NHL Power Rankings: Week 24
The Final Four weeks of the season are here. The best part is we don’t know the playoff picture quite yet. The impressive play of some teams on the outside coupled with ugly play by some teams on the inside have made these last weeks count and mean something. I am excited to see how this plays out and I consider this playoff time for many teams.
#16 Winnipeg Jets (39-29-3, 81 Points)
Previously #14
The Jets may not make playoffs. They only have a spot here because of Nashville’s tough loss last night. They are giving the Preds and Flames a chance. What is going on over there?! I actually am legitimately worried. Don’t be shocked if you don’t see the Jets here next week. Incredibly important week for them.
#15 Florida Panthers (35-27-7, 77 Points)
Previously Unranked
The Panthers, at the time of writing this, are beating the Red Wings and the team they are looking to chase is losing. The Panthers will push through to the Wild Card. This was a team I had written off. The Panthers came out of nowhere. Granted they had some help, but a 7-2-1 stint is nothing to overlook. The Panthers have stabilized and are looking so much better and I think we will see them in the playoffs.
#14 New York Islanders (36-27-8, 80 Points)
Previously #16
The Isles are finding their stride and I think they will be a tough out, especially when you look at their goaltending and defense. Ilya Sorokin is my pick for the Vezina. I understand Ulmark has all of those wins and is helping that team make it to the end, but look at what Sorokin is dealing with. The lack of scoring support and he still is pushing this team into the playoffs. We might be getting a taste of the next Vasy.
#13 Seattle Kraken (38-24-7, 83 Points)
Unchanged
Seattle will get their first Krak at the postseason as long as they go at least .500 over their last stretch at the very least. They will fit in the wildcard is my guess but that’s a great step in the right direction. They lack a game breaker and I don’t think their goaltending will be enough. But a step is a step.
#12 Minnesota Wild (40-22-8, 88 Points)
Unchanged
The Wild continue to impress with a nice 7-1-2 run. The refs completely robbed the world of a Marc Andre-Fleury beating of Jordan Binnington. But that aside, the Flower has been sensational, at the perfect time. The Wild won’t be an easy out by any means.
#11 Edmonton Oilers (39-23-8, 86 Points)
Unchanged
The Oilers are 2nd in Regulation Wins on the season. Yes, second. Why do Regulation Wins matter? They are wins that are played 5 on 5, with no 3 on 3 OT or Shootout to make the difference. Regulation style hockey is playoff style hockey, with no gimmicks. I put a lot of stock in that stat for that reason. The Oilers have an easy schedule the rest of the way and have four 4-point nights against the Knights and Kings (2 each) that, if victorious, would catapult this team into 1st in the Pacific. I don’t think I have been more excited for my squad in my life at this point in the season.
#10 Colorado Avalanche (40-22-6, 86 Points)
Unchanged
Colorado is going to be good in the postseason. Honestly I consider them a true contender again. Are they as formidable as they were last year, perhaps no but they will be a very hard out for any team they face.
#9 Los Angeles Kings (40-20-10, 90 Points)
Previously #7
I like this LA team and frankly I am scared of them going into the postseason. More than likely, the Kings will be a 2nd or 3rd place team and either the Knights or Oilers should be worried to play them as they have seemed to improve their goaltending issues. Thing is, 75% of their wins were regulation. Is their 5 on 5 play strong enough to contend is my question.
#8 Dallas Stars (38-19-13, 89 Points)
Previously #7
One could argue Dallas should sit behind LA, and that’s certainly a solid argument. My take though, I like Stars goaltending honestly. Further, I like their stronger Regulation Win stat. Dallas is a very good team that could easily make a big splash this offseason. Winning the division will take a solid .700 point percentage at least through the rest of the season considering you have Colorado just behind with games at hand.
#7 Tampa Bay Lightning (42-23-6, 90 Points)
Previously #9
I know Tampa hasn’t looked great but this bump is more of a deeper look at this team and their wins stats. So first, it is Tampa. I think it is true that fatigue is setting in, but I also think they look at this season as, get me to the postseason now please. They can turn on a switch. Secondly, though, they are 4th in Regulation Wins, which, to me, are a hugely underrated stat, as you know.
#6 Vegas Golden Knights (43-21-6, 92 Points)
Previously #5
Huge 8-2-0 stretch for the Knights. Decently easy schedule this week, aside from a huge game Saturday against the Oilers who are aiming for that top spot over the next 4 weeks. Jonny Quick has looked damn good.
#5 New York Rangers (41-19-10, 92 Points)
Previously #8
TLDR Boys are right again. The Rags just needed to settle in, and boy have they. 4 Wins in a row with massive wins over Pittsburgh (x2) and the Preds. Games against The Canes this week will be interesting to see if they are taking control or if they were dealing with teams on crappy weeks.
#4 Toronto Maple Leafs (42-18-9, 93 Points)
Unchanged
Leaf land has been quiet, and in a good way. They win and everyone is happy. No one cares about the next 4 weeks, its what happens after. You aren’t catching Boston but keeping the 2nd spot will help. Either way, your focus is Tampa.
#3 New Jersey Devils (45-18-7, 97 Points)
Unchanged
New Jersey is having quite the season and I think we can consider this team a Stanley Cup contender. They lack experience but man are they a good looking team of young guns. They will be formidable for years to come. Can they get the goaltending to take them deep is my question.
#2 Carolina Hurricanes (45-15-8, 98 Points)
Unchanged
6-4-0 over the last 10 games puts the Canes nicely in 1st place in the Metro with math on their side. I am worried about this team though. The injury bug hit at the wrong time and it’s such a shame.
#1 Boston Bruins – x (53-11-5, 111 Points)
Unchanged
They lost one game this week but are on a 3 game heater. Don’t know what else to say other than, lets see it in playoffs.
In-Season Cup
25 days remain folks. The In-Season Cup has been so fun to do and I know I speak for all of the TLDR Boys. Tyler has been trying to play spoiler as his Coyotes hold the Cup right now. James has a chance tomorrow and if the Jets can’t help him, the Coyotes host my Oilers. It is coming down the wire at this point.