NHL Power Rankings: Week 15
What a week we had in the NHL. Its been busy for many teams. The top of my rankings aren’t changing much over the last few because these great teams are able to find their groove even after a loss. Safe to say the rough patch by the Sabres are making me look foolish but I still pull for them. That town is one of the best hockey towns in America. Them seeing the Bills go on a run and then their hockey team make a push for the playoffs for the first time in 12 years.
#16 Edmonton Oilers (24-18-3, 51 Points)
Previously Unranked
The awful performance against the Kings early in the week may have been the peepee whack that this team needed. After that, the Oilers have scored 17 goals and allowed just 6. And had a playoff-esque win against the Knights on the weekend. The Oilers have a big test to see if this is sustainable for even a little bit with the Kraken and Lightning. The schedule gets a little softer after that so points are available. But they need to show their fans what they’re made of at home because their home presence has been awful.
#15 Calgary Flames (21-15-9, 51 Points)
Unchanged
The Flames are playing more consistent hockey as of late. They could easily have been a spot back or a spot ahead. They are in a solid jumping off point that could see them in a better position to find the post-season. We have to remember that the Colorado Avalanche are on the outside looking for a spot. Not a good spot for the Alberta teams.
#14 Pittsburgh Penguins (20-13-6, 46 Points)
Previously #13
3-6-1 in their last 10, flat to negative from last week. That’s not helpful when you have a much tighter race for a playoff spot this year vs. last year. Pittsburgh seems to be quite streaky. They get hot, they get cold and then thaw out again. But that’s not always a good thing if you plan to contend for a Stanley Cup. They are below real .500 on the road. They need to find a way to travel well. Home and home series against the Sens this week. Lets see how they do.
#13 Los Angeles Kings (23-14-6, 52 Points)
Previously #14
Absolute domination of the Oilers, on special teams. For a game that saw over a third of the game on some kind of man advantage, the Kings went to work and were unstoppable. One goal game against the Sharks before falling to the New Jersey Devils on the weekend. The Kings are a good team that are getting saved by unlikely savior Pheonix Copley. What a story that has been.
#12 Washington Capitals (24-16-6, 54 Points)
Previously #10
This team is doing this for Ovi. They have been formidable and have the goaltending to boot. +19 goal differential is a big deal for me. I point that out a lot and anytime I see a team staying at or above average in this department I find comfort in that team sustaining and reaching the playoffs.
#11 Minnesota Wild (24-14-4, 52 Points)
Previously #9
The Central is a bit weaker than we have seen in the past, but the Wild have been one of the better teams in the league all season long. It started rough but goaltending has improved immensely. My question for this team is, will Marc-Andre Fleury get dealt at the deadline if the Wild are looking for more depth up front. Filip Gustavsson has been stellar. My guess is no given the fact that Gus is young and will need that help down the stretch, but we have seen crazier moves, even by Bill Guerin himself!
#10 New York Rangers (25-13-7, 57 Points)
Previously #11
The Rangers have been playing well. I question their toughness once again but they are finding the back of the net and Shesterkin is seemingly finding his game. Three PPG players on the roster so far this year, including D Adam Fox who has 45 in 45. He’s dishing it like a star, but that’s not surprising right?
#9 Vegas Golden Knights (28-15-2, 58 Points)
Previously #6
Vegas isn’t quite as hot as we saw earlier this season. They are a couple games away from falling into the 2nd Pacific Spot. They were beaten by Oilers in a very very exciting game and dropped a tough game against Dallas. They have a chance to get back on track against Detroit and the Caps this week. Their home record is surprisingly average, but boy do they like going on the road.
#8 Dallas Stars (26-12-7, 59 Points)
Previously #4
Dominant win against Vegas last night but has been battling a tough stretch here. 6-3-1 is still solid but this past week was a little set back. Nothing major. I would argue that the ranks 4-10 are a lot tighter than this ranking suggests. You could put Dallas a little higher, you could argue they are a little lower. I love the parity and I love Dallas’ improvement this year. +37 goal differential is tops of league and notable.
#7 Seattle Kraken (26-13-4, 56 Points)
Previously #12
I have Seattle “Kraken” the top 7…okay I’m done with that. Seattle was gifted a brutal January schedule. It was supposed to destroy this team. Three 4-game weeks to start the new year and they went on an 8 game heater. Of those wins, they include the Oilers, the Leafs, Sabres, and the Bruins (in shutout fashion at TD Garden). They’re streak was snapped by Tampa but do we really put much stock in that. Seattle’s season may have been saved by their incredible play. They are number 1 in 5 on 5 goals…
#6 New Jersey Devils (25-12-3, 53 Points)
Previously #8
Talk about a TLDR bump after I shit on them in my rankings and on the pod. I know I have flipped flopped on the pod on this team. At one point I had said they had punched their playoff ticket back in November. Then I said on the pod last week that the Buffalo Sabres would find a way into the playoffs and the Devils would fall out. I know insane thoughts but that’s the kind of ridiculous stuff we get paid for (still looking for sponsors). The Devils will make it…
#5 Toronto Maple Leafs (26-11-7, 59 Points)
Previously #3
Toronto is bumped down by a different Canadian team. Toronto is having a very solid season, just a little mediocre over their last 10. +30 goal differential. Interesting they are a little bit behind in high danger chances. They are going to need to improve that for the long haul, because it seems on paper that they have the Bolts in the 1st round again.
#4 Winnipeg Jets (29-14-1, 59 Points)
Previously #7
The new Kings of the North! Winnipeg is having a very sneaky good season. They are continuing to stay under the radar (except for you James) and win meaningful games, get steady goaltending, and find the back of the net. The Jets with Rick Bowness are a legit threat in the Central and could be a legit threat in the playoffs overall. The eastern Canadians teams up next. Let’s see how they roll them.
#3 Tampa Bay Lightning (28-13-1, 57 Points)
Previously #5
Perfect week this week. 8-2-0 in their last 10. The Bolts are back.
#2 Carolina Hurricanes (27-9-8, 62 Points)
Unchanged
Little step back but looking very good still. My question is who do they land at the deadline?
#1 Boston Bruins (34-5-4, 72 Points)
Unchanged
72 points, on pace for 137 points. That would be an NHL record by 5 points…
In-Season Cup
Holy smokes Philly. Swept the Capitals home and home series and that helped me tremendously. Boston took the cup last night and could be the best thing for James at this point.