NHL Power Rankings: Week 24
Last 3 weeks of the NHL Regular Season and we have quite an interesting final run here. The West is suddenly wide open, especially in the Pacific Division. We have one team giving another life, at perhaps the worst time of the season. I have so many question marks so far. I think we will have a few of those questions answered this week. This is a massive week.
#16 Los Angeles Kings (38-26-10, 86 Points)
Previously #14
What the actual hell is going with this team? Injuries…its injuries. The loss of Doughty is very clearly an issue. This team has 2 points on the Golden Knights, but the Knights have 1 game at hand… Yes, the Golden Knights are still in this thanks to the Kings. I haven’t given this spot to another team yet because the Kings earlier performances this season have led to a playoff spot at this point. But they only have a 63% of making it right now. Kings have Chicago, Colorado, and Columbus this week. Vegas has Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. Bust out the popcorn, we got a show this week.
#15 Dallas Stars (41-27-4, 86 Points)
Previously #16
Man the Dallas Stars have a way to keep things interesting. The Stars sit with 2 points on the Golden Knights with 1 game at hand but tied with LA and have 2 games at hand. The math is still there but Vegas is looking much better. Bolts and Wild this week before ending with the Sharks. Tougher games in the start of the week.
#14 Nashville Predators (41-26-5, 87 Points)
Previously #15
Nasvhille has slowed a little bit but still looking like a thorn in that shoe. This is an exciting week for the Preds, they are going to host an absolute force of a group of guys on Thursday night, as well as the Edmonton Oilers. I am not sure if they will be able to handle it. Regardless, Predators are looking to keep in the Central race but I think they will easily take a wildcard spot, even if that means playing Calgary.
#13 Edmonton Oilers (42-25-6, 90 Points)
Unchanged
James knows I don’t like to talk up my team too much. However, the Oilers right now are looking very good. They just took the best team in the league on a Saturday Night to a low scoring SO loss, a loss that any fan would be proud of. The Oilers are getting goaltending, defense, and offense all at the right time. Is it a mirage?….probs.
#12 Washington Capitals (40-22-10, 90 Points)
Unchanged
3 games – 3 wins for this squad. The Caps are sitting the 2nd wildcard spot in the East but sitting in the 12th spot on my list here, which is such a big illustration of the Eastern strength…at least in the regular season. Quickly becoming clear that the Caps will play the Panthers, which would be a very fun story.
#11 Pittsburgh Penguins (42-22-10, 94 Points)
Previously #10
3-6-1 in their last 10 games, not looking great at this part of the season. Still have a +38 goal differential and you have a Crosby dude who could very well earn the Hart Trophy. Islanders x2 and Bruins this week. Time to find a groove again Pitt.
#10 St. Louis Blues (42-20-10, 94 Points)
Previously #11
Keep moving Blues, that’s 2 steps in 2 weeks. Who will win the home ice advantage in the Central matchup? It is wide open. Ville Husso is quickly becoming the netminder we thought we were going to get. Where does this put Binnington in the mix? Granted, Binnington isn’t the goalie we thought he was either…
#9 Minnesota Wild (44-21-6, 94 Points)
Unchanged
My goodness Minny looks so good. 7-1-2 in their last 10 games. I like this team going into the playoffs. The battle for home ice has began between them and their Winter Classic Rival. I am very excited to see that series. Games against Oilers, Stars and Blues this week. Very exciting week for this squad.
#8 Boston Bruins (45-22-5, 95 Points)
Previously #8
Boston Bruins are fighting to keep out of the wildcard pool. They want that seat with the “cool” kids, if you can consider Toronto the cool kids. It will be a battle for that 3rd Atlantic spot. Games against the Blues, Sens, and Pens give them some chance for it this week. Last game of the season could be game 0.5 of the first round of playoffs. I hope we can see this classic Original 6 matchup again.
#7 Tampa Bay Lightning (44-20-8, 96 Points)
Previously #4
The Bolts still seem a bit off. Although I am honestly chalking it up to boredom. These guys are saying, “get on with the playoffs already”. They don’t give a shit about the regular season. Bold move Cotton, let’s see if it pays off from them.
#6 Calgary Flames (44-19-9, 97 Points)
Unchanged
4-win streak now. The Calgary Flames are about to lock up the Pacific spot and I am so sorry for the Wildcard team that has to play this squad. Johnny Hockey is having himself an MVP season and I honestly hope he gets some high-end voting. Still hoping for the BoA 2nd round.
#5 New York Rangers (47-20-6, 100 Points)
Previously #7
3 games and 3 wins this week to break the century milestone for the season. Rangers look pretty good right now with a 7-2-1 split. The games this week may have been a bit on the easier side, but its still hard to win games in the NHL, don’t let competition take that away from you. Big test tomorrow against the Canes.
#4 Toronto Maple Leafs (47-19-6, 100 points)
Previously #5
Alright I bit, the Leafs take the 4th spot for this week after taking 7 of a possible 8 points this week. Granted that giveaway of a game on Tuesday was concerning. Those games happen I suppose. The Leafs won’t taking the 1st spot but they will fighting to keep home ice in the 1st round. Who they play is the real question mark.
#3 Carolina Hurricanes (47-18-8, 102 Points)
Unchanged
2-2 this week, not to bad. They are running at a solid 5-3-2 pace over their last 10. This isn’t incredible but it most certainly enough to keep their spot in the Metro. I don’t have much more to say about these top teams. Can Freddie Andersen perform this postseason?
#2 Florida Panthers (51-15-6, 108 Points)
Unchanged
3 games – 3 wins this week. 9-1-0 in their last 10 games which is just spectacular. 7-game winning streak. This includes an amazing comeback win against the Leafs. This team has the Eastern Conference by the throat. Would be tough to see them fall out of their spot.
#1 Colorado Avalanche (52-14-6, 110 Points)
Unchanged
3 games in a row this week for a 6-game winning streak. That Oilers game was quite the spectacle. 8-1-1 in their last 10. Not much more to say about this force of a squad. Only questions, can they do it in the playoffs this time around?