NHL Power Rankings: Week 11
7 days until Christmas, and all through the league, a bunch of news so interesting and full of intrigue. Some teams are good, with a PDO so high, and then there’s others, who you asked “did you even try?” Some teams score with the greatest of ease, and others just ask from Santa, “give us a save please.” The Kings are good, oh what a scare, and the Blackhawks could get Celebrini, would the NHL even dare? I hope your team makes the playoffs, as I hope mine, the Red Wings lead netminder has always been Lyon. May Santa bring you everything and your family be happy, happier than Kylie’s Sharks, at least they’re scrappy. Enjoy all the food just like our James, and may the Oilers not go down in flames.
#16 Edmonton Oilers (13-14-1; 27 Pts)
Unchanged
They get the benefit of that strong 8 game streak and their complete domination of the Lighting to a losing effort. They need to address the goaltending issue now. Skinner should be in a tandem situation, and he is being asked to do too much. They are on thin ice here, but I give them the benefit.
#15 Nashville Predators (18-13-0; 36 Pts)
Previously Unranked
Smashville is having a great season, 4 game winning streak, and seemingly cannot lose in extra time. They have a solid 13 regulation wins and are dominating the chances in their favor. They could do a better job cleaning up the expected goals against, and it’s a good thing they have the goaltending to support this squad. It just goes to show, if a team like the Oilers had the goaltending that the Preds have, they would be top 3 team no doubt.
#14 Washington Capitals (15-9-4; 34 Pts)
Previously #15
Washington is doing all this, staying relevant, while their captain is really starting to take a back seat. We need to have a serious conversation if we are seeing the last of Ovechkin being a huge part of this league. They have the 2nd fewest goal scored in the league but are still in this spot, all thanks to great defense and goaltending. Charlie Lindgren’s .925 SV% is certainly amazing but unsustainable. They need to find scoring support.
#13 Carolina Hurricanes (16-12-3; 35 Pts)
Previously #12
Raanta has been demoted to the AHL and it’s sad to see, but was clearly necessary. The Hurricanes are in one right now, and the funny part was they were my pick to be the team to beat in the East. Until Freddie comes back, it’s Kotchetkov’s net and he will need to bring it so this team can climb their way back into a stable state. Too streaky right now.
#12 Philadelphia Flyers (17-10-3; 37 Pts)
Previously #13
Philly continues to win hockey games. John Tortorella continues to make his case for the Jack Adams this season. Rasmus Ristolainen has looked so good under coach Torts, and he had kind words to back that up. They own a positive expected goal differential, they generate more than they give up, and their goaltending has been average at worst. They are looking fun and engaging again.
#11 New York Islanders (14-8-8; 36 Pts)
Previously #14
The Islanders have been so good as of late. Their competition wasn’t world beating this past week but they are scoring multiple goals in games now! They still need to find ways to generation more scoring chances and their goaltending will only be able to bail them out so much. They need even more scoring support.
#10 Dallas Stars (17-8-4; 38 Pts)
Previously #9
The Stars are looking quite mid lately. They’ve gone 6-5-3 in their last 14 games and things just haven’t looked quite right for them. They just don’t have them dawg in them right now. They are even in expected goal differential and their goaltending and shooting percentage is middle of the pack. We still need more from Jason Robertson.
#9 Toronto Maple Leafs (16-6-6; 38 Pts)
Previously #10
Toronto is climbing up the latter in regulation wins but needed to work extra hard to take the friken Blue Jackets to extra time. They are scoring at a crazy clip this week, which is great for them, but I still just have too many questions. Willy Nylander is gonna get paid man.
#8 Florida Panthers (18-10-2; 38 Pts)
Previously #5
A bad string of games during the week followed by a drumming of the Oilers. The Panthers are a fast, hungry team that owns the puck when it is on their stick. They are relentless and it’s no wonder they are where they are in the standing without having the highest marquee players in the league, sorry if that’s a bit of disrespect for Tkachuk. Goaltending has been very good, very very good.
#7 Colorado Avalanche (19-10-2; 40 Pts)
Unchanged
The Avs need to continue stabilizing because they are a little bit of a rollercoaster on a week by week basis. 3 of 4 games with a win is a good sign but can the goaltending hold up? Can the depth hold up? Can Makar hold up? These are all good questions for a team that is just 1 year removed from being the clear best team in the league.
#6 Winnipeg Jets (18-9-2; 38 Pts)
Previously #8
Okay guys, the Jets are a wagon. No one talks about them and its about time we talk about them. Missing Kyle Connor for a couple months will surely put pressure on this team, especially in the scoring department. But I respect the effort, the goaltending, and the positive expected goal differential for the team. They will need to find scoring to keep their top spot in the Central with the Avs barreling in.
#5 Vancouver Canucks (21-9-2; 44 Pts)
Previously #6
Vancouver had a pretty good week, points in all games and wins upon wins continue to solidify this teams spot in the Pacific. They should be dinged for not retiring Roberto Luongo’s number…like bro really? They also lose on the scoring chances and there are still riding a very high PDO, and elevated actual goal differential vs expected goal differential. I know I know, advanced stats are lame, yada yada yada. Let’s see if things balance out.
#4 Los Angeles Kings (17-6-4; 38 Pts)
Unchanged
Phoenix Copely hitting LTIR is a concern for the Kings as Talbot will need to take on more games at the ripe age of 36. As an Oilers fan, I have seen what happens when you ride Talbs too much. They are in a weird stagnant funk but I am not overly concerned about them, they are the real deal. 11-0 on the road to start the season is just a wild stat.
#3 Boston Bruins (19-5-5; 43 Pts)
Previously #1
Boston was negative on their goal differential for the week! Losses to Devils and Rangers in OT is quite interesting and all of their games went to extra time, another intriguing storyline. Luckily the B’s won’t miss Pasta beyond the game ejection for his hit. Points in all games this week is great to see!
#2 Vegas Golden Knights (21-6-5; 47 Pts)
Previously #3
7-1-2 in their last 10 games and underlying numbers have them the top 10 across the board except their power play. Team 5 on 5 save percentage is a very strong .934 and there are now dominating the expected goal differential and scoring chance differential.
#1 New York Rangers (21-7-1; 43 Pts)
Previously #2
The Rags have been so good this season and its thanks to the play of Artemi Panarin. The breadman is on pace for 100 points for the first time ever and with the likes of Jonny Quick turning back the clock and Igor Shesterkin doing his thing, the Rags are here to stay.
In-Season Cup
Smashville is taking over the Cup and Tyler’s loving every minute. He is the leader now and Alex and I have yet to touch the Cup in December.