NHL Power Rankings: Week 17
NHL was without its best player this past week, I don’t know if anyone heard that news…it was just a little thing. Jokes aside, we are quickly arriving to the 4 Nations Face-off and then the trade deadline. We saw a bombshell, once in a decade trade, occur this weekend that threw everyone off. What a grenade that was.
#16 Columbus Blue Jackets (24-19-7; 55 Points)
Previously #15
The feel-good story of the East is the Blue Jackets. This team and city have rallied around tragedy and are actually looking good. They slowed a bit, but they looked awesome against Toronto, which is always fun to do.
#15 Calgary Flames (24-17-7; 55 Points)
Previously Unranked
The Flames and the Jackets are the darlings of their respective conferences. Every year there’s a team that comes out of nowhere and smashes expectations and its these two teams, ironically dealing with the same tragedy of losing Johnny G. They will always be connected throughout history, and they are both stepping up to show what they can do. They are a threat every night.
#14 Ottawa Senators (26-20-4; 56 Points)
Unchanged
The Battle of Ontario had a new victor this weekend as the Sens defended home ice, though their fans weren’t able to defend the blue and white opponent fans from flooding their arena. Sens are hanging on for now.
#13 Tampa Bay Lightning (26-19-3; 55 Points)
Unchanged
The Bolts just trudge along. Inconsistency is an issue but they are slated to make playoffs again. I wonder how active they think they need to be at deadline.
#12 Colorado Avalanche (29-20-2; 60 Points)
Previously #11
I get the play by the Avs in this trade if you believe you can’t sign Mikko long-term. The Draisaitl contract changed the game but if the news that he was willing to take less is true, and that they may have moved too fast is true, this could be a hard blow for the Avs. They did get deeper bringing in solid/great players in Drury and Necas. It also gives them some room to work at the deadline but losing Mikko here does pose some risk of locker room dissention which is an intangible thing that some GMs don’t account for. This Oilers fan is happy to see Mikko out of the West.
#11 New Jersey Devils (28-18-6; 62 Points)
Previously #12
The Devils finally stopped the hemorrhaging with a few wins here. Jacob Markstrom will be out for a bit, which is a concern. They are in the thick of the playoff race and need to find consistency now.
#10 Minnesota Wild (29-17-4; 62 Points)
Previously #7
Kiril is back and the Wild need to start going on a run. I don’t think that they will miss playoffs but they need to find a good groove soon so that they can even think to take the Stars or Avs the distance.
#9 Florida Panthers (29-19-3; 61 Points)
Previously #10
Sam Bennett finally scored twice in a week, first goals since December 3. He needs to get it going or else the Panthers will struggle to repeat. Does he even play a game at the 4 Nations if he can’t score soon?
#8 Los Angeles Kings (26-15-6; 58 Points)
Previously #6
The Kings are doing all the right things on the ice except putting the puck in the net. But they will likely play a team that can in the playoffs and you need to be able to score at will…almost.
#7 Toronto Maple Leafs (30-18-2; 62 Points)
Previously #8
Losses all this week should not be an upgrade, but the teams below the Leafs are in bigger trouble. The East is not nearly as strong at the top but its anyone’s to grab. The Leafs will likely be the Atlantic Division winner and that’s going to be helpful this year.
#6 Carolina Hurricanes (30-16-4; 64 Points)
Previously #9
The news of the weekend. The Hurricanes manage to make a trade for Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche, also acquiring Taylor Hall in exchange for Chris Drury and Martin Necas. If you believe that the team who gets the best player wins the trade than the Canes did, however I think it only works if they can sign him. It’s a lot to give up but to bring in the top 5 highest scoring player since 2020 is a work of art for a team that needs that type of player. The Canes become so very interesting now.
#5 Vegas Golden Knights (31-15-4; 66 Points)
Unchanged
Vegas just missed their 4 spot due to their loss against Dallas but they could easily be rated higher. Tomas Hertl is looking great as he’s on a hot streak and that’s a huge relief for the Knights.
#4 Dallas Stars (31-17-1; 63 Points)
Unchanged
I love watching the Stars play the Knights, its always a fun game, and that was no different this weekend. The Stars were the better team at most points in the game but then the Knights find a way to get back into it and give themselves a chance. The Stars came out on top but it was damn close.
#3 Edmonton Oilers (32-15-3; 67 Points)
Previously #2
Putting aside the big news surrounding the Oilers this week, the Oilers are here to stay. I have been watching the Oilers since I was a little wee lad, and yes had an emo/revolting stint when I moved to California. That is definitely a stain on my allegiance, and I admit that. That said, I have never seen an Oiler team that didn’t need to bring their A game every night and still win. The Oilers had two games in a row against non-playoff teams. Those teams had to bring their A game, and they looked good, and still lost. The Oilers probably played their C or B games in those games and still found their way to win. You don’t love when a team isn’t clicking at full cylinders but its tough to do it every night and this team is THAT good to keep winning even when they don’t bring their best. It’s been a long time coming that we get to enjoy that, as it seems like the best teams in recent history are like this.
#2 Winnipeg Jets (34-14-3; 71 Points)
Previously #3
Jets had a great week. Kyle Connor is so damn good and is continuing his historic season. They are a little bit top heavy but they have the goaltending to get things done. They will be in on finding depth this deadline.
#1 Washington Capitals (33-11-5; 71 Points)
Unchanged
The Canucks were the team that stopped the Caps point streak, to my benefit because I was able to finally touch the In Season Cup. PLD may have found a home and we aren’t hearing too much negativity from him or around him this year, that’s good for him.
In-Season Cup
Of all teams that are keeping me alive, it’s the damn Canucks. Yuck.