The month seems to always show who the real contenders and pretenders are in the NHL, and this year is no different. The Blackhawks and Capitals have taken the top five by storm this month, and appear to be Stanley Cup Contenders. Meanwhile, the Red Wings and Bruins have found a home in the top 10 after rough starts.
Note: Records are prior to Monday night's results.
1. Dallas Stars 24-7-2
The best team in the NHL for the first half of the season continues to pile on the goals. In their wins last week, they scored five and then six goals respectively. Jamie Benn has also recently overtaken Patrick Kane to become the league leader in goals with 22. Considering the fact that Benn has only played 33 games, he appears to have the best chance out of anybody this year of reaching the 50 goal mark.
2. Washington Capitals 24-6-2
Thanks in large part due to Alexander Ovechkin, the team has a 3.2 GPG. Ovechkin is tied for fifth with 17 goals, after he scored 50 goals in the two years prior to this one. Ovechkin can score like nobody else when he is hot, and he has yet to display his full abilities this season.
3. Chicago Blackhawks 20-11-4
The Chicago Blackhawks have been flying up these rankings ever since Duncan Keith has returned from injury. They have a 7-3-1 record in December, which has allowed them to gain ground in the Central Division. In Particular, goaltender Corey Crawford has been superb, with an incredible three shootouts in December alone.
4. Montreal Canadiens 20-11-3
The woes continue for the Canadiens in December. The team is on another losing streak as they are just beginning their eight game losing streak. The loss of Carey Price can easily be felt, and it is still unsure when the superstar goaltender will return to the club.
5. New York Rangers 19-12-4
With just two wins in all of December, the Rangers have seen their lead in the Metropolitan Division disappear. During their ongoing three game losing streak, they have given up five or more goals in each contest. One has to wonder what has caused a defense that was an elite powerhouse just a month ago to go downhill so quickly. Was the loss of Kevin Klein so severe for a defensive core that has been great for close to a decade?
6. St. Louis Blues 20-10-4
Vladimir Tarasenko has been enjoying the first half of the season so far, scoring 21 goals to go along with 36 points in 33 games. His abilities as a sniper are proven by his second place position in the goal department.
7. Detroit Red Wings 17-9-7
The team has picked up points in nine of their last 10 games. Pavel Datsyuk had four points in his last five games, and it seems that the playmaker is beginning to recover from missing the beginning of the season due to injury.
8. Minnesota Wild 17-8-6
Their three game winning streak may have been snapped at Nashville, but December has been a success so far for the Wild. With a 6-1-2 record, the Wild have picked up a point in all but one game in December.
9. Boston Bruins 19-9-4
The Bruins three game-winning streak allows them to crack the top ten. They are also second in the Atlantic Division, ahead of Detroit and Tampa Bay.
10. Los Angeles Kings 20-10-2
They have dominated the bungling Pacific Division so far this season. With six wins in December, the Kings will not have their lead in the division challenged in the foreseeable future.
11. New York Islanders 18-11-5
The Islanders have surprised everyone this year with a more defensive approach to the game. They are currently third in the NHL in GAA, and they look like a team that can compete with the Rangers and Capitals atop the Metropolitan Division.
12. Florida Panthers 18-12-4
The Panthers are the hottest team in the NHL right now, winning their last four games. In December, they have also beaten elite teams such as St. Louis and Washington to prove that the young team can hang with the leagues best.
13. Nashville Predators 16-11-6
The team continues to struggle in December after barely beating the Wild to snap a three game losing streak. They are only the 19th best offense in the NHL, and they need to do something by the trade deadline to keep up with the elite in the Central Division.
14. Tampa Bay Lightning 17-14-3
The team still isn’t scoring like they could be, but they have had a successful December. With a 6-3-0 record in December, Tampa Bay has closed the gap between them and Montreal.
15. Ottawa Senators 17-12-5
As one of the more surprising playoff contenders so far this year, their inconsistency as of late has given fans reason to doubt whether or not they are the real deal. They give up close to 3 GPG, and they might not have the offense to support that kind of defense.
16. New Jersey Devils 16-13-5
The Devils three game losing streak has seen them struggle offensively. With only one goal in each of those games, the 27th ranked offense may continue to fall farther down these rankings.
17. Colorado Avalanche 17-16-1
This is a playoff caliber team that has been on a roll as of late. Their five game winning streak has given them a winning record again, and they face Toronto next to extend their winning streak even further.
18. Philadelphia Flyers 14-12-7
Just when the Flyers were gaining ground in the Metropolitan race, they lose to the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets. Their 29th ranked offense is killing them, and salary cap concerns mean they cannot make the big moves they need to in order to get them on the same level as the Capitals and the Rangers.
19. Calgary Flames 15-16-2
December is usually when we see the real playoff contenders emerge and this year is no different. The Flames seven game-winning streak may be over, but they are well on their way back into the playoff discussion in an easy Pacific Division.
20. Pittsburgh Penguins 15-14-3
Their five game losing streak sees them fall further and further down these rankings. Their 4-1 loss against the Capitals really showed the enormous gap between them and the leaders in the Metropolitan.
21. San Jose Sharks 16-15-2
The Sharks are trying to end another December losing streak. Their 22nd ranked defense is not helping matters, as the team has failed to take advantage of a fast start and now has a losing record.
22. Winnipeg Jets 15-15-2
The team is average in the toughest division in the NHL. Their 15-15-2 record isn’t terrible, but not good enough to compete in the Central Division.
23. Vancouver Canucks 12-14-9
You have to give the Canucks credit, they sure know how to lose. Despite only having 12 wins, they would be in the playoffs if the season ended today.
24.Anaheim Ducks 12-14-5
The team that everyone expected to contend for the Stanley Cup is instead among the bottom feeders in the NHL.
25. Arizona Coyotes 15-15-2
The Coyotes were once a contender, but a tough December has derailed the team.
26. Carolina Hurricanes 13-15-5
The team continues to play the elite teams tough, but play inconsistently against the other teams. In December alone, they beat Montreal and nearly beat Dallas in a 6-5 thriller.
27. Buffalo Sabres 14-16-4
With the 26th ranked offense in the NHL, this spot seems pretty fair for the Sabres. Their power play has really been their one bright spot, so maybe if the team can start forcing more penalties, they could move up in the rankings.
28. Edmonton Oilers 14-18-2
It has been an up and down month for the Oilers. They have followed up a six game winning streak with a three game losing streak.
29. Columbus Blue Jackets 13-19-3
The Blue Jackets continue to jostle with the Maple Leafs for worst team in the NHL. Their victory against the Flyers gives them enough respect to avoid the bottom of the rankings.
30. Toronto Maple Leafs 11-13-7
With the fewest wins in the league, the Maple Leafs are again at the bottom of these rankings. When you look at the talent on the roster, it’s hard to imagine this team not getting a top five pick.