NHL Power Rankings: Week 10
We are less than 2 weeks away from Christmas. The NHL just had one of its most violent weekends in years, good and bad, and the playoff picture is still very much up for grabs. It’s amazing how much a streak one way or another changes the way the standings look, even over a single week. It has been tough to see the fall of some teams, like our loved Ducks. We hope they find a way to settle down and get back to that competitive nature we saw early.
#16 Edmonton Oilers (12-12-1; 22 Pts)
Previously Unranked
Winners of their last 7 to bring their record to NHL .500. They are one win away from true .500 on the season. In that 7-game span they scored 35 goals and allowed just 12. They were sporting a -19-goal differential prior to the streak and now sit with a +4. The PP has been the best in the league since then, the SV% has been among the best, and the defense has been fairly lock-down with limited chances against. Oilers are buzzing.
#15 Washington Capitals (12-7-2; 26 Pts)
Previously Unranked
Washington is settling in right now, winning 3 in a row here. They need to step up to improve their goal differential, but they are getting the saves and that’s sometimes enough to compete every night. I think they give up too much and that won’t be sustainable.
#14 New York Islanders (13-7-7; 33 Pts)
Previously Unranked
A 3-game winning streak that included a great come from behind win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, that saw their former star John Tavares record his 1,000th career point, followed by a rain of boo’s from the Long Island crowd. The Islanders are sporting a top power play right now, yes the New York Islanders have a damn powerplay unit that is buzzing. It’s amazing how important special teams is in this game. Sure championships are won 5on5 in the long-run but inefficient special teams will undoubtedly limit you’re ability to win games. You can have the best defense in the NFL and a solid enough offense, but if your kicker can’t score his points, you will not win close games.
#13 Philadelphia Flyers (15-10-2; 32 Pts)
Previously #14
4 game winning streak and current holders of the In-Season Cup. Philly is ripping through teams through sheer effort and will. When you have guys competing, you will win more games than you lose, all things equal. Carter Hart has been a stalwart on the back end and the rest of the team is stepping up to compete. I am a fan of this squad for the first time in a long time. The John Tortorella effect is real.
#12 Carolina Hurricanes (14-12-1; 29 Pts)
Previously #9
Very worried about the Hurricanes, and this ranking is only a spot because outside of the goaltending, I think this team is fine. Freddie Andersen blood-clotting issue has decimated this team as Raanta and Kochetkov can’t give this team a save. The Hurricanes are an amazing defensive team and don’t give up many chances, that is proven in the numbers. But those they do give up are going in the back of the net, the goalies need to make a damn stop.
#11 Detroit Red Wings (13-7-3; 29 Pts)
Unchanged
David Perron makes an ugly decision, and he will sit for a while. I am worried about Larkin. I hope he’s okay. I also hope that his team can rally for him because losing out on Larkin’s break-out season will sting even for a little bit. Kaner looks very good on this team so far and congrats to his first win as a Detroit Red Wing. Lots to see going forward but that loss to Dallas was a tough one.
#10 Toronto Maple Leafs (14-6-5; 33 Pts)
Previously #12
Two wins in regulation this week Toronto? Okay I see you. Points in every game this week too, which is a good sign for the Leafs. Tough night last night against the Isles. Tavares scores his 1,000th career point in an effort to tie the game on Long Island, only to lose in OT. The Leafs are going to be fine, I just have this lingering worry, as always.
#9 Dallas Stars (16-8-3; 35 Pts)
Previously #5
The Stars are on a skid. Losing by 4+ goal differentials in two games and then a close loss to Florida. I liked their win against the Wings last night. Their goaltending is not quite what I’d like to see, especially when you are comparing the teams above them in these rankings. I don’t hate them at all, I think they are an elite team, but they need to bring things together here. I am probably punishing them too much but that’s the name of the game.
#8 Winnipeg Jets (16-8-2; 34 Pts)
Previously #10
Hellebuyck is my clear frontrunner for the Vezina, no doubt. Team has won 4 in a row after I dumped them a little bit last week. Wins against Carolina and Colorado are notable, wins against Hawks and Ducks is solid too. The Jets face the mighty Kings on the 2nd day of a back-to-back, after they face a surging and hungry Sharks team. The defense is showing its true colors again and I said this last week, there’s only so much Hellebuyck can do. Losing Kyle Connor does worry me if its long term as he’s a huge part of that offense.
#7 Colorado Avalanche (17-9-2; 36 Pts)
Previously #6
The Avs are on a little bit of a skid here. The Avs are feeling the pain, on the margin, of missing the best D-man (arguable best player) in the league. Back-to-back losses to Winnipeg and Philly are a bit of concern. The depth of this team is getting a true test and maybe they aren’t as deep as we initially thought. I mean I saw the writing on the wall last year, and here we are again.
#6 Vancouver Canucks (18-9-1; 37 Pts)
Previously #8
The fall back to earth was muted this week for the Canucks. They are making a play for the top spot in the Pacific and it’s going to be a battle between them, Vegas, and Los Angeles, and every point will count. They lost in the first ever Hughes bowl, but it was a mighty thrilling game. Their 5 on 5 play as of late has been a question mark and it’s a wonder if that continues to go sideways where this team will be in the end. For now, give them the kudos.
#5 Florida Panthers (17-8-2; 36 Pts)
Previously #7
The Panthers have sustained what they looked like in the playoffs. Just a resilient and hard-working team that is finding scoring up and down the lineup. They were more than just treading water without their big D-men and once they came back, have only gotten better. Winners of their last 3 and just dominant on the puck every night. Matty Chucker needs to find his way because he is not him right now, but the rest of the team looks incredible. Barkov may win the Selke and he might be the future model of a Selke Trophy finalist year in and year out.
#4 Los Angeles Kings (16-5-4; 36 Pts)
Previously #3
The tough thing about setting the Kings #4 is that they really aren’t #4. They are more like 1D. These top 4 teams are so close that even small things can bump you down or move you up. This is simply a function of them having the lowest P% of the 4. The Kings are a wagon, and they are going to be a tough team to bring down. Pierre Luc Dubois is a bit “meh” and it’s becoming clear he’s smaller than his namesake. That said, Byfield is the real deal. Cannot wait to see that December 30th game.
#3 Vegas Golden Knights (19-5-5; 43 Pts)
Previously #4
Tops the league in points and on a 3-game winning streak. Still recorded a point in all 4 games this week. Vegas finds ways to limit scoring chances against and is doing a great job generating their own, and seemingly finishing on those chances. This is a team we all will continue to worry about given that incredible depth. Second in overall SV% which is exactly a recipe for long-term and sustainable success.
#2 New York Rangers (19-6-1; 39 Pts)
Unchanged
That win against the Kings was convincing and illustrative of what this team can do to great teams. They had an uncharacteristic 2-game skid, but that answer was exactly what I needed to see to know this team is a wagon. Kaapo Kakko has been abysmal with just 3 points in 20 games. They need that depth to go the distance. He needs to find a way. Panarin has been fantastic.
#1 Boston Bruins (18-5-3; 39 Pts)
Unchanged
Boston heralds a solid +22 goal differential, good for 4th in the league. Boston is finding their success on both shooting percentage and SV%, despite a below 50% possession clip. They find ways to win games night in and night out, and it’s not easy for them. This is scary to me (great for them) because it seemed way too easy last year, and we all saw how that ended for them.
In-Season Cup
Philly has been incredible as of late! Finally wrangling the cup away from the Coyotes and look to defend it against Tyler’s Predators tonight. James getting the much needed time with the Cup.