NHL Power Rankings: Week 10
This point in the season, we are starting to see 3 tiers of teams. The cup contenders, the playoff contenders (e.g. the teams that could very well win a round or two), and the playoff hopefuls (those fighting to keep their spot). I assume you all will be able to delineate who fits where based on my rankings. This season has been quite the roller coaster and I have had a blast trying to keep up to date on it. I admit, I miss having all the teams play each other. I can’t wait for us to be back to normal by next season. All records are of the afternoon of 3.21.21
#16 Columbus Blue Jackets (13-12-7, 33 Points)
Previously Outside Top 16
Before jumping down my throat, I have the Jackets here because they made it to a playoff spot. I understand that 1 other team has a better point percentage they 2 others are nearly tied, but I have to give appreciation to the playoff bound team who has the best 10-game split of the competing teams. They managed to knock the Blackhawks out of the playoff spot, going 2-0-1 this week. Those wins were against the Hurricanes, a feat admirable in and of itself. We all wonder how the tension between Laine and Torts will shake out, it’s always something with Tortorella these days. Their goaltending/defense needs to improve if they wish to maintain their playoff spot.
#15 Montreal Canadiens (14-8-9, 37 Points)
Previously Outside Top 16
Here you go James! These last two spots are admittedly for the teams that are holding playoffs spots as of today. The Canadiens have started to push back against the rough narrative that has been thrown their way, including from yours truly. They are 4-2-4 in their last 10, while above .500 in the point percentage department, is not a .500 record in terms of wins. Despite all of this, they still have a strong +13 goal differential. While I thought Carey Price was turning a corner, he gives up 8 goals in 2 games for a combined .822 SV%. He is still a bit too streaky for me but I look at what he can do and he has the potential to bring this team back into contending status. They play the offensive powerhouse Oilers who are hot right now, this will be a fun 3-game series.
#14 St. Louis Blues (16-10-5, 37 Points)
Unchanged
That was a solid week for the Blues. They managed to take care of the San Jose Sharks in a back to back series, scoring 7 goals in that span. They did lose to the LA Kings, who are really trying to get back into the race here. Look, these bottom teams in my rankings are tough to rank because they are the inconsistent ones on a weekly basis. The Blues still have a negative goal differential at -3, which is not good and not conducive for a contending team in this league. They do have a 5-2-3 record over their last 10 games, which is above .500 in terms of the point percentage race, where loser points are a thing. Their week against the Golden Knights and Wild will be a huge test.
#13 Winnipeg Jets (18-11-2, 38 Points)
Previously #9
Winnipeg failed to stop Connor McDavid this week. The Jets went 1-3-0 on the week, with their last two losses to the Oilers. They gave up a 2-goal lead last night, something you can’t do if you wish to succeed in this league. This team is a good team though, and this week they will have a chance to right the ship against Vancouver and Calgary, both teams who just seem to find a consistent stride in their quest to find the playoffs. This Oilers fan is a big Jets fan this week, the less points going to those teams on the outside, the better. These divisional only games are quite impactful on a week to week basis. Pierre Luc Dobois looks quite good in a Jets sweater.
#12 Minnesota Wild (18-10-1, 37 Points)
Previously #8
Tough week for the Wild, going 1-2 on the week. They were dominated by a clearly superior Avalanche team, that may have humbled this young, up and coming hockey club. They play the Ducks twice this week before the Blues, a few games that will give them a chance to shake off the tough Avalanche series and find their way again. They still sit with a solid .638-point percentage and a +12 goal differential. This is an interesting week for the Wild.
#11 Pittsburgh Penguins (19-11-2, 40 Points)
Unchanged
5-games this week for the Penguins, and they went a solid 2-2-1. They managed to grab 5 points in 5-games, good for an even .500. They have a solid 7-2-1 split over their last 10 games, which is better than the Wild as of late, thus giving them the edge in the rankings. Points are for the taking against Buffalo this week, but they face the Islanders on the weekend, a game that will give them a chance to gain in the division. This division is still up for grabs at this point. Crosby has 32 points in 31 games, at his age he just continues to amaze. What a leader.
#10 Edmonton Oilers (21-13-0, 42 Points)
Previously #16
The Oilers ascended to tie the Leafs for first in the Scotia North division, and there was no lack of drama. They Edmonton Oilers lost a nail bitter to the Flames to open the week before going on a 3-game winning streak. They pounded the Flames and turned around the next night and managed to squeak out a one goal game in what was otherwise a tight checking game against the Jets. They have played quite resilient since their series against the Leafs. They play another 4 games this week, 3 against the Habs and 1 against the Leafs. This may be the biggest test for this team at this point in the season, with an opportunity to take some points back from both teams that have had their number this season.
#9 Boston Bruins (16-8-4, 36 Points)
Previously #12
Boston had a fairly good week. They went 2-1-0, beating both the Penguins in a tight game and the Sabers. They do sit 4th in the division with 36 points, but they have the better point percentage as they have some games at hand. They will be further behind with the postponement of a couple games here but they will have some time to make those games back up and see if they can overtake that 3rd place spot. They have a solid +11 goal differential, have won their last 2 games, and are trending in a better direction than last week.
