NHL Power Rankings: Week 12
This week is the last week before the trade deadline. More importantly, we are basically a month away from playoffs. I would argue that many of the divisions are pretty set, more or less. Yes, there is always chances for craziness. We are starting to post our consensus power rankings so you can see how the boys differ from my rankings. I admit that there weren’t many changes this week. All records are of the afternoon of 4.4.21
#16 Arizona Coyotes (17-15-5, 39 Points)
Unchanged
The Yotes are in a playoff spot still, but all of sudden are facing the pressure. Two teams in the division are within a point of the team and all games are equal. This spot will be reserved for that 4th place team in the Honda West for here on out, they don’t deserve any higher given the weak goal differential numbers, but I will watching that part of the division rankings closely because it is going to be a battle for the spot.
#15 Nashville Predators (20-18-1, 41 Points)
Previously Outside Top 16
Nashville has all of a sudden been quite nasty. They are 8-2-0 in their last 10 and find themselves taking over that 4th spot in the Discover Central division. They have a negative goal differential, and I don’t know if they will be able to even that up before playoffs but they are back from the dead at this point, which is fun to see. Still wonder about the Stars in that division but for now, go Preds go.
#14 Montreal Canadiens (16-9-9, 41 Points)
Unchanged
The Habs just can’t find a consistent stride since that killer of a start. They are sitting with a 5-3-2 split over their last 10 games, which is not terrible but they need to find some consistency. They do have a tough week, playing the other 3 teams in the playoff race in the Scotia North. Tyler Toffoli is still having quite the season sitting with 28 points in 31 games, top of the roster. Though the entire offense has cooled off a bit.
#13 Winnipeg Jets (22-13-3, 47 Points)
Unchanged
Winnipeg has the “weaker” 10 game split than the Oilers at 5-4-1. They have a solid +17 goal differential and a .618-point percentage, quite solid for a team I had no idea would be a team to beat. Looks like the Oilers will most likely play the Jets in the playoffs which I think will be one of the most fun matchups in that 1st round. Jets have the Habs twice this week as they try to regain some traction.
#12 Edmonton Oilers (23-14-1, 47 Points)
Unchanged
Edmonton had a solid 2-1 week, one of the wins against the Maple Leafs before a comeback win against the Flames. The Oilers finally get the Ottawa Senators twice this week, though I would say that’s not too great as the Senators are having fun right now playing spoiler. That Ottawa team has a bright future boy.
#11 Boston Bruins (19-10-5, 43 Points)
Unchanged
1-2 week for the Big Bad Bruins. They do have a solid 5-4-1 split over their last 10 so they are playing somewhat resilient hockey, which I can appreciate. They will make the playoffs, if only because I think the Flyers are falling out and in danger of falling out of reach. In fact, the Bruins have the opportunity to put the nail in the Flyers coffin as they face them 3 times this week. Those are the games the Flyers are going to want so I will be intrigued how the Bruins compete to keep their playoff spot.
#10 Pittsburgh Penguins (24-12-2, 50 Points)
Unchanged
Another great week, going 2-1-0 on the week. The Pens have a 6-3-1 split over their last 10 games, and it seems like this team is back in business. I’ll be very interested to see where they finish this season, but it looks like they’ll get the Islanders in round 1, which could be an interesting matchup. The Pens have an opportunity to pad their points against the Rangers and Devils this week.
#9 Minnesota Wild (23-11-2, 48 Points)
Unchanged
Minnesota has built on their strong week last week and won another 2 games this past week. They now have a .667-point percentage, and the crazy part is they are doing all of this without a bonafide star. This team would be foolish to buy assets/rentals for a run, but I think they could definitely make that first round interesting. This team is fun to watch, and no one has been able to say that ever.
#8 New York Islanders (24-10-4, 52 Points)
Previously #6
A 684-point percentage during a season that I questioned their ability to score and win games this season. They have a 6-4-0 split over their last 10, have a 2-game winning streak, and a very strong +27 goal differential. They play the mighty Capitals before clearly weaker teams in Philly and New York. Matt Barzal is a beast, and the Isles are so lucky to have him.
#7 Toronto Maple Leafs (24-10-3, 50 Points)
Unchanged
Leafs are 6-3-1 and have a 2-game winning streak through this afternoon. They have a division’s best +28 goal differential, mostly due to their raw ability to bury the puck. They play Calgary twice before Montreal and Ottawa. 2 of those teams are pretty much out of contention but the Habs may very well be a round 1 preview. I expect a 5-point week for the Leafs this week, anything less would be concerning.
#6 Carolina Hurricanes (24-9-3, 51 Points)
Previously #3
Carolina went 1-2-0 this week and sit with a respectable 5-3-2 split over 10 games. They play a Dallas team again today after a loss to them last night before hosting Florida twice as well as Detroit. This is a week for them to get back into a nice groove. They have a +27-goal differential so this team has been tough to play against all season. I love Rob Brind’Amour and he’s quickly becoming one of the best coaches in the league right now.
#5 Vegas Golden Knights (24-10-2, 50 Points)
Previously #4
Vegas has faced a little bit of a rough patch as of late but still sit with a +29-goal differential. They are 5-4-1 over their last 10, not amazing but nothing too awful. Every team faces some slow down after a period of domination. They play desperate Blues and Coyotes teams this week and could put a damper on those teams’ path to making the postseason. season. You can definitely play spoiler as a top team as well.
#4 Florida Panthers (25-9-4, 54 Points)
Previously #8
Florida has responded well to the devastating news/injury of Aaron Ekblad. The team went 4-0-0 on the week and are finding ways to beat teams without their star defenseman. They are also on a strong 5 game winning streak. The team has been noted to be looking for a defenseman before the trade, so I wonder if Ekblad going down perpetuates that. They need to find a way to keep the puck out of their net consistently because if they can, I would be scared to play this team next month in the post season. These games this week are against better competition, let’s see if they can keep competing.
#3 Tampa Bay Lightning (26-10-2, 54 points)
Previously #1
Tampa has had a little bit of rough patch, against their standards of course. I still give them a top 3 spot simply because they still have a 6-4-0 split over their last 10 games, and they are 2nd in goal differential at +37. They are a wagon like usual, although their recent loss to the Red Wings does bring some concern. I could argue that they are just waiting for playoffs, as most teams of this caliber focus on, the regular season means nothing to them.
#2 Washington Capitals (25-9-4, 54 Points)
Unchanged
Washington has just been a wagon, winning 7 of their last 10 games and sitting with a 2-game winning streak. They could get some help goaltending wise to improve on their goal differential. They will be a force in the playoffs if they can find the goaltending.
#1 Colorado Avalanche (25-8-4, 54 Points)
Previously #5
The Avs still sit with a white hot 8-0-2 split over their last 10 games. They haven’t missed out on a point since March 8th, that’s 14 games straight with a point. Oh, and this week alone they went undefeated. They have the league’s best .730-point percentage, and the league’s best +49 goal differential. They are on another level right now.