NHL Power Rankings: Week 9
The quarter quell is here! Hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving. The countdown to Christmas is here! The NHL is shaping up to be completely different than last year. The East was basically set last year at this time. Not so much this year. West is as crazy as ever. This has been a fun season so far, goal scoring is up, goalie SV%s are down, bad teams are good and good teams are bad, and streaks have been the mainstay. What a start.
#16 Nashville Predators (12-9-2, 26 Points)
Previously Unranked
Smashville is making a push now. 3 game winning streak puts them in contention for a playoff spot. This puts notable pressure on what were supposed to be great teams like Calgary, Edmonton, and Los Angeles. I like the way the West is shaping up, it’s a crap shoot right now. Preds need to improve their goal scoring abilities. Goals against are not a concern, but goals for are a bit to be desired.
#15 Minnesota Wild (12-9-2, 26 Points)
Previously Unranked
Minnesota is looking really good right now. They are looking to make this Western Conference and Central Division interesting. There is going to be a situation where a good team is on the outside looking in this season. 3 game winning streak right now and headed to play Stars, Flames and Oilers this week. Big week to prove yourselves.
#14 Edmonton Oilers (14-11-0, 28 Points)
Previously #16
Better boys, better. I love Jack Campbell as a person, not liking his play much like the rest of my fellow Oilers faithful. Whatever the Oilers need to do to bring his confidence back they need to do it. Maybe take a play out of the Kings book here. Send him to Bakersfield see if he can find his game.
#13 Detroit Red Wings (11-7-5, 27 Points)
Previously #9
Losses to the Leafs, Sabres, and Knights this week. They are now playing good teams in their mid-season form, and it appears, at least right now, that it might too much for this team. I still think they will make the standing very interesting just would like to see them able to beat the good teams. Either way a big step has been made and will continue this season. Go Wings.
#12 Pittsburgh Penguins (13-8-4, 30 Points)
Previously #13
The improvement continues! +11 goal differential and a nice 7-2-1 stretch really helps with both your power ranking and more importantly your standings. Penguins are eyeing for that last dance season here.
#11 New York Islanders (15-10-0, 30 Points)
Previously #8
Couple losses in a row does impact the ranking here but the Islanders are still looking fine to me. Big test against the Devils on Friday and I may be checking out the score on that one. Losing to the Flyers is questionable as well as the Predators but let’s see how they look against the Blues, Devils, and Canes this week.
#10 Tampa Bay Lightning (15-8-1, 31 Points)
Previously #11
8-2-0 in their last 10 and 2 game winning streak. Stamkos with his 1,000th point this week is a huge milestone for a potentially underrated future HoFamer. We will remember Stamkos for his heart, his scoring ability, and leadership, not for those awful injuries that he faced in his career. He changed his narrative.
#9 Colorado Avalanche (13-8-1, 27 Points)
Previously #4
6-4-0 in the last 10 games. They had a rough game against the Jets this week but aside from that they are settling into the season nicely. We are finally going to look at this team like the Bolts, just get us to the playoffs and we will show you what we are made of. I am not sure the goaltending experiment will be as great as the Avs hoped it would be but that defense is of the best in the league.
#8 Winnipeg Jets (14-7-1, 29 Points)
Previously #5
Aside from the shutout against the Avs, they let in a few more goals than we’d like to see but nonetheless are finding ways to win games. Connor Hellebuyck is one of few elite tendies in the league right now.
#7 Seattle Kraken (15-6-3, 33 Points)
Unchanged
Still 7-2-1 in their last 10. They managed to win that ridiculous shoot-out style game against the Kings this week. This team is getting scoring all the way down the lineup, even the 4th line grinders. I appreciate a team who can just roll lines and this is one of them. Vegas has changed the perception of expansion teams for all of sports now, they need to be good sooner than later. Too much money is being spent to not have success at an early stage and Seattle may be on their way to a bit of success in rapid fashion.
#6 Carolina Hurricanes (14-6-5, 33 Points)
Previously #12
Here we go. 4 straight for the Canes and they are looking a bit better. Their scoring touch is not fantastic, still in the bottom half. Their goaltending is a bit weaker than we’d like but that Brind’amour style will help keep chances against down. Still really like this team.
#5 Dallas Stars (14-6-4, 32 Points)
Previously #10
Once again, I am back on the ship and I won’t be leaving anytime soon. The Dallas Stars had a huge week. They now have their core signed for 3 straight years and have no impending contract issues to deal with. Elite goaltender? Check. Top D? Check. Responsible 2-way center? Check. Elite, Hart Trophy Candidate Winger? Checkmate.
#4 Toronto Maple Leafs (15-5-6, 36 Points)
Previously #6
Toronto does this every season. They have a bad start and everyone in the NHL clowns them or freaks out if they are fans. They get through October and start to win and now they look like one of the best teams. They have fought off injuries and still manage to find points. Mitchell Marner has a franchise record, 19 game point streak. Congrats man.
#3 Vegas Golden Knights (18-7-1, 37 Points)
Unchanged
Stumbling a tad as I mentioned but they have very short memories. They lose a game they shake it off and have a great outing the next game. That’s a sign of a resilient team. Vegas is going to be a favorite for the cup this year.
#2 New Jersey Devils (20-4-1, 41 Points)
Unchanged
After their streak they haven’t really skipped a beat. 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. I think you should decline your 2nd goal if you go up 2-0 because they erase 2 goal leads better than anyone in the league, its ridiculous.
#1 Boston Bruins (20-3-0, 40 Points)
Unchanged
Undefeated this week against Bolts and Avs, scored 8 let in 2. Nuff said. Friken Wagon.
In-Season Cup
Guys! I got the Cup! I am finally out of the starting gate. Looking to jump ahead of Tyler this week.