The New Year has seen some new teams already breaking into the top 5. The Blackhawks being back into the top 5 is no surprise, as the defending champions are possibly the most complete team in hockey. The young Florida Panthers on the other hand are a surprise, even with future Hall of Famer Jaromir Jagr leading the charge.
Note: Records are current prior to Monday's games.
1. Dallas Stars: 28-9-4
The Dallas Stars are now at the half way point in their season, and if they continue at the pace they are going, they will reach 120 points this season. Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn are each on track to score 100 or more points. Five players are on track for 60 or more points this season. In short, the Stars have gotten off to an incredible start to the season.
2. Washington Capitals: 28-7-3
The Capitals are tied with the most wins with 28, but they do not have to play in the unfairly difficult Central Division. December was basically one long winning streak for the Capitals, as their nine game winning streak lasted 18 days.
3. Chicago Blackhawks: 23-13-4
The Chicago Blackhawks three game-winning streak has put them in prime position to catch the Stars if they falter. Patrick Kane has been electric in those three games, scoring two goals and notching 7 points.
4. St. Louis Blues: 23-14-4
The Blues picked up impressive victories over the Stars and Predators to close out 2015. Their offense seems to be improving, as they picked up three or more goals in both of those contests.
5. Florida Panthers: 23-12-4
The Panthers nine game winning streak has allowed the Panthers to reach the top five of these rankings, and more importantly given them the lead in the Atlantic Division. Superstar and fan favorite Jaromir Jagr was just voted in as a All Star for the 13th time.
6. New York Islanders: 22-13-5
Their victory against the Dallas Stars was not the most fundamentally sound outing, but it was a key win against an elite team. They are now the only team within shouting distance of the Metropolitan Division, with the Rangers trailing further and further behind.
7. Los Angeles Kings: 25-11-2
While it is true that the Kings wins are a bit inflated due to the fact they are in the easy Pacific Division, you have to give them credit for being so consistent this season. Them and the Stars are the only teams in the West with a winning record on the road and at home, showing that they are a consistent team wherever they are playing.
8. Minnesota Wild: 20-11-7
The New Year has not brought good fortune for the Wild, as they have lost their first two games. They need to get on the winning column fast or else they risk falling behind in the Central.
9. Montreal Canadiens: 22-15-3
The Canadiens have recovered from a disastrous December by winning two of their last three games. Carey Price is apparently on schedule in his recovery from a lower body injury, and he will give the team a massive lift when he returns.
10. New York Rangers: 21-14-4
My, how the mighty have fallen. The once rulers of the Metropolitan division currently sit at third in the division and barely in the top ten of these rankings.
11. Nashville Predators: 19-13-7
They are still chasing that elusive 20th win. They play the bottom two teams in the Central in their next two games, so they should be trying to create some distance between them and the two teams attempting to take their playoff spot.
12. Detroit Red Wings: 19-13-7
The Red Wings broke a three game losing streak against Buffalo, but it was not enough to save their spot in the top ten. They are currently underachieving on defense by having a 2.7 GAA.
13. Boston Bruins: 20-13-4
The Bruins are another former top 10 team that has since lost steam. They are unfortunately about to begin a five game road trip that could derail them further.
14. New Jersey Devils: 20-14-5
The Devils are still holding their ground in the playoff race. Their current three game-winning streak includes a win over the Dallas Stars.
15. Tampa Bay Lightning: 19-16-4
The Lightning’s 21st ranked offense still hasn't gotten on track this season, as they continue to fall short of expectations.
16. Pittsburgh Penguins: 19-15-4
With the 24th ranked offense in the NHL, the Penguins have similar problems as the Lightning.
17. Colorado Avalanche: 18-18-3
The Avalanche offense is flying high again, as they are ranked 7th in the NHL. They have a tough schedule ahead of them, and they really need their offense to come through for them.
18. Ottawa Senators: 18-15-6
The Senators brutal schedule continues, as they have to face St. Louis, Florida, Boston and Washington this week.
19. Anaheim Ducks:16-15-7
The Ducks are right now in the playoffs, thanks to them winning four out of their last five games.
20. Calgary Flames: 18-18-2
They obliterated Colorado last Saturday, and are within shouting distance of a playoff spot in the weak Pacific Division.
21. Winnipeg Jets: 18-19-2
They were looking good before the Anaheim Ducks smashed them. While they are able to compete with Pacific Division opponents, they haven’t yet managed to beat their Central division rivals on a regular basis. They play Nashville and Dallas this week, and victories in those games would allow them to move up these rankings.
22. Arizona Coyotes: 18-16-4
Their games against Vancouver and Calgary will decide if they still have a playoff spot by the end of the week.
23. San Jose Sharks: 18-17-2
With the Ducks and Flames soon to have passed them, the Sharks need to decide if they are buyers or sellers.
24. Philadelphia Flyers: 15-15-7
The Flyers couldn't get a win on their road trip, and now have to face Montreal if they hope to not extend their losing streak to four games.
25. Vancouver Canucks: 15-15-9
They have won three of their last four games, but failed to defeat Los Angeles last week.
26. Carolina Hurricanes: 16-17-6
They continued their annoying habit of only beating really good opponents last week, beating Washington 4-2.
27. Toronto Maple Leafs: 15-15-7
Their impressive victories against Pittsburgh and St. Louis have them moving up these rankings.
28. Buffalo Sabres: 15-20-4
With a four game losing streak, the Sabres are appearing to be heading closer and closer to a top five pick.
29. Edmonton Oilers: 16-21-3
Connor McDavid could return in the coming weeks. Still though, how much help can he bring to a team that gives up 3.1 GPG?
30. Columbus Blue Jackets: 15-22-3
They somehow managed back to back victories against Dallas and Washington, the top two teams on these rankings. It's a good sign, but they are going to have to play like that every game in order to cover the gap between them and the rest of the league.