NHL Power Rankings: Week 12
Christmas has come and gone and I hope you all had a very Merry Day with your friends and/or families. Christmas time brought a shortened week for the NHL, taking a stoppage starting on Christmas Eve. Games started back up today. Don’t be too surprised if there aren’t many moves here. Some teams will really need to get into gear if they wish to make the playoffs because the 2024 year is about to begin and the countdown to All-Star Weekend and the Trade Deadline are next up.
#16 Edmonton Oilers (15-15-1; 31 Pts)
Unchanged
Two impressive 3rd period comebacks against very good teams, one of which is the tops of this ranking. They have a big week in California, kicking off tomorrow in San Jose before heading down the coast to face their So Cal rivals, both of which I will be in attendance. This is a pivotal week for the Oilers as they look to establish themselves as a true playoff team and show they fit into the mix. Not saying their season hinges on this week, but I’m not not saying that either.
#15 Nashville Predators (19-15-0; 38 Pts)
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Nashville has been such a story given where the team should be in their cycle. They are taking advantage of the weakest division in hockey. They should not be punished for that fact though; they are a tough team and deserve the credit. They need to find help for Forsberg and O’Reilly, who have been awesome this year together. It would be nice to see their development pool step up to the task.
#14 Washington Capitals (15-9-4; 34 Pts)
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I think we need to start having a conversation about Alexander Ovechkin. He finally scored last week but things are looking quite slow for the Great 8. They seem like a team that is overachieving given their lack of production from their captain, but they may take advantage of the weakness in the division and find their way into the playoffs. I would bet on a quick exit though at this point.
#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 (18-11-4; 40 Pts)
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Philly has a positive goal differential. Philly generates more than they give up. They could do better between the pipes, but all things considered vs where they were expected to be, this season has been a incredible success. They are playing meaningful games still which is very surprising. They need to improve on their PP because a horrid 10.6% is just not going to get it done down the stretch.
#11 New York Islanders (16-8-9; 41 Pts)
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Points in all games this week heading into the break. Their PDO is over 100 and crazy enough, they sit with an 8% shooting percentage, which is crazy for this team. They looked good against the Oilers. They could do a better job generating more chances but the chances they are generating, they are finishing which is all you really ask for.
#10 Florida Panthers (19-12-2; 40 Pts)
Previously #8
Saturday, they took care of the Knights and currently lead their state rivals to the northeast. Goalie Bob looks so very good and is absolutely this team’s MVP in my eye. They are doing very well, all things considered with this team, with the primary issue being down years by Matthew Tkachuck. They are a dangerous team down the stretch and not a team I would want to face in the post season.
#9 Toronto Maple Leafs (17-8-6; 40 Pts)
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True .500 in their last 10 games. Joseph Woll needs to be established as the guy in net for the Leafs. Goaltending could be the downfall of this team for sure if they can’t find stability here. The defense could also be meatier, which has been in an issue in Leaf land every year it seems.
#8 Dallas Stars (20-8-4; 44 Pts)
Previously #10
Winners of 3 straight and we may be starting to see a bit of a stabilization by the Dallas Stars. Jake Oettinger needs to return soon if this team wants to go the distance. Their depth has been solid with the likes of Duchene in the lineup. Their goaltending right now is a huge issue but if they can even tread water before Jake comes back, they will more than okay.
#7 Colorado Avalanche (21-11-2; 44 Pts)
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The Avs are as stable as ever right now, but things don’t look great, if that makes sense. They are fine in terms of staying in the mix, but things look a little shaky along the way. Losing to the Blackhawks was a tough look but they bounced back nicely. Goaltending is certainly a concern and could be the ultimate downfall of this team’s ultimate chances.
#6 Vegas Golden Knights (21-9-5; 47 Pts)
Previously #2
No points this week and the gap between them and the Kings continues to narrow. They also sit with 5 more games played and as a result a lower point percentage. True .500 on the road but dominant at home, I guess if you’re going to stink, stink on the road. Goaltending continues to be great.
#5 Boston Bruins (19-7-6; 44 Pts)
Previously #3
Boston is starting to falter, and they probably deserve a lower ranking as a result. They were waxed by Winnipg and beaten by the Wild in both of their games this season, all in one week. Things look good against the Buffalo Sabres right now, but does that say that much? I would like to see some stability and a bounceback from this team or a fall in the rankings will continue.
#4 Winnipeg Jets (20-9-3; 43 Pts)
Previously #6
The white-hot Jets continue to soar. 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and sit with a nice 2 game streak. They took the Boston Bruins to the cleaner last week, and we really need to start looking at this team as a legit contending team. PDO of 102.5 driven largely by incredible goaltending, imagine that. They are dominating the puck, and it is showing in spades. The craziest part is they are doing this without Kyle Connor.
#3 Los Angeles Kings (19-7-4; 42 Pts)
Previously #4
The Kings continue to remain dominant. They own the ice in regard to chances in their favor and possession quality. Goaltending continues to remain in there, despite Copely going down. They face a big week of competition with the Knights tomorrow and the Oilers on Saturday. I will be in attendance so I will get a good look at this team in a live setting. They have a chance to gain more points than those pesky Golden Knights in the standings.
#2 Vancouver Canucks (23-9-3; 49 Pts)
Previously #5
Yikes Vancouver, you are still the real deal. PDO still sits at 104.4, suggesting a fall to earth continues to be imminent, but they continue to defy the odds. Goaltending continues to remain spectacular, and they are scoring well above their expected goals for and have let in well below their expected goals against. This team just has everything clicking. Let’s see how they fair against the Flyers this week.
#1 New York Rangers (23-8-1; 47 Pts)
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I won’t punish the Rangers for their 3rd period collapse to my Oilers, in fact, I give them extra points…kidding kidding. This team is dangerous and will continue to be the class of the East for the time being. The team could do a better job generating high danger chances in their favor, luckily the goaltending has kept them in every single game.
In-Season Cup
Dallas takes the Cup for Alex and he sits 1st, yet again. There was no hockey between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day so no points count for those days. The Dallas Stars look to defend their cup this evening against the Blues, either way Alex gets to keep it for a couple more days.