I’ve been slacking on THW’s Power Rankings, with the last edition coming after 45 games as part of my midseason standings predictions in mid-January.
Truth is, by then — by the midpoint in the regular-season schedule — the Power Rankings are fairly established, without much fluctuation from week to week. They get a bit stale, updating in five- or even 10-game segments as I had been doing through 35 games.
That is, until the trade deadline. Now that the buyers and sellers have made their moves, the Power Rankings have been shaken up for the stretch run.
The rosters are set going forward — barring injuries and call-ups — so these Power Rankings should be able to stand the test of time.
Therefore, this edition will serve as my updated Stanley Cup odds, more so than who’s hot and who’s not at the moment. With less than a quarter of the season left — between 15 and 20 games per team — these Power Rankings are about who can go all the way, the rest of the way.
1) Tampa Bay Lightning
MIDSEASON RANKING: 1 (=)
PRESEASON RANKING: 4 (+3)
OVERALL RECORD: 45-17-2-2
DIVISION STANDING: 1st in Atlantic
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (A1)
ANALYSIS: Steve Yzerman pulled off the biggest blockbuster at the trade deadline, a buzzer-beater that brought Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller to Tampa. The latter is already fitting in nicely on a line with Brayden Point and Yanni Gourde, while McDonagh will certainly bolster the blue line once he’s healthy enough to make his Lightning debut. Ondrej Palat should be returning from injury this month too, so Tampa will be loaded up front and able to roll three scoring lines. Andrei Vasilevskiy has proven to be a Vezina-calibre goaltender in his first season as a starter and Jon Cooper is capable of pushing all the right buttons as their bench boss.
2) Nashville Predators
MIDSEASON RANKING: 2 (=)
PRESEASON RANKING: 12 (+10)
OVERALL RECORD: 42-14-4-5
DIVISION STANDING: 1st in Central
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (C1)
ANALYSIS: David Poile made a surprising move in prying Ryan Hartman from rival Chicago, and the Preds are planning to add another scoring winger by signing top prospect Eeli Tolvanen following his KHL playoff run. Mike Fisher is back in the fold too, giving Nashville arguably the league’s deepest forward group, to go along with the best top four on defence and one of the elite netminders in Pekka Rinne. The Predators came close as an underdog last year, but they are definitely among the favourites this spring.
3) Pittsburgh Penguins
MIDSEASON RANKING: 12 (+9)
PRESEASON RANKING: 2 (-1)
OVERALL RECORD: 37-25-2-2
DIVISION STANDING: 3rd in Metropolitan
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (M3)
ANALYSIS: The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions are still the team to beat. Derick Brassard has always been a beast in the playoffs, so his addition could put the Penguins over the top again. Matt Murray’s health is a concern, considering he’s been injury prone, but if the goaltending is decent and Pittsburgh’s stars stay healthy, we could see the first three-peat since the Islanders’ dynasty won four in a row in the early 1980s.
4) Winnipeg Jets
MIDSEASON RANKING: 3 (-1)
PRESEASON RANKING: 9 (+5)
OVERALL RECORD: 39-17-7-2
DIVISION STANDING: 2nd in Central
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (C2)
ANALYSIS: The trend for the teams at the top of these Power Rankings is three potent scoring lines and the Jets rank right up there in that department thanks to the acquisition of Paul Stastny from the rival Blues. Winnipeg is on a collision course with Nashville and that second-round series should be a barnburner if it comes to fruition. Hockey fans would be the real winner there, but the Jets will need Connor Hellebuyck to rise to the occasion in his first playoffs for Winnipeg to come out on top. Jacob Trouba will be back soon to solidify the defence, while youngsters Kyle Connor and Jack Roslovic have continued to impress in top-nine roles. Kevin Cheveldayoff has mostly built from within through the draft-and-develop approach, and Paul Maurice has found a winning formula that could carry over to the postseason.
5) Vegas Golden Knights
MIDSEASON RANKING: 5 (=)
PRESEASON RANKING: 31 (+26)
OVERALL RECORD: 42-18-3-2
DIVISION STANDING: 1st in Pacific
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (P1)
ANALYSIS: Nobody expected this expansion franchise to be a Cup contender, but Vegas’ depth has been the difference all season long and could very well be the deciding factor in a best-of-seven. Tomas Tatar adds to that depth up front — for the present and the future — but the Golden Knights have obviously overachieved to some degree and had luck on their side at times in this inaugural season. That luck could run out in the playoffs, but as long as Marc-Andre Fleury is healthy, Vegas will be a tough out for anybody and everybody.
