tampa Bay’s owner is the Saw franchise guy).
5. Boston Bruins (39-10-8): Four straight losses, albeit against tough competition (PHI, SJ, NJ, NSH). Online betting fans shouldn’t turn their backs on them; their youngsters are just tiring, that’s all.
6. Calgary Flames (33-18-5): Look out – they can score! Rebounded nicely by winning three of four last week.
7. Chicago Blackhawks (31-15-8): Home ice in the playoffs is almost a foregone conclusion. How pumped are you to see the United Center rock in April?
8. Vancouver Canucks (27-21-8): This is not a misprint. 5-1 in February. Sundin lives!
9. Philadelphia Flyers (30-16-9): Four high-scoring wins in five games; amazing forward depth really paying off. Will they trade for a goalie?
10. Florida Panthers (28-20-8): They’ve won seven of 10, but they’ll have to beat someone better than the Leafs to show they’re for real. The plummeting Rangers don’t count, either.
11. Ottawa Senators (22-25-8): Power rankings are more about current strength than standings. Ladies and gentlemen, you’re looking at the NHL’s hottest team. Five straight wins.
12. Columbus Blue Jackets (28-23-6): Beat San Jose and Detroit this month. The feel-good story of the NHL betting season?
13. Anaheim Ducks (28-25-5): The Quack Attack ain’t quite back, but back-to-back wins over Calgary turned some heads.
14. Dallas Stars (28-21-7): Riding Marty Turco back into contention. Could Brenden Morrow return in time for the Stanley Cup betting playoffs?
15. Edmonton Oilers (29-23-4): Clawed their way back into the playoff race with crucial wins over fellow bubble teams L.A. and Phoenix last week.
16. Buffalo Sabres (29-22-6)
17. Los Angeles Kings (24-22-9)
18. Minnesota Wild (28-24-3)
19. Carolina Hurricanes (28-24-5)
20. Montreal Canadiens (30-21-6)
21. Pittsburgh Penguins (27-25-6)
22. St. Louis Blues (24-25-7)
23. Nashville Predators (27-27-3)
24. Atlanta Thrashers (21-32-5)
25. Colorado Avalanche (26-30-1)
26. Tampa Bay Lightning (19-26-11)
27. Toronto Maple Leafs (21-25-10)
28. New York Islanders (17-33-6)
29. New York Rangers (30-22-6)
30. Phoenix Coyotes (25-28-5)
Amazingly, we have several currently playoff-bound teams in the bottom of the rankings. But no one can deny how much of a train wreck the Habs and Rangers are right now, can they?
See you next week…
