Another week of NHL action has come and gone, and that means it’s time for another edition of NHL Power Rankings. There are quite a bit more teams staying close to their rankings from last week, but that doesn’t mean there was not some movement. Remember, as always: A loss or win doesn’t always mean that one team will be ranked higher than a team they beat or lost to. Let’s get into it.
Numbers in parentheses reference last week’s rankings and all stats are current as of 11/21
No.32: Arizona Coyotes (+0)
They won a game this past week. They also aren’t last in the league in goals for anymore. They’re second-worst now. But alas, that won’t be nearly enough to move them out of the basement.
No.31: Seattle Kraken (+0)
Seattle, you are very lucky Arizona still hasn’t looked very convincing. A six-game losing streak where the Kraken have been outscored 31-17 is not good, and that’s putting it nicely. Philipp Grubauer has been bad, which certainly isn’t helping with a 3.27 GAA and a .875 save percentage. It’s nice to have a normal expansion team again.
No.30: Ottawa Senators (+0)
It just didn’t feel right to move the Senators one way or the other with the team having some postponements due to a Covid-19 outbreak. For this week, it’s about more than hockey. Hoping everyone who has contracted it on the team gets better soon.
No.29: Chicago Blackhawks: (-1)
The Blackhawks were very close to staying at 28 this week, but they fall to 29 instead. Their win streak ended with a loss to the Oilers where their offensive woes once again rose to the surface. They are third-worst in the league fourth-worst in goals for per game averaging 2.24 goals. They are also fifth-worst in goals against per game averaging 3.41 goals. They have some good things to build on, it’s just putting it all together.
No.28: Montreal Canadiens: (+1)
Don’t get too excited, Canadiens fans. Just because Montreal goes up one spot doesn’t mean that they will be there for long. Cole Caufield is back with the team which is a good sign but other than that, things are looking bleak in Montreal. They are struggling on all fronts, being second-worst in the league in goals for per game averaging 2.20 goals, and averaging 3.50 goals against per game which is third-worst. Come next week, they could be right back to 29, or worse.
No.27: New York Islanders (-1)
The fact that this team is having so much struggle is mind-blowing. They are currently on a five-game losing streak where they have been outscored 23-6, and shut out once. That’s not good. In fact, they are the new team in last in goals for with 31. Things will only get harder for the Islanders as Ryan Pulock is now on injured reserve. UBS Arena looks nice, though.
No.26: Vancouver Canucks (+1)
The Canucks take a baby step up this week to 26. Their defense did improve slightly now sitting at seventh-worst in goals against per game averaging 3.33. However, their offense needs to get going, averaging 2.50 goals for per game, fifth-worst in the league. There is too much offensive talent on that team for them to be struggling like this. Thatcher Demko continues to be as advertised in net and is carrying the team on his back. He just needs some more help.
No.25: Buffalo Sabres (-3)
The Sabres, after shocking most of the hockey world early in the season, are starting to settle in the place that many thought they would be. Currently on a two-game losing streak in which they have been outscored 10-4, being shut out against the Calgary Flames. They are also ninth-worst in the league in goals against per game averaging 3.18 goals against. It looks like the magic could be gone for Buffalo.
No.24: Dallas Stars (+1)
Slowly but surely, the Stars’ offense is waking up. They are still near the bottom of the league in goals for per game averaging 2.63, ninth-worst in the league but it is an improvement. But Miro Heiskanen is still the only player with an offensive point share higher than one. Ryan Suter is second in that category with 0.9. You can’t have two defensemen being your leaders in that category.
No.23: San Jose Sharks (-4)
The Sharks go down four spots once again this week to 23. They have struggled to find their form as of late and are currently on a two-game losing streak. During this streak, they have been outscored 8-2 and were shut out by the Washington Capitals. It’s certainly a far cry from the team who at one point was undefeated don’t forget. James Reimer has still been remarkable with a 1.98 GAA and a .938 save percentage as well.
No.22: Colorado Avalanche (+2)
Another team that moves as many spots as they did last week, the Avalanche keep moving in the right direction again this week. They are still dealing with quite a bit of injuries, but they have persevered to go on a four-game winning streak. During this streak, they have outscored opponents 24-8 which is much more like it for the talent they have. Keep watch on the Avs.
No.21: Los Angeles Kings (-7)
And back down the Kings go. Currently, on a two-game losing streak being outscored 7-4, it just sounds like a few bad bounces right? Things change when all four of those goals came from one game. They still are averaging the tenth-least goals for per game with 2.65 goals. Their defense however is solid averaging 2.59 goals against per game, the seventh-best in the league.
No.20: Columbus Blue Jackets (+1)
After their monumental fall last week, the Blue Jackets make up a tiny bit of ground this week at 20. They are very much a middle-of-the-road team right now but have been decent in their last ten going 6-4 in that stretch. Oliver Bjorkstrand continues to have a fantastic season on the offensive end with 17 points in 15 games.
No.19: Pittsburgh Penguins (+4)
The Penguins are starting to be the Penguins again, and that’s pretty dangerous. On a two-game winning streak currently, Pittsburgh is outscoring opponents 8-0. That’s right, the Penguins have gone 120 minutes without allowing a goal. Because of that, the Penguins have risen out of the bottom half of the league in goals-against per game. This shut-out stretch can’t go on forever, but it will be fun to monitor.
No.18: Boston Bruins (+0)
The Bruins stay at 18 this week. They had their three-game winning streak snapped today with a loss to the Calgary Flames, in which they also got shut out, but they still have one of the top offenses in the league, currently tenth-best in goals for per game, averaging 3.21 goals. They very well could make their way back up the rankings next week.
