As we hit week 13 in these NHL Power Rankings, many teams are finding that 13 is not their lucky number. Although many teams are making a final push for the playoffs, another handful of teams are pushing towards the draft lottery in hopes of building for a better tomorrow. The next few weeks are setting up to be close until the end as the conference standings remain extremely tight.
Check back every Monday for updated Power Rankings!
30. Nashville Predators (15-20-8)
Last 10 Games: 1-7-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 27
Breakdown: The Nashville Predators are making a last minute push for draft lottery position after losing 8 of their last 9 games. In recent games the Predators’ offense has been laughable – being shutout in 3 of their last 5 games played.
29. Carolina Hurricanes (17-22-2)
Last 10 Games: 2-8-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 28
Breakdown: The Carolina Hurricanes are heading towards the draft lottery after losing 7 of their last 8 games. However, the Hurricanes have seen some recent life out of their powerplay recently – scoring 4 powerplay goals over their last 3 games played.
28. New Jersey Devils (15-16-10)
Last 10 Games: 1-5-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 25
Breakdown: The New Jersey Devils’ playoffs hopes are hanging by a very thin thread after losing 9 straight games – say that in your best Edward Rooney voice “9 straight games”. The Devils’ offense has suffered through injuries while only being able to score more than 2 goals once in over their last 7 games played.
27. Colorado Avalanche (14-22-6)
Last 10 Games: 3-5-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 30
Breakdown: The Colorado Avalanche remain near the bottom of the Western Conference after losing 6 of their last 8 games. The Avs have suffered from an anemic powerplay in recent games – scoring only 1 powerplay goal over their last 7 games played.
26. Philadelphia Flyers (17-21-3)
Last 10 Games: 4-5-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 20
Breakdown: The Philadelphia Flyers’ disappointing season has almost come to an end as the team looks to break out of a 4 game losing streak. During the Flyers’ most recent losing streak, they have failed to get the offense off of the ground – scoring only 3 goals during that time period.
25. Florida Panthers (13-22-6)
Last 10 Games: 4-6-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 23
Breakdown: The Florida Panthers are officially eliminated from playoff contention and have lost 4 of their last 8 games. One of their Panthers’ biggest problems has been their inability to stay out of the penalty box in recent games – letting opponents get 18 powerplay chances over their last 4 games played.
24. Edmonton Oilers (16-18-7)
Last 10 Games: 4-5-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 16
Breakdown: The Edmonton Oilers have played themselves out of any playoff hopes after losing their last 5 straight games. The Oilers’ can credit a majority of their recent losses to their inept offense which has only score 4 goals over their last 5 games played.
23. Calgary Flames (16-21-4)
Last 10 Games: 4-6-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 29
Breakdown: Although the Calgary Flames are not headed for the playoffs, they still refuse to tank the rest of the season – winning 3 of their last 6 games. However, the Flames’ offense has still been less than stellar – scoring more than 2 goals in just 2 of their last 8 games played.
22. Tampa Bay Lightning (17-22-3)
Last 10 Games: 4-4-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 26
Breakdown: The Tampa Bay Lightning look like they will come up short this season after losing 5 of their last 6 games. The Lightning’s biggest concern continues to be their inability to keep opponent’s scoring low – allowing 4 or more goals in 4 of their last 6 games played.
21. Detroit Red Wings (20-15-7)
Last 10 Games: 4-4-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 19
Breakdown: The Detroit Red Wings are clinging to the 8th seed in the Western Conference after winning 3 of their last 6 games. The Red Wings have benefited from a reliable powerplay in recent games – killing off opponent’s powerplays in 17 out of their last 18 attempts.
20. Winnipeg Jets (21-19-2)
Last 10 Games: 5-5-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 21
Breakdown: The Winnipeg Jets find themselves 4 points out of the Southeast Division lead after winning 3 of their last 6 games. The Jets seem to have lost their powerplay unit in recent weeks – scoring just 1 powerplay goal over their last 8 games played.
19. Buffalo Sabres (18-19-6)
Last 10 Games: 5-3-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 18
Breakdown: Amazingly the Buffalo Sabres find themselves just 4 points out of a playoff spot after winning 5 of their last 7 games. The Sabres have done a fantastic job of keeping opponents from scoring recently – allowing just 2 goals or fewer in 5 of their last 7 games played.
18. Ottawa Senators (21-14-6)
Last 10 Games: 5-5-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 15
Breakdown: The Ottawa Senators playoff cushion is down to 4 points after losing 5 of their last 7 games. The Senators’ will need to figure out how to fix their ailing offense if they hope to make a strong playoff push – scoring just 12 goals over their last 7 games played.
17. Phoenix Coyotes (18-16-7)
Last 10 Games: 5-2-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 22
Breakdown: The Phoenix Coyotes sit 4 points out of a playoff spot after winning 4 of their last 7 games. The main reason for the Coyotes’ recent success has been their outstanding defense and goaltending which has limited opponents to just 9 total goals over their last 6 games played.