6) Toronto Maple Leafs
MIDSEASON RANKING: 11 (+5)
PRESEASON RANKING: 8 (+2)
OVERALL RECORD: 39-21-5-2
DIVISION STANDING: 3rd in Atlantic
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (A3)
ANALYSIS: The Leafs aren’t the same team without Auston Matthews, but he should be back in plenty of time for the playoffs. Toronto’s young core learned a lot in pushing Washington to the limit in last year’s postseason, and Lou Lamoriello added some much-needed experience in Patrick Marleau, Ron Hainsey and then Tomas Plekanec at the deadline. Frederik Andersen has faced a ton of rubber this season and his durability has been an issue in years past, but he’s also capable of stealing a game, if not a series. Mike Babcock is one of the few coaches who can really impact the outcomes as well, so Toronto could take the next step by winning a round this year.
7) Boston Bruins
MIDSEASON RANKING: 6 (-1)
PRESEASON RANKING: 20 (+13)
OVERALL RECORD: 40-15-6-2
DIVISION STANDING: 2nd in Atlantic
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (A2)
ANALYSIS: Don Sweeney landed one of the big fish at the deadline in Rick Nash, giving the Bruins another scoring winger in their top nine. Boston paid a steep price, but Nash should be able to step it up in the playoffs. Brian Gionta provides more depth and experience up front, while Nick Holden has been chipping in offence from the back end so far, which will be important if Charlie McAvoy is out for any length of time. The Bruins are banged-up right now and, most importantly, Boston needs Patrice Bergeron and Tuukka Rask to get healthy and stay at the top of their games for the postseason.
8) Washington Capitals
MIDSEASON RANKING: 4 (-4)
PRESEASON RANKING: 5 (-3)
OVERALL RECORD: 37-21-6-1
DIVISION STANDING: 1st in Metropolitan
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (M1)
ANALYSIS: Washington needs Braden Holtby to find his Vezina form again, but Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom have been as dominant as ever this season. Ovechkin has another 40-goal campaign to his credit — with 50 in his sights — and Evgeny Kuznetsov has been even hotter lately. If T.J. Oshie gets going, the Capitals will be that much more dangerous, but this team could be flying under the radar for a change come playoffs after failing to live up to expectations as a favourite in recent years. Brian MacLellan didn’t go all-in at the deadline this year, resisting the urge to bring back Mike Green after coming up short with Kevin Shattenkirk last year. Regardless, Holtby will be the key to the Capitals’ playoff success.
9) Anaheim Ducks
MIDSEASON RANKING: 13 (+4)
PRESEASON RANKING: 10 (+1)
OVERALL RECORD: 33-21-5-7
DIVISION STANDING: 3rd in Pacific
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (P3)
ANALYSIS: The order of these next eight or nine teams is debatable — many of them are interchangeable — and perhaps I have a bit of a West Coast bias in leading with the California clubs. Injuries were holding Anaheim back in the first half and Ryan Kesler still isn’t right, but the Ducks are coming on strong now. Bob Murray didn’t have the cap space to make a splash at the deadline — only swapping Chris Wagner for the veteran Jason Chimera — but if the Ducks can stay healthy from here and Kesler can get up to speed for the playoffs, Anaheim could come out of that Pacific bracket again.
10) San Jose Sharks
MIDSEASON RANKING: 9 (-1)
PRESEASON RANKING: 19 (+9)
OVERALL RECORD: 35-22-6-3
DIVISION STANDING: 2nd in Pacific
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (P2)
ANALYSIS: Doug Wilson did make a big move, bringing in Evander Kane from Buffalo — and he’s paid immediate dividends on a line with Joe Pavelski. Joe Thornton is on track to return in time for the playoffs, so San Jose should be another deep and dangerous team when the postseason gets going. The Sharks will need superb goaltending from Martin Jones — assuming he’s matched up against John Gibson, Jonathan Quick and/or Fleury — but this team is only two years removed from making a run to the Stanley Cup Final, backstopped by Jones, so don’t count out San Jose.
11) Los Angeles Kings
MIDSEASON RANKING: 17 (+6)
PRESEASON RANKING: 23 (+12)
OVERALL RECORD: 36-25-5-0
DIVISION STANDING: 4th in Pacific
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (WC2)
ANALYSIS: Rob Blake got the jump on the trade deadline, acquiring Dion Phaneuf from Ottawa — and he’s been great for the Kings thus far too. Los Angeles also got Nate Thompson in that deal and Tobias Rieder from Arizona, but the biggest addition has been the return of Jeff Carter. Unlike Kesler in Anaheim, Carter has hit the ground running and been a scoring machine in making L.A. look like a contender again.
