NHL Power Rankings: Week 15
We have some clinchers! That’s right, 3 teams have clinched a berth into the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. We are going to see more and more get that illustrious “x” next to their names on the standings week by week. Soon we may see teams start to clinch top of their division and the ultimate President’s Trophy team, the best team in the regular season. Though, I believe that one is cursed… All records are of the afternoon of 4.25.21
#16 New York Rangers (24-18-6, 54 Points)
Unchanged
No, Montreal does not get a spot anymore. The Rangers are facing the harsh realities of playing in a deep and competitive division. The Rangers have a very strong goal differential and a stronger point percentage than 2 playoff bound teams in other divisions. They will keep aiming for that spot because I don’t know if I trust the Bruins completely yet. They play the Boston Bruins in the last 2 games of the season and I wonder if those could be decisive…I always pray for those must win “playoffs-esque” games. I am pulling for this team.
#15 Nashville Predators (26-21-2, 54 Points)
Unchanged
Nashville took the series against the Blackhawks which proved to be extremely impactful to the standings and the race for the playoffs. I said that the winner of the series would most likely push the other out of the race. While Chicago is still in there, Nashville has made it that much harder. This division will be fascinating to watch over the next 3 weeks.
#14 Dallas Stars (20-15-12, 52 Points)
Unchanged
Dallas is firing on all cylinders. Welcome to the rankings, I was beginning to think my belief wasn’t going to come true. The Dallas Stars have a 7-1-2 split over their last 10 and currently sit 2 points out of a spot in the Discover Central behind Nashville with 2 games at hand. 3-1-0 against the Red Wings last week was a huge boost for them in the race. Look at those overtime loser points, the only team with double digit OT losses. This week will be a huge and tough week as the Stars face Carolina and Tampa before going to Nashville on Saturday. That game could be a defining game…it’s a must watch.
#13 Winnipeg Jets (27-15-3, 57 Points)
Previously #12
3 losses in a row for the Jets, with both losses to the Toronto Maple Leafs last week. They have slowed down a bit but have a chance to gain back the point percentage difference against the Oilers this week, finishing the week with a game in Montreal. Scheifele continues to lead his team alongside a huge season for Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor.
#12 Edmonton Oilers (27-16-2, 56 Points)
Previously #13
2 games for the Oilers last week where we saw them split with Montreal, though not without a dramatic comeback that just couldn’t be finished in their last game. They fell behind in the first before unloading in the 3rd period after not managing to solve the Habs goaltending. The Oilers have shown to have much more character this season, something we fans have been dying to see.
#11 Boston Bruins (27-14-6, 60 Points)
Unchanged
3-2-0 on the week signals that Boston is still finding ways to win games, though have lost 2 in a row here and one to the Sabres. 6-4-0 in their last 10 is solid enough to give them a nice buffer for making the postseason. The Rangers seem to be just too far out to make playoffs, but Boston will need to keep finding ways to win to limit any chance for them.
#10 New York Islanders (29-14-5, 63 Points)
Previously #8
New York continues to play solid hockey; they are 5-4-1 through their last 10 games. A +23-goal differential is quite strong as well. They have dropped 2 in a row here and seemed to be “disconnected” in their last game against Washington. Those moments happen when there you just aren’t clicking with your line mates and the team is just kind of…bleh. The best teams are those that limit these moments and find a way to connect all the wires again, let’s see if they can do it before playoffs.
#9 Toronto Maple Leafs (30-13-5, 65 Points)
Previously #7
The Leafs are a modest 5-3-2 over their last 10 games. Worst part of this was the fact that they dropped 2 games against the Canucks who came off their extremely long covid stint. The Leafs are facing some goaltending questions, but then again when aren’t they? I still think this is the team to beat in the North. They play Montreal and Vancouver this week, two teams who really need the points.
#8 Florida Panthers (31-13-5, 67 Points)
Previously #6
Another fall for the Florida Panthers but that mostly has to do with the incredible jumps you’ll see ahead. The Panther are on a 5-4-1 split over their last 10 games and have a little “easier” schedule here with a 2-game stint against Nashville and another 2-game stint against Chicago. Both teams will be fired up so those might be great games to watch. They do have a slightly better point percentage that Tampa, by .003, which is a rounding error at this point.
#7 Tampa Bay Lightning (31-14-2, 64 points)
Previously #4
A 3-spot fall for the Mighty Lightning, which is equally an indictment on their current play and situation as well as the fantastic play of the teams who saw major jumps in the positive direction. They are maintaining position in the division and I have no worry that they will miss playoffs. The Bolts received their championship rings in a private ceremony event, and they are gorgeous. Steven Stamkos is once again on LTIR, he unfortunately just can’t stay healthy. They hope to have him back by May, the start of the postseason.
#6 Washington Capitals (31-13-4, 66 Points)
Previously #5
2-1-0 last week isn’t too shabby. They did get pushed to 2nd in the division but still sit with a very slight edge on the point percentage side, .004% which is a computational error. They are on the 2-game winning streak and still sit with a 6-4-0 record over their last 10. Nick Backstrom is having a very solid season sitting atop the team in points at 48. Congrats on your 1,000th game last week as well.
#5 Pittsburgh Penguins (32-13-3, 67 Points)
Previously #9
A 4 spot jump this week for the Pittsburgh Penguins who currently sit atop of the MassMutual East division. They are on a 4-game winning streak and just shut out the Boston Bruins to claim that first spot ahead of Washington. They are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and show no signs of stopping. The new management team seems to have settled things down since the beginning of the season. Crosby sits with the most points at 56 in 48 games. This team is getting it done by committee.
#4 Minnesota Wild (31-13-3, 65 Points)
Previously #10
Yes, the Minnesota Wild jumped 4 spots week over week after their last win that extended their winning streak to 7. They clinched a playoff spot and have a 3-game series against the St. Louis Blues who are fighting for their lives at this point of the season. This Wild team has been such an amazing story and I hope they give one of the top dogs a run for their money in that first round.
#3 Carolina Hurricanes (31-10-6, 68 Points)
Unchanged
Carolina split both of its series against the Florida based teams but stole a point in both losses, good for a 6-point week. 6 points out of possible 8 in any given week is better than the highest point percentage average, so I’d take it. They are 6-1-3 in their last 10. 3 OT losses signals they need to finish their games, but I won’t hold it against them. +39 goal differential is phenomenal.
#2 Colorado Avalanche (31-10-4, 66 Points)
Previously #1
1-1 on the week, splitting their games against St. Louis. They have another game to finish the series before they face the Knights and host San Jose twice in a row. They have a couple games at hand on the Knights so don’t count out their ability to clinch the division. Don’t get too worked up on that, we are far from that yet.
#1 Vegas Golden Knights (34-11-2, 70 Points)
Previously #6
Another perfect week for the Golden Knights who now sit atop of the Honda West and league in points and point percentage. They are 9-1-0 in their last 10 and have a staggering +57 goal differential. I really hope we see them and Colorado in the 2nd round of playoffs.