NHL Power Rankings: Week 16
Sorry I am late folks; it’s been a crazy time for me lately. More clinches!!! Most teams have 6 or less games left in the regular season. Some teams have important games to go, some have garbage time left. Things are heating up and we are on the precipice of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This will be my second to last rankings for the season. Next week will be it and I will shift to a weekly playoff discussion. All records are of the morning of 5.4.21
#16 St. Louis Blues (24-19-7, 55 Points)
Previously Outside Top 16
St. Louis has a solid 6-3-1 split over their last 10 games and are the 16th team in a playoff spot as of today. They have 3-games at hand on the only team that can overthrow the Blues (Arizona) and those games include Anaheim, LA, Vegas and Minnesota. Arizona does play LA and San Jose this week to finish their last 3 games so if the Blues have some issues, we could see a bitter battle. I think the Blues will win their win though and lock up the spot. They will play the Golden Knights or Avs in the 1st round which seems like such a mismatch. Regardless, let’s see if they can punch their ticket this week.
#15 Montreal Canadiens (24-18-9, 57 Points)
Unchanged
Yes, Montreal gets a spot again. The Habs are on a 3-game winning streak, the last of which was on a last minute comeback against the Leafs. They will be playing the Leafs in the 1st round and it’s going to be a fun one, we hope. It seems one-sided but we could see the Habs find a way to make it a series, though I honestly doubt it. Montreal barely has a positive goal differential, and I question if they can go far. They have had such a rollercoaster of a season.
#14 Winnipeg Jets (27-21-3, 57 Points)
Previously #13
7 losses straight for the Jets now, all against playoff teams. I worry about this team going into playoffs because their likely opponent is rolling right now, and the Jets are really feeling the pain of missing Nikolaj Ehlers and some injuries that are finally resolved as of late. They need to figure out their game ASAP.
#13 Nashville Predators (29-22-2, 60 Points)
Previously #15
Dallas lost important games this week and left the Predators in a much better position to lock up the 4th spot. They have 1 less game to play than Dallas, though 2 of those games are against the Carolina Hurricanes. Dallas has 2 games against Tampa and 2 against Chicago. This week is all about these two teams because they are fighting to squeak in at this point. I think Nashville wont’ make a long run but they came out of nowhere to make the playoffs and have been playing playoff hockey for a while now, something I have mentioned is scary for opponents.
#12 New York Islanders (31-16-5, 67 Points)
Previously #10
New York is faltering a bit and are sitting with a 4-5-1 record over their last 10. It would be incredible if they didn’t make the playoffs as I think they are well safe from the Rangers, who are actually falling themselves. This team is probably going through a short term set back right now. I don’t know how much I like this team going into playoffs to be honest, I just think the lack of offensive prowess will bite this team, but I have been wrong before.
#11 Edmonton Oilers (31-17-2, 64 Points)
Previously #12
The Oilers are rolling pretty well right now. They are winning games in bunches and limiting their losses. They may lose a game but they back it up with a win. Limiting your losses in bunches is extremely important going into playoffs and is what is absolutely necessary to make runs. Oilers have 6 games left this season, they were screwed over by the Canucks covid situation and will be ragged going into the 1st round. They have 4 games against the Canucks who will be playing garbage games at this point and can’t even play spoiler because the Oilers have solidified a playoff spot and won’t fall below 3rd spot. 2nd actual playoff appearance in 14 years, safe to say I am ecstatic.
#10 Boston Bruins (31-14-6, 68 Points)
Previously #11
Boston has a 4-game winning streak that was good enough to push the relatively faltering Islanders for the 3rd spot in the division. Boston has 5 games left this season and those are against the bottom feeders before they face the Islanders and Capitals to cap it off. That Islanders game could be the deciding game, but we will see.