12) Philadelphia Flyers
MIDSEASON RANKING: 23 (+11)
PRESEASON RANKING: 16 (+4)
OVERALL RECORD: 34-21-5-6
DIVISION STANDING: 2nd in Metropolitan
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (M2)
ANALYSIS: Moving over to the East Coast and the ultra-competitive Metropolitan Division, Philadelphia has been one of the streakier teams this season, but when the Flyers are hot, they look like world-beaters. Petr Mrazek got off to a hot start with Philly before cooling off lately, and goaltending will be the position to watch going forward for the Flyers. Missing Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth for at least a couple more weeks, it’ll be interesting to see whether Mrazek can keep the crease come playoffs. Philadelphia is also missing Wayne Simmonds at the moment, but he’ll be back before long. Not a lot of people are picking the Flyers to win the Cup or even a round, but they could pull off an upset or two if they are playing hot heading into the postseason.
13) New Jersey Devils
MIDSEASON RANKING: 16 (+3)
PRESEASON RANKING: 27 (+14)
OVERALL RECORD: 33-25-4-4
DIVISION STANDING: 4th in Metropolitan
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (WC1)
ANALYSIS: Taylor Hall has been red-hot for the Devils — setting a franchise record with his 25-game points streak — but the team’s results have been mixed as of late. Cory Schneider is finally back now, so that should inspire more confidence in New Jersey. Patrick Maroon and Michael Grabner are still trying to find their place in the lineup, but Ray Shero realized how important forward depth will be in this year’s playoffs. If Marcus Johansson can overcome his concussion and Jesper Bratt can catch a second wind — and providing Schneider’s groin holds up — the Devils will also have upset potential.
14) Columbus Blue Jackets
MIDSEASON RANKING: 14 (=)
PRESEASON RANKING: 7 (-7)
OVERALL RECORD: 33-28-1-4
DIVISION STANDING: 5th in Metropolitan
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (WC2)
ANALYSIS: Jarmo Kekalainen did his buying from the bargain bin — landing Thomas Vanek, Mark Letestu and Ian Cole for minimal returns — but the Blue Jackets are far from a playoff lock even with those reinforcements. Sergei Bobrovsky is the key to Columbus’ post-season chances and he’ll need to deliver consistent goaltending down the stretch, while the rest of the roster works to develop chemistry with the aforementioned newcomers. The Blue Jackets are a bubble team that could go either way under John Tortorella’s watch.
15) Minnesota Wild
MIDSEASON RANKING: 15 (=)
PRESEASON RANKING: 11 (-4)
OVERALL RECORD: 37-22-5-2
DIVISION STANDING: 3rd in Central
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (C3)
ANALYSIS: Another Bruce Boudreau team gaining momentum in the regular season, powered by a potent new top line with the resurgent Eric Staal flanked by Mikael Granlund and Jason Zucker. Aside from a blowout loss to Colorado, Minnesota has been looking like a playoff team lately and Boudreau can only hope for a better fate in this year’s postseason — assuming the Wild make the cut. Devan Dubnyk will also be seeking redemption, but he and the Wild still have plenty to prove in securing a playoff spot.
16) Dallas Stars
MIDSEASON RANKING: 8 (-8)
PRESEASON RANKING: 3 (-13)
OVERALL RECORD: 37-23-3-2
DIVISION STANDING: 4th in Central
PLAYOFF STATUS: In (WC1)
ANALYSIS: Jim Nill stood pat at the trade deadline, giving a vote of confidence to the group he assembled in the offseason. If Marc Methot and Martin Hanzal can stay healthy and get back to being as effective as years past, Ken Hitchcock could have a contender on his hands. Dallas is one of those teams that nobody will want to face in the first round, especially if Ben Bishop is standing tall when the postseason starts. The Stars are built for the playoffs, but they aren’t assured of a berth yet either.
17) Florida Panthers
MIDSEASON RANKING: 27 (+10)
PRESEASON RANKING: 25 (+8)
OVERALL RECORD: 32-25-3-3
DIVISION STANDING: 4th in Atlantic
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 1 point)
ANALYSIS: Bob Boughner has Florida firing on all cylinders lately, surging into wild-card contention with games in hand. Roberto Luongo has been stellar since returning from injury, leading by example in the Panthers’ playoff pursuit. Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad are really emerging as leaders on this team too, and Florida is becoming fun to watch again.
