Things are certainly getting interesting in the NHL and that is reflected in this week’s edition of NHL power rankings. As always, a loss or win doesn’t necessarily mean that one team will be ranked higher than a team they beat or lost to. Let’s not waste any time and get into it.
Numbers in parentheses reference last week’s rankings and all stats are current as of 1/23.
No.32: Montreal Canadiens (+0)
Yes the rules say a loss or win may not matter, but in the battle of the tanking teams the Canadiens fell to the Coyotes. Unreal. Next.
No.31: Arizona Coyotes (+0)
It’s hard to find new things to say about the Coyotes at this point. Congratulations on beating Montreal. Next.
No.30: Seattle Kraken (+0)
The Kraken have had struggles for the entire year in their goaltending department, but let’s not forget that they’ve struggled on the offensive end, as well. They have only scored 2.60 goals for per game this season, seventh-worst in the league.
No.29: Philadelphia Flyers (-3)
The Flyers haven’t won a game since Dec 29 against the Kraken. Let that sink in. They are on an eleven-game losing streak, gathering three points in that stretch. That’s atrocious.
No.28: Ottawa Senators (+1)
The Flyers’ losses are the Senators’ gain. Their defense still is having some issues, averaging 3.57 goals against per game, fourth-worst in the league. Anton Forsberg looked pretty good in their win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, however, making 35 saves.
No.27: Buffalo Sabres (+1)
Strike two, Buffalo. The Sabres still sit sixth-worst in the league in goals against per game, although it has gone up slightly to a 3.44 goals average. Their offense is also not in a great state, averaging 2.66 goals for per game, eighth-worst in the league.
No.26: Columbus Blue Jackets (-2)
The Blue Jackets drop as many spots this week as their current losing streak. Their goals against per game average has improved slightly, now averaging 3.54 goals, fifth-worst in the league.
No.25: New Jersey Devils (-1)
The Devils have been struggling to find their form recently, going 5-5 in their last 10 games. Their defense is still a problem, averaging 3.40 goals against per game. They are eighth-worst in the league in that department, which is an improvement.
No.24: New York Islanders (+3)
The Islanders have started to find some form as of late going 7-2-1 in their last 10 contests. Their offense is still a problem, although it has improved to 2.32 goals for per game but that is still third-worst in the league in that category. Also, rest in peace to Clark Gillies, one of the greatest Islanders of all time.
No.23: Chicago Blackhawks (+0)
The Blackhawks may be struggling to find consistency of late, going 4-3-3 in their last 10, but they have looked good enough to keep their spot here at 23. Their offense still needs some help, averaging 2.34 goals for per game, fourth-worst in the league.
No.22: Edmonton Oilers (-1)
When Edmonton isn’t just in the news for a losing streak (Google Leon Draisaitl for more information), that’s a bad sign. Their losing streak may have finally been kicked, but things are still rough in Oil Country at the moment. Their goaltending has continued to be a problem, and by goaltending, that means Mikko Koskinen.
No.21: Vancouver Canucks (+1)
The Canucks get back on the right track this week. Even though the winning streak the Canucks had is in the rearview mirror, this team is vastly different under Bruce Boudreau. Their goal-scoring issues though are still an issue, sitting sixth-worst in total goals scored with 99.
No.20: Detroit Red Wings (-1)
The Red Wings have struggled as of late, going 3-4-3 in their last 10 which drops them a spot this week. They are still 10th-worst in goals against per game averaging 3.29 goals, but their offense has also struggled averaging 2.67 goals for per game, ninth-worst in the league.
No.19: Calgary Flames (-2)
The Flames continue to fall this week. Their losing streak may have ended from last week, but they are still 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. Their defense is still one of the best in the NHL, averaging 2.58 goals against per game, which sits fourth-best currently.
No.18: Dallas Stars (+2)
The Stars have certainly been an interesting team, haven’t they? They are on a two-game winning streak which pushes them up a couple of spots this week, but they have got to figure out a way to jumpstart their offense.
