NHL Power Rankings: Week 23
11-14 games remaining for the regular season. We are seeing teams clinch playoffs already, well one team, and other are jockeying for position. 4 weeks away from playoffs is some of my favorite regular season hockey. We also have teams officially deemed eliminated from playoff contention, tune into the pod to hear about those teams as we discuss the future of those clubs. Buckle up everyone, we have only 4 more weeks/power rankings of the 2022 season.
#16 Dallas Stars (39-26-3, 81 Points)
Unchanged
As I said before, the math is on the side of the Dallas Stars, for now. However, the Knights have won their last 5 games in a row here, Dallas dropped one to the Seattle Kraken of all teams. Islanders this week and the Leafs, ending the week against the Devils. Easy peasy schedule, right? Knights have an easy schedule to. Remember, you may have games at hand, but you still need to take some points on those. Keep an eye on these teams this week.
#15 Nashville Predators (39-25-4, 82 Points)
Previously #13
Nashville has been consistently a thorn in everyone’s shoe thus far. They can find ways to win games. Goaltending is looking great, players are finding stride, Roman Josi is just amazing. Game against the Wild Tuesday will be a nice test and potentially playoff preview if they can find a way to gain on St Louis.
#14 Los Angeles Kings (38-23-10, 86 Points)
Unchanged
I like this LA team. 5-3-2 in their last 10 is not fantastic but they will be fine and will make the playoffs, baring any crazy run by the Knights. Big test against the Oilers this week as well as against the Wild. Way to beat the Flames this week, love to see that.
#13 Edmonton Oilers (40-25-5, 85 Points)
Previously #15
4 games, 4 wins. One OT win over the Blues, where the Dynamic Duo had the puck for literally 5 seconds after the Blues bled over 60 seconds off the clock and almost scored. Oil scored 21 goals this week, giving up 10, pretty damn good. They have the Kings again this week in what is almost for sure a playoff preview.
#12 Washington Capitals (37-22-10, 84 Points)
Previously #11
No points this week. Washington has been interesting this season. They are 6-4-0 in their last 10 but on a 2 game losing streak here. Big games against Tampa, the Penguins, and Bruins this week. This is a test to see if they can be ready for the playoffs. They will look to avoid the Panthers in the 1st round.
#11 St. Louis Blues (38-20-10, 86 Points)
Previously #12
Lost only to the Oilers in OT this week, including a win over Calgary on Hockey Night Saturday. This team is looking very good too and I am excited to this team in the playoffs. This is not the 2019 Stanley Cup winning squad by any means, different make up, different style. Please give me a matchup against the Wild.
#10 Pittsburgh Penguins (41-19-10, 92 Points)
Previously #7
A drop of a few spots is not an indictment on this team, just a function of strong upgrades of their peers. This team is still good, don’t get me wrong. 5-4-1 in their last 10 is not awe inspiring but its still solid. +45 goal differential is very strong. This team more than likely faces the New York Rangers in the 1st round.
#9 Minnesota Wild (43-20-5, 91 Points)
Unchanged
9-0-1, yes that’s a point in every single of their last 10 games. 2 game winning streak and suddenly, the Wild look really good. The Minnesota Wild have came through the deadline and are consistently winning. Their rank is definitely a function of their weaker start and weaker middle. They play both of their divisional rivals in Nashville and St Louis. This will give the Wild a chance to solidify their 2nd spot in the Central. I am dying to see this team play the Blues 1st round, if we get it.
#8 Boston Bruins (43-20-5, 91 Points)
Unchanged
My goodness the Boston Bruins are not stopping for anything. 8-2-0 in their last 10 and it seems like I consistently am putting a 8 on that first number week after week. Do they lose? Sure, but they respond immediately and don’t string losses together. Easy week to start before they take on the Bolts in what is a very important game.
#7 New York Rangers (44-20-6, 94 Points)
Previously #6
6-3-1 is partially better than last week. Lost a couple goals on their goal differential. The Rangers will play the Penguins in the playoffs first round, more than likely, and I think its one of the most intriguing matchups in the 1st round.
#6 Calgary Flames (40-19-9, 89 Points)
Previously #4
4-4-2 in their last 10 games. Sure, there are plenty of teams who have better marginally better percentages and better recent streaks, but this little hiccup is not a worry for me. The Calgary Flames are the best team in the West in my opinion still, yes that’s also including the Avalanche team that I need to see win a 2nd round. Assuming the Oilers can actually in a playoff round, that would give us a Battle of Alberta 2nd round, unless you’re an LA fan you are praying we get to see that.
#5 Toronto Maple Leafs (44-19-5, 93 points)
Previously #10
4-game winning streak for the Leafs. I understand that’s better than their Tampa Bay peer who they are tied for in points and percentage, but I just don’t trust the Leafs goaltending at this point. That said, the Leafs have a test today against the Bolts before taking on the Panthers and Stars.
#4 Tampa Bay Lightning (43-18-7, 93 Points)
Previously #5
Tampa Bay is already turning it around. Seems like you just need to call them out on a Rankings and they turn it around. 6-3-1 in their last 10. Leafs go to Tampa today and then the Bolts take on the Caps and Bruins. At least two of these games are 4-point nights. This could be a very consequential week for the Bolts in terms of positioning,
#3 Carolina Hurricanes (45-16-8, 98 Points)
Unchanged
They lost this week, but it happens. They still sit with a strong +66 goal differential and its looking like they will finish atop the Metro Division. Rod the Bod has this team consistently playing well, finding the back of the net and keeping it out of their own. How will Freddie Andersen play this playoff outing, especially if you happen to play the Leafs?
#2 Florida Panthers (48-15-6, 102 Points)
Unchanged
Can’t move the first team to clinch the 2022 playoffs. They sit 2 points behind Colorado, so it is possible to see the Panthers take the President’s Trophy. I am not too bullish on President’s Trophy teams in terms of playoff success but to see the Panthers continue to march is really fun. 4-game winning streak and they got the Leafs and Buffalo this week followed by a Predators squad on Saturday.
#1 Colorado Avalanche (49-14-6, 104 Points)
Unchanged
They may have not been the team to clinch this week but 8-1-1 in their last 10 and a 3-game winning streak keeps the Avs at the top of the list. They lead in points and percentage and have for the longest time. Their schedule is a mixed bag of easy and hard games.