18) New York Islanders
MIDSEASON RANKING: 18 (=)
PRESEASON RANKING: 17 (-1)
OVERALL RECORD: 29-29-6-2
DIVISION STANDING: 8th in Metropolitan
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 5 points)
ANALYSIS: Garth Snow shockingly sat on his hands at the trade deadline, only acquiring bit pieces in Brandon Davidson and Wagner — thus failing to improve the supporting cast for Doug Weight and John Tavares. The latter can leave as a free agent this summer, and if the Islanders miss the playoffs again, that would seem more and more likely. In the meantime, Tavares needs to heat up and do his best to carry this team to the postseason. The Islanders also need Jaroslav Halak to step up in net, with inconsistent goaltending having been an issue all season long. Snow failed to address that too, but there is still enough talent on this roster to advance to the second season.
19) Carolina Hurricanes
MIDSEASON RANKING: 24 (+5)
PRESEASON RANKING: 21 (+2)
OVERALL RECORD: 29-26-8-3
DIVISION STANDING: 6th in Metropolitan
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 2 points)
ANALYSIS: Ron Francis did even less than Snow at the deadline, despite a new owner willing to spend to contend. Instead, Francis decided to stay the course, presumably hoping to become the Winnipeg of the East through drafting and development. Bill Peters probably would have liked a little help for the present, but his job should be safe too. The Hurricanes could still make the playoffs with a strong finishing kick, but it’s unlikely Carolina would make much noise with its current roster. To get into the postseason, the Hurricanes would have to overtake a deadline buyer, be it Columbus or New Jersey.
20) Colorado Avalanche
MIDSEASON RANKING: 20 (=)
PRESEASON RANKING: 29 (+9)
OVERALL RECORD: 35-24-5-1
DIVISION STANDING: 5th in Central
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 1 point)
ANALYSIS: Nathan MacKinnon and the Avs are making a push in the West again, even without Erik Johnson for the time being. Jared Bednar deserves a lot of credit for Colorado’s bounce-back campaign, but MacKinnon has been the driving force here. He’ll be a legit Hart candidate if the Avs make the playoffs, with MacKinnon’s impact on his team perhaps second only to Connor McDavid in Edmonton. My ballot has MacKinnon slightly ahead of Hall in New Jersey. Colorado is still a long-shot, but the Avs have made serious progress this season regardless of how it plays out.
21) St. Louis Blues
MIDSEASON RANKING: 10 (-11)
PRESEASON RANKING: 24 (+3)
OVERALL RECORD: 35-26-5-0
DIVISION STANDING: 6th in Central
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 2 points)
ANALYSIS: Doug Armstrong got a good return for Stastny — similar to Shattenkirk at last year’s deadline — but the Blues were surprise sellers after getting off to such a good start this season. That move for the future wasn’t well received in the dressing room and seemed to throw in the towel on Mike Yeo, Jake Allen and the rest of the roster. Granted, St. Louis still made the playoffs without Shattenkirk last season and that could happen again, but trading Stastny didn’t send the right message internally and will be difficult to overcome. Especially if Allen’s goaltending doesn’t improve drastically.
22) Calgary Flames
MIDSEASON RANKING: 7 (-15)
PRESEASON RANKING: 14 (-8)
OVERALL RECORD: 32-25-4-5
DIVISION STANDING: 5th in Pacific
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 4 points)
ANALYSIS: The Flames are obviously missing Mike Smith and his return still doesn’t seem imminent, so Calgary will have to gut it out on the road with two rookie goalies this week. Fortunately for the Flames, they have been better on the road than at home this season. Calgary has been losing ground to the three California teams and they will be tough to catch. Glen Gulutzan has to hit the reset button and getting Micheal Ferland back should help a bit, but Smith is the man the Flames need most.
23) Chicago Blackhawks
MIDSEASON RANKING: 21 (-2)
PRESEASON RANKING: 6 (-17)
OVERALL RECORD: 28-30-7-1
DIVISION STANDING: 7th in Central
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 13 points)
ANALYSIS: It’s tough to envision a playoff picture without Chicago, but the Blackhawks will likely be on the outside looking in this season. Losing Corey Crawford to vertigo was the death blow, but Chicago wasn’t nearly as formidable from the outset. It’s the end of an era there, which could spell the end for Stan Bowman and/or Joel Quenneville. Expect more roster changes this offseason, maybe even a blockbuster involving one of the big four skaters — Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith or, most likely, Brent Seabrook — but the Blackhawks are trending down with their aging core.
