NHL Power Rankings: Week 16
Crazy fun week in the NHL. We are weeks away from the 4 Nations Face-Off. As excited as I am to see best on best, I still don’t know if I love the format, but it is what it is. It’s a pretty meaningless tourney but will be fun to see the best of these nations go at it. That said, the NHL is having a fantastic season, and I hope everyone is enjoying it.
#16 Montreal Canadiens (23-19-4; 50 Points)
Unchanged
Usually after I rank a previously unranked team, they make me look foolish. Not the Habs so far! The Habs are a great story, and we know that the league is better when Montreal is good.
#15 Columbus Blue Jackets (22-18-7; 51 Points)
Previously #14
The Blue Jackets are ahead of the Bruins, Predators, and Rangers in point percentage…all 3 of those teams made playoffs last year and almost all won a round last year. The Jackets are doing so much this year and it’s amazing to watch. Zach Werenski has been amazing, I hope they make it because we want them over the Boston Bruins…well most of us.
#14 Ottawa Senators (24-18-4; 52 Points)
Previously Unranked
The Sens are also making their push, 5 of their 6 have been dubs. They are playing meaningful games in January and it’s a sight to behold. They have their bitter provincial rivals coming up Saturday and it’ll be a good one.
#13 Tampa Bay Lightning (25-17-3; 53 Points)
Unchanged
Winners of 3 of their last 4. Brayden Point was scratched for missing a team meeting. A good way to discipline even the best of players and hopefully it sent a message because the team needs him. There’s a Point in Team Meetings going forward methinks.
#12 New Jersey Devils (26-17-6; 58 Points)
Previously #9
Devils have been struggling so bad. It’s the inconsistency that’s the problem here. They have depth of scoring issues and it needs to be addressed ASAP.
#11 Colorado Avalanche (28-19-1; 57 Points)
Previously #12
The depth of the Avs is so concerning it hurts. They have all world players in McKinnon, Rantanen and Makar… but after that it’s a cliff. That was evident in their loss to the Oilers after going up 3 goals.
#10 Florida Panthers (27-17-3; 57 Points)
Previously #11
The Panthers are doing the light switch thing a bit too much I think. They are my conference favorite, and I know I will sit on a lily pad next week when we go through them, but the consistent switch flipping is getting a bit much.
#9 Carolina Hurricanes (28-16-3; 59 Points)
Previously #10
The Canes are so hard to understand. Solid play from some, mediocre from other key players. They are good enough to take control of games but don’t and can’t score enough….again!
#8 Toronto Maple Leafs (30-16-2; 62 Points)
Unchanged
Oh look. A good week for the Leafs. It’s just what happens. They have a great resurgence, we all say it’s okay. They play solid for a bit and then have a bad week and hell breaks loose. It’s the cycle.
#7 Minnesota Wild (28-15-4; 60 Points)
Previously #6
Losing Kiril is starting to show now. They lost 3-straight after a valiant effort of games without him. The injuries are becoming too much for the Wild.
#6 Los Angeles Kings (25-14-5; 55 Points)
Previously #5
Tough stretch for the Kings right now losing 3 of their 4 road trip games. They beat the struggling Canucks, something Edmonton couldn’t do. Offense has dried up a bit and that’s a little bit concerning as scoring is already a problem.
#5 Vegas Golden Knights (29-14-4; 62 Points)
Previously #1
Vegas has been slipping. 3 game losing streak is not too much to be worried about. So they get a decent hit now but expect that to flip if they have a solid week. Maybe I am premature on this but gotta give flowers to the teams above.
#4 Dallas Stars (29-16-1; 59 Points)
Previously #7
Dallas continues their strong play. Dadonov has been struggling but given the chance to get going playing with Jason Robertson and so far so great. Getting him, Roberston, and Johnston going will be bad for every other team in the conference and league.
#3 Winnipeg Jets (31-14-3; 65 Points)
Unchanged
Jets have had a bit of slip in the last bit, but I think they are fine. Gabe Valardi has been so good after that trade with LA and it is fun to see that. He is a tough player to play against and he’s showing what he can do in that Jets system.
#2 Edmonton Oilers (29-14-3; 61 Points)
Previously #4
I like to say I do a good job about not being a huge homer for my Oilers. I’ve earned the credit to do what I am about to do…tire pump and shove stats in my fellow podcast hosts faces. The Edmonton Oilers are the best team in the West…Oilers started the season 10-9-1, impressive considering their putrid first month. Since then, the Oilers are a league leading 19-5-1 with a .780 Point percentage. 2nd in goals for, 2nd in goals against with the best goal differential in the league. 3rd in the PP, 3rd in shooting percentage and 2nd (barely) in SV%. Jets over that time: 14-11-3, 15th in point percentage, 11th in goals for, 6th in goal against, 5th in PP%, and 4th in sv%. They have been comeback specialists after slow starts and push the play 60-70% of every game they are in. The last 2.5 weeks of travel has been absolutely insane and they still managed to win nearly every single game, but couldn’t quite erase another 3 goal deficient, although they were damn close. Alright I am done.
Connor McDavid earned his suspension, albeit 3 games is quite the penalty and a bit much. I liked him standing up for himself and who doesn’t love that the league pissed off the greatest player on the planet?
#1 Washington Capitals (31-10-5; 67 Points)
Previously #2
4 wins in a row and a 10-game point streak. Washington is a wagon this year folks.
In-Season Cup
“Help me Edmonton Oilers…you’re my only hope!” The Caps look to defend the Cup tonight against Edmonton, a game that will probably determine my fate in the In-Season Cup.