#9 Toronto Maple Leafs (33-13-6, 72 Points)
Unchanged
The Leafs probably deserve a better ranking than 9, but they are 5-2-3 in their last 10 and their recent wins have been against the Cancucks, whom they should be beating up. They will finish 1st in the division, barring they don’t go winless in their next 4 and Edmonton doesn’t go undefeated the rest of their stretch. The Leafs will face the Habs in the 1st round, something we hockey fans have been praying to see, albeit it will be a pretty 1 sided affair.
#8 Pittsburgh Penguins (34-16-3, 71 Points)
Previously #5
A drop for the Pens as the teams that jumped them last week found as stride this past week. The Penguins are in a fierce battle for 1st spot in the East and I think they actually can do it. They have 3 games left in the season, one less than the Caps and those games are against the Fliers and Sabres (x2). I like Pens at 1st and what a season that will be for this team. I love the new management team and coach Mike Sullivan. Whenever you have Sid the Kid and Malkin you go for it!
#7 Washington Capitals (33-14-5, 71 Points)
Previously #6
4 games left for the Washington Capitals who are battling for that top spot in the MassMutual East. I think I would rather play the Islanders in the 1st round so it does matter, though the Bruins are very experienced come playoff time so I wouldn’t like any matchup I get if I’m the Caps. They are playing well. They have a few easier games before ending the season against Boston.
#6 Minnesota Wild (33-14-4, 70 Points)
Previously #4
Minnesota went 1-1-1 against the St Louis Blues this week before winning a high scoring affair against the Knights last night. The Wild have been so fun this season and are playing with house money at this point. They are having strong seasons from their rookies and that’s a breath of fresh air for those fans who deserve to have excitement given the hockey frenzy that is Minnesota. 8-1-1 in the last 10 is so strong. I think they are going to give Vegas or Colorado a run for their money in the 1st round and I would be doing anything to prevent playing this team in the 1st round.
#5 Florida Panthers (35-14-5, 75 Points)
Previously #8
I nice jump back for the Florida Panthers who are currently on a 4-game winning streak. Technically, they are in the 2nd spot ahead of Tampa, but Tampa has 2 games at hand. The Panthers have 2 games left this season and who are they against? You guessed it, the Tampa Bay Lightning. These teams are going to be potentially playing 9 straight games between Saturday and the end of the 1st round. They are going to be so tired of each other and I except sparks to fly.
#4 Tampa Bay Lightning (35-14-3, 73 points)
Previously #7
A 3-spot jump for the Lightning, who just are jumping all over the place. Look the Lightning are very very good team and a force to be reckoned with. They are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and have a very strong +41 goal differential on the season. I just can’t wait to see the Battle of Florida for the first time, something that state needs in the ways of hockey. Albeit I would love to see Florida take it from their historically bigger and better half.
#3 Colorado Avalanche (34-12-4, 72 Points)
Previously #2
3-game winning streak is keeping this team fierce and scary, which followed a loss to the Golden Knights. Those wins have been against the Sharks, so not really a major force, but wins, nonetheless. The Avs play the Knight once more this season and have 4 games against the Kings after this last SJ game today. Colorado is such a force, and it reminds me of the 00’s Avalanche teams that were so good and scary. The rest of the West may suck, but the top dawgs are incredible.
#2 Vegas Golden Knights (36-13-2, 74 Points)
Previously #1
Vegas went 2-2 since my last rankings. They lost a shootout against Minnesota this week but beat the Avalanche as well, a playoff series we are all praying for in the 2nd round. They have the strongest goal differential in the league and are probably the best team in the NHL, I just give props to teams who are making moves in the immediate term.
#1 Carolina Hurricanes (35-10-7, 77 Points)
Previously #3
Carolina is on a 4-game winning streak and is on an absolute tear this season. Rob Brind’Amour has been doing excellent this season. I would honestly love to see Carolina and Edmonton face off again in the Finals, because the last time both were in the Stanley Cup Finals it was against each other in 2005-06 which was a 7-game series that left my dad and I in tears, and Rob was captain of that Hurricanes team. I love this team and want to see them succeed.