No.17: Nashville Predators (-7)
The Predators are back in the middle of things this week after tasting the top ten last week. Currently on a two-game losing streak, they have been outscored 9-3. With all three goals coming in one game. Yikes. At least Matt Duchene is still on fire on offense with 19 points in 17 games, 12 of those 19 points being goals.
No.16: Philadelphia Flyers (+4)
At the halfway point, the Flyers make their way back up the rankings this week. They have struggled to find some form as of late going 4-4-2 in their last ten. They do have a good defense, however, being ninth-best in goals against per game averaging 2.63. Claude Giroux has joined the fountain of youth club with 16 points in as many games.
No.15: Detroit Red Wings (+0)
The Red Wings stand pat this week at 15. They get a point out of their overtime loss to the Coyotes on Saturday, which saves them from dropping far down this week. Even then, it was a debate whether to put them further down. Their 54 goals for save them for now, as that is tenth-best in the league.
No.14: New Jersey Devils (+3)
Making moves this week after staying put last week, the Devils move up to 14. In their last ten, they are 4-3-3, which isn’t a change from last week. However, the Devils are the epitome of a middle-of-the-road team statistically, and they are improving on both sides of the ice. Let’s see what they can do this week.
No.13: St. Louis Blues (-1)
The Blues continue sliding down the rankings, but not as much of a fall this week going down to 13. They are 3-5-2 in their last ten, which will certainly drop you down. Statistically, they are not as dangerous as they were to start the season on either side of the ice, being in danger of falling out of the top ten in goals for and against per game sitting at ninth and tenth-best respectively.
No.12: Winnipeg Jets (-1)
The Jets slide down again this week to 12. Their defense is doing well, currently sitting at sixth-best in goals against per game, averaging 2.53 goals. Kyle Connor has been on fire with 22 points in 17 games, but they need some more even contributions to get back into the top ten.
No.11: Vegas Golden Knights (+2)
Don’t look now, but here come the Golden Knights. Their offense isn’t quite at the elite level we are used to seeing yet, but it’s getting there. During their two-game winning streak, they have outscored their opponents 8-4. They are also eighth-best in goals for with 56 total. They are starting to put it all together, and that should scare the rest of the hockey world.
No.10: New York Rangers (-3)
And we have once again entered into the territory of teams moving down because of other teams getting hot. Exhibit A, the New York Rangers. The Rangers are 6-2-2 in their last ten games, but statistically, they aren’t among the best right now. And with the team behind them looming, this could be their last week in the top ten.
No.9: Anaheim Ducks (-4)
The winning streak is over, and with it goes the Ducks’ spot in the top five. However, they have asserted themselves into the top ten with an 8-1-1 record in their last ten. They are eighth-best in the league in goals against per game averaging 2.61 goals, and seventh-best in the league in goals for per game averaging 3.39 goals. Troy Terry continues to be the guy on offense for the Ducks with 22 points in 17 games.
No.8: Minnesota Wild (+0)
The Wild stay pat this week at eight. They are 6-3-1 in their last ten games and have one of the best offenses in the league. They are currently sitting at 3.50 goals for per game, which is tied for fourth-best in the league. But their defense needs to improve, plain and simple. They are tied for sixth-worst in goals against per game, averaging 3.22. If they can fix that, this team may be a serious contender.
No.7: Tampa Bay Lightning (+9)
The biggest mover in this week’s rankings, the Lightning are back in the Top 10. They are 7-1-2 in their last ten games and that is one of the biggest reasons for their jump up this week. They are still one of the best penalty-killing teams in the league sitting ninth-best in that category at 85.7 percent.
No.6: Toronto Maple Leafs (+0)
The Maple Leafs stay in the same spot from last week as well, staying at sixth. Their defense is one of the best in the league, currently sitting at 2.25 goals against per game, good enough for fourth-best in the league. Their offense is still working on putting it together, sitting at seventh-worst with 2.55 goals for per game, but once they do, the Leafs won’t be a team to mess with.
No.5: Calgary Flames (+4)
The Flames come back into the top five after a week away. They are on a three-game winning streak in which they have outscored their opponents 14-2. With two of those games being shutouts. They currently sit eighth-best in goals for per game averaging 3.32 goals, and are the best in the league in goals against per game as a result averaging 1.89 goals against per game.
No.4: Edmonton Oilers (-1)
The Oilers fall down a spot this week to number four. Their offense is still one of the best, sitting at 3.88 goals for per game which is second-best in the league, but their defense still needs some work, with it being middle-of-the-road statistically. Losing Darnell Nurse is certainly a gaping hole to fill on that back end with him recently going on injured reserve, but the Oilers could easily be back in the top three next week.
No.3: Washington Capitals (+1)
The Capitals make their way into the top three for the first time this week. While their offense continues to be great, averaging 3.37 goals for per game, the seventh-best in the league, it is their defense that moves them up. They are currently averaging 2.32 goals against per game, which is fourth-best in the NHL. Also, Alex Ovechkin is now in fourth place on the all-time scoring list. Ovi watch is real this season.
No.2: Florida Panthers (+0)
The Panthers come in second once again this week. Their three-game winning streak has been impressive outscoring their opponents 15-6. They are at the top in goals for per game averaging 3.94, and fifth-best in goals against per game averaging 2.50. They are a force to be reckoned with, and will continue to be battling for the top spot.
No.1: Carolina Hurricanes (+0)
The Hurricanes don’t loosen their grip on the top spot, and land here again this week. During their four-game win streak, they have outscored opponents 11-7. They are second-best in the league in goals against per game averaging two. They are also tied for fourth-best in goals for per game averaging 3.50. The Hurricanes are one of the most impressive teams statistically in the NHL, and will be in a constant battle with the Panthers for the top spot.
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