NHL Power Rankings: Week 4
There were some changes to my rankings this week. Things are interesting out there and there’s been no lack of drama from all around the league. I hope you all are enjoying this NHL season. I really wanted to give my team some love this week, but they still find ways to disappoint. All records are of the morning of 2.9.21.
#16 Chicago Blackhawks (5-4-4, 14 Points)
Previously outside Top 16
Full marks and praise go to the Blackhawks, who are the 6th of 8 Discover Central teams to be featured in the Top #16. They have won two games in a row here against Dallas and Carolina and have a modest -3 goal differential, not too shabby for a team I thought would be struggling all season.
#15 Arizona Coyotes (6-5-1, 13 Points)
Previously outside Top 16
I have to finally give the Coyotes the credit they deserve. They have taken the Blues, specifically, to the cleaners this year, winning 4/6 of the games, including their last three. Arizona has a +1-goal differential, and doing so without their best D-man, Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
#14 New York Islanders (5-4-2, 12 Points)
Previously outside Top 16
Let’s give some love to the Long Island New York team here. They are currently on a nice 2-game winning streak and have beaten the Penguins and the Rangers recently. They have a negative goal differential but after only two more wins they will be back in the black.
#13 Philadelphia Flyers (8-3-2, 18 Points)
Previously #12
Alex’s Philadelphia Flyers are winning, but boy is it ugly. I don’t like this teams goaltending, and defense and it will bite them in the ass sooner than later. Offense and sky-high shooting percentage is the reason they have 18 points here. They allow too many shots, goaltending has been shaky, and you’re not going to win long term without some defense.
#12 Winnipeg Jets (7-3-1, 15 Points)
Previously #13
The Jets are playing very solid hockey. They won their last two games and have a solid .682-point percentage. They also sit with a +7-goal differential. Connor Hellebuyck has played well but not fantastic and they didn’t have Laine or Dubois this past week. Dubois is set to debut Tuesday.
#11 Dallas Stars (5-2-2, 12 Points)
Previously #10
The Stars have cooled off big time, recording just 1 point this week. They still sit with a +10-goal differential from their early start. Three games this week against a surging Blackhawks and solid Carolina team. Let’s see if they can right the ship.
#10 St. Louis Blues (7-4-2, 16 Points)
Previously #9
The Blues earned 1 point in 3 games this week. They have an even goal differential and are being taken to the cleaners by their new divisional rival, the Arizona Coyotes. They need to watch it; this Coyotes team is slated to be in the Central starting next year. Centerman Robert Thomas is out for 4-6 weeks as well, never a good sign.
#9 Washington Capitals (6-3-3, 15 Points)
Previously #2
Losing 3 games in a row will drop you spots, but to make things worse, they dropped a negative goal differential. Their lineup is decimated now due to injuries to Niklas Backstrom and Lars Eller and now TJ Oshie. I worry about this team going forward.
#8 Florida Panthers (6-1-2, 14 Points)
Previously #11
The Cats finally lost a game in regulation, yes to the Detroit Red Wings. They are beating teams they are supposed to beat I’ve been giving a lot of love to them this week ranking them this high. However, this week is the test, as they play the Lightning twice. Let’s see what this team really is.
#7 Carolina Hurricanes (7-3-0, 14 Points)
No Change
I will give the love where its due to the Hurricanes. They have played well, and Andre Svechnikov is in the process of a major breakthrough. They face Dallas this week, who’ve they have beaten all year so far.
#6 Colorado Avalanche (7-3-1, 15 Points)
Previously #4
The Avs have a solid +14 goal differential. They are sitting with almost 2-weeks of postponements so there won’t be much to talk about next week. They didn’t play much last week either. Injuries are starting to mount, again.
#5 Vegas Golden Knights (7-1-1, 15 Points)
Previously #8
The Knights have lost in regulation only once and have a very solid .833-point percentage on the year. They sit just below the leading Blues in the standings but have 4 games at hand. They play the Ducks who have proven to be quite stingy. The goaltending will need to be sharp. Mark Stone is on pace for 90 points this season as well, tremendous.
#4 Tampa Bay Lightning (8-1-1, 17points)
Previously #6
I thought I had them too high last week, well winning 3 games in a week and sitting with a 5-game winning streak will solidify your position. The Bolts have only been without a point in one game out of 10 and sit with a +17-goal differential, tied for highest in the league. Oh yeah, and they are doing this without Nikita Kucherov. They are too strong but haven’t faced the “steel” yet.
#3 Montreal Canadians (8-2-2, 18 Points)
Previously #1
This team went 1-1 this week but still sit with a +17-goal differential, tied for first with the Bolts. Losing to the lowly Senators will drop you back, but take it from me, the Senators are playing better hockey and getting the saves. The Josh Anderson signing is currently in the money as he sits with 8-goals in 12 games.
#2 Toronto Maple Leafs (10-2-1, 21 Points)
Previously #5
The Leafs have the most wins in the National Hockey League and sit with a very comfortable +14 goal differential. They have won their last 3 games and have only been without a point in 2 games this year. Auston Matthews has 11 goals in 13 games, which is on pace for 47 goals in a truncated season. 47 goals in a normal season is a great milestone.
#1 Boston Bruins (8-1-2, 18 Points)
Previously #3
The Bruins are sitting with a 3-game winning streak, and an 8-game “point” streak. They would be sitting with an 8-game winning streak if it were not for the OT loss to the Caps. They are playing the top teams in the division and beating them. They looked good before Pasternak and now that he’s back, they are back atop the league.