NHL Power Rankings: Week 9
Happy belated Thanksgiving to everyone! I missed last week but we are back at it with the Power Rankings for Week 8. All records are of the evening of 12.5.21.
#16 Detroit Red Wings (13-9-3, 29 Points)
Previously Unranked
Can’t believe I am saying this but the Red Wings are looking hot, white hot. 5-game winning streak brings them into playoff territory. I love seeing this, good for Yzerman and his work in the offseason.
#15 St. Louis Blues (12-8-4, 28 Points)
Unchanged
Just not consistent enough to gain but not consistently bad to drop any spots. So I guess you can say they have been consistently mediocre. +10 goal differential is in the positive territory, so you have that.
#14 Winnipeg Jets (12-8-4, 28 Points)
Previously Unranked
Probably should have given the love to this team back a couple weeks ago. They have been slipping into a losing record in the last 10 games but they are on a 2-game streak now so we will see if they can sustain it.
#13 Boston Bruins (12-8-1, 25 Points)
Previously #11
6-3-1 in their last 10. This team isn’t looking amazing, but they are always in the hunt and always will be.
#12 Anaheim Ducks (13-8-4, 23 Points)
Previously #9
Ducks looked good in the game I went to against the Knights. 5-4-1 in their last 10. This team is looking mighty different from what we expected.
#11 Dallas Stars (12-7-2, 26 Points)
Previously Unranked
This is the hottest team in the league right now. That top line in Robertson, Hintz, and Pavelski has been of the best in the NHL. 8-2-0 in their last 10 and a 6-game winning streak. Wow, what a turnaround.
#10 Colorado Avalanche (12-7-2, 26 Points)
Previously #13
Still 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and are looking closer to the Avalanche team we expected to see. Tough sledding for those teams who were banking on a sustained struggle for this team.
#9 Toronto Maple Leafs (17-7-2, 36 points)
Previously #6
Could argue this team should be a little higher but too many moves over the last 2 weeks. The Maple Leafs are looking fine that’s for sure.
#8 Edmonton Oilers (16-7-0, 32 Points)
Previously #2
Learn to play against bad teams.
#7 Tampa Bay Lightning (15-4-4, 34 Points)
Previously #8
Tampa is coming back with a vengeance. 7-2-1 in their last 10 and they are on a 3-game winning streak. They have nearly 20% less high danger scoring chances against, wonder why this team can find a way to succeed.
#6 Washington Capitals (15-4-6, 36 Points)
Previously #4
If I could vote for MVP, my vote is going to Alexander Ovechkin, who is finding yet another way to change his game and carry his team through the season. 6-2-2 in their last 10.
#5 Carolina Hurricanes (16-6-1, 33 Points)
Previously #1
Carolina has looked human as of late, dropping 5 games of their last 10. Their loss to Ottawa was the case of facing a goalie who played out of his mind for a team in desperate need of it. Beating BUF might be what they needed to get back on track.
#4 Minnesota Wild (17-6-1, 35 Points)
Previously #10
Minnesota only lost 1 game since my first list and that was in OT. They have looked very good as of late. They sit with a 6-game winning streak. Can’t say enough great things about Kaprizov.
#3 Calgary Flames (15-4-5, 35 Points)
Previously #5
Calgary, too, hasn’t lost since I made my first list. 8-1-1 in their last 10 games and a league leading +31 goal differential. Seems like this team is either A. Shutting a team out or B. Losing in OT.
#2 New York Rangers (16-4-3, 35 Points)
Previously #7
6 game winning streak and they haven’t lost in two weeks. At least one New York team is playing well.
#1 Florida Panthers (17-4-3, 37 Points)
Previously #3
7-2-1 in their last 10 games, and on a 3-game winning streak. They have lost one game at home and sit with a +26 goal differential. Huberdeau with 29 points in 24 games and Bobrovsky with a stellar season so far has this team cooking.