NHL Power Rankings: Week 24
“NHL is fun to watch. I like when they hit each other. Especially when the Ducks win” – Luli. Great words to start this weeks NHL Power Rankings. We are a month away from the NHL playoffs, and the heat is wayyy up, especially in the East. On the Pod we talked about the East and we think the Caps and Isles have a legit shot at making this postseason, which is insane to even think about. The West could become interesting after this week but we can only dream. So many teams are playing meaningful games here in mid-March and we are all better off for it.
#16 Philadelphia Flyers (34-26-8; 76 Pts)
Unchanged
Philly needs to settle down. Torts scratched his captain, trying to send a message, though it seems to have pissed him off. Granted he hasn’t been good lately so does it really matter. This team is on the brink of finally getting pushed out but the teams behind them also don’t seem to want to make the playoffs themselves. Let’s see if they are here next week.
#15 Washington Capitals (33-25-9; 75 Pts)
Previously Unranked
The Washington Capital are in a playoff spot. They have bumped out the free falling Detroit Red Wings, who probably weren’t real to begin with, and sit in a spot to the dance. This team has no business being here but they are. They may actually make it which is just nuts.
#14 Tampa Bay Lightning (36-25-6; 78 Pts)
Previously #15
3 in a row for the Bolts and they may have just solidified their spot in the playoffs. And they are looking much better, as if they flipped the switch at the right time. I feel bad for one of the top teams in the East because they will draw this veteran team that knows how to win. Yikes.
#13 Vegas Golden Knights (36-24-7; 79 Pts)
Unchanged
Vegas sits just 4 points ahead of the Blues, though have a game at hand. They are losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning and just cannot afford to lose hockey games right now. With everything they did at the deadline, pissing off the entire league, they are not a lock to make the playoffs.
#12 Los Angeles Kings (34-22-11; 79 Pts)
Previously #11
Very mid right now. The LA Kings are going to need to find their goaltending and grit if they wish to get out of the first round. They will mostly likely play the team that has sent them to the golf course two years in a row, and they will need to dig even deeper to find a way to slay the dragon.
#11 Nashville Predators (39-25-4; 82 Pts)
Unchanged
Hottest team in the league loses a game and gets right back to their winning ways. This is a scary team to play right now and it might be in the West’s best interest to make sure they don’t play the Predators at this moment. They are a hot hot hot team. 14 game point streak to get them comfortably in a spot.
#10 Toronto Maple Leafs (38-19-9; 85 Pts)
Unchanged
Its been quiet in Leaf Land. They are just waiting to make it to the playoffs. They shouldn’t fall out of the divisional position but they will play either the Panthers or the Bs. For our sake, lets hope it’s the Bruins because it’s always fun to see Toronto and Boston go at it.
#9 Dallas Stars (40-17-9; 89 Pts)
Previously #4
I have been too negligent regarding this team. They are great, don’t get me wrong and they will be good for a long time. But they will only go as far as Oettinger will take them and I took a look at his stats, yikes. The Dallas Stars need him to be the Oettinger we know. I think they are deep and a big threat but right now, I have finally listened to the concerns by analysts around the league, their goaltender needs to improve.
#8 Edmonton Oilers (40-21-4; 84 Pts)
Previously #9
The Oilers played a fantastic game with the Avs, and if it wasn’t for the lazy plays by both Draisaitl and Bouchard, they potentially win that game in a shootout. But the game, 5 on 5, was a tight, fast, and electric game and the Oilers can compete with them. They won’t be blanked this time if they play their game like they have since the end of November.
#7 Vancouver Canucks (42-18-8; 92 Pts)
Previously #2
The luck might be running out. The PDO rebalance might be starting to rear its ugly head. Fans are getting a little upset with Petterson, who has too many lapses when games matter the most. Elias Lindholm hasn’t been good with this team since the add after 11 games. The Nucks gave up a lot for him to be as ineffective as he’s been.
#6 Winnipeg Jets (43-19-5; 91 Pts)
Previously #5
Winnipeg will be fighting tooth and nail to keep their spot in the divisional race. I’ve talked about this for too long, they need that top spot. I do think they have the best goalie in the division and that might be enough to push them over the top. Tyler Toffoli has been a great fit for this team, 5 goals and 5 points through 4 games. Woof! For what they paid for Toffoli, I am little pissed the Oilers didn’t bring him in.
#5 Boston Bruins (40-14-15; 95 Pts)
Previously #6
Wins in 4 of their last 5 games but they don’t seem to be surging like we’d like. I think they are a team that can make it past the first round because lots of pressure is taken off of this team and they can just play the game. They sit first in the division for now, its going to be a dog fight with Florida the rest of the way.
#4 Colorado Avalanche (43-20-5; 91 Pts)
Previously #8
Wow Colorado looked good. That game Saturday against the Oilers was just a spectacle and the Avs showed their speed, skill, and just aggressive play throughout the entire game. I love the adds that Colorado did at the deadline and now I think I am on board with Conference Favorites for the Avs here. Please give us Oilers vs Avalanche this postseason, please please please.
#3 New York Rangers (45-19-4; 94 Pts)
Unchanged
I wonder if the TLDR think differently about their rankings now post deadline. I do think the Rangers would be at or near the tops of the rankings. They seem to be rounding out very nicely, but I think it will mean a lot to win the Conference. One of either the top Metro or Atlantic will get the “luxury” of playing the surging Tampa Bay Lightning. The other gets the 2nd wildcard team who we all think will be a pushover. Lafrenier will reach 50 points for the first time in his career.
#2 Carolina Hurricanes (42-20-6; 90 Pts)
Previously #7
My prediction will come true. The Carolina Hurricanes might be the class of the Metro and will continue to be my pick for the Stanley Cup Finals from the East. I have been talking about this team all season. They had a tough start. But they brought in two impactful players at the deadline and their goalie is back from LTI. Add that to the fact they have Rod Brind’amor…woof.
#1 Florida Panthers (45-19-4; 94 Pts)
Unchanged
2 losses in a row should make me worried, but it doesn’t. The Panthers were beat by their bitter state rival despite outshooting them 38 to 5 in the last 2 periods. Reinhart will hit 50 goals and Goalie Bob has been so strong. The Panthers are going to be a problem.
In-Season Cup
The Colorado Avalanche take the cup for me…too little too late. I guess I will play a little of spoiler right now.