With only a few weeks remaining in the 2012-2013 NHL season, we are starting to see some interesting drama unfold. The Islanders look as if they may finally be ready to make the playoffs again and the Blue Jackets miracle run could be coming to an end. The Penguins are being attacked by the injury bug and the Capitals are surging. Clearly with intriguing stories like these, as well as other exciting drama around the league, this season is shaping up to be wild one until the end.
Check back every Monday for updated Power Rankings!
*Reminder: Even if your team had a good week there is a chance that they may get jumped in the standings by an even hotter team. Remember, these are power rankings, not standings.
30. Colorado Avalanche (12-21-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 30
This Week’s Schedule: Calgary, @Anaheim, @Los Angeles, Vancouver
Breakdown: The Colorado Avalanche remain in the Seth Jones lottery after losing 8 of their last 9 games. The Avalanche have suffered from an unreliable penalty killing unit in recent games – allowing opponents to score at least 1 PPG in 7 of their last 9 games.
29. Calgary Flames (13-20-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 29
This Week’s Schedule: @Colorado, Vancouver, Phoenix, @Edmonton
Breakdown: The Calgary Flames are making a push to put themselves in good position for this year’s draft lottery after losing 7 of their last 9 games – including a 5 game losing streak. Over their past 5 games the Flames’ offense has gone stagnant – scoring only 2.00 goals per game on average over that span.
28. Carolina Hurricanes (16-19-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 26
This Week’s Schedule: @Boston, Pittsburgh, @Washington, Boston
Breakdown: The Carolina Hurricanes continue their devastating fall down the standings after losing 8 of their last 9 games. The Hurricanes’ offense has been laughable lately – scoring 1 goal or less in 8 of their last 12 games played.
27. Nashville Predators (15-17-8)
Last Week’s Ranking: 23
This Week’s Schedule: St. Louis, Dallas, Detroit
Breakdown: The Nashville Predators remain out of the playoff picture after losing 6 of their last 8 games. The Predators’ have been at the mercy of their feeble powerplay which has only been able to convert 1 of their last 22 opportunities when up a man.
26. Tampa Bay Lightning (16-20-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 22
This Week’s Schedule: Ottawa, Pittsburgh, @Washington, @Buffalo
Breakdown: Although the Lightning have shown new life, their playoff hopes are still fading after losing 6 of their last 9 games. Although it looked as if Ben Bishop’s debut shutout would be the end of the Bolt’s goaltending woes, the team has still allowed 4 goals in each of their last 2 games played.
25. New Jersey Devils (15-14-10)
Last Week’s Ranking: 19
This Week’s Schedule: Boston, Ottawa
Breakdown: The New Jersey Devils have lost their grasp on a playoff spot after losing 7 of their last 9 games. The loss of Ilya Kovalchuk is clearly taking a toll on the Devils’ offense which has only been able to score 14 total goals over their last 8 games played.
24. Dallas Stars (18-17-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 20
This Week’s Schedule: Los Angeles, @Nashville, San Jose
Breakdown: The Dallas Stars seem to have already accepted the fact they won’t make the playoffs after selling off most of their assets at the trade deadline and losing 4 of their last 7 games. One of the biggest weaknesses for the Stars has been their inability to contain opponent’s scoring attacks – allowing 27 goals over their last 7 games played.
23. Florida Panthers (13-20-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 27
This Week’s Schedule: @Winnipeg, Pittsburgh
Breakdown: The Florida Panthers are no longer the laughing stock of the NHL after winning 4 of their last 7 games played. The main reason for the Panthers’ recent success has been their revived powerplay which has converted 6 of their last 13 opportunities when up a man.
22. Phoenix Coyotes (17-15-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 28
This Week’s Schedule: @Vancouver, @Edmonton, @Calgary
Breakdown: Although the Coyotes have won 3 games in a row, their playoff hopes still remain unlikely considering they have lost 6 of their last 10 overall. Even in their struggles, the Coyotes’ defense has still play exceptionally well – allowing only 17 goals over their last 7 games played.
