NHL Power Rankings: January 27th, 2011: Vol. 6
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The NHL standings are starting to iron out their creases, meaning a select few teams are distancing themselves from the pack and emerging as elite Stanley Cup contenders.
(Previous rankings in brackets)
1. (2) Philadelphia Flyers (33-12-5): Everything is clicking in Philly. Most notably, Claude Giroux is yet another former Flyers first-round pick emerging as a special offensive talent.
2. (1) Vancouver Canucks (30-10-9): We knew the stacked Canucks would be a powerhouse in the West this season. Now, it’s just a matter of waiting for the playoffs and seeing if Roberto Luongo answers the bell.
3. (7) Tampa Bay Lightning (31-15-5): Three shutouts in 10 games for Dwayne Roloson since he arrived via trade. Is he the catalyst for Tampa to lock up the Southeast title?
4. (3) Detroit Red Wings (29-13-6): Pavel Datsyuk’s recovery is ahead of schedule and Detroit may jump to activate him with Nashville nipping at its heels in the Central.
5. (4) Dallas Stars (29-15-5): The Stars were as hot as any team in the league before losing two straight games. Brad Richards can’t be left out of the Hart Trophy discussion just yet.
6. (9) Boston Bruins (27-15-7): Is Marc Savard’s latest concussion a blessing for the team? Forcing him into a No. 1 center job when he clearly wasn’t ready was…awkward.
7. (11) Nashville Predators (27-16-6): Shaping up to be buyers at the trade deadline and should be in the market for a sniper. How about swapping one of their many solid defenders for Alexander Semin?
8. (10) Anaheim Ducks (28-20-4): If they hang on to make the playoffs, Jonas Hiller is the kind of series-stealing goalie who can help the Ducks upset a high seed.
9. (6) Pittsburgh Penguins (31-15-4): Somehow hanging in despite injuries to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Sooner or later, the losses have to start piling up, don’t they?
10. (8) Washington Capitals (27-14-9): Alex Ovechkin’s hat trick last Saturday was a good omen – but where’s the consistency?
11. (15) Montreal Canadiens (27-18-5): Had won six of eight before a recent two-game skid. This time, P.K. Subban is the key, not Carey Price.
12. (19) San Jose Sharks (25-19-5): Four straight wins pull San Jose within one point of eighth place. Imagine them – not to mention the No. 13 and No. 14 teams in these rankings – as an eight seed in the playoffs. Scary.
13. (20) Los Angeles Kings (26-22-1): Finally won consecutive games this week. Given the talent on their roster, we actually can put stock into any sign of a turnaround. 
14. (14) Chicago Blackhawks (26-20-4): Six wins in 10 games and mostly excellent goaltending from young Corey Crawford. If Pat Kane can just get going…
15. (12) New York Rangers (29-20-3): Playing .500 hockey over their last 10. That’s no surprise given their truckload of injuries up front.
16. (25) Buffalo Sabres (23-21-5): They have a very sneaky seven wins over their last 10 games. If Drew Stafford stays hot and Ryan Miller gets hot, they could tiptoe into the big dance.
17. (18) Calgary Flames (23-21-6): Poor Flames fans. The brief hot streak will only prolong the Flames’ misery and keep the franchise in a state of denial. Goodbye Iggy trade, goodbye future planning.
18. (16) Minnesota Wild (25-19-5): Getting their typical good goaltending and have beaten some good teams, including the Canucks and Blackhawks, in the New Year.
19. (13) Carolina Hurricanes (24-19-6): Eric Staal has been all-world but it’s also fun to watch Jeff Skinner and Brandon Sutter emerge. Carolina just churns out one solid forward after another.
20. (5) Phoenix Coyotes (24-17-9): Went from hot to cold in a hurry. Suddenly, they’ve lost four of five. Given their dearth of real talent, they’re the anti-Kings. Every slump has to be taken seriously.
21. (17) Colorado Avalanche (25-18-6)
22. (21) Atlanta Thrashers (23-19-9)
23. (30) New Jersey Devils (16-29-3)
24. (23) Florida Panthers (22-21-5)
25. (26) Columbus Blue Jackets (23-21-5)
26. (29) Edmonton Oilers (15-25-8)
27. (24) St. Louis Blues (22-19-7)
28. (22) Toronto Maple Leafs (19-25-5)
29. (27) New York Islanders (15-26-7)
30. (28) Ottawa Senators (17-25-8)
