NHL Power Rankings: Week 26
I am so sorry I missed last week guys. Life can creep up on you sometimes. But good news is I am back, and we are two weeks and a day away from the NHL Playoffs. I will only have probably 1 more of these for next week before the week of playoffs starts. Here’s to hoping your team is in the mix or else its going to be a sad spring and summer for you.
#16 Philadelphia Flyers (36-29-11; 83 Pts)
Unchanged
Philly can’t stabilize at the most important time in the season. Luckily for them, no one can at this point. No one wants to make playoffs.
#15 Washington Capitals (36-28-10; 82 Pts)
Unchanged
The Caps have games at hand to get into the divisional picture. I won’t spend too much time because this snails race of a playoff race is getting tired.
#14 Los Angeles Kings (38-25-11; 87 Pts)
Previously #12
Losing 3 games in a row at this point in the season is not ideal…They were solidly ahead of the Knights until their last stretch here and now sit in the last wildcard spot, with only 3 points up on the team behind them. Good thing they have a game at hand but remember a game at hand is not an auto win. They Kings are where they should be in the standings.
#13 Tampa Bay Lightning (41-26-7; 89 Pts)
Previously #14
8-1-1 in their last 10 games and the Bolts are really starting to feel it. When the games matter most, the Bolts look electric. That’s their DNA. I don’t think they will have it enough time to catch the Leafs but wouldn’t it be incredible to see them try. The Bruins or Panthers will have to play this team as a prize for winning their division…I mean maybe the Bruin/Panthers should be losing to stay out of that matchup…
#12 Vegas Golden Knights (42-25-8; 92 Pts)
Previously #13
Vegas is separating themselves from the Kings and have become the probable team to face the Oilers in the 1st round. They have found guys come off the IR and are really starting to gel now. Once they get everyone back, they are going to be as feared as ever. 7-2-1 in their last 10 and have a 3 game streak currently. Their worry about missing the playoffs is over.
#11 Nashville Predators (39-25-4; 82 Pts)
Unchanged
Nashville has lost 3 in a row, which would have been huge games considering the way that the Jets have allowed them to catch up here. Nashville will be a handful in the first round, but I am still not sure if they are fully contenders at this stage. I think they can be a problem though. 16-0-2 run is remarkable, and they have basically cemented their place in the playoffs. They are eyeing for more though.
#10 Winnipeg Jets (45-24-6; 96 Pts)
Previously #6
The worry about the Jets should really be sinking in. They have been bad. This is a team that is either tops of the entire NHL on any given night, but when they aren’t humming they are just awful. They are letting Nashville into the friken Divisional mix. I don’t think it’ll happen but the fact that it is even a discussion is insane.
#9 Toronto Maple Leafs (43-22-9; 95 Pts)
Previously #9
Matthews hit 60 goals this season, but things have been so quiet around the Leafs this year. Its weird. Are they deliberately staying out of the limelight and letting this season just kind of flow? Seems as much. They look to be playing either the Bruins or Panthers in the 1st round, and we all want to see the Boston Toronto matchup. Its always must see TV.
#8 Edmonton Oilers (45-23-5; 95 Pts)
Unchanged
The Oilers took those horrible games in Ontario personally and took their next 3 and also pushed the Blues into Overtime where they dominated the period, just one bounce the other way ended their little streak. Huge game against the Stars will serve as a test for them. If they can win and the Canucks lose, things get incredibly interesting in the Pacific. This team could clinch a playoff spot. On November 9 this team lost to San Jose and was 31st in the league, 3 days later fired their coach. Since then, they have climbed up and sit in striking distance of the leader of the Division. What a ride its been.
#7 Vancouver Canucks (46-21-8; 100 Pts)
Unchanged
I am hearing mixed feelings on Petterson lately. This team is starting to worry its fanbase, to which I say “Told ya so”. The PDO train is starting to wobble and now, all of a sudden, their hold on the Pacific is in jeopardy by the one team they have “dominated” all season. Let’s see how they finish out the season. The potential division swinging game against the Oilers is next Saturday and I just can’t wait for that.
#6 Boston Bruins (44-17-15; 103 Pts)
Previously #5
Boston is trying to pull ahead in the race for the division, but things could easily flip this week, you never know. These last two weeks could be quite the sight to see. Boston plays the Panthers on Saturday in a huge game that could turn the tide one way or the other. They also play the mighty Hurricanes tomorrow so they have their work cut out for them this week.
#5 Colorado Avalanche (47-22-6; 100 Pts)
Previously #4
Colorado is playing some of their best hockey at the right time. Nate Dawg’s home point streak finally ended unfortunately but not without some controversy. They still have a chance to grab that top spot but Dallas’ hot streak is making it mighty difficult for that to happen. They are beasts at home boy woof.
#4 Florida Panthers (47-24-5; 99 Pts)
Previously #1
I should be more worries about the Panthers after only winning 2 games since my last rankings, but I am not overly worried here. They punched their ticket to the post season, much faster than last year I might add. Their top spot is in jeopardy for sure but that may be a blessing in disguise as they now would matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs and not have to play their state rivals, even though everyone really wanted that to happen. There’s still time so let’s see how it plays out.
#3 Dallas Stars (47-17-9; 103 Pts)
Previously #9
Hard to not reset their spot in the top 3 after rattling off 3 in a row, hoping they drop their 8th tonight. Dallas is really starting to pull ahead in the Central Division sitting 3 points up on Colorado. They may be saving themselves big by not having to play either of the Jets or Avs in the 1st round. Roope Hintz is starting to catch fire and that is always good for this club.
#2 New York Rangers (50-21-4; 104 Pts)
Previously #3
The current President’s Trophy leader with a nice 7-3-0 series over their last 10. The Rangers have a pretty easyish schedule to finish it out with only 1 actual current playoff team opponent to deal with. They will be finding confidence going into the post season. Jonny Quick was such a hero for this team and should be honored for it.
#1 Carolina Hurricanes (47-21-7 101 Pts)
Previously #2
The Hurricanes are legit and the Jake Guentzel trade has turned out to be just what the doctor ordered. The main question for him is where does he go after this, but for now, he will focus on winning a Stanley Cup with this team. They found their scorer and everyone in the East should be puckered.
In-Season Cup
The Carolina Hurricanes all but shut it down for James. He has clinched the win of the In-Season Cup. Let’s see who ends up with it. Some teams have been eliminated and many more to come. Congrats James.