NHL Power Rankings: Sharks back atop the food chain
We’ve officially reached the NHL’s dog days of winter, though next week’s trade deadline will inject life back into the league. This time of year is dangerous for NHL betting fans, as even the best teams can lag (read: New York Islanders 4, New Jersey Devils 0).
Last week, the Sharks reasserted themselves, the Wings stood pat and the Devils went backward.
(Last week’s ranking in brackets)
1. (3) San Jose Sharks (40-8-9): Home games against Edmonton, L.A. and Atlanta were just what the doctor (veterinarian?) ordered for the Sharks.
2. (2) Detroit Red Wings (39-13-8): The loss to Minnesota was the second of back-to-back games, so we’ll give the Wings a break.
3. (4) Washington Capitals (38-17-5): After Sunday, we now know Crosby’s Pens aren’t even in the same stratosphere as Ovechkin’s Caps this season.
4. (1) New Jersey Devils (38-19-3): They lost to the Islanders? On purpose? Maybe they need Marty back after all.
5. (7) Chicago Blackhawks (34-16-8) 7-2 in February; good enough and deep enough to scare even the top contenders in a seven-game playoff series. Take notice, online betting fans.
6. (8) Vancouver Canucks (30-21-8): Make that 8-1 this month. Could this be their “win now” year after all? Canucks fans better hope so – no one is signed for 2009-10.
7. (6) Calgary Flames (35-18-6): Didn’t deserve to slide in the rankings but everyone around them is just pushing so darn hard.
8. (5) Boston Bruins (40-12-8): Six losses in seven games. Is ranking them eighth being generous?
9. (10) Florida Panthers (30-21-8): Beat New Jersey and Boston last week..without Pavel Bure on the top line. Yes, it is 2009, believe it or not.
10. (9) Philadelphia Flyers (31-17-9): Is it just me, or does a Kari Lehtonen trade not sound like the long-term answer in goal?
11. (14) Dallas Stars (29-22-7): After the disastrous start, they’re about where you’d expect them to be if someone told you last September they’d be playing without Brenden Morrow all year.
12. (12) Columbus Blue Jackets (30-24-6): For the first time ever, we can say “Columbus Blue Jackets” and “buyers” in the same sentence.
13. (18) Minnesota Wild (30-24-4): Beat Detroit on Saturday, Chicago on Sunday. Not a bad little weekend, especially if you picked them at the sportsbook.
14. (19) Carolina Hurricanes (31-25-5): A three-win week can’t be ignored, but NHL betting fans shouldn’t get too hot ‘n’ bothered considering all three victims were projected lottery teams.
15. (16) Buffalo Sabres (31-23-6): Who knew the Rangers would be the team they chase at this time of year?
16. (21) Pittsburgh Penguins (29-26-6): Despite Sunday’s drubbing in Washington, a two-win week is something to build on.
17. (13) Anaheim Ducks (29-27-5)
18. (15) Edmonton Oilers (29-25-5)
19. (20) Montreal Canadiens (31-22-7)
20. (11) Ottawa Senators (22-27-9)
21. (25) Colorado Avalanche (28-31-1)
22. (22) St. Louis Blues (25-26-8)
23. (17) Los Angeles Kings (25-24-9)
24. (23) Nashville Predators (28-28-4)
25. (29) New York Rangers (31-23-7)
26. (28) New York Islanders (18-35-6)
27. (26) Tampa Bay Lightning (20-28-12)
28. (30) Phoenix Coyotes (27-28-5)
29. (27) Toronto Maple Leafs (22-26-12)
30. (24) Atlanta Thrashers (21-33-6)
Interesting little game of leapfrog down in the basement. NHL betting fans should expect the weak to get even weaker in coming weeks (how many times can I say “week” or “weak” in a sentence?) after they sell off a few nice assets at the NHL trade deadline.
See you next, uh, week!