24) New York Rangers
MIDSEASON RANKING: 19 (-5)
PRESEASON RANKING: 18 (-6)
OVERALL RECORD: 30-30-2-4
DIVISION STANDING: 7th in Metropolitan
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 5 points)
ANALYSIS: Another perennial playoff team embarking on a rebuild, the Rangers blew up their roster at the trade deadline. Gone are Nash, Grabner, McDonagh, Miller and Holden, but the returns were really solid in setting New York up for the future. Yet, the Rangers haven’t quit on this season, with newcomers Ryan Spooner and Vladislav Namestnikov dazzling in their debuts as New York swept through Western Canada. The Rangers are still within striking distance of a wild-card spot and Henrik Lundqvist certainly hasn’t given up, but the odds are against this seller.
25) Edmonton Oilers
MIDSEASON RANKING: 22 (-3)
PRESEASON RANKING: 1 (-24)
OVERALL RECORD: 27-34-3-1
DIVISION STANDING: 6th in Pacific
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 19 points)
ANALYSIS: McDavid’s magic continues — he’s gunning for 40 goals this season — but the Oilers are struggling in general. Their special teams have been awful and their goaltending mediocre at best. The coaching has been questionable and the management even more so. Edmonton has underachieved this season — even if the expectations, as Cup contenders, were too high — but the Oilers are clearly lacking in forward depth and top-end defencemen, so Peter Chiarelli will have his work cut out for him in fixing this mess of a roster that he’s largely responsible for constructing. That is, if Chiarelli is given that chance. He and Todd McLellan, and the rest of the coaching staff, remain under evaluation and may not be retained following this lost season.
26) Detroit Red Wings
MIDSEASON RANKING: 29 (+3)
PRESEASON RANKING: 30 (+4)
OVERALL RECORD: 26-29-9-1
DIVISION STANDING: 5th in Atlantic
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 9 points)
ANALYSIS: Ken Holland moved Tatar but not Mike Green, who was thought to be the big fish among UFA defencemen. Green had been hurt and also had a no-trade clause to control his situation, but Detroit was unable to cash in that expiring asset. The Red Wings sold low on Mrazek but weren’t planning to qualify him this summer. Detroit seems destined for a rebuild, but it will be interesting to see what the future holds there — with or without Holland and Jeff Blashill. More changes will be coming for the Red Wings.
27) Vancouver Canucks
MIDSEASON RANKING: 28 (+1)
PRESEASON RANKING: 22 (-5)
OVERALL RECORD: 24-32-6-3
DIVISION STANDING: 7th in Pacific
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 20 points)
ANALYSIS: Injuries derailed this season for Vancouver, but Travis Green did a darn good job as a rookie head coach in the NHL. Brock Boeser is a stud and the Canucks’ prospect pool is very promising, with Adam Gaudette, Elias Pettersson, Jonathan Dahlen, Kole Lind, Olli Juolevi and Thatcher Demko all in the mix for next season’s roster. The future should be bright for Vancouver, but the present has the Canucks limping to the finish line after losing Loui Eriksson and Sven Baertschi to season-ending injuries. At least the Sedin twins and Alex Edler are finishing strong, showing they may have more left in the tank for next season too.
28) Montreal Canadiens
MIDSEASON RANKING: 25 (-3)
PRESEASON RANKING: 13 (-15)
OVERALL RECORD: 25-29-6-5
DIVISION STANDING: 6th in Atlantic
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 10 points)
ANALYSIS: Marc Bergevin resisted the temptation to trade Max Pacioretty at the deadline, but his days are likely numbered in Montreal — Pacioretty more so than Bergevin. The general manager’s tenure may outlast the captain, but the Canadiens could be in for wholesale changes sooner than later. Injuries to Shea Weber and Carey Price obviously hurt Montreal’s playoff chances this season, but the Habs’ roster has lots of other holes too. Jonathan Drouin and Alex Galchenyuk still aren’t consistent enough to lead this team going forward, so Bergevin has to put more pieces in place. He’s never been afraid of making the big moves, for better or worse. Stay tuned!
