NHL Power Rankings: Week 7
Another week done and another week where the Devils haven’t dropped a game. This week is a huge week for the NHL and for the United States. Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans and also Happy “Is My Team Making the Playoffs” Day. If you’ve heard this podcast, the American Thanksgiving Day is not only a huge football, food, and family day but also a milestone that suggests what the postseason will look like. If you are on the outside looking in on this week, you should be concerned to a degree. The Loser Point is such a difference maker.
#16 Pittsburgh Penguins (9-7-3, 21 Points)
Previously Unranked
I like how the Pens seemed to have stemmed the bleeding. They have a +6-goal differential and have found a way to get almost back into the playoff picture. 3 game winning streak and a huge week for Sid the Kid: 4G and 7 Assists in 4 games…
#15 New York Rangers (9-6-4, 22 Points)
Previously Unranked
The Rangers seemed to have calmed down and improved their play. They are finding ways to win now, granted against weak teams. I will give them the benefit of the wins, but I need to see a big week this week as they face the Kings and Oilers, two solid teams in their own right.
#14 Edmonton Oilers (10-8-0, 20 Points)
Previously #12
I really don’t know which Oilers team I am going to get on a game-by-game basis, but I know one thing, my breath is taken away watching McDavid carry the puck. His goal in OT earlier this past weekend was ridiculous. The Oilers can take the In-Season Cup tonight…I am praying for that.
#13 Detroit Red Wings (9-5-4, 22 Points)
Unchanged
So far the boys have outwitted the “hockey guy” this season. Wings have stayed in there and the Sabres have dropped 8 in a row. Woof. 5-3-2 in their last 10 is decent still. They know how to score boy, 13 goals in their last 2 games. They face the Preds and Yotes this week, will be interesting.
#12 Los Angeles Kings (11-8-2, 24 Points)
Previously #14
The 1-3-1 destroyed the Oilers. Doughty is as much of a pain in the ass as ever and its working. The Kings play the Rangers Sharks, and Sens this week and it will be an interesting week. They seemed to have improved the goaltending, but it needs to even get better.
#11 New York Islanders (11-8-0, 22 Points)
Previously #7
Tough week losing 2 in a row here but if they are who I think they are now, we will see them shake that off. Matty Barzal scored two goals this week so he won’t get 82 points and no goals…unfortunate because that would be a ridiculous stat. He’s a great talent and character that this game needs to see more of.
#10 Seattle Kraken (10-5-3, 23 Points)
Previously #13
Kraken are winning ladies and gents. 7-2-1 in their last 10 and they have a solid +9 goal differential. They are a better team that is finding amazing help from their new guy Matty Beniers. One score games all week. Finding a way to win these types of games is just a huge step for a group trying to find their way in their sophomore outing.
#9 Toronto Maple Leafs (10-5-4, 24 Points)
Previously #11
Toronto is playing better these days. 6-1-3 in the last 10 seems to have calmed the crazed fanbase and media. Mitch Marner seems to have come back into his own, among the other bigs on the team. Still work to do on the grit but they are staying out of the discussions on Toronto media which in an of itself is a win for this club.
#8 Carolina Hurricanes (10-5-3, 23 Points)
Previously #5
I think we are in the eye of the storm. The calm before the major damage that this team can deal. They are just not a scoring team and that concerns me greatly. They went to OT twice this week and lost and that can be attributed to lack of scoring. 53 goals on the season is well below average right now.
#7 Tampa Bay Lightning (11-6-1, 23 Points)
Previously #10
Tampa’s past their October slow period…and its showing. 7-2-1 in their last 10 and a 4-game winning streak. They’re wins were mostly against weaker teams, besides the Stars game, but this is what this team needs right now. They have a tough slug against Boston tonight before they face the Blues and Sabres. This is a chance to get comfortable.
#6 Winnipeg Jets (10-5-1, 21 Points)
Previously #8
I’ll bite, the Jets are looking pretty good. The Jets are not a scoring team though which is a concern given the offensive season we have seen overall. 7-2-1 in the last 10 is great to see. Their rise has been quiet and definitely underrated. I didn’t like a 3-0 loss to the Pens and close games against both the Ducks and Kraken. I don’t love them here, but wins are wins ladies and gents.
#5 Dallas Stars (11-5-2, 24 Points)
Previously #6
Glad I didn’t jump ship last week. Dallas is looking fine. They are scoring goals…lots of them. The Dallas Stars are second in goals for. No, you are not in fantasy land, you are not dreaming. The Dallas Stars are a scoring hockey club. Watch out rest of the league. Jason Robertson has 27 points and is just 1 shy of third in the league. Jason Robertson’s contract is a steal right now.
#4 Colorado Avalanche (10-5-1, 21 Points)
Unchanged
Its Colorado. They are back to gelling. Are they as formidable as they were at this time last year? No, but neither were the Bolts following their Cup win. +18 goal differential. 7-3 in their last 10. Big week against the Stars, Nucks, Preds, and Stars (x2). A chance to really close the point gap with Dallas.
#3 Vegas Golden Knights (14-4-1, 29 Points)
Previously #2
Vegas is still looking great. 7-2-1 in their last 10 and they are looking vintage Vegas…if a 5-year-old club could be vintage. This goalie tandem is white hot. .930 SV% 5 on 5 and an overall .916 SV%. Just 2.47 GA/G vs a very strong 3.58 GF/G. Man they are good. Jack Eichel is putting on his best show.
#2 New Jersey Devils (15-3-0, 30 Points)
Previously #3
12 in a row….TWELVE!!! This season has been the season of streaks on both sides of the ledger, winning and losing. This is completely epitomized by this Devils club. Alex has been raking in the In Season Cup. They get a good test against the Oilers tonight but with my luck and the way this team has been playing, we will be talking about another 4-game winning week. Jesper Bratt is the biggest Brat in the league.
#1 Boston Bruins (16-2-0, 32 Points)
Unchanged
Easy week for the Bruins but they got it done. 6 in a row good for just 2 losses on the season. +38 goal differential, top scoring team in the league and top defending team in the league. This team is built different, yet not really because it’s the same core doing their thing. What an add Lindholm has been.
In-Season Cup
The Devils have to lose a game, right? They can’t possibly win every game for the rest of the season…right?