Dave B’s NHL Power Rankings – UP TO Feb 4th, 2013
NHL Power Rankings – February 18
Another two weeks have passed in the world of the NHL and what a couple of weeks it has been! One team remains undefeated in Regulation time, one returns home after going 4-0 on a four-game road trip and others have tumbled out of the top 15 (can you say San Jose?)
The 48 game schedule will bring frequent change in the NHL – stay tuned.
So, without further adieu, here is Dave B’s bi-weekly edition of the NHL Power Rankings.
1. Chicago Blackhawks (12-0-3) Two Weeks Ago: 2
Did most of their early season damage on the road and now are in the midst of a tidy seven game homestand. As the only undefeated team in Regulation on the season, the Hawks possess strong and deep goaltending, some of the best defense in the NHL and of course some of the most dominant forwards in the game. Chicago is no fluke – they are terrific in every aspect of the game.
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2. Anaheim Ducks (11-2-1) Two Weeks Ago: 8
The Ducks have won five of their last six games – all on the road and are getting contributions up and down the lineup. The Ducks look like they are having fun out there – Coach Bruce Boudreau has made a huge difference with this club. How about goalkeeper Viktor Fasth?
3. Boston Bruins (9-2-2) Two Weeks Ago: 5
Have only two regulation losses this season – to the Buffalo Sabres of all teams! They are as deep as any team in the NHL – with uber-solid goaltending, incredible D-men and a wealth of talent up front. The Bruins may have the occasional letdown but there is no denying that they are an elite team in the East.
4. New Jersey Devils (9-3-3) Two Weeks Ago: 10
Had a bit of a hiccup in their 5-1 loss to the Islanders but this team just keep rolling – under the radar! You can never count this organization out. Names like David Clarkson keep getting it done, Patrik Elias looks reborn and Martin Brodeur is …. Martin Brodeur.
5. Pittsburgh Penguins (11-5-0) Two Weeks Ago: 7
Are riding a three game win streak and are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games overall. If the Penguins drop out of the top 5 this season it will be because of injury – there is too much talent here to see this team out of the elite. They have had issues with New Jersey this year however!
6. Montreal Canadiens (9-4-1) Two Weeks Ago: 6
Have won three straight games and own the league’s sixth best record – amazing! They have been getting contributions from everyone in the lineup – credit Coach Michel Therrien for getting absolutely everything he can out of this lineup.
7. Vancouver Canucks (8-3-3) Two Weeks Ago: 12
The Canucks head out on the road after losing their last couple on home ice. But with perhaps the best goaltending in the NHL and players like Ryan Kesler and David Booth returning to the lineup, the Canucks have nowhere to go but up. They have shown flashes of being that top tier team we all expect – six straight wins before their two game slide is reason for belief in Vancouver.
8. New York Rangers (8-5-1) Two Weeks Ago: 14
The Rangers have gone 7-2-1 in their last 10 games – two wins over Tampa and a nice win over Boston included. #8 may seem a bit high but a look at this roster reveals the fact that this team belongs in the Top 10 easily.
9. Toronto Maple Leafs (9-6-0) Two Weeks Ago: 19
I am still waiting for the inevitable collapse but that just isn’t happening. The Leafs have gone 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and own the league’s 10th best record. I don’t get it!
10. St. Louis Blues (9-5-1) Two Weeks Ago: 4
Stay in the top 10 on the heels of a three game win streak including a nice shootout win in Vancouver. The Blues have won three straight games and own the league’s 8th best record – goaltending has once again been spectacular!
11. Carolina Hurricanes (8-4-1) Two Weeks Ago: 24
The Hurricanes started slowly this season but have come on of late and have looked terrific – 7-2-1 in their last 10 games. They won four out of five on the road and the only loss they had came in OT against Philly. Eric Staal looks incredible and the Canes are suddenly the team to beat in the Southeast.
12. Nashville Predators (7-3-5) Two Weeks Ago: 20
I am baffled every year at how this team gets it done with a lack of stars! Coach Barry Trotz is a perennial Coach of the Year candidate and has his team playing very well again! They are a lunch bucket team with one of the best keepers in the game – Pekka Rinne has been spectacular as usual so far.
13. Minnesota Wild (7-6-2) Two Weeks Ago: 7
The Wild are finally starting to come around – Finally! They are just 5-4-1 in their last 10 but considering where this team was last week, that is a victory! The Wild are too talented and too proud to flounder around .500 – they should rise in the Rankings! [soliloquy id=”82219″]
14. Detroit Red Wings (7-6-2) Two Weeks Ago: 15
Have lost two straight games and are starting to show their age already! But knowing this proud franchise they will turn it around! Injuries and goals against are hurting this team right now – something that will fix itself eventually.
15. Phoenix Coyotes (7-6-2) Two Weeks Ago: 16
Crack the top 15 having gone 6-2-2 in their last 10 games and because they have Calgary twice this week along with Edmonton.
16. Tampa Bay Lightning (7-6-1) Two Weeks Ago: 3
17. San Jose Sharks (7-4-3) Two Weeks Ago: 1
18. Ottawa Senators (7-6-2) Two Weeks Ago: 9
19. Buffalo Sabres (6-9-1) Two Weeks Ago: 21
20. Edmonton Oilers (6-5-3) Two Weeks Ago: 11
21. New York Islanders (6-7-1) Two Weeks Ago: 13
22. Philadelphia Flyers (6-9-1) Two Weeks Ago: 27
23. Los Angeles Kings (5-6-2) Two Weeks Ago: 22
24. Calgary Flames (5-5-3) Two Weeks Ago: 28
25. Dallas Stars (8-7-1) Two Weeks Ago: 26
26. Washington Capitals (5-9-1) Two Weeks Ago: 30
27. Columbus Blue Jackets (4-9-2) Two Weeks Ago: 23
28. Colorado Avalanche (5-7-1) Two Weeks Ago: 18
29. Winnipeg Jets (5-8-1) Two Weeks Ago: 25
30. Florida Panthers (4-6-4) Two Weeks Ago: 29
