A lot of teams have gone streaking this week, and it makes things very interesting in the NHL power rankings. Do not forget that 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 more time.
Numbers in parentheses reference last week’s rankings and all stats are current as of 2/27
No.32: Buffalo Sabres (-5)
For the first time all season, the Sabres start off the rankings. They are on a six-game losing streak and haven’t looked good. It’s been a while since Buffalo has been this low. Welcome back.
No.31: Seattle Kraken (-1)
The Kraken fall a spot this week to 31st. They have not looked exemplary as of late, going 2-7-1 in their last 10 games. It’s an expansion team life in Seattle.
No.30: Arizona Coyotes (+2)
Congratulations Arizona, you did it. You’ve made it out of the last spot. The Coyotes have actually been performing decently as of late, going 4-6 in their last 10, which is certainly a step up for this team.
No.29: New Jersey Devils (+0)
The Devils stay put this week at 29. Their offense is in the middle-of-the-league, but their defense has continued to struggle without Mackenzie Blackwood between the pipes. They are tied with Arizona for third-most goals against per game, averaging 3.60.
No.28: Philadelphia Flyers (+0)
The Flyers also stay put this week, at 28. At this point, Flyers fans are simply bracing themselves for the inevitable departure of Claude Giroux. They are still struggling to score, and lately the goaltending has regressed. At least they will still have Cam Atkinson.
No.27: Montreal Canadiens (+4)
Good for you Montreal! On a five game winning streak, Martin St. Louis is certainly making a good case for himself to remove the interim tag. It also seems that he has lit the spark that Cole Caufield needed, as he has come alive as of late.
No.26: San Jose Sharks (-1)
The Sharks fall a spot this week down to 26. They have struggled as of late to gather some wins, and their offense has only gotten even more concerning, now averaging 2.63 goals per game, tied for eighth-fewest in the league.
No.25: Chicago Blackhawks (+1)
The Blackhawks move up a spot this week to 25. Let’s just say that is because of Marc-Andre Fleury mostly and leave it at that.
No.24: New York Islanders (-1)
The Islanders move down a spot this week to 24. Their offense is dreadfully concerning scoring 2.53 goals per game, fifth-fewest in the NHL. Matthew Barzal is the only player on the team with over 30 points. That simply won’t get you anywhere near the playoff race.
No.23: Ottawa Senators (+1)
The Senators move swap places with the Islanders this week. Ottawa had a convincing win over the Wild in Ottawa which certainly is a good thing for their future. They have been slowly improving this season, which is a good sign. And their offense is just fine without Drake Batherson, which is also a great sign.
No.22: Detroit Red Wings (-2)
The Red Wings fall two spots this week on the heels of a two-game losing streak. On the bright side, their offensive dynamic has shifted to favor Dylan Larkin, who now has 55 points and is the first player on the team to hit 50 points.
No.21: Columbus Blue Jackets (-3)
Just as quickly as they escaped, Columbus is back to the 21 spot after a week away. Currently, on a two-game losing streak, their offense has slowly become one of the top-scoring offenses statistically averaging 3.25 goals per game, tenth-most in the NHL. However, their defense is still abhorrent, averaging 3.62 goals against per game, second-most in the NHL. Their defense needs to improve drastically.
No.20: Winnipeg Jets (+1)
The Jets move up to 20. Statistically, they are in the middle of the league. They could use a little more offensive help, though. Kyle Connor can’t carry the entire load by himself.
No.19: Vancouver Canucks (+3)
The Canucks are back at 19 this week. Their offense is getting better but is still in the bottom ten of the league in goals-against per game. Thatcher Demko is still one of the best goalies this season in the NHL, which certainly helps things. But Canucks fans may be saying goodbye to J.T. Miller soon with the trade deadline coming up.
No.18: Anaheim Ducks (-2)
The Ducks fall once again this week. They’ve struggled as of late to find form and their offense has slowed down. They’re still very much in contention for a playoff spot in the Pacific Division, but they just have to find that first-half success again.
No.17: Edmonton Oilers (-2)
The Oilers fall out of the top fifteen this week. After the five-game winning streak, the Oilers certainly have come back to Earth over the past few days. They need to address their goaltending quick, fast, and in a hurry.
