NHL Power Rankings: Week 11
Another week has come and gone, and we are that much closer to the Winter Classic, the Four Nations Faceoff, the Trade Deadline, and ultimately the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Teams are really starting to find separation. If your team is well behind the playoff pace, it might just be too late. For those hanging on, I wish you the best.
#16 Ottawa Senators (15-13-2; 32 Points)
Previously Unranked
I tip my hat to the Senators who have started to find their groove right now. In a wildcard race that is all of sudden anyone’s to grab, why not the Senators? The goaltending has helped round this team out and the question remains if they can find a way to get over the hump.
#15 Utah Hockey Club (14-11-5; 33 Points)
Previously Unranked
Gonna give my flowers to the surging Utah HC. Their talent pool is showing up and they are fun again. Will it last? Probably not but I will give my flowers when they are playing like this. The bottom of the wildcard might be a tough fight and the more teams in that mix the better.
#14 Boston Bruins (16-13-3; 35 Points)
Previously #13
Bad games against the Jets and then the Kraken. Bad week and Jeremy Swayman has taken a step back again. I am just not sold right now.
#13 Colorado Avalanche (18-15-0; 36 Points)
Previously #14
The goaltending trade for Blackwood and the add of Wedgewood has proved to have stemmed the bleeding. They are a solid team with a sv% of .900 or better and if they can get that, they will be back.
#12 Dallas Stars (19-11-0; 38 Points)
Previously #9
I am punishing this team because their most important players in Roope Hintz and Wyatt Johnston are struggling to produce. They are winning on the backs of Matt Duchene and now, finally, Jason Robertson and that is just not sustainable against a hard division.
#11 Tampa Bay Lightning (16-10-2; 34 Points)
Previously #12
6-4 in last 10 and winners of 2 straight. They are finding their game in both ends of the ice and we may be seeing the return of the mighty Lightning. They look as good as ever right now and we could see them surge to the top 8 or so as early as next week!
#10 Carolina Hurricanes (19-10-1; 39 Points)
Previously #5
Carolina has been very uneven lately, sporting a meh .500 over their last 10 games. Their spark is not quite the same. The work under the hood suggests they are fine but they need to find ways to win consistently in a division and conference that is very tight.
#9 Florida Panthers (19-11-2; 40 Points)
Previously #7
The Cats have had a strong push here in December and it was really highlighted by a strong effort against the angry Edmonton Oilers. They played their opportunistic game for a nice win and they continue to roll, if they’ve seen a bit of uneven play at times.
#8 Edmonton Oilers (18-11-2; 38 Points)
Previously #11
What a week. In a 4 game stand where they faced Tampa Bay, Minnesota, Vegas, and then Florida, this fan was expecting to see the team grab 4-5 points out of 8. Instead they take 6 points solidly in their first games, pushing the play and tilting the ice at most times. The Game 7 rematch was something to behold but the Oilers mistakes were too much. Nothing to be ashamed of after a hugely encouraging week.
#7 Toronto Maple Leafs (19-10-2; 40 Points)
Previously #10
Toronto has been solid as ever. The top guys are contributing and its been all good, except that’s all who is buzzing. They need to find their depth scoring because its dried up as of late. We have seen teams that rely too much on their 1st line flounder against heavier teams. Figure it out quickly Leaf land.
#6 Winnipeg Jets (22-9-1; 45 Points)
Previously #8
The Jet have flown their way back to the top of the NHL standings. Big whopping of the Boston Bruins followed up with strong games against Vegas (they lost) and the Habs. Easier week this week as they head to California to take on San Jose and Anaheim.
#5 Los Angeles Kings (18-9-3; 39 Points)
Previously #3
Winners of 7 of their last 8 games and they are showing no signs of slowing down. They are playing great at this moment and all is good in La la Land.
#4 Vegas Golden Knights (20-8-3; 43 Points)
Previously #6
They had a very good week, aside from their game against the surging Oilers. They actually took Mark Stone off of IR in December…Hell has froze over. Vegas is settling in nicely and doing their thing. They are the class of the Pacific and likely the class of the West alongside Edmonton at this very moment.
#3 Minnesota Wild (20-7-4; 44 Points)
Previously #2
.500 week that saw them give up 7 to the Oilers, and barely managing to beat Utah in shootout. This is not a massive set back by any means but they are hitting a smallish speed bump compared to what they’ve established so far. They will be fine.
#2 New Jersey Devils (20-10-3; 43 Points)
Previously #4
The Devils are so back. They look a lot better this year simply due to goaltending. They have some of the better defensive units and such a strong talent pool up front. They are getting the saves from Markstrom, sporting a .934 SV% over his last 5 starts. He’s been great and just what the doctor ordered.
#1 Washington Capitals (21-7-2; 44 Points)
Unchanged
8 of their last 9 games have been wins and the Caps just continue to roll. Alex Ovechkin has been skating with the club and if he can bring what he was doing prior to the injury, this team will continue to be a complete buzzsaw.
In-Season Cup
The Oilers have brought me into the mix here. Panthers took the Oilers down yet again and James is smiling.