NHL Power Rankings: Week 26
Last week of the regular season is upon us. We have two teams on the outside looking in still but one of which has a 0.1% of making it (Vancouver) whom we feel is officially dead and Vegas with 15%. Vegas has to win tomorrow. Any loss, and especially a loss in regulation, will keep them out of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. In the East, Washington and Pittsburgh are jockeying for 3rd Metro spot and Boston and Tampa are fighting for the 3rd Atlantic spot. Lots of injuries are changing teams’ dynamics before going into playoffs, which is very unfortunate. We love to see the best teams at their best but it seems like injuries could impact that hope. Hope you enjoyed the rankings this season. I will be back in October with more when the NHL Seasons kicks off. Watch the playoffs this year everyone, they are going to be electric.
#16 Dallas Stars (44-30-5, 93 Points)
Previously #15
Dallas is 4-4-2 in the last 10. The enigmatic Stars remain to be…well…enigmatic. They are the streakiest team I have ever seen. They sit with 3 points on Vegas with the same number of games. That seems like nice math, however, Tuesday they play the Golden Knights. A Stars win in regulation will seal the deal for the Knights and the Stars. A loss in regulation would keep things tighter than they need to be. The Sharks did the Stars a favor last night, finding a way to steal a SO win against the Knights. The aging Stars are a huge question mark for me in the postseason, but they have such a bright future that I can ignore their problems. Jason Robertson is a hell of a player.
#15 Nashville Predators (44-29-6, 94 Points)
Previously #14
Nashville is 4-4-2 over the last 10 games, not a great way to end the season by any means. Regardless, they are a win away from punching their ticket officially. They have 1 point on Dallas and same number of games. Nashville draws the Flames and Avalanche before finishing against the Coyotes. It’s a battle to see who doesn’t get to play the Avalanche but the Flames instead. To me, you’re screwed either way. Good season Predators, it was nice to see Matt Duchene have a hell of a season and franchise record holder for goals scored. Love to see a player find his game again.
#14 Los Angeles Kings (43-27-10, 96 Points)
Previously #16
4 game winning streak, both against their bitter freeway rival the Ducks. They sit 2 points from home advantage yet have 1 less game. However, their schedule the rest of the way continues to be easy. Kraken and Canucks to finish up the season. The Kings are sitting in a better spot than any of us could have imagined and it’s a testament to the management and coaching of this team. They will go into playoffs without superstar D Drew Doughty, which will hamper their chances but regardless, even 4-7 games of playoff experience is huge for that young developing core especially if its with that grizzled and experienced veteran core showing them how its done. What a season Kings.
#13 Edmonton Oilers (46-27-6, 98 Points)
Unchanged
The Oilers are formidable by my account. Their game against the Avalanche this week was a spectacular show of a team who is finding defensive prowess, very solid goaltending, and depth scoring. There were two games last week that saw the Oilers win without scoring from either McDavid or Draisaitl. That’s a sign that this team is bought into their new coach’s system and its exciting for Edmonton fans. However, its playoffs and as of late, playoffs have been a mess for the Oilers. They will probably draw the Kings and lets see if they can find a way into the 2nd round.
#12 Pittsburgh Penguins (45-24-11, 101 Points)
Previously #11
I feel bad for the Pens. They were having quite the season and seeing their goaltender have a resurgence of a season, but now he’s in a boot. Jarry might be done for the season and that is a huge blow for another team that might be looking at a last dance situation with Malkin, Crosby, and Letang. I never completely count out Crosby, who’s quietly had an MVP like season and could be a finalist for the Hart. He is the heart and soul of that squad and will find any way he can to drag his team into the depths of the postseason. That’s what the best of the best players do.
#11 Washington Capitals (44-23-12, 100 Points)
Previously #12
Caps are 1 point behind the Pens but with 1 game at hand. They draw two games against the Isles and one against the Rangers to finish the season. Up until recently, I would have agreed with James as the Caps being the Rangers preferred matchup. However, with Tristan Jarry’s injury and Washington’s pedigree, I think id rather see the Pens. Washington’s defense and goaltending is an issue but Ovechkin seems to have a eye for the cup again. +8 on the season, better than we have seen since 2016 and fairly solid possession metrics. Add that to the fact that he is the only player in the modern era that literally blows pucks past goaltenders, this team might have a shot.
#10 Boston Bruins (49-25-5, 103 Points)
Unchanged
Boston is 3 points behind the Bolts with the same number of games. The math suggests they will draw the Hurricanes in the 1st round, which may be okay considering Carolina has lost their goaltenders to injury. Boston has had quite a great season all things considered, and they are always a scary team to face in the playoffs. This could be a last dance of sorts of this aging core. We have seen more guys from that incredible 2003 draft hang up the skates and could it be Bergeron’s turn? He will win the Selke trophy, no doubt, and maybe he will take that for a 5th time and run off into the sunset. What a career its been for the best defensive of ALL TIME.
