NHL Power Rankings: Week 14
A week into the New Year and we have one of the closest, most interesting Wild Card races in recent history over on the East. Montreal sits in a playoff spot after a strong string of performances, and the lowly Buffalo Sabres are only 6 points out from a playoff spot. Does that mean they will make it, certainly not but 6 points is at least attainable at this point in the season, and it just shows how close those teams over on the East are. West is a bit top heavy, but the Pacific will be a marathon battle for positions.
#16 Montreal Canadiens (19-18-3; 41 Points)
Previously Unranked
I am giving my flowers to the Habs. They have had a great run as of late, winning 7 of 9 and beat the last 4 Stanley Cup Champions in that stretch. Defensively they are so bad, and this won’t last, unfortunately, but they have as much shot as anyone to find themselves in the playoffs. I am officially adding them the trifecta…changing the name to the quadfecta. They now enter the group of up and coming looking for playoffs with the Sens, Wings, and Sabres. And funny enough, they might be the 2nd best in that group within weeks here.
#15 Ottawa Senators (19-17-2; 40 Points)
Unchanged
Tough week for the Sens but its only 2 games in a row. The teams below the 14th spot I have a tough time spotting because its very close there in the east and the West has no one I am really confident in. The Sens are the fun story and will be the team of the trifecta (quadfecta now?) who can break through.
#14 Boston Bruins (20-17-5; 45 Points)
Unchanged
Ah Boston. Right when you do something soo good…you completely undo it all! Boston is so mid, and I am running out of patience. They are the weakest of the 5 Atlantic teams for the first time in years. I have been weary of this team for years but finally it is showing up. The new coach did solidify things to an extent but that’s about it…there’s stopping the bleeding and then there’s fighting back. Don’t see the latter yet.
#13 Tampa Bay Lightning (20-15-2; 42 Points)
Previously #9
Tampa has cooled down boy. 4 straight loses. Now don’t end the parade talk or even discuss that this team is now too old to compete. Save the BS. Jake Guentzel has been great and has been such a huge part of this offensive power coming out of Tampa. They can retool on the fly and no one should be sleeping on them.
#12 Florida Panthers (24-15-2; 50 Points)
Previously #10
Some players after not being named for the 4 Nations roster came out and are making a statement, looking at you Zach Hyman. Other players who were named for 4 Nations have come out and been completely ice cold and have done nothing…that’s you Sam Bennett. The rosters were picked too early…just saying. If there’s a chance to make a swap…I’d look now Canada.
#11 Carolina Hurricanes (24-14-2; 50 Points)
Previously #12
Underlying stats suggest they should be much better than their record suggests. I think they are seeing some of the effects of goaltending woes. They aren’t in the top for goals against, which is unlike the Canes. They also could use more scoring, go figure.
#10 Dallas Stars (24-13-1; 49 Points)
Previously #11
Winners of 4 straight and the Stars are coming back to life. Still a little worried about this team in some respects but much of the underlying stuff is looking better and better. They will be a tough out and still one of the more dangerous teams in the league.
#9 Colorado Avalanche (25-15-1; 51 Points)
Previously #13
Calling it now, the Avs are back as the most dangerous team in the central. They fixed their goaltending issues and guys are humming now. Look what happens when you get even average goaltending on a foundationally sound team. Scott Wedgwood is expected to be out for a bit but I think its going to be okay for the near term. They’ve got themselves back into the divisional discussion.
#8 New Jersey Devils (25-15-3; 53 Points)
Previously #4
Winners of a game after a 4 game losing streak. I should have slapped them harder last week, but this is a catchup. They might need to start looking at scoring depth. Still don’t get the hate from James, this team is what his Ducks are going to turn into in the next years.
#7 Winnipeg Jets (27-12-2; 56 Points)
Previously #3
This is a big drop for this team that may be a little harsh but I think the PDO is coming back to earth and the rest of the league has caught back up. I don’t even think they are the most dangerous team in their division anymore. That said, they are solid team. I am not shining the “fraud warning” sign yet, but I am calling a fraud watch here.
#6 Edmonton Oilers (24-12-3; 51 Points)
Unchanged
Perfect week against very mid (at best) teams in the NHL. The Oil are staying out of the news, doing their thing and winning games. That’s all this Oilers fan is asking for. They continue to mature. The issues that plagued this team in the past, regarding defensive issues, letting leads slip away after things don’t go their way, or giving up when the goals aren’t going in aren’t happening anymore. This team is slated for another run, if they can get through the hungry Kings.
#5 Los Angeles Kings (23-10-5; 51 Points)
Unchanged
Winners of 4 in a row and the Kings, among the two other top teams in the Pacific can’t lose right now. Darcy Kuemper looks quite good and the likes of Kopi, Kempe, and Byfield are looking great. All without Drew Doughty…
#4 Toronto Maple Leafs (26-13-2; 54 Points)
Previously #8
The Matthews noise is quieting down as he has returned and has looked quite good. Mitch Marner is turning in one of the best contract years he could possibly ask for, but he won’t be judged by his incredible regular season. His entire contract situation will be interesting to say the least. 5 on 5 they have some work to do.
#3 Minnesota Wild (25-11-4; 54 Points)
Previously #7
The Minnesota Kaprizovs are back in the top 3, because of the their mascot, Kiril the Thrill. He’s been that good. They aren’t that deep; they aren’t world beaters beyond Kaprizov and Gustavsson. They are a good team though and its fun to play hockey in Minnesota again.
#1B Vegas Golden Knights (26-9-3; 57 Points)
Previously #1
Vegas will not be letting off the gas as they cruise their way to another Pacific Division win. 12 wins in their last 14, 16 in their last 20 and they are just white hot. They are built down the middle and probably the class of the West, if not sharing it with another divisional rival. Unfortunately, we could see the Conference Final happen in the 2nd round again if things shake out like this.
#1A Washington Capitals (26-10-4; 56 Points)
Previously #2
Ovi has 4 goals in 5 games since his return and he has 19 goals in 23 this season so far. He will have to keep this up if he wants to beat the record this season but who’s to say he won’t. This team is humming and putting a huge wrench in this Metropolitan division.
In-Season Cup
James’s Hawks and Rangers have brought him back to tying Alex. Tonight, one of the two will pull ahead as the Stars look to take back the Cup. Seems like my teams just can’t capitalize on their chances, though sitting just 11 days behind is not the death sentence…yet.