NHL Power Rankings: Week 26
I can say this now, the Regular Season ends next week. That’s right, in just 12 nights, the 2022-23 Regular Season will end, sending 16 teams to the golf course, and pit the remaining 16 in the post-season. As an Oilers fan, I am getting so amped up, especially based on recent play. I get to see my Oil play live 3 times this week. And yes, this will be my second to last Power Rankings, I will do one more next week to wrap up the final week.
#16 Florida Panthers (39-31-7, 85 Points)
Previously #14
I know the cats aren’t in the playoffs, but they are one win away from jumping in. They have a game at hand on the Isles and sit only 2 points out. If they win their game at hand in regulation or OT (not SO) they would jump into the spot. They have a 3-game winning streak. We could see the Isles fall out here!
#15 Pittsburgh Penguins (38-29-10, 86 Points)
Previously #16
After the games against the Devils and Wild this week, their schedule is easy and winnable. The Pens have one more game at hand on the Isles and could very well find their way into the higher wildcard spot. But could also fall outside. Could happen either way. The race in the East is tight and will be huge this week.
#15 Winnipeg Jets (43-31-3, 89 Points)
Previously #15
The Jets are stabilizing. They have won 2 in a row and are hanging on to their spot for dear life. They sit with 2 points on Calgary with equal games played. They have the math, they control their destiny. Wednesday they play the Flames…a dream matchup at this time of the year. At this point, whoever wins that game could be our playoff team.
#13 Seattle Kraken (41-26-8, 90 Points)
Unchanged
Seattle is coasting into the playoffs. They haven’t clinched their spot but sitting with 3 points ahead of the 1st team on the outside with games at hand is a place where you want to be. However, you need to string some wins. Something tells me that the Wild Card West teams are going to be an easier out than we’d like.
#12 Tampa Bay Lightning – x (45-26-6, 96 Points)
Unchanged
Scored 4 in a SO win against the Canes, destroyed the Caps, and beat up the Isles. Tampa may be heating up…Can they show it this week?
#11 Dallas Stars (41-21-14, 96 Points)
Previously #9
I am changing my tune on my love for the Stars over the Wild. I do think they are a better team on paper, they just look a little less scary than I thought. No team has clinched a playoff spot, but this week seems almost a certainty with any wins this week. The battle for the first spot is very tight, much like the Central and that will be a huge storyline this week. It is wild in the west.
#10 Minnesota Wild (44-23-9, 97 Points)
Unchanged
Minnesota is a force this half of the season. Their goaltending has been much better as of late and they sit first in the division. Any chance they can get to skip on a Stars or Avalanche first round, I think will be best for this team.
#9 Los Angeles Kings - x (45-22-10, 100 Points)
Previously #7
LA is looking really good, and the first round will be such a fun time. Regardless of if they draw Edmonton or Vegas. Both bring incredible storylines. I do think the Kings learned they will need to earn it though, in that loss to the Oilers. They will need stellar goaltending to compete.
#8 Colorado Avalanche (45-24-6, 96 Points)
Unchanged
Man Colorado has made this a fantastic season, despite the amount of injuries they have had to face. And now with players coming back, they look slated to repeat. Big question is Landeskog. The Avs sit one point out from the top spot in the Central and have 1 game at hand.
#7 Edmonton Oilers - x (45-23-9, 99 Points)
Previously #11
I’m not caring about the bias anymore. There are some legit, objective things about this Oilers team that cannot be hidden anymore. The Oilers this past week, at least the 3 games, looked like the best team in the NHL. Dummying the Golden Knights and grinding out the Oilers first SO win in nearly a year against their probable first round matchup, the Kings. They shouldn’t be slept on, and I am so excited to see if they deserve to keep their spot when they take on LA once again tomorrow night. Sole second in Regulation Wins, first in the West by 6 games…
#6 New York Rangers – x (45-21-11, 101 Points)
Unchanged
New York is making a push for home ice in the division. They have some ground to make up and need some help, but they are pushing. I wonder how they will be handicapped against the Devils, their probable opponent. That goaltending unit in New York will always catch my eye.
#5 Vegas Golden Knights – x (47-22-7, 101 Points)
Previously #4
Took the Oilers to OT and won on Saturday but got completely dummied by the Oil at their home rink. Vegas will be without Logan Thompson and their Captain for a while, probably for most of playoffs. I know Jon Quick is a legend, but he looked like a fish out of water on Tuesday. Can they compete in this playoff without Thompson?
#4 Toronto Maple Leafs - x (45-21-10, 100 Points)
Previously #5
With both the Leafs and Tampa clinching this past week and the B’s clinching the President’s Trophy, we will see the Leafs take on the Bolts yet again. I am excited to see this happen. Toronto will have home ice. Can they slay the beast?
#3 New Jersey Devils (48-21-8, 104 Points)
Unchanged
New Jersey looking a little off with a 4-4-2 streak over their last 10. New Jersey will most likely take on their bitter rival in the City and I worry about their goaltending. However, the pressure on New Jersey to perform is a lot lower than New York, and we all know what playing loose can do for a team like that. The Devils will have a fun time regardless of what happens.
#2 Carolina Hurricanes - x (49-18-9, 107 Points)
Unchanged
Carolina looking good going into the final days here. They are getting things done without Svech and Pacioretty, for now anyways. I loved the article that read “Don’t give up on Puljujarvi yet”, trust me Canes fans, us Oil fans have read that headline multiple times a year for the better of 5 years… The Canes haven’t clinched the division, but they do have a game at hand with a 3 point buffer. They won’t have a chance to clinch until probably next week or later this weekend.
#1 Boston Bruins – p (60-12-5, 125 Points)
Unchanged
The B’s punched their President’s Trophy win already and earned their 60th win. Boston still sits 7 points away from the season points record and 2 wins away from the wins record. Boston sits with 5 games remaining. Keep an eye on this team for the rest of the way.
In-Season Cup
Well, that didn’t last long for you James. Calgary has been trying its best to get into the playoffs and its hurt us going for the Cup. We have 14 eliminated now. Calgary plays James’ Blackhawks tomorrow.
Weekly Draft Lottery Simulator
This week, the draft simulator shows Chicago winning the Connor Bedard sweepstakes. They sit dead last, and it clearly helps here. Arizona climbs 4 spots to take the 2nd spot which pushes all of the Ducks, Blue Jackets, Sharks, and Montreal down a spot. Tough break for James, Lu, and Kylie.