NHL Power Rankings: Week 9
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We are officially in my favorite month of the year. This is where we begin to see the best teams start to get into mid-season form and separation will start to emerge in a big way.
#16 Vancouver Canucks (13-7-3; 29 Points)
Unchanged
Vancouver is looking a lot better as of late. Quinn Hughes is incredible man. 9 points in 4 games is wild stuff. They are hanging around but pressure is coming.
#15 New York Rangers (13-10-1; 27 Points)
Previously #12
Rangers are floundering and it’s a problem. The GM indicated that they are shopping Captain Trouba and Chris Kreider. This team has a problem on its hands and not winning is problem number 1.
#14 Boston Bruins (12-11-3; 27 Points)
Previously Unranked
Underlying numbers are improving and the team has won 4 of their last 6 since Monty was fired. They still can’t score. Just don’t know how much more time I have for this team.
#13 Tampa Bay Lightning (12-9-2; 26 Points)
Previously #14
Kucherov is out now and we will see how long. Victor Hedman passed Marty St. Louis for most assists in Lightning history, what an achievement.
#12 Colorado Avalanche (13-12-0; 26 Points)
Previously #11
Find a goaltender and quickly. That’s all I got.
#11 Edmonton Oilers (13-9-2; 28 Points)
Previously #13
That start against Utah on Black Friday was horrendous. I even said 97 should be cut, jokingly of course. Then there was a big blow up in the lockerroom and the team came out and found a way to win, off of their PP no less. Their PowerPlay won them a game for the first time since last years playoffs. Pumped the Avs on the ice the next night, and the Oilers are finding their groove.
#10 Vegas Golden Knights (15-7-3; 33 Points)
Previously #8
Pumped by Utah HC this week. That hurts. Knights are giving up chances more than normal. They will be fine but their underlying numbers don’t look good.
#9 Florida Panthers (15-9-1; 31 Points)
Unchanged
Florida now has a 3 game winning streak. They snapped a tough stretch that looked very ugly. Even the best teams have those. Just get them to the playoffs.
#8 Los Angeles Kings (14-8-3; 31 Points)
Previously #10
Wins in 4 of their last 5 games. I worry about their record against above .500 teams but for now they are finding ways to win and score goals. Kevin Fiala is starting to emerge again.
#7 Dallas Stars (16-8-0; 32 Points)
Previously #5
3 game winning streak probably warrants a better ranking. Maybe I am a little hater this week. The Stars big dogs are starting to come out and play and that could see the Stars jump back this week. Don’t be surprised.
#6 Toronto Maple Leafs (15-7-2; 32 Points)
Unchanged
Auston Matthews is back and lets see how things look after they more than held their own without him. If I am coach Berube, I am not putting Matthews with Marner. Let Marner cook himself.
#5 Winnipeg Jets (18-7-0; 36 Points)
Previously #2
The Jets have already given up first in the league after a bad run here. They have a nice easier run of opponents this week, let’s see if they can get back into the winning column. Their incredible start gives them plenty of room for some bad weeks.
#4 New Jersey Devils (17-9-2; 36 Points)
Previously #3
Devils have some work to do in their own end and Markstrom is not at a level he needs to be at right now. They are chasing every game it seems but finding ways to win more than they lose. They have some work but still looking great.
#3 Carolina Hurricanes (16-7-1; 33 Points)
Previously #1
Lost the last 2 games, which is fine considering the last 4 have been juggernauts in Dallas, New York, and Florida x2. The losses to Florida hurt. The goaltending seems to be taking a hit since Kotchetkov has gone down.
#2 Washington Capitals (17-6-1; 35 Points)
Previously #7
4 in a row and 7-2-1 in their last 10. Most of the time without Ovechkin as of late. Offense isn’t an issue, and defense seems to be more than holding its own. They are shooting at the highest shooting percentage by almost 2%. That won’t last but they are still looking good under the hood. When does James get his Ovechkin jersey?
#1 Minnesota Wild (16-4-4; 36 Points)
Previously #4
The Wild is the best team in the league right now. Goaltending is great and they are getting wins. They just acquired David Jiricek from the Blue Jackets who is going to work with Brock Faber and Jared Spurgeon. Woof. This team isn’t boring anymore boys and girls.
In-Season Cup
James is loving his Capitals right now. They have a chance to boost him into the lead this week.