NHL Power Rankings: Week 21
Its Friday, Friday, gotta trades on Friday! Yes, trade deadline is Friday afternoon. This past weekend was insane for trades, it seems like the NHL took a page right out of the NBAs playbook this season. Except all of it going to the East, vs the West in the NBA. Teams that have done nothing but need to, Edmonton and Carolina. When the F*** will you guy show up to the party because being fashionably late to these things doesn’t always end well. All the attractive hotties have been snagged.
#16 Buffalo Sabres (31-23-4, 66 Points)
Previously Unranked
Cue the eyerolls from James. Yes, the Buffalo Sabres crack my rankings. They are a team with +17 goal differential, better than any wildcard team or below in the East. They are on a 3 game winning streak, beating the Bolts, Panthers, and Caps. They sit 1 point out from a spot with 1 game at hand on the Pens. Quintupling down that they can do what nobody though they could this season. With the Caps folding this season the Panthers looking painfully average, the 4-way battle for 2 spots begins between the Isles, Pens, Sabres, and Wings, three teams of which did not make playoffs last season.
#16 New York Islanders (28-24-7, 63 Points)
Previously #16
Islanders need to show a bit more strength but they are in the playoffs, in a 1st wildcard spot. They have a quite a few more games than their close rivals which is a problem and only 2-3 points of buffer, but remember, you gotta win those games. Big win against the Jets and a big week against both the Wild and the Wings. Must win games to keep the spot, math is against you right now.
#14 Seattle Kraken (32-21-6, 70 Points)
Previously #11
Seattle with 3 losses in a row now and sit in the 2nd wildcard spot. They are lucky that Calgary has really faltered as of late and that Nashville and St. Louis have pretty much started their yard sale, giving up on the season. Seattle will make the playoffs presumably and have their first crack at it. They will get a top matchup in the West but honestly, this Western Conference has never been easier, in my opinion.
#13 Minnesota Wild (30-21-5, 65 Points)
Previously #14
Wild have quietly been earning points and gaining traction in this playoff race. They sit 2nd in the Central! 6-2-2 in their last 10 and a positive 9 in the goal differential department. Their GAA is a problem still and the biggest question mark right now.
#12 Edmonton Oilers (32-20-8, 72 Points)
Previously #13
Do something with your life Kenny Holland.
#11 Winnipeg Jets (34-21-1, 69 Points)
Previously #8
I see the slide. I do. I just don’t see how this team doesn’t right the ship and figure it out. The add of Nino Niederreiter (best name in hockey) is a nice jolt to this lineup. I think Winnipeg will figure it out, they have an incredible goaltending unit and that is enough to steal games and that might be enough for this group.
#10 Los Angeles Kings (33-20-8, 74 Points)
Previously #12
The Kings have looked better at times but gave up their goal differential again. I think the incident with Rangers K’Andre Miller could be a huge boost of pissed off Drew Doughty vibes that is not good if you are not a King or a King’s fan. Are we going to see yet another Oilers/Kings playoff matchup? Hope not because Oil would probably lose that one.
#9 Vegas Golden Knights (34-18-4, 72 Points)
Previously #10
Vegas is looking much better. A massively tough test this week against the Avs, Canes, and Devils. This team will need to really come together in order to maintain the tops of the Pacific Division, who’s seeing the Oil and Kings knock on the door.
#8 Dallas Stars (31-16-12, 74 Points)
Previously #7
My belief in Dallas is waning a little but I still believe in this group. Their week here will be a huge test to show if they can handle adversity and fight back to maintain the tops of the Central. Easy games this week will help.
#7 Colorado Avalanche (33-19-5, 71 Points)
Previously #9
The Avs are the first team in the West here on the power rankings. It shows a lot about two things: 1) the west is nothing compared to the east this season and 2) the Avs have scrapped together quite a roller-coaster of a season and now they sit at the end of the long tunnel looking pretty good. Players getting healthy helps tremendously. 5-game winning streak!
#6 Tampa Bay Lightning (37-18-4, 78 Points)
Previously #5
Tampa is going into the playoffs without that strong 3rd line again. They looked human in that finals last season. However, Tampa does Tampa things around the deadline and secured a scrappy Tanner Jeannot from the Preds. Classic Tampa move.
#5 New York Rangers (34-17-9, 77 Points)
Previously #4
New York can do major damage, but we’ve seen them lay a couple eggs too. I am still very scared of this team. And to think they will be with Patrick Kane (or so it seems) by the next power rankings update…woof.
#4 Toronto Maple Leafs (37-15-8, 82 Points)
Previously #6
Toronto is getting it done yet again, with an Auston Matthews that’s banged up and not looking as hot this time around. Mitch Marner has been wonderful, but can he do it in the postseason?
#3 New Jersey Devils (39-15-5, 83 Points)
Unchanged
Timo Meier, you are a New Jersey Devil. The Devils secure a star from the Sharks and are going to a force for years to come. East continues to deliver the headlines this trade season.
#2 Carolina Hurricanes (39-11-8, 86 Points)
Unchanged
8-2-0 in their last 10 but 0/0 in trades this year. Get. Something. Done. Now.
#1 Boston Bruins (45-8-5, 95 Points)
Unchanged
Oilers are going to get dominated tonight.
In-Season Cup
Tyler is the first of us eliminated from the most days race for the In-Season Cup. Tough for him. He can still get the final day with it which is good for half of the $80 pot. Toronto sits with the Cup and my Oilers are the next team that can take it back from them. Still can’t believe the comeback I had.