Where Do Teams Stand in the NHL?
Looking for our updated NHL Power Rankings? Four weeks remain in the NHL’s Regular Season – not much has changed the last couple of months in the Power Rankings. To many people’s surprise, the Caps have remained at or near the top throughout the season while the Blackhawks have overcome a slowish start to become the team to beat in the West.
So with five months down and one month to go where does your favorite team stand? Let’s take a look in this edition of Dave B’s NHL Power Rankings.
1. Washington
(49-14-5) – The Caps have opened up an impressive 12 point lead atop the Overall standings. Although they are just 5-4-1 in their last 10 games they are still tops in the NHL offensively, and are among the best defensively as well. Let’s hope that Braden Holtby can snap an unflattering stretch – he had been remarkable before his .901 save percentage over his last 20 starts.
2. St. Louis
(41-20-9) – Beat the Stars on Saturday to move into a tie with that team for second in the Overall standings. They have won six straight games ahead of this week including wins over the Hawks, the Ducks and the aforementioned Stars. The Blues are a solid Regular Season team as per usual – their success however will be measured in the playoffs.
3. Chicago
(41-22-6) – The Hawks are just 5-4-1 in their last 10 games overall and have fallen to third place in the Central – shocking as it may seem. But there is no doubt about the talent on this team top to bottom – the return of Marian Hossa from IR also helps this team stay top 3 in the Power Rankings.
4. Los Angeles
(40-22-5) – The Kings are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and are barely holding off the Ducks and the Sharks. The Kings are still the best team in the league in terms of goals against and are a scary team to play down the stretch.
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5. Anaheim
(37-21-9) – The Ducks enter the week on a three game losing streak. They had to cool off some time. Still this team looks like the threat that most projected and an easy top 10 team in the Rankings.
6. Boston
(39-23-8) – The Bruins are unbeaten in their last seven games – 5-0-2 over that span and are 7-1-2 in their last 10 – the hottest team in the league over the past two weeks. Their depth has been surprisingly strong and Tuukka Rask has been typically solid.
7. Dallas
(41-20-9) – beat the Hawks Friday to maintain their lead in the Central but they do have some teams nipping at their heels. The Stars continue to be the best offensive team in the game – some nice secondary scoring by Jason Spezza who has 10 goals in his last 10 games leads the charge.
8. Tampa Bay
(40-24-5) – The Lightning scuffled a bit last week but despite it are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games overall. We know about the offense but it has been Ben Bishop that has led the charge lately – he is 5-1-1 in his last 10 games with a .945 save percentage over that span.
9. Florida
(38-21-9) – The Panthers are in a dogfight with Boston and Tampa Bay in the Atlantic but hasn’t shown many signs of cracks – they are 5-3-2 in their last 10 and enter the week on a two game win streak. How about Jaromir Jagr?
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10. New York Rangers
(39-23-7) – The Rangers are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games and enter this week looking to snap a two game losing streak. Henrik Lundqvist has picked up his game as we head down the stretch and the team is getting healthier as well.
11. New York Islanders
(37-21-8) – The Isles have also lost two straight games but are 11-3-2 in their last 16 overall. Of concern is the fact that Jaroslav Halak will be out of action for six weeks due to injury.
12. Nashville
(34-22-13) – The Predators are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games but have gone 9-1-5 in their last 15. They return home after an extended road trip where they should be able to continue their upward trend.
More NHL Power Rankings
13. San Jose (38-24-6)
14. Pittsburgh (36-24-8)
15. Detroit (34-24-11)
16. Philadelphia (32-23-12)
17. Minnesota (32-27-10)
18. Colorado (35-31-4)
19. New Jersey (33-29-7)
20. Carolina (31-26-12)
21. Ottawa (32-30-8)
22. Arizona (30-32-7)
23. Vancouver (27-28-12)
24. Montreal (32-31-6)
25. Winnipeg (28-35-5)
26. Buffalo (28-33-9)
27. Columbus (28-33-8)
28. Calgary (28-35-5)
29. Edmonton (27-37-7)
30. Toronto (23-34-11)
What do you think about our NHL power rankings this week? Leave us a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.
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