16. Minnesota Wild (22-16-3)
Last 10 Games: 3-6-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Breakdown: The Minnesota Wild have lost their look of dominance after losing 6 of their last 7 games. During that 7 game span, the Wild have been outscored by their opponents by a combined score of 17 to 8.
15. Dallas Stars: 21-17-3
Last 10 Games: 6-4-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
Breakdown: After winning their last 5 straight games, the Dallas Stars find themselves just 2 points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference. During their 5-game winning streak, the Stars have outscored their opponents by a combined score of 20 to 14.
14. Columbus Blue Jackets (19-16-7)
Last 10 Games: 6-3-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 17
Breakdown: The Columbus Blue Jackets sit just 2 points out a playoff spot after winning 6 of their last 8 games. Like they have most of the year, the Blue Jackets have ridden their goaltending to success in recent weeks – allowing just 11 goals over their last 7 games played.
13. St. Louis Blues (23-16-2)
Last 10 Games: 6-4-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Breakdown: The St. Louis Blues hold a 3 point playoff cushion after winning 5 of their last 7 games played. The Blues have ridden their outstanding goaltending to victory in recent weeks – shutting out opponents in 3 of their last 5 games played.
12. New York Rangers (21-16-4)
Last 10 Games: 6-3-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Breakdown: The New York Rangers are currently occupying the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference after winning 5 of their last 7 games. The Rangers have benefited from an improved penalty killing unit in recent games – killing off opponent’s powerplays 19 of the last 20 times.
11. Boston Bruins (26-11-4)
Last 10 Games: 5-4-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Breakdown: The Boston Bruins have shown some vulnerability after losing 3 of their last 6 games. Luckily for Bruins’ fans, the team was able to put up goal totals of 5 and 6 in two recent contests – possibly a sign of things to come?
10. Anaheim Ducks (27-10-5)
Last 10 Games: 5-4-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Breakdown: The Anaheim Ducks have secured their playoff position in the Western Conference after winning 4 of their last 7 games. However, the normally potent Ducks’ offense has cooled off in recent weeks – scoring just 9 goals over their last 5 games played.
9. New York Islanders (21-16-5)
Last 10 Games: 7-1-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Breakdown: The New York Islanders look like they will be bringing playoff hockey back to Long Island after winning 5 of their last 7 games. The good news for Islanders’ fans is that their once questionable penalty killing unit has only allowed 1 powerplay goal over their last 8 games played.
8. Washington Capitals (23-17-2)
Last 10 Games: 8-1-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Breakdown: The Washington Capitals have cemented themselves as the leaders of the woeful Southeast Division after winning 7 straight games. Much of the Capitals’ recent succes can be attributed to their powerplay which has scored 9 PPG over their last 8 games played.
7. Los Angeles Kings (24-14-4)
Last 10 Games: 6-2-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Breakdown: The Los Angeles Kings hold a 7 point cushion in the playoff standings after winning 5 of their last 8 games played. However, even during recent victories, the Kings’ offense has looked troubled – scoring just 13 goals over their last 5 games played.
6. San Jose Sharks (21-13-7)
Last 10 Games: 7-2-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Breakdown: The San Jose Sharks look be an elite team once again after winning 6 of their last 9 games. Over their last 8 games, the Sharks’ goaltending and defense has been great – holding opponents to just 16 total goals.
5. Montreal Canadiens (26-10-5)
Last 10 Games: 6-4-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Breakdown: The Montreal Canadiens continue to be one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference after winning 5 of their last 8 games. During that 8 game span, the Canadiens have outscore opponents by a combined score of 24 to 17.
4. Toronto Maple Leafs (23-13-5)
Last 10 Games: 7-1-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Breakdown: The Toronto Maple Leafs seem destined to bring playoff hockey back to Toronto after winning 6 of their last 8 games. The Maple Leafs’ have benefited from a formidable penalty killing unit in recent weeks – killing off 22 straight powerplays.
3. Vancouver Canucks (23-12-6)
Last 10 Games: 7-3-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Breakdown: The Vancouver Canucks now have a firm grasp on the Northwest Division after winning 6 of their last 9 games. In recent games, the Canucks’ penalty killing unit has been fantastic – killing off 19 straight powerplays.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins (32-10-0)
Last 10 Games: 8-2-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Breakdown: The injury bug continues to attack the Pittsburgh Penguins, but they still have managed to win 7 of their last 9 games. During that 9 game span, the Penguins have outscored their opponents by a combined score of 25 to 18.
1. Chicago Blackhawks (32-5-4)
Last 10 Games: 8-1-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Breakdown: After a few weeks out of the top spot, the Chicago Blackhawks have returned to the top of the Power Rankings after winning 7 of their last 8 games. In recent games, the Blackhawks have done an excellent job of keeping the opponent off the scoreboard – allowing just 12 total goals over their last 8 games played.