– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 4:51 pm
NHL Power Rankings December 19th
Looking for our updated NHL Power Rankings? Two weeks have passed since my last edition of the Power Rankings – those weeks seem like an eternity with what we have seen take place. A few teams have already seen a mid-season lull and slip down the Ranking while teams like Philadelphia and Minnesota have surged as Christmas has gotten closer.
Version 6.0 – 2016 NHL Power Rankings
- NHL Betting Trends
- NHL News
- 2016 NHL Standings
- Live NHL Odds
- Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
Will the Blue Jackets ever go away? It has been a crazy couple of weeks for sure – the top two teams are awfully familiar to the top of the Rankings while #3 – I just can’t figure it out!
So where does your favorite team sit as we roll into the dog days of NHL Regular Season? Let’s take a look in Dave B’s bi-weekly NHL Power Rankings.
1. Chicago Blackhawks (22-8-4)
– Two Weeks Ago: 6
The Hawks have been scorching – five straight wins heading into this week. They are starting to get healthier by the day – Jonathan Toews is back and a number of other superstars should be back soon. The make-up of this team is obviously something special – good enough to make them my #1 team this week.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins (20-7-5)
– Two Weeks Ago: 2
The Penguins are who we thought they were! Despite losing in OT to the Leafs this team is still absolutely elite. They enter the week on a rare two game losing streak – something that will definitely change this week with a softer schedule.
[dfads params=’groups=226&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
With Sid playing arguably his best hockey it is hard to knock the Pens out of #2 this week.
3. Columbus Blue Jackets (20-5-4)
– Two Weeks Ago: 4
The Blue Jackets have been the hottest team in the NHL the last couple of weeks by far – they have won nine straight games heading into this week including a tough West Coast road trip – they have allowed a league-low 61 goals against so far. They have five games in hand on the rest of the contenders – so why not higher in the Rankings? It’s because they are Columbus folks and things have to ease off sooner than later – I think!
4. New York Rangers (23-10-1)
– Two Weeks Ago: 1
The Rangers sit in second place in the Overall Standings and enter this week on a three game winning streak. They are the top scoring team in the NHL (113 goals for) and they have allowed just 75 goals in their 34 games – good enough for a +38 goal differential. Henrik Lundqvist is back to form – he and Antti Raanta have given the Blue Shirts perhaps the best goaltending tandem in the league – a good sign when you have an offense like they do!
5. Montreal Canadiens (20-7-4)
– Two Weeks Ago: 3
The Habs have been struggling just a tad lately – they have gone 5-3-2 in their last 10 games. Alex Galchenyuk and David Desharnais are still on the shelf with injuries but Max Pacioretty has caught fire and Carey Price has been… Carey Price – 17-4-2 this year with a .936 save percentage. Montreal may have slipped but not enough to knock them out of the top 5!
6. Philadelphia Flyers (19-11-3)
– Two Weeks Ago: 13
How about them Flyers? Their nine game win streak finally came to an end Saturday with a 3-1 loss at Dallas. This team has scored 106 goals on the season – third best in the NHL which is important because they have given up 100. For now the Flyers are impressing with their play all over the rink – just don’t know how long it lasts.
7. Minnesota Wild (18-8-4)
– Two Weeks Ago: 17
The Wild have been scorching as well! They enter the week on a seven game win streak – mostly thanks to an incredibly low 60 goals against in their 30 games so far. Devan Dubnyk has been remarkable – a league-best .947 save percentage so far has the Wild looking like a true contender.
8. San Jose Sharks (19-12-1)
– Two Weeks Ago: 8
The Sharks had their four game win streak come to an end Sunday but are still 7-3-0 in their last 10 games overall. Of concern is their lack of goal-scoring – they have just 80 goals for in 32 games this year. Hopes are that some of the veteran including Joe Thornton will get their acts together – this team is better than they have been playing offensively at least.
9. Washington Capitals (19-8-3)
– Two Weeks Ago: 11
The Capitals have been a bit better the last two weeks – 6-3-1 in their last 10 games overall. The team has remained solid in the defensive zone – just 66 goals allowed this year but the offense is still a bit behind where they want to be.
[dfads params=’groups=234&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
That said Washington is trending in the right direction and should be heard from throughout this year.
10. St. Louis Blues (17-11-4)
– Two Weeks Ago: 5
The Blues have been a bit of a disappointment this year – they have actually surrendered more goals (93) than they have scored (91). They have gone 5-4-1 in their last 10 games overall and hang onto a top 10 spot because of the talent on the roster. St. Louis is a good team – they just haven’t been able to show it just yet.
11. Ottawa Senators (18-11-3)
– Two Weeks Ago: 7
Ottawa has struggled a bit the last couple of weeks – just 4-4-2 in their last 10 games overall. They do however enter the week on a two game win streak and with Mike Condon playing pretty well for them between the pipes. He is 6-3-2 with a .922 save percentage but could benefit from some more offense – Ottawa has tallied just 82 goals this year.
12. Anaheim Ducks (16-11-5)
– Two Weeks Ago: 14
The Ducks have gone 6-3-1 in their last 10 games overall and sit in 12th in the Overall Standings. Defense has been a bit of an issue so far this year – the team has surrendered 90 goals on the year – something that is going to have to change in order for this team to seriously contend.
13. Edmonton (16-12-5) – Two Weeks Ago: 10
14. Boston (17-13-3) – Two Weeks Ago: 9
15. Los Angeles (16-13-2) – Two Weeks Ago: 15
16. Tampa Bay (15-14-3) – Two Weeks Ago: 12
17. Calgary (16-15-2) – Two Weeks Ago: 20
18. Carolina (13-11-7) – Two Weeks Ago: 28
19. Florida (14-13-5) – Two Weeks Ago: 19
20. Toronto (12-11-7) – Two Weeks Ago: 25
21. Winnipeg (15-16-3) – Two Weeks Ago: 21
22. Buffalo (12-11-7) – Two Weeks Ago: 27
23. Detroit (14-14-4) – Two Weeks Ago: 22
24. Dallas (13-14-6) – Two Weeks Ago: 23
25. Nashville (13-12-5) – Two Weeks Ago: 18
26. Vancouver (13-16-3) – Two Weeks Ago: 24
27. New York Islanders (11-14-6) – Two Weeks Ago: 26
28. New Jersey (12-12-7) – Two Weeks Ago: 16
29. Arizona (11-15-5) – Two Weeks Ago: 29
30. Colorado (11-18-1) – Two Weeks Ago: 30
What do you think about our NHL power rankings this week? Here are the NHL power rankings from two weeks ago if you want to compare. Leave us a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.
We’ll be providing 4* free NHL predictions on the blog all season long, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NHL Hockey picks!
CappersPicks.com has Stanley Cup odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NHL lines up for early games as well.