Dave’s NHL Year End Power Rankings – April 30
It’s hard to believe that the season is over and that it started with such strife and low expectations. A shortened season certainly wasn’t short on intrigue, on surprises and on disappointments. Ya – I’m talking to you Philadelphia Flyers!
CLICK TO GRAB OUR BEST Expert NHL Picks for 2013 HOCKEY Betting!
The elite teams on the Rankings seemed to be there right from the beginning while the bottom dwellers were identified right from the outset of the abbreviated season…
So, without further adieu, here is Dave B’s Year End edition of the NHL Power Rankings.
1. Chicago Blackhawks (36-7-5) Two Weeks Ago: 1
Hard to argue with the Hawks finishing at the #1 team in the Rankings – just 7 regulation losses all season long and a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 games overall. Who is going to beat the President’s trophy winners this year?
2. Pittsburgh Penguins (36-12-0) Two Weeks Ago: 2
Went 8-2 down the stretch and 23-4 in their last 27 games overall without Sidney Crosby and he is rumored to be coming back for the start of the playoffs – scary! Jussi Jokinen, Jarome Iginla and Brenden Morrow have fit in very well. Without Crosby they are #2. With Sid they are they #1 team in the NHL.
3. Anaheim Ducks (30-12-6) Two Weeks Ago: 4
The Ducks went just 8-9-1 in their last 19 games and only sit top 3 because of their terrific regular season in which they finished with the third best overall record. The Ducks haven’t fared well in the playoffs as of late but they have a ton of talent and a great goaltending tandem.
4. Montreal Canadiens (29-14-5) Two Weeks Ago: 3
The Habs went 4-6 in their last 10 games but they won their last two games of the regular season. Carey Price is an enormous question mark heading into the playoffs but this young team has a lot to prove.
5. St. Louis Blues (29-17-2) Two Weeks Ago: 14
The Blues went 7-3 in their last 10 games and won their final 3 games of the regular season. Brian Elliot is heating up (1.28 GAA in April) and this team is playing arguably the best defensive hockey in the Western Conference. A 12-3 record down the stretch has the Blues top 5 in the year end rankings.
6. Washington Capitals (27-18-3) Two Weeks Ago: 10
The hottest team in the game right now – 8-1-1 in their final 10 games. Alex Ovechkin is absolutely sizzling, Mike Green has looked terrific and Braden Holtby looked very good down the stretch. The Caps are a frightening team – hard to believe this team is Top 6 after an awful first 2/3 of the season.
7. Boston Bruins (28-14-6) Two Weeks Ago: 5
The Bruins stumble into the playoffs on a 3-5-2 streak and lost twice to the lowly Devils in the last week of the season. The Bruins have lofty expectations but don’t look all that daunting at this point of the season.
8. Los Angeles Kings (27-16-5) Two Weeks Ago: 6
The Kings went 5-3-2 in their last 10 games and they look dangerous once again heading into the playoffs. Jonathan Quick looks mighty good and the team knows what it takes to win in the playoffs.
9. New York Rangers (26-18-4) Two Weeks Ago: 12
The Rangers are a team that nobody wants to play – they finally put it all together at the end of the season. New York went 7-3-0 in their last 10 games and has some guy named Henrik Lundqvist to rely on. They won five of their last six (although against sketchy competition) and won two straight to end the season.
10. Toronto Maple Leafs (26-17-5) Two Weeks Ago: 8
The Leafs are a tough team to figure out ahead of the playoffs. James Reimer looked terrific this season but was awful in the Leafs finale. The Leafs have some offensive talent and have finally given their uber-loyal fans something to cheer about. Congrats Leafs – you are finally in the playoffs and end this year in Dave B’s top 10.
11. Vancouver Canucks (26-15-7) Two Weeks Ago: 7
The Canucks lost their last two games of the regular season and were 5-4-1 in their last 10 and now have goaltending concerns heading into the playoffs. Cory Schneider missed the last two and Roberto Luongo didn’t look good AT ALL. The Canucks had just one regulation win in their last six games and this is the time of year that the Sedins typically crawl into a hole. Still, the talent is there – too bad they aren’t living up to it right now. [ad-4437448]
12. San Jose Sharks (25-16-7) Two Weeks Ago: 9
The Sharks went just 5-5-0 in their last 10 games and don’t look like that physically imposing team that we have become accustomed to. Still, with Antti Niemi between the pipes and the vulnerable Canucks on the schedule, the Sharks could surprise. Losses to Columbus, Phoenix and Dallas down the stretch has some concerned.
13. Ottawa Senators (25-17-6) Two Weeks Ago: 11
The Senators go Erik Karlsson back from injury – amazing and went 6-4 in their last 10 games. They beat the Bruins in the last game of the season to avoid the Penguins in the 1st round of the playoffs which significantly improves their stock. Goaltending could take this team further than most expect!
14. Detroit Red Wings (24-16-8) Two Weeks Ago: 16
The Wings made their fans sweat – that’s for sure but four straight wins to close out the season has them in the playoffs for the 22nd straight year. They outscored their opponents 15-3 in those four wins and are suddenly looking like a dangerous squad. They face Anaheim in the first round of the playoffs – an interesting series indeed.
15. New York Islanders (24-17-7) Two Weeks Ago: 17
The Islanders went 6-1-3 in their last 10 games to get into the playoffs and had just two regulation losses in their last 17 games – impressive! The real season starts now and they have the mighty Penguins in their way!
16. Minnesota Wild (26-19-3) Two Weeks Ago: 13
17. Winnipeg Jets (24-21-3) Two Weeks Ago: 22
18. Columbus Blue Jackets (24-17-7) Two Weeks Ago: 18
19. Philadelphia Flyers (23-22-3) Two Weeks Ago: 24
20. Dallas Stars (22-22-4) Two Weeks Ago: 15
21. Phoenix Coyotes (21-18-8) Two Weeks Ago: 19
22. Tampa Bay Lightning (26-26-4) Two Weeks Ago: 21
23. Edmonton Oilers (19-22-7) Two Weeks Ago: 20
24. Buffalo Sabres (21-21-6) Two Weeks Ago: 23
25. New Jersey Devils (19-19-10) Two Weeks Ago: 25
26. Carolina Hurricanes (19-25-4) Two Weeks Ago: 27
27. Colorado Avalanche (16-25-7) Two Weeks Ago: 28
28. Calgary Flames (19-25-4) Two Weeks Ago: 29
29. Nashville Predators (16-23-9) Two Weeks Ago: 26
30. Florida Panthers (15-27-6) Two Weeks Ago: 30