#8 Toronto Maple Leafs (20-10-2, 42 Points)
Previously #7
The Leafs had skidded big time, and I did consider giving them a big bump down, even falling below another Scotia North Team. I couldn’t bring myself to that because the Maple Leafs have the strongest point percentage in the division and are still deserved of some respect. They have a .656-point percentage and have only won 2 games since their 3-game sweep of the Edmonton Oilers. They have a rough 4-6-0 split over their last 10 games. They still have a +24-goal differential and have a high-octane offense. They aren’t losing due to lack of scoring; their goaltending has been very shoddy at best. They are getting “goalied” big time right now.
#7 Colorado Avalanche (19-8-2, 40 Points)
Previously #10
4-0-0 this week. And to boot, they scored an average 5.75 goals a game, absolute domination. The Avalanche are back and I shouldn’t have had a doubt in my mind. +32 goal differential, and quite honestly could stand to be ranked a bit higher. Their week against Arizona and Vegas will determine where they should fit in the rankings. Nathan MacKinnon had two back-to-back 3-point nights against the Wild and is starting to show his dominance once again. They have a 6-game winning streak now but will be tested. I look forward to giving them the love they deserve come next week.
#6 New York Islanders (20-8-4, 44 Points)
Previously #4
The hockey club from Long Island went .500 on the week, 2-2-0. They responded to back-to-back losses in the middle of the week with a staggering win against Philadelphia on Saturday, putting up 6 goals. They sit 7th in point percentage but are tied for 1st in the MassMutual East division, making that push for 1st an exciting one to watch. The Islanders are still quite a dull team to watch, they out defend and win hockey games in the most boring of ways. It gets results. They have a solid +24 goal differential and sit 5th in goals against. They are 8-2-0 in their last 10. They face a relatively tough week, playing the Flyers, Bruins, and Penguins. This is a chance to really show what they are made of against high octane teams.
#5 Washington Capitals (20-7-4, 44 Points)
Previously #6
Washington had another successful week, going 3-1-0 on the week. They played some soft teams this week, so we shouldn’t be too surprised They don’t face the big competition for a couple weeks, but a team needs to keep winning to keep the flow and confidence going. A .710-point percentage is the best in the MassMutual East, though is close to getting dethroned by the New York Islanders. Their cushion is pretty safe to say they are nearly a lock for the playoffs. +14 goal differential could be better, and is a product of questionable goaltending, but they have elite scorers. They are 8-2-0 over their last 10 so they continue to dominate their division. This will be a fun battle for 1st in the division.
#4 Carolina Hurricanes (20-7-3, 43 Points)
Previously #2
The Hurricanes have seen a little set back, going 1-1-2 this week, and losing against the Detroit Red Wings. They did manage to take the surging Blue Jackets to overtime twice, gaining a couple loser points there. Points are points in this league. They sit with a .717-point percentage, quite solid and still have a very strong +23 goal differential. The goaltending group is playing decent, with starter Reimer sporting an okay .909 SV% but Nedelijkovic has a solid .926 SV% over 10 games, quite strong for a 25-year-old. I like this team’s tenacity and drive. Aho is playing a solid enough season trending just below a point per game, but that just goes to show they get it done by committee.
#3 Florida Panthers (20-6-4, 44 Points)
Previously #5
Yes folks, Florida has climbed to my 3rd place spot in the league. They are playing really well this season; we actually have an exciting and intense rivalry budding between the Florida based teams. Florida is just winning at everything in life these days. They have a .733-point percentage, still haven’t lost 2 games in a row, and have a +19 goal differential. I still question their goaltending that really does need to tighten up if they plan on winning a series against teams like the Lightning. But for now, I am sure the entire Panther fan base is really starting to dig in and enjoy this team, something they deserve.
#2 Vegas Golden Knights (21-6-1, 43 Points)
Previously #3
5-game winning streak, 8-2-0 over their last 10 games, and they sit with a +31-goal differential, good for 3rd in the league. They currently lead the NHL in the point percentage department at .768, though the margin is negligible with the Bolts. Vegas made good work of its matchups against San Jose and LA. Mark Stone is having a banner year, sitting with 35 points in 27 games played and sits with a +18. He’s historically been below a point per game, but this year is trending well above that. For being named the first captain in Golden Knights history, he is making the best of it.
#1 Tampa Bay Lightning (22-6-2, 46 points)
Unchanged
Tampa’s only blemish this week was their loss to the Predators on Monday. They responded strong against the Stars and Blackhawks, which is something the best of teams does on a weekly basis. They sit with marginally the 2nd best point percentage, but statistically tied with Vegas, at least before they finish their game against the Panthers. The Lightning have a league leading, +40 goal differential, are sitting on a 3-game winning streak and a 7-2-1 record over their 10 games. I still have them atop the league just based on their goal differential and the fact that I think their division, while top heavy, is the hardest.