21. Winnipeg Jets (19-19-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
This Week’s Schedule: Buffalo, Florida
Breakdown: The Winnipeg Jets have lost their hold on the Southeast Division after losing 5 of their last 7 games. The Jets’ have suffered from the disappearance of their offense which has only managed to score 10 total goals over their last 6 games played.
20. Philadelphia Flyers (17-18-3)
Last Week’s Ranking: 21
This Week’s Schedule: @NY Islanders, Ottawa, @Buffalo
Breakdown: The Philadelphia Flyers are keeping their feint playoff hopes alive after winning 4 of their last 7 games. The Flyers’ have seemed to rediscovered their high powered offense in recent games – scoring 5 or more goals in 3 of their last 6 games played.
19. Detroit Red Wings (19-15-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
This Week’s Schedule: San Jose, @Chicago, @Nashville
Breakdown: The Detroit Red Wings find themselves clinging to the 8th seed in the Western Conference after losing 4 of their last 7 games. The Red Wings have benefited from a steady powerplay in recent games – scoring at least 1 PPG in 3 of their last 4 games played.
18. Buffalo Sabres (16-17-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 25
This Week’s Schedule: @Winnipeg, Montreal, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay
Breakdown: The Buffalo Sabres miraculously find themselves just 4 points out of a playoff spot after winning 3 of their last 6 games. The Sabres have ridden their defense and goaltending in recent games – allowing opponents to score only 11 goals over their last 5 games played.
17. Columbus Blue Jackets (16-16-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
This Week’s Schedule: San Jose, St. Louis, @Minnesota
Breakdown: The Columbus Blue Jackets’ miracle run may be coming to an end as the team finds themselves 4 points out of a playoff spot after losing 5 of their last 8 games. Even with the addition of Marian Gaborik at the trade deadline, the team’s offense has been stagnant in recent games – scoring only 6 total goals over their last 4 games played.
16. Edmonton Oilers (16-15-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 16
This Week’s Schedule: @Anaheim, Phoenix, Calgary
Breakdown: The Edmonton Oilers find themselves 4 points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference after winning 5 of their last 8 games. Over their last 6 games, the Oilers have outscore opponents by a combined score of 23 to 13.
15. Ottawa Senators (19-13-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
This Week’s Schedule: @Tampa Bay, @Philadelphia, @New Jersey
Breakdown: The Ottawa Senators hold a 4 point cushion in the Eastern Conference standings even after losing 4 straight games and 5 of 8 overall. The main problem for the Senators has been their offense which has only managed to score 8 goals over their last 5 games played.
14. New York Rangers (19-15-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
This Week’s Schedule: @Toronto, Toronto, @NY Islanders
Breakdown: The New York Rangers have climbed back into the playoff picture after winning 4 of their last 7 games. The Rangers have benefited from a rejuvenated penalty killing unit which has killed off 14 straight powerplays.
13. New York Islanders (19-16-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 18
This Week’s Schedule: The New York Islanders are starting to actually look like a playoff team after winning 6 of their last 8 games. Although they are known for their offense, the Islanders’ have done an excellent job of keeping opponent’s scoring low recently – allowing only 9 goals over their last 5 games played.
12. Washington Capitals (20-17-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
This Week’s Schedule: @Montreal, Carolina, Tampa Bay
Breakdown: The Washington Capitals have taken control of the Southeast Division after winning 6 of their last 8 games. The Capitals have benefited from a very consistant powerplay recently – scoring at least 1 PPG in 9 of their last 11 games played. I know some readers may expect the Capitals to be higher in these rankings after their recent success, but given the quality of the recent opponents and the Southeast Division as a whole, I am hesitant to move them any higher just yet.
11. Toronto Maple Leafs (21-13-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
This Week’s Schedule: NY Rangers, @NY Rangers, Montreal
Breakdown: The Toronto Maple Leafs have a 6 point cushion in the Eastern Conference standings after winning 5 of their last 7 games. Over their last 7 games, the Maple Leafs have outscored opponents by a combined score of 23 to 16.
