1. Chicago Blackhawks: 34-16-4
Although still technically second in the standings, the Blackhawks have been the best team in the NHL over the course of the last couple weeks. Their 12-game winning streak propelled them over the Stars in the Central Division race, and victories against division rivals St. Louis and Colorado showed just how much better they are than the rest of the league. They should easily finish with 50 wins and again be the favorites for the Stanley Cup.
2. Washington Capitals: 35-9-4
Losses against the Flyers and Panthers cause them to miss out on the top spot in this weeks rankings. The team has still won seven out of their last ten games, so do not expect the Capitals to go anywhere anytime soon.
3. Dallas Stars: 32-14-5
The Stars have won three out of their last four games, with their only loss coming against the impressive Avalanche. The Seguin and Benn connection has been struggling as of late, neither of them scoring more than two points in their last five games.
4. St. Louis Blues: 29-16-8
The Blues are sneaking their way closer and closer to the Stars and Blackhawks. Their shutout victory against Nashville reminds people they are only three points behind the Stars, and six points behind the Blackhawks.
5. Florida Panthers: 30-15-5
The Panthers are on yet another winning streak, winning their last four games. Aaron Ekblad seems to be the catalyst for the teams success, as they have won the past 17 games he has played in!
6. New York Rangers: 27-18-5
They slip out of the top 5 in these rankings after a January that can only be described as inconsistent. The schedule doesn't get easier for the Rangers, so they will need to step up their level of play.
7. Tampa Bay Lightning: 27-18-4
Their only two losses in 2016 is against the red hot Florida Panthers and then red hot Calgary Flames. With an ever improving offense, the Lightning are reclaiming their spot among the NHL elite.
8. Detroit Red Wings: 25-16-8
Their two big match ups against the Lightning and Florida this week could easily determine if they will be in the top ten of next weeks rankings. Rookie Dylan Larkin played in the All Star game, and he is easily one of the most promising young forwards in the game.
9. Los Angeles Kings: 31-16-3
The team is still the leader in the Pacific Division, thanks to victories against chief rivals San Jose and Arizona. As long as they can keep their lead in the Pacific, they will have a spot in the top 10.
10. Colorado Avalanche: 27-23-3
The team won nine in the month of January, and their strong play has allowed them to get back into the Central Division race. Semyon Varlamov has been key, only giving up one goal in each of his last four games.
11. New York Islanders: 26-16-6
They have won four out of their last six games, and are giving the Rangers a run for their money for the second spot in the Metropolitan Division. They play the division leading Capitals on February 4th in a game that would give either team a big momentum boost.
12. Boston Bruins: 26-18-6
The Bruins followed up an impressive victory against the Flyers with a couple bad losses to the Ducks and Maple Leafs.
13. Pittsburgh Penguins: 25-17-7
The ticking time bomb from earlier in the season is finally going off. The offense has gotten four or more goals in all but one game during their four game winning streak.
14. Nashville Predators: 24-19-8
The Predators have won four out of their last five games, keeping pace with the rest of the Central Division.
15. New Jersey Devils: 26-20-5
Their victory over the Rangers means that the Devils are still an important force in the race for the Metropolitan Division.
16. Minnesota Wild: 23-18-9
The Wild’s disastrous January has seen their playoff aspirations being put into Jeopardy.
17. San Jose Sharks: 26-19-4
The Sharks have won three out of their last five games, and continue to place second in the Pacific Division.
18. Anaheim Ducks: 23-18-7
The winner of four straight, the Ducks have rocketed up to third place in the Pacific Division standings. They were expected to win the division in the pre season, so the team is clearly not satisfied with third place.
19. Montreal Canadiens: 24-23-4
The Canadiens have been in free fall ever since the loss of Carey Price. Winning three games in the month of January is a good way to make sure you miss out on the playoffs.
20. Philadelphia Flyers: 22-18-8
A big victory against the Capitals is a big momentum builder for the middle of the road Flyers.
21. Carolina Hurricanes: 23-20-8
They have scored ten goals in their last two games, and are starting to scare the teams on top of the Metropolitan Division.
22. Ottawa Senators: 23-22-6
The once impressive Senators now look like a lottery team as they have lost four out of their last five games.
23. Arizona Coyotes: 24-21-5
The Ducks dethroned the Coyotes for third spot in the Pacific, and appear to be trending down.
24. Vancouver Canucks: 20-19-11
The Canucks has a relatively easy schedule ahead, as their next five opponents are the Blue Jackets, Flames, Avalanche, Coyotes and Maple Leafs.
25. Calgary Flames: 21-24-3
They looked like their were heading in the right direction early in January, before their recent three game losing streak made them lose the ground they were making up.
26. Winnipeg Jets: 22-25-3
In their last five games, they have managed to lose to division rivals Colorado, Nashville and Dallas. The fat lady may not be singing yet, but she is certainly warming up.
27. Toronto Maple Leafs: 18-22-9
The Maple Leafs have given us signs that they are better than they have played, with victories against Philadelphia and Boston.
28. Edmonton Oilers: 20-26-5
They manage to avoid the bottom spot with a victory against the lowly Blue Jackets.
29. Buffalo Sabres: 20-26-4
The Sabres are about to get hit with a rough schedule consisting of Montreal, Boston and Florida. They haven’t been playing good enough for their fans to assume they will come out of these couple weeks unscathed.
30. Columbus Blue Jackets: 19-28-5
What is really amazing about the Blue Jackets is that they have played 52 games, yet are still looking for their 20th win. I’m not one to use the word tank, but it seems appropriate here.