No.16: Nashville Predators (+0)
The Predators stay put this week, but they could be in trouble for next week. They haven’t looked like the same team from just a few weeks ago. But with rumors swirling that Filip Forsberg could be on his way out, maybe the Predators will have a new identity after the deadline.
No.15: Dallas Stars (+4)
Dallas rockets up the rankings this week, mostly because of the weakness of the teams underneath them currently in all honesty. At this point, the problems with Dallas are on the offensive end. Joe Pavelski has been the latest product of the fountain of youth and has been carrying things in Dallas.
No.14: Washington Capitals (-1)
The Capitals are in trouble. On a two game losing streak, things are not going well in the nation’s capital as of late. Their power play is great cause for concern being at the bottom of the league even with one of the league’s best offensive weapons. Speaking of which, Alex Ovechkin is four goals away from tying Jaromir Jagr for third all-time in goals.
No.13: Vegas Golden Knights (-2)
The Golden Knights fall as many spots as their current losing streak. The team has seemingly had some chemistry growing pains after adding Jack Eichel into the fold, but they will need to figure out the chemistry issues quickly with teams gaining on them in the Pacific.
No.12: Boston Bruins (+2)
The Bruins continue to roll currently on a four-game winning streak. Welcome back, Brad Marchand. Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ulmark have not only developed solid chemistry together but have become a sturdy goaltending tandem.
No.11: New York Rangers (-4)
The Rangers fall out of the top ten, falling four spots for the second week in a row. The Rangers seem to be spiraling currently on a tow game losing streak. Igor Shesterkin can’t do it by himself, New York.
No.10: Minnesota Wild (-4)
Once again, the Wild follow the Rangers and fall four spots. On a three-game losing streak, the Wild were simply outplayed in their game against the Flames. Cam Talbot has not looked like an All-Star to start the second half, which has brought questions to the Wild’s goaltending future. Things could be interesting in the State of Hockey if Minnesota doesn’t improve soon.
No.9: Los Angeles Kings (+3)
The Kings are rolling in the Pacific. Currently, on a five-game winning streak, they are making their case as one of the most improved teams in the NHL. Coming in no small part due to Anze Kopitar and Jonathan Quick becoming younger versions of themselves.
No.8: Florida Panthers (-5)
The competition is tight at the top, and it causes the Panthers to fall out of the top five. On a three-game losing streak, the Panthers fall this far down on that streak as well as the streaks of the teams in front of them.
No.7: Pittsburgh Penguins (+3)
The Penguins are back at seven this week. On a two game winning streak, the Penguins offense has come alive and not to mention Sidney Crosby scoring his 500th career goal not too long ago.
No.6: Toronto Maple Leafs (+2)
The Maple Leafs move into sixth this week after a one week hiatus. Mitch Marner has been rolling for Toronto as of late, finding his offensive touch once again and their defense is steadily improving.
No.5: St. Louis Blues (+4)
The Blues come into the top five this week. They still have three lethal weapons on offense with Vladimir Tarasenko, Jordan Kyrou, and Pavel Buchnevich. Jordan Binnington has been better as of late, but it could be the start of the Ville Husso era.
No.4: Calgary Flames (-3)
Well, that was quick. While Calgary looked dominant against Minnesota, there are three other teams that have been on fire and have extinguished the Flames from the top spot.
No.3: Tampa Bay Lightning (+2)
The Lightning move up two spots this week and make it back into the top three. On a three-game winning streak, the Lighting are starting to look like themselves again slowly but surely. Their offensive firepower will be something to reckon with for quite a while.
No.2: Colorado Avalanche (+0)
The Avalanche stay put this week in second. They have recovered nicely after their short step backward after their ten-game winning streak. They have started a new one with a three-game winning streak. Nazem Kadri is on fire and is sure to get a nice payday in the offseason.
No.1: Carolina Hurricanes (+3)
The Canes are back on top. They are on a five-game winning streak currently and are still one of the best offensive teams in the league. But, they are the best team in the league in goals against per game, and Frederik Andersen has had an incredible bounce-back season. But there will be teams that are fighting for that top spot, and the Hurricanes will need to maintain a tight grip on things in order to keep the spot.
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