NHL Power Rankings: Week 16
Happy Championship Week! (in the NFL). The NHL season is just a week and a half away from All-Star Weekend. The Islanders made the biggest news signing Patrick Roy to a contract as the team’s new bench boss. This is his second chance at a coaching gig, and I love when people get second chances. Corey Perry is getting his own second chance, signing a contract with the Edmonton Oilers to finish the season. Let’s see how this goes from here. Good luck to Roy in his second foray.
#16 Nashville Predators (25-21-1; 51 Pts)
Unchanged
Predators are skating on thin ice now. They sit just 2 points up of the Yotes and 4 points up of the Flames, with those teams owning games at hand. The Predators are going to be pressured to find ways to win games, though I think they will just continue doing their thing. They aren’t trying to be a contender and will probably be sellers again at the deadline. They just find ways to win games and I commend that!
#15 Tampa Bay Lightning (24-18-5; 53 Pts)
Previously Unranked
7-3-0 in their last 10 and all of sudden the Lightning have found their way back into the playoff mix. I mean we cannot be surprised. This is a team that I wouldn’t be shocked if they missed the playoffs. But if you told me they’d win the Stanley Cup this year, I’d say, “yeah, that makes sense”. That’s this team. I don’t know what to make of them, other than I would be scared as crap to play this team night in night out.
#14 Detroit Red Wings (24-17-5; 53 Pts)
Previously Unranked
The Detroit Red Wings have really settled down as of late and find themselves in a playoff spot. 7-2-1 in their last 10 and they had a huge win over the Bolts this past weekend. The Atlantic is a crazy division and they will need to keep this up if they want to keep their spot. Alex Lyon has been amazing and keeping this young Wings team in games. I think the Red Wings will manage to keep their playoff spot this time around.
#13 Philadelphia Flyers (25-16-6; 56 Pts)
Unchanged
Philly is starting to find inconsistency. They are now streaky and that could be a problem within this conference and division. Luckily for them, the Metro is probably the weakest, or at least has the most parity among everyone. The deadline is approaching, and we should really watch what this team does. In my opinion, they either stand pat or still be sellers at the deadline because this team is not ready to compete in playoffs. But the NHL is a win now league so maybe they make a push.
#12 Los Angeles Kings (22-13-9; 53 Pts)
Previously #11
2 wins in the month of January. That is just awful. They have not tumbled down the division and sit 4th in the Division, with Calgary and Seattle just 5 points behind them. Back in November if I told you this would happen, you’d say I should lay off the drugs. Pierre-Luc Dubois was lucky this team was winning early because he wasn’t getting talked about in terms of how lousy he was. Now the spotlight is on him because the winning cure isn’t there right now. That’s an expensive 3rd line Center who’s on pace for 36 points. Gabe Vilardi, on the other hand, has been incredible for the Jets. Yikes.
#11 Toronto Maple Leafs (23-14-8; 54 Pts)
Previously #12
The Toronto Maple Leafs are more volatile than cryptocurrency ETFs. They are as up and down as a friken rollercoaster, and the fans are right there with them. Smiles when going up but frightened little babies when things go down. The only shining start is Auston Matthews at this point who very well could score 70 goals…in a season where playoffs are not a given. They sit 3rd in the Atlantic with games at hand on the Wings and Bolts, but both teams are 1 point behind. If the Islanders are going to have a huge coaching bump and those other teams really start to catch fire, I’d be crapping my pants as a Leafs fan.
#10 Vegas Golden Knights (27-14-6; 60 Pts)
Unchanged
The Knights have started to turn around with a great week. They were perfect last week and lost to the Devils in OT. They complete their East Coast trip against the Isles and Rangers this week, in an effort to right this ship and ensure they don’t have to play the likes of the 1st Central or 1st Pacific Division team. They still have work to do, but I’m starting to feel more comfortable with them, or not as a fan of a rival of theirs.
#9 Dallas Stars (27-13-6; 60 Pts)
Unchanged
One tough loss to the Flyers this week but turned it right around and potted a touchdown against the Devils, at least one team in Dallas can score touchdowns, Ba Dum Tss. They did lose to Patrick Roy’s Islanders which again, isn’t ideal but remember there’s almost always a new coach bump for teams and the Stars did take this team to OT. +29 is a fine differential and I think they are going to be fine. They round out the murder’s row there in the Central.