#9 Tampa Bay Lightning (49-22-8, 106 Points)
Previously #8
3 games in a row now and they have scored 22 goals in that span of time, including two 8 goal games. Their wins were against the Leafs and the Panthers. Did they just wake up? Fans of Toronto better hope not because if this team is ready to play come next Monday, Leafs will be in a world of hurt. We will see if this is just a fluke week, but they finish the season against Columbus and the Isles. I wonder how they will feel going into the playoffs this season.
#8 St. Louis Blues (49-20-11, 109 Points)
Previously #7
The Blues have more regulation wins then their bitter rival the Minnesota Wild, which in the future will give them more pull in my book. St Louis is dangerous as they have a team that is rough and tumble but also is a lot faster and more skilled than that 2019 Stanley Cup team. Ville Husso is looking really good, and they need that, especially when they have a Binnington who just can’t find his touch yet again. St Louis is a scary team to me and could be a dark horse to hoist Lord Stanley’s.
#7 New York Rangers (51-22-6, 108 Points)
Previously #5
Do the Rangers get 100 points without Shesterkin? No. But regardless, this team is pretty solid. When you have the goaltending, you can make magic happen. However, what will Igor’s play be in the playoffs? We don’t have a robust sample size to compare, which is why I question this team in the playoffs. Every single team except maybe 1 or 2 at this point have questions between the pipes, including the team that has the soon to be Vezina trophy winner. They will play either Pittsburgh or Washington. We will find out by the weekend.
#6 Calgary Flames (49-20-10, 108 Points)
Unchanged
8-1-1 in their last 10 games and on a 2-game winning streak. Calgary has been my pick for a while, however I have been challenged by the fact that they may be a 1-line team. Will they find the depth this postseason? They open against either Dallas, Vegas, or Nashville. The Flames have the heaviness, goaltending, and coaching to compete, but can they find enough depth scoring to go deep? Their depth is a big question mark as is Johnny Hockey’s play in the postseason. He’s historically cowered in playoffs. Maybe this year is different?
#5 Minnesota Wild (51-21-7, 109 Points)
Previously #8
Nice steps in for the Wild. They are on a 5-game winning streak and sit with equal points their 1st round matchup with a game at hand, meaning they control their home ice advantage destiny. Wild have Arizona, Calgary, and Colorado to end the season. Tough on the back end but regardless doable. Minnesota has been a powerhouse, but they do lack in regulation wins, which honestly may be a bigger pull in next years rankings. For this year and week, I keep things like I always have kept them and give the Wild the nod, but they might not be so lucky next year.
#4 Toronto Maple Leafs (52-21-7, 111 points)
Previously #3
The Maple Leafs have major question marks surrounding them right now, as they have for the multiple years prior. Can they get out of the 1st round? They will seemingly play the Bolts in the 1st round, one of the hardest matchups they could ask for in a year that they absolutely need to win in. I am worried about this team. Their goaltending is suspect and their ability to play in big games has historically failed. And to have to take on the back-to-back Cup Champs in the 1st round is a tough mountain.
#3 Carolina Hurricanes (52-20-8, 112 Points)
Previously #4
4-game winning streak as of today. The Carolina Hurricanes have been a force all season and I am happy to see that. However, the bad news on Freddie Andersen suggests they will have it tough this postseason. Freddie has been sensational this season but as we know has had issues in the postseason. That said, his injury keeping him out for any time will impact the Canes in some way shape or form. The best they can hope for is he is back up and ready by playoffs, but that remains to be seen. Terrible way to end the season.
#2 Colorado Avalanche (55-18-6, 116 Points)
Previously #1
Dropped their last 4 games, including a game against the Kraken. Am I worried? Not really, this team will be fine going into playoffs. I question their ability to get out of the 2nd round. Most people have the Avs going all the way and I am still on the fence. I need to see it to believe it here. They are getting healthy, Kadri is back, and they have the goaltending. Can Kadri keep his nose clean this time? Another show me story.
#1 Florida Panthers (57-16-6, 120 Points)
Previously #2
They had their 13-game winning streak snapped against the resurging Bolts. 13 games straight before that. This has put the Panthers in the driver’s seat of the National Hockey League with 120 points. They are a single win away from clinching the President’s Trophy. Unbelievable season for the Panthers this season. I wonder if the offense this season will maintain into the postseason, as we all hope it will. This is James’ pick and it’s a damn good one.