NHL Power Rankings: Week 7
Next week is the big 1st milestone of the year and we will have a nice discussion on some things, standing wise. Lots of work to do for some teams in the league.
#16 Seattle Kraken (9-9-1; 19 Points)
Previously Unranked
This team is very streaky in both ways this year. Multiple losses followed up by multiple consecutive wins. To say they are inconsistent is an understatement. But, nonetheless, they are working hard and giving themselves a chance to take a wildcard spot. Sure, the Avalanche are coming but they are competitive.
#15 Vancouver Canucks (9-5-3; 21 Points)
Unchanged
Petterson is looking better now, more production but most importantly more engagement. Demko coming back should really stabilize this team..
#14 Colorado Avalanche (9-9-0; 18 Points)
Previously #16
Still at .500 but they seem like they have settled down a little bit. Drouin, Wood, and Nichushkin are back and that should inject some life into this very shallow team.
#13 Tampa Bay Lightning (9-6-1; 19 Points)
Previously #12
Jake Guentzel has been fantastic to start on his new team. Easy mid week games to continue their game. They aren’t amazing but the Lightning are looking as solid as can be.
#12 Edmonton Oilers (9-9-1; 20 Points)
Previously #13
Learn to close out games…for the love of all things that are Holy.
#11 Los Angeles Kings (10-6-3; 23 Points)
Previously #9
Split week last week. The goaltending is far too much a problem for a team that seems to be playing pretty solid up front. Kevin Faila situation and his lack of producing should be worrying some.
#10 Toronto Maple Leafs (11-6-2; 24 Points)
Previously #11
Resilient effort against the Oilers and now have a 5-1-0 stretch without Matthews in the lineup. Ryan Reaves is out for 5 games…what a treat for the Leafs. The Leafs are looking good.
#9 Vegas Golden Knights (11-5-2; 24 Points)
Previously #10
Vegas has been really showing some consistency here. Tomas Hertl has been fantastic and the fact that the Knights figured out how to get him is still absurd. Management of the century right here guys. Jack Eichel is 2nd in assists in the league…
#8 Dallas Stars (11-5-0; 22 Points)
Unchanged
A great week for the Stars. Tyler Seguin looks like the Tyler Seguin of young and Jake Oettinger is cementing his backup status for Team USA (sorry Connor Hellebuyck still exists Otter). Robertson and Hintz slow starts is a concern as we have seen this team flounder when they aren’t producing.
#7 New York Rangers (11-4-1; 23 Points)
Previously #5
I didn’t realize just how easy the Rangers schedule has been so far. They haven’t beat a top 15 team since October 19th. They’ve beat up non-playoff teams, but you do have to win those so there’s that. The Rangers will be looked at going forward as they will face harder competition. A trip to Western Canada will be interesting as they face Vancouver and both Alberta teams.
#6 Minnesota Wild (11-3-3; 25 Points)
Previously #4
Brock Faber has been fantastic in his sophomore year, being asked to play 25 mins a night against the best of the best. You have Kiril the Thrill going for the Hart and Brock Faber doing his thing…a recipe for success. What a final regular season so far for Flower.
#5 Florida Panthers (12-5-1; 25 Points)
Previously #3
Little stumble this week, though that is to be expected after a crazy run they had going there. Both losses to the Devils could be ignored, they are mostly given the benefit of the doubt. They take a couple steps back due to those I suppose but remember, the top 6 are so tight and its hard to really rank them.
#4 Washington Capitals (12-4-1; 25 Points)
Previously #7
Points in every game this week and the Caps continue to skate downhill. The thing about this is they are exciting now, even though they are still a bit away from Ovechkin scoring his go-ahead NHL leading goal. They have depth scoring, goaltending, and grit…Penguins only wished…
#3 New Jersey Devils (12-7-2; 26 Points)
Previously #6
They wax the Panthers in both back to back games 10-3 combined. This team is finding the back of the net and looking much more like what we had expected of them last year. Tough loss to the Bolts but let’s see a bounce back.
#2 Winnipeg Jets (15-3-0; 30 Points)
Previously #1
Tough losses in the State of Florida. You have a chance at #1 spot if you answer the bell against the Panthers that just beat the snot out of you. Jets are amazing story so far, so don’t come at me for the little pull back in the rankings.
#1 Carolina Hurricanes (13-4-0; 26 Points)
Previously #2
11 of 13 over this last stretch. Convincing wins against Knights, Sens, and Blues. Martin Necas with 11-19-30 over their first 17 games, woof, double that of the next best Hurricane.
In-Season Cup
James holds the Cup and is 1 day away from tying for 3rd. His Caps play the Hockey Club today, big opportunity for both him and I.