Dave B’s NHL Power Rankings – March 29, 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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Well, folks, we are almost there! The regular season has about two weeks left and with the playoffs about to begin, a number of teams have placed themselves well with the impending playoffs while others have done nothing to help themselves down the stretch. Dave B’s bi-weekly Power Rankings examines all and gives you a glimpse into those teams who are playing well and those who are struggling at precisely the wrong time.
Enjoy this week’s Dave B’s NHL Power Rankings – March 27, 2012– the number in brackets are where the team ranked two weeks earlier.
1. Penguins 47-22-6 (2) – There is no hotter team in the NHL – the Pens have gone 26-5-2 in their last 33 games. Crosby is magic and Malkin is sensational. A healthy Penguins squad is an awfully scary one indeed!
2. Blues 47-20-9(1) – The Blues keep getting it done going 6-2-2 in their last 10 games and have allowed four goals in the last five including two straight shutouts. Alex Steen is back in the lineup to give a lit to the offense. This team doesn’t need offense when you have Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliot in goal however.
3. Predators 44-24-8 (5) – Have gone 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and sit tied for fifth overall in the NHL. The addition of Alex Radulov has been huge – three points in three games.
4. Rangers 47-21-7 (3) – The Rangers are stumbling and in danger of losing their comfy Eastern Conference lead. 5-5-0 in their last 10 games has them out of the Top 3.
5. Flyers 44-24-8 (12) – Look out the Flyers are coming. They are 9-2-1 in March. Ilya Bryzgalov is really heating up too – the Flyers could be an interesting team come playoff time.
6. Canucks 46-21-9 (4) – The Canucks are bumbling their way through games but they do have a three game win streak, albeit a somewhat unimpressive one. Roberto Luongo has looked great, now if they could get Daniel Sedin back in the lineup!
7. Blackhawks 42-26-8 (12) – this ranking may be a bit high as the Hawks are going to be without Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith this week.
8. Bruins 44-28-3 (7) – Boston have quietly won two games in a row and are now 5-5-0 in their last 10 games. Brian Rolston, Benoit Pouliot, Rich Perverly and gang are doing their jobs – it’s time for some help from Tim Thomas.
9. Red Wings 46-25-5 (6) – The Wings are getting healthy with Pavel Datsuyk and Nik Lidstrom back in the lineup. They are an ugly 3-5-2 in their last 10 but have faith – the Wings are still an elite team.
10. Stars 41-30-5 (10) – Dallas keeps hanging around with a 7-3-0 record in their last 10 games. They are getting some unlikely production from Mike Ribeiro this season – 33 goals. Hard to believe!
11. Devils 42-28-6 (8) – are only 5-4-1 in their last 10 games but the return of Travis Zajac to the lineup should help a power play that has gone 1 for 20 lately.
12. Kings 37-27-12 (18) – The Kings played OK in Vancouver and are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games. But they are currently outside the playoff picture and in danger of falling all the way out.
13. Senators 39-28-10 (9) – The Sens have won two straight games and seem to have snapped out of their funk. One of those wins came against Pittsburgh – very impressive!
14. Sharks 39-27-10 (14) – There is some life in the Sharks – 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and are now atop the Pacific Division. The Sharks are much better than they have been playing – now is time to prove it.
15. Coyotes 37-27-13 (13) – have officially fallen out of the playoff picture with San Jose’s win last night. They are 4-2-4 in their last 10 games with an uber-important game against San Jose coming on Thursday. [ad-4437448]
16. Panthers 36-24-15 (15) – The Panthers have lost two in a row in overtime but still sit first in the Southeast Division. They have a pretty cushy upcoming schedule which helps their power ranking.
17. Sabres 37-29-10 (19) – is 7-1-2 in their last 10 games and they have a playoff position within their sights. They are hot and could be a sneaky playoff team!
18. Avalanche 40-32-6 (17) – Colorado is also hanging barely but with only four games left their chances of a playoff spot are slim to say the very least. Still Jamie McGinn and Steve Downie have made the Avs a much, much better team.
19. Capitals 38-30-8 (20) – Ovi has finally woken up – nine goals in seven games! Too bad it may be a little late. They are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games and barely hold on to the Top 20.
20. Jets 35-33-8 (21) – only 4-6-0 in their last 10 games but still holding hope for the playoffs. The Jets move into the Top 20 mostly because the others around them have been unflattering at best.
21. Ducks 32-33-11 (22)
22. Hurricanes 30-31-15 (25)
23. Flames 35-27-15 (16)
24. Islanders 31-33-11 (26)
25. Lightning 35-33-7 (23)
26. Maple Leafs 33-34-9 (27)
27. Canadiens 29-34-13 (24)
28. Oilers 31-36-9(28)
29. Wild 31-34-10 (29)
30. Blue Jackets 24-45-7 (30)
