*Rankings based upon scores and stats through Monday night
Another week, another top spot in my NHL Power Rankings for the Chicago Blackhawks… They continue to remain undefeated in regulation time and have now surpassed the previous league record of 16 games. The new record will be set when they finish and at this rate, that may not be for a while.
This week was a rough week for everyone around, with almost every dropping in standings save for the Canadians who all seemed to move up a couple. The two biggest shifts this week were the Los Angeles Kings moving up nine spots and the San Jose Sharks falling nine.
1. Chicago Blackhawks (-)
The Blackhawk just can’t seem to do wrong this season. It doesn’t matter which goalie they have in Corey Crawford or Ray Emery, he still stops the pucks. The team is still undefeated in regulation time, setting NHL records, and they’re at the top of the league for almost every stat possible.
2. Ottawa Senators (+5)
Continuing to rise up the ranks, the Senators are making waves this season. Their star goalie, Craig Anderson, currently leads the league with both save percentage and goals allowed, even after getting hurt this past week and being helped off the ice. Without some of their leading players though, it’s uncertain how long the Senators will remain at the top.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins (-1)
The team seems to have a knack for head injuries this season, first being out Sidney Crosby only for him to return and then lose other star forward Evgeni Malkin. Despite the injuries, the Penguins have been on a winning streak.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs (-1)
Another injury prone team, the Maple Leafs are out starting goalie James Reimer although he appears to be on the mend. Backup Ben Scrivens has been playing impressively enough, but the team is still ranked at the bottom for goals allowed this season, with no help from their spotty defensive playing.
5. Montreal Canadiens (+1)
Canadiens goalie Carey Price leads the league right now with wins, and the team as a whole continues to surprise with their impressive offense and drive this season. They’ve gone almost undefeated since the beginning of February and look to be coming together as a team.
6. Nashville Predators (-2)
Also with impressive goaltending this season, the Predators goalie Pekka Rinne leads the NHL with most shutouts so far. The Predators have also suffered from some questionable refereeing lately, leading to their current losing problems. The team has played a league high eight overtimes this season and those extra points could help come playoff time.
7. Philadelphia Flyers (+7)
The Flyers still seem to struggle on the road, losing most of their games including one with a two-goal lead to the Devils. They also lost to Florida this past week which doesn’t look well for them either, but they did have a couple nice wins which leaves some encouragement that they could make a turnaround yet this year.
8. Detroit Red Wings (+3)
Detroit continues to make headway in the standings with their wins. With a couple nice wins against Nashville and Vancouver, the Red Wings are looking like playoff material. It helps that Pavel Datsyuk has scored goals in all of the last few games.
9. New Jersey Devils (-1)
The Devils have been hurting this past week, allowing 10 goals and winning just once. The team definitely needs to regroup if they’re hoping to get a play off spot.
10. Anaheim Ducks (-5)
A name synonymous with the Ducks right now is that of their goalie Viktor Fasth. He started out the season going 8-0 with amazing stats and he is holding the team up right now. Although they’ve got a pretty good record overall, they aren’t statistically the greatest; and after almost losing to a team like Columbus last week, they deserved to be demoted a few places.
11. Vancouver Canucks (+2)
Vancouver has had a pretty solid month overall with only a few losses and overtime losses, but losing 8-3 against the Red Wings the other night was definitely embarrassing. On a positive note, their offense has definitely stepped up finally and we should see a lot more winning the rest of the season.
12. St. Louis Blues (-3)
The Blues have not had the greatest month this February, just finally winning a home game over the weekend. Next up they play the Blackhawks on Thursday and are hoping to end their regulation-time winning streak. The Blues will be coming off a four-day break, so anything is possible.
13. Dallas Stars (+3)
Dallas has been on a very positive upswing as of a late, with only a couple very close losses this past week. Downside, the Stars are going to have to figure out a way to continue their momentum short two defensemen, Trevor Daley and Aaron Rome who have both been placed on injured reserve.
14. Tampa Bay Lightning (+1)
The Lightning continues to struggle this season, only managing to truly beat up on the bottom teams. The team does however hold the league records for most offensive points and most goals, Steven Stamkos, and most assists, Martin St. Louis.
15. New York Islanders (+5)
John Tavares continues his hot streak for the Islanders adding a couple more games onto his goal-scoring streak. The team also managed to end their losing streak this past week. Upcoming games against the Bruins and the Maple Leafs give them an opportunity for some quality wins, if the can pull them out.
16. Phoenix Coyotes (-6)
Goalie, Mike Smith, has continue to step up and look like himself, however the Coyotes still can seem to pull it together. After getting trounced on this past week to a bunch of Canadians, they’ve got a game this week against the Canucks to redeem themselves though.