29) Ottawa Senators
MIDSEASON RANKING: 26 (-3)
PRESEASON RANKING: 28 (-1)
OVERALL RECORD: 22-32-4-6
DIVISION STANDING: 7th in Atlantic
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 17 points)
ANALYSIS: Erik Karlsson and Bobby Ryan were almost Vegas bound at the deadline, but Pierre Dorion didn’t pull the trigger. Ottawa is in a tough spot, trying to rebuild at the insistence of tight-budgeted owner Eugene Melnyk, but having already traded a first-round pick to Colorado in the Matt Duchene deal. That pick can be pushed to 2019, but if the Senators do move the likes of Karlsson, Ryan, Mike Hoffman and Zack Smith in the offseason — after already shipping out Brassard and Phaneuf — they could be handing the Avs a lottery ticket for Jack Hughes. Lots of question marks and uncertainty for Dorion and the Sens this offseason.
30) Arizona Coyotes
MIDSEASON RANKING: 31 (+1)
PRESEASON RANKING: 26 (+4)
OVERALL RECORD: 20-34-5-5
DIVISION STANDING: 8th in Pacific
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 27 points)
ANALYSIS: The Coyotes have worked their way out of the basement in these Power Rankings thanks in large part to Antti Raanta’s goaltending. He’s looked like a legit starter in the second half since getting healthy, and the rest of the team is now playing more confident in front of Raanta too. It appears Rick Tocchet’s systems are taking hold and perhaps there is reason for optimism in Arizona for next season. John Chayka will be hoping to draft Rasmus Dahlin and lock up Oliver Ekman-Larsson to form a dynamic defence duo that would really push the Coyotes forward.
31) Buffalo Sabres
MIDSEASON RANKING: 30 (-1)
PRESEASON RANKING: 15 (-16)
OVERALL RECORD: 20-34-10-1
DIVISION STANDING: 8th in Atlantic
PLAYOFF STATUS: Out (by 20 points)
ANALYSIS: Jack Eichel is back skating, but this season has long been a lost cause for Buffalo. Kane is gone, bringing back another of Eichel’s college linemates in Danny O’Regan, but Jason Botterill didn’t do great for the Sabres in that deal. He’ll have to do his best work this offseason, now that he’s had a full year to evaluate the organization. Drafting Dahlin would be a big boon for Buffalo, but the Sabres haven’t had much luck in the draft lottery in recent years. They’ll be getting a high-end prospect regardless, which will be welcomed by Phil Housley. He didn’t do wonders for Buffalo’s overhauled defence, as anticipated, but Robin Lehner’s goaltending didn’t help matters on a lot of nights either. Housley will be back, Lehner may not, but Buffalo should be better next season.
Midseason Power Rankings
1) Tampa Bay Lightning
2) Nashville Predators
3) Winnipeg Jets
4) Washington Capitals
5) Vegas Golden Knights
6) Boston Bruins
7) Calgary Flames
8) Dallas Stars
9) San Jose Sharks
10) St. Louis Blues
11) Toronto Maple Leafs
12) Pittsburgh Penguins
13) Anaheim Ducks
14) Columbus Blue Jackets
15) Minnesota Wild
16) New Jersey Devils
17) Los Angeles Kings
18) New York Islanders
19) New York Rangers
20) Colorado Avalanche
21) Chicago Blackhawks
22) Edmonton Oilers
23) Philadelphia Flyers
24) Carolina Hurricanes
25) Montreal Canadiens
26) Ottawa Senators
27) Florida Panthers
28) Vancouver Canucks
29) Detroit Red Wings
30) Buffalo Sabres
31) Arizona Coyotes
Preseason Power Rankings
1) Edmonton Oilers
2) Pittsburgh Penguins
3) Dallas Stars
4) Tampa Bay Lightning
5) Washington Capitals
6) Chicago Blackhawks
7) Columbus Blue Jackets
8) Toronto Maple Leafs
9) Winnipeg Jets
10) Anaheim Ducks
11) Minnesota Wild
12) Nashville Predators
13) Montreal Canadiens
14) Calgary Flames
15) Buffalo Sabres
16) Philadelphia Flyers
17) New York Islanders
18) New York Rangers
19) San Jose Sharks
20) Boston Bruins
21) Carolina Hurricanes
22) Vancouver Canucks
23) Los Angeles Kings
24) St. Louis Blues
25) Florida Panthers
26) Arizona Coyotes
27) New Jersey Devils
28) Ottawa Senators
29) Colorado Avalanche
30) Detroit Red Wings
31) Vegas Golden Knights