#8 Carolina Hurricanes (25-15-5; 55 Pts)
Previously #7
Carolina only gets bumped because of the incredible run by a team in the west, who I’m hoping this Canes team will face in the Cup Final. 7-2-1 in their last 10 and the Hurricanes are really starting to feel more comfortable. I am starting to believe they are back. Yes, they lost to the Kings which isn’t ideal right now, but they aren’t stringing losses together. I would like to see a strong week against the Bruins, Devils, and Yotes this week.
#7 New York Rangers (29-15-2; 60 Pts)
Previously #6
Tough stretch for the Rags here. They are the one of the only team to allow the slumping Kings to win a game in their last 10. Shesterkin hasn’t been quite as sharp as of late. They are beating teams they should and have a nice easy schedule this week. Although, the Sharks are a perfect team with Couture back in the lineup (yes, its been 2 games). Rangers could be due for a big positive stretch after the All-Star Weekend.
#6 Edmonton Oilers (26-15-1; 53 Pts)
Previously #8
13 straight wins…Coach Kris Knoblauch has a 23-6-0 record as a first time NHL bench boss. On November 11, the Edmonton Oilers were 31st in the league with a dismal 3-9-1 start to the season. They had allowed the 3rd most goals per game at the time. The goaltending was literally last in the league. Playoffs was a wish upon a star, compared to the expectation to win the division just 1 month prior. Since that day, Stu Skinner has improved to sport a .906 SV% after sitting very much below .900. The Oilers have not allowed 3 goals against in a game since before Christmas. They have not needed McDavid to score multiple points in games, as he’s only netted a single point over the last 6 games. The Edmonton Oilers have been down in multiple back-to-back games. Instead of panicking, they stick to their game, and lock things down after they grind their way back. The Edmonton Oiler are not winning games the way they have been for the longest time. They are winning 3-2 games…defensive battles, and without the help of their PP, which has been awful as of late. This Edmonton Oilers team is different…
#5 Florida Panthers (28-14-4; 60 Pts)
Previously #3
Little bit of a slower week for the Cats but I still think this team might be the best team in the East through and through. I won’t knock them for the rough patch here because they have the capability to go on a run and back to the top 3 within a week. They already took care of business in Nashville last night and look to do so against the Yotes and Pens this week. Sasha Barkov will earn his Selke.
#4 Colorado Avalanche (30-14-3; 63 Pts)
Previously #5
7-3-0 in their last 10 and the Avs are just as solid as you’d expect. Nate Dawg should get his Hart Trophy this year, as he has been playing the most minutes of any forward and he’s been such a huge part of their success. The depth scoring is not there so Nate Dawg has stepped up beyond his normal production to will this team into the greatness category.
#3 Winnipeg Jets (30-11-4; 64 Pts)
Previously #1
It’s amazing how close the tops of the standings is right? For two weeks I had the Jets up there, now they get bumped 2 spots, and because of what? They lost two games in 10. This movement is no disrespect to the Jets, who’ve been a wagon all season. They look very very good and now that Central Division is murder’s row. That battle for first in the Central I think will be pivotal.
#2 Vancouver Canucks (31-11-4; 66 Pts)
Unchanged
Vancouver is just a wagon man. I just can’t understand that they are still riding this strong PDO. It’s insane they haven’t been this good in the past though, if you look at this damn roster. Quinn Hughes continues to make his case for the Norris. A whopping +57 goal differential. Just an unreal performance this season. 94% SV% 5on5 is just massive and such a huge part of all of this.
#1 Boston Bruins (29-8-9; 67 Pts)
Previously #4
Perfect week for the B’s and they are back atop the Atlantic, the East, and the League. Winners of 5 straight now and like their Celtics brothers, are nasty at the Garden. +41 goal differential. Bruins don’t have the greatest 5on5 numbers but their goaltending has been stellar, unlike much of the league and that alone puts this team at the top. They are nasty and hard to pay against.
In-Season Cup
James finds his way to 2nd place and with last nights win against the Jets, James will sit take the Cup through at least Wednesday night. James has had a great January, with 15 of his 27 (should be 28) points from this month alone.