17. Boston Bruins (-)
The Bruins continue to hang low in my rankings because of their low amount of games played and their questionable consistency. They have been on a win streak as of late which puts them in second in their division and they lead the league in face-off wins at 57%. If they continue to work together, they’ll edge there way back up.
18. Carolina Hurricanes (+4)
The Hurricanes are currently leading their division, although besides Tampa Bay, it’s a pretty weak division. They also finally got a win this Sunday after losing three in a row. We’ll have to see what this new week holds before anything can be said about their current ability as a team.
19. Los Angeles Kings (+9)
Whoa! Where did these guys come from? Although it took nearly a month and a half, it looks like the 2012 Stanley Cup winners are finally here to play some hockey. Since losing to Chicago last week, the Kings have gone on a win streak and are hoisting themselves up into play off positioning.
20. Winnipeg Jets (+3)
The Jets are one of the leagues worst home teams, but lucky for them they’re not too bad on the road. They’ve won three out of their last four road games, including a nice 4-2 victory over the Jets, and have another road and home game coming up yet this week.
21. San Jose Sharks (-9)
The Sharks continue to struggle as the season progresses going 1-4-1 on their last six road games. They are stronger at home though, so they could get back on track with their two home games Tuesday and Thursday this week.
22. Edmonton Oilers (+2)
If this was ranked of kudos points, the Oilers would get a few more for almost taking out the Blackhawks on Monday night and for it being such an intense game in general. Of course, you also have to turn around and subtract points for the cheap shot Taylor Hall took at Cal Clutterbuck last week in their 3-1 loss to the Wild. The team ought to get nice and comfy with each other these next few weeks with their upcoming nine game road trip.
23. Minnesota Wild (-3)
After having only a so-so month, the Wild are bound to do something big in the upcoming weeks, whether it be a nice win streak, or a bad losing streak. I believe one or the other will be coming. There’s a lot of trade talk circulating around the team right now causing discomfort among the players and fans alike. Hopefully the can band together and play like the team that was drafted.
24. New York Rangers (-6)
The Rangers continue to fall into their downward spiral. They’ve lost the last four out of five games and have upcoming ones against the Jets and the Lightning, which don’t look promising. The team injuries continue to pile up and there’s a lot of talk right now about big team changes. Sounds pretty foreboding for Blueshirts fans.
25. Florida Panthers (-)
The Panthers have almost sunk into oblivion already this season. They’ve won just three of their last eleven games, one including a pretty nice beating of the Flyers, 5-2. They’ve got a couple home games this week so that could help them out a little. There’s a lot of pushing at GM Dale Tallon to just pull the plug and star over though.
26. Buffalo Sabres (-7)
After sinking another seven spots, the Sabres don’t seem to have a lot going for them right now either. On average they allow one goal more per game then they manage to score so it’s no wonder they’re often losing. It looks like getting rid of longtime coach, Lindy Ruff, really wasn’t the game changer either, as the team has gone 0-2 since Wednesday.
27. Calgary Flames (+2)
The Flames came back this weekend to remind people that they are in fact still a hockey team. They beat both the Wild and Phoenix. After 16 seasons with the Flames, there’s been a lot of trade rumors revolving around Jarome Iginla right now as he’ll become a free agent at seasons end. If he DOES get traded though, the Flames won’t be able to pull in another player that’s at his level.
28. Columbus Blue Jackets (-2)
The Blue Jackets are one of those teams that have weird statistics. For example, this season they’ve pretty consistently played better from behind and had more wins after being down in the first period than winning in that first period. While it’s a great talent to be able to come from behind, it’s really crucial to be able to win when you’re already winning too. Unless something miraculous happens pretty soon, the Blue Jackets might as well start focusing on a new management staff and their first round draft picks for next season instead of worrying about this one.
29. Colorado Avalanche (+1)
The Avalanche is another team with winning woes. They’ve got the leagues second worst record for wins after winning the first two periods. Really guys? You fight hard for 40 minutes and then decide, “Hey, we won two-thirds of the game, lets nap these last twenty minutes.” I know I’m one of many journalists right now who currently believe this, but seriously guys, GET RID OF RYAN O'REILLY! Lower your asking price and ditch the kid, he hasn’t even proven he’s worth that ridiculous price…
30. Washington Capitals (-3)
And the team with the leagues worst record for wins after winning the first two periods is the Washington Capitals! On a positive note for the team this week, Alexander Ovechkin scored a hat trick folks! While to many that probably doesn’t seem exciting, after not managing one in two years (yes you read that correctly, TWO YEARS) it’s a pretty big deal for Ovechkin. Now, if only he could go back to scoring them like they were as easy as skating on ice is for him, the Capitals would have it made.