No.17: Winnipeg Jets (+1)
The Jets hold steady this week through no fault of their own. They are still middle of the road statistically and are 4-4-2 in their last 10.
No.16: San Jose Sharks (+0)
The Sharks stay put this week, even with a two-game losing streak. Their offense could use some help, averaging 2.71 goals for per game, 10th-least in the NHL.
No.15: Anaheim Ducks (+0)
The Ducks also stay put. They are 3-7 in their last 10 games. They are a middle of the road team statistically, so this might be the perfect place for them right now.
No.14: Los Angeles Kings (-1)
The Kings fall back to 14 this week. Their defense is still one of the best in the league, but it has taken a step backwards averaging 2.71 goals against per game which is ninth-best in the NHL.
No.13: Vegas Golden Knights (-3)
The Golden Knights have struggled to find some form as of late which drops them out of the top 10 this week. They are 4-4-2 in their last 10. Their offense is as lethal as it has always been, sixth-best in goals for per game averaging 3.46 goals, but defensively they could still improve.
No.12: Washington Capitals (+0)
The Caps stay put this week. They are struggling lately, going 4-4-2 in their last 10 games. Their offense is hanging onto that top 10 status by a thread in goals for per game, averaging 3.26 goals for. For Ovi Watch, Alex Ovechkin is 12 away from tying Jaromir Jagr for third place all-time on the goal-scoring list.
No.11: Boston Bruins (+3)
The Bruins continue to work their way back up the rankings this week. Their defense has gotten a little bit more concerning this week, dropping to eighth-best in goals against per game averaging 2.66 goals.
No.10: Minnesota Wild (+1)
The Wild move up to 10th this week on the back of a two game winning streak. Although, their last game against Chicago on Saturday did show those defensive concerns again. If Kaapo Kahkonen and Calen Addison can play as well as they have been, they will be stars on this team for a long time.
No.9: Nashville Predators (-2)
The Predators fall to ninth this week. Their defense is still a little bit of a concern, now averaging 2.72 goals against per game, 10th-best in the league. However, there are a couple teams right behind them, so they could easily drop out of that top 10.
No.8: St. Louis Blues (+1)
The Blues move up to eighth. Defensively, they are still one of the best in the league tied for sixth-best in goals against per game, averaging 2.61 goals. Their offense is good, but not great right now. They are getting equal contributions however which is a good sign.
No.7: Toronto Maple Leafs (-1)
The Leafs continue their fall, dropping to seventh this week. They are still top-10 in both goals for and against, but right now, there are other teams that are simply hotter than Toronto.
No.6: Carolina Hurricanes (-2)
The Hurricanes take their first slide out of the top five in quite some time. Their defense is still top of the line, and their offense is still top five, but right now there are some teams that are better. Another team getting the short end of the stick.
No.5: New York Rangers (-2)
Just as quickly as they showed up, the Rangers are barely in the top five. Their defense is still fantastic, but that offense still needs a lot of improvement.
No.4: Florida Panthers (-3)
A big slide for the Panthers this week. Yes, they are on a two-game winning streak, but they lost to the Kraken Sunday night. Yikes.
No.3: Pittsburgh Penguins (+5)
The Penguins move up as many spots as their winning streak. Their offense is ninth-best in goals for, averaging 3.34 goals per game and second in goals against, allowing 2.54 goals per game. Tristan Jarry is having a nice renaissance which is a big contributor to that defensive success.
No.2: Tampa Bay Lightning (+0)
They can’t move up and they can’t move back. The Lightning are a top-10 offense, but they haven’t been the elite defensive team we’ve seen in the past just yet.
No.1: Colorado Avalanche (+4)
The Avalanche have not lost in regulation in their last 10 games. Think about that. They’ve gotten a point in each of their last 10, going 9-0-1. For the first time in a while, a new team has taken the top spot in the rankings, and the way the Avs are rolling, they will be hard to dethrone.
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