10. Boston Bruins (24-9-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
This Week’s Schedule: Carolina, @New Jersey, NY Islanders, @Carolina
Breakdown: Although they are destined for the playoffs, the Bruins have still lost 4 of their last 8 games. Even in their recent losses, the Bruins’ defense has still looked fantastic – allowing just 7 goals over their last 5 games played.
9. Minnesota Wild (22-14-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
This Week’s Schedule: Chicago, St. Louis, Columbus
Breakdown: After a very hot streak, the Minnesota Wild have cooled off a bit – winning only 4 of their last 8 games. The main reason for the Wild’s recent woes has been their diminished offense which has only been able to score 10 total goals over their last 5 games played.
8. Los Angeles Kings (22-13-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
This Week’s Schedule: @Dallas, Colorado, Anaheim,
Breakdown: The Los Angeles Kings currently sit 4th in the Western Conference after winning 5 of their last 8 games. The main reason for the Kings’ recent success has been the play of their defense and goaltending which has allowed just 2.00 goals per game over their last 5 games played.
7. St. Louis Blues (21-14-2)
Last Week’s Ranking: 15
This Week’s Schedule: @Nashville, @Minnesota, @Columbus, Chicago
Breakdown: The St. Louis Blues are heating up as we approach the playoffs, winning 4 straight games and 5 of 8 overall. One of the keys to the Blues’ recent success has been their penalty killing unit which hasn’t allowed a PPG over their last 5 games played.
6. Anaheim Ducks (26-8-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
This Week’s Schedule: Edmonton, Colorado, @Los Angeles
Breakdown: The Anaheim Ducks have rebounded nicely since hitting their first rough patch of their season – winning 4 of their last 6 games. The Ducks’ key to success recently has been their defense which has allowed only just 11 total goals over their last 6 games played.
5. San Jose Sharks (20-11-7)
Last Week’s Ranking: 17
This Week’s Schedule: @Columbus, @Detroit, @Dallas
Breakdown: Wow, just like they were to begin the season, the San Jose Sharks are once again on fire – winning 7 of their last 8 games. In those 8 games, the Sharks have outscored opponents by a combined score of 27 to 13.
4. Chicago Blackhawks (29-5-4)
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
This Week’s Schedule: @Minnesota, Detroit, @St. Louis
Breakdown: The Chicago Blackhawks remain one of the best teams in the Western Conference after winning 5 of their last 7 games. Even though they have been successful, the Blackhawks powerplay has still looked fairly pedestrian – scoring just 1 PPG over their last 8 games played.
3. Vancouver Canucks (21-11-6)
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
This Week’s Schedule: Phoenix, @Calgary, @Colorado
Breakdown: The Vancouver Canucks have reclaimed the Northwest Division lead after winning 8 of their last 10 games. During recent games, the Canucks have done a fantastic job of keeping opponent’s scoring low – allowing just 15 total goals over their last 10 games played.
2. Montreal Canadiens (25-8-5)
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
This Week’s Schedule: Washington, @Buffalo, @Toronto
Breakdown: The Montreal Canadiens hold a 3 point lead in the Northeast Division after winning 5 of their last 7 games. The Canadiens have benefited from a very consistant powerplay in recent games – scoring at least 1 PPG in 5 of their last 6 games played.
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (29-10-0)
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
This Week’s Schedule: @Carolina, @Tampa Bay, @Florida
Breakdown: Even though their outstanding winning streak has been snapped and they continue to fight off injuries, the Penguins still remain one of the best teams in the NHL … for now. The Penguins have won 8 of their last 10 games as their team continues to play a fantastic all-around game. However, the team could be starting to show signs of weakness – scoring just 6 goals over their last 4 games. If these recent woes continue into next week, you can most certainly expect the Penguins to lose their top spot in these rankings, but like the Blackhawks before them, an amazing winning streak bought them some goodwill.