The New Year has been kind to a few teams that have postseason asperations. The Chicago Blackhawks haven't lost a game in January, and they are again looking like the team that won the Stanley Cup last season. The Florida Panthers 12 game winning streak may be over, but they have thrust themselves to the top of the Atlantic Division. Even with these new challengers, the Capitals remain the team to beat in the NHL
1. Washington Capitals: 32-7-3
With all of the luck Alexander Ovechkin has been getting scoring goals, its no wonder why the Russian sniper is trying his luck at the Powerball. He has five goals in his last three games, and his team has won all of those games by multiple goals. With the addition of Mike Richards, you can expect this team to be a Stanley Cup contender in the playoffs.
2. Dallas Stars: 29-11-4
The high flying Dallas Stars seem to have hit a bit of turbulence so far in 2016. They have lost four out of their five games in January, and the offense has been surprisingly inconsistent.
3. Chicago Blackhawks: 28-13-4
On the other end of the spectrum, the Chicago Blackhawks are undefeated in 2016. Jonathan Toews has been electric, scoring three goals and notching eight points in the six games in January the Blackhawks have been in.
4. St. Louis Blues: 25-14-7
Keeping up with the Blackhawks and Stars is a tough task, but the Blues are still within shouting distance of the two elite teams. Vladimir Tarasenko has 24 goals and 44 points so far this season, and could put up some crazy numbers as this season unfolds.
5. Florida Panthers: 26-13-5
Jaromir Jagr needs to tell us where this mystical fountain of youth is that he has been hiding from us. The 43 year old has four goals and six points so far in January.
6. Minnesota Wild: 22-13-8
The defense of the Wild has been carrying the team in the first half of the season. They are ranked 7th and Ryan Suter continues his campaign to win the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
7. New York Rangers: 23-14-5
After a disastrous December, the one time Metropolitan leaders are having a little comeback so far in January. They have managed to beat Dallas and Boston, while picking up a point in their overtime loss against the Capitals.
8. Detroit Red Wings: 22-14-7
The Detroit Red Wings opened up the New Year with a four game winning streak. While Los Angeles may have snapped the streak, the Detroit Red Wings are still second in the Atlantic Division, behind an unproven Florida Panthers unit. A lot can happen as we begin the second half of the season.
9. Los Angeles Kings: 27-12-3
The Kings have handled a tough beginning to the New Year well. They managed to beat Detroit and the red hot Flyers and picked up a point in a shootout loss to the Blues.
10. Montreal Canadiens: 23-17-3
The Canadiens are still waiting for Hart winner Carey Price to come back. Their December was disastrous, but they remain a force to be reckoned with in the east.
11. New York Islanders: 23-15-5
Their victory over the Stars is overshadowed by their blowout losses to Pittsburgh, Washington and Philadelphia.
12. Tampa Bay Lightning: 22-17-4
The Lightning are returning to the level of play that we all expected them to be at. The offense has scored three or more goals in four of the last five games.
13. Boston Bruins: 21-16-5
2016 has not been kind to the Bruins, as they have lost five out of their six games in the New Year.
14. Pittsburgh Penguins: 20-16-6
Their 5-2 victory against the Islanders has been their signature game so far in 2016. Sidney Crosby has got his mojo back, scoring three goals and six points in the five January games the Penguins have been in.
15. Colorado Avalanche: 21-20-3
Their victories against St. Louis and Nashville put this up and coming Central Division power in the top half of these rankings
16. New Jersey Devils: 21-18-5
The brutal January schedule has caught up with the Devils, as they have lost four out of their six January games.
17. Nashville Predators: 19-17-7
Where did the Nashville defense go? They have given up three or more goals in each of their last four contests.
18. Arizona Coyotes: 22-16-4
At 48 points, the Coyotes are right now squarely in the playoff picture.
19. Philadelphia Flyers: 19-15-7
The Giroux, Voracek and Simmonds connection came up huge for the Flyers in their last game. The line accounted for all three of the team’s goals, including a couple in overtime.
20. San Jose Sharks: 21-18-2
The Sharks offense has come to life in the last three games, scoring 16 goals.
21. Ottawa Senators: 20-18-6
Giving up 11 goals in two games will ensure that you will move down in these rankings.
22. Anaheim Ducks: 18-17-7
The Anaheim Ducks do not have a winning or losing streak longer than one game so far in January.
23. Calgary Flames: 20-20-2
Sam Bennett shredded the capable Florida Panthers defense to give his team a winning record in January.
24. Winnipeg Jets: 19-21-3
The 24th ranked defense has given up four goals in their last two games, not a good sign that they can turn their defense around.
25. Vancouver Canucks: 17-16-10
With 17 wins, the Canucks are on par with the Sabres and Oilers as the easiest teams to beat in the NHL.
26. Carolina Hurricanes: 19-18-7
While they are on a three game winning streak, two of those games came against the lowly Blue Jackets.
27.Toronto Maple Leafs 16-18-7
The unfortunate phase one of rebuilding is losing a ton of games. Their losses last week to San Jose and Columbus were so one sided, you felt bad for Maple Leafs fans.
28. Buffalo Sabres: 17-22-4
Their victory against the playoff contending Minnesota Wild keeps them out of the bottom spot this week.
29. Columbus Blue Jackets: 16-25-4
Another worthy candidate of the bottom spot managed to avoid that honor by beating the Toronto Maple Leafs.
30. Edmonton Oilers: 17-23-4
Without a true starting goaltender, the Edmonton Oilers continue to have a 3.0 GAA. They also occupy the bottom spot in the easy Pacific Division, which means they probably should have less wins then they do now.