NHL Power Rankings: Week 14
The 2023-24 NHL Season is not lacking in the drama, let me tell you. Congrats on a massive trade Anaheim, congrats to Willy Nylander on your huge contract extension, and congrats to the Edmonton Oilers for finally joining the playoff party. The top of these rankings are starting to change as we get into the halfway point of the season. Next week is the 2nd quarter quell and things look quite different than they did just a quarter of a season ago.
#16 Nashville Predators (22-17-1; 45 Pts)
Previously Unranked
Interesting season for the Predators. Jusse Saros is not playing at his consistent clip but sometimes he looks other worldly. Filip Forsberg is looking fantastic though, on pace for 40 goals and Ryan O’Reilly is back to his normal, dominant self. They aren’t contenders, but they are that cockroach that won’t go away. They may make the playoffs and sometimes that’s all you need to do.
#15 New Jersey Devils (21-15-2; 44 Pts)
Previously Unranked
The Devils have shown that they will not lie down. They are broken for sure and now they are seeing their best player, Jack Hughes find himself on the injured reserve list. Luckily, they have a nice break but my goodness this team needs to get healthy. Nobody is talking about the fact that the Devils have been playing without Dougie Hamilton this entire time. Do you know how impactful it is to try and win games in a tough conference/division without your top D-man? (Yes Florida, I see you, but you’re the exception to the rule)
#14 Philadelphia Flyers (20-13-6; 46 Pts)
Previously #13
Philly is starting to lose games, and they only just beat the Flames who are really flaming out. Are we about to see the fall of the Flyers? The Flyers also got fleeced by the Anaheim Ducks, in my opinion. Sure, they weren’t going to be signing Gauthier but I feel like they could have got more for him. Jamie Drysdale is great, but how many games have we seen him play?
#13 Pittsburgh Penguins (19-15-4; 42 Pts)
Previously #15
Sidney Crosby might very well in the Hart Trophy. He is absolutely putting his team on his back. His production numbers may not be flashy, but he is dominating out there and he is grinding it out every single shift and its amazing to watch. Kids, if you want to learn how to play hockey the right way, please please please watch Sidney Crosby do it. That’s how you carry yourself every single shift.
#12 Edmonton Oilers (20-15-1; 41 Pts)
Previously #16
The Edmonton Oilers have finally made it into a playoff spot, after not sniffing a spot since day 1 of the season. Yet another 7-game winning streak and now Kris Knoblach is the first coach in NHL history to start his NHL coaching career with two 7-game streaks in the first bit of his tenure. A remarkable 15 wins in their last 18 games and Stu Skinner has really settled down and has looked good. This team is a blast to watch. Especially Zach Hyman, who honestly should be at the All-Star game. He’s outplaying every single other forward on his team (aside from CMD) and sits tied for 5-th in the goal scoring race after his third hattrick of the season. What a season for Hyman.
#11 Carolina Hurricanes (22-13-5; 49 Pts)
Unchanged
Carolina looks very good right now. Much improved from the beginning of the season. They will be super active looking for goaltending because this team is set to contend. Jacob Slavin might be the league’s best defensive defenseman right now, and Sebastian Aho is quietly putting in great numbers. Watch this team over the next couple months!
#10 Toronto Maple Leafs (20-10-7; 47 Pts)
Unchanged
The Leafs swept California, yet another Canadian team to do so. They dominated the 3 games, despite almost getting absolutely robbed by Lukas Dostal. Big story was the extension signing of Willy Nylander. After this season where does this team go? It all depends on their post season performances.
#9 Vegas Golden Knights (23-12-5; 51 Pts)
Previously #8
The Golden Knights are really letting the hangover settle in, just a little late. They look uninspired right now, I don’t know if its boredom or they are getting figured out in the regular season. Don’t get me wrong, they are built for the post-season. Can they build off of that win against the Islanders? The Knights have more real losses than the Edmonton Oilers, good thing loser points exist.
#8 Los Angeles Kings (20-10-6; 46 Pts)
Previously #7
Oh how the mighty have fallen. The Kings are having their annual slump in January. The consistency is a problem, and their home record is a worry, 7-7-5. The PLD trade is looking bad right now, albeit he has shown some promise as of late. I think Talbot needs help, he will get burnt out and this team doesn’t have anyone behind him that gives confidence. The Kings have as many real losses as the Edmonton Oilers…good thing loser points exist.
#7 Dallas Stars (22-11-5; 49 Pts)
Previously #5
Very tough week for Dallas as they are winless in the new year. They blew a huge lead to the Colorado Avalanche and that brings some question marks for this squad, much like the teams right above. The likes of Miro Heiskanen getting hurt puts huge question marks on the blue line. Pete Deboer has some work to do here. They are on thin ice here and I am perhaps being generous.
#6 Colorado Avalanche (25-12-3; 53 Pts)
Unchanged
Is this Avs team deep enough for a long run? That’s my question for them. Nate Dawg is doing Nate Dawg things, but I think this team will be very active to enhance their depth because it isn’t what it was when they went on that run. Too much top-heavy scoring right now. Also goaltending is sub .900…that’s a concern.
#5 New York Rangers (26-11-2; 54 Pts)
Previously #1
3 losses in their last week here. Panarin has been fantastic this season and is most certainly in the conversation for the Hart Trophy. He’s the driving force of this offense and he’s got the stats to prove. 5 on 5 goaltending is about average and they could do a better job reducing the chances against in the most vulnerable areas. Above average special teams makes this a dangerous club.
#4 Boston Bruins (24-8-6; 54 Pts)
Previously #2
Turned around after losing to a desperate Penguins team by drumming the Bolts. They are facing pressure from the Leafs and the Panthers, who are clicking very well right now. Still strong PDO as things continue to work for this Bruins team.
#3 Vancouver Canucks (26-11-3; 55 Pts)
Unchanged
6-2-2 in their last 10 games. Still shooting at a crazy 11% while 5on5, it’s a wonder how much of that was from their incredible start. They are the only Pacific Division playoff team in that top 3 that is showing consistency and that will help with the likes of Seattle and Edmonton starting to surge. They are certainly “keeping it up”.
#2 Florida Panthers (25-12-2; 52 Pts)
Previously #9
Massive correction alert! The Panthers haven’t lost since I wrote these rankings 2 weeks ago. 7 straight for the Cats, tied for best current streak in the league. 2 points out of tops of the Division and entire Conference, and 4 points out from tops of the entire damn League. Panthers have a sub 7.5% shooting percentage but are just finding ways to win hockey games. Very strong advanced numbers and above average special teams. This is a special team that we need to be worried about. Oh, and by the way, Matty Tkachuk is still not himself yet. Woof.
#1 Winnipeg Jets (26-9-4; 56 Pts)
Previously #4
The Jets are soaring. The Jets are the hottest team in the league. 8-0-2 in their last 10 games and on a 6-game winning streak. Again, all without Kyle Connor. They dismantled the Coyotes, and they continue to push up the offensive and defensive numbers. 2nd in PDO, driven largely by their goaltending. We aren’t hearing much about the Jets this season, unlike most. It helps when you aren’t stirring up drama and winning games. Good for Winni.
In-Season Cup
The Florida Panthers took it over in convincing fashion from the Avs this week and James is netting some points. Panthers face Alex’s Blues tomorrow and I hope they can defend it well. It is a tight race though, all things considered.