Marian Gaborik left no doubt in everyone's minds who the top spot belongs to.
Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to playoff-type hockey. With half the season already in the past, and with a trade deadline about a month away, NHL fans are starting to see tighter defensive battles, as teams fight for a spot in Lord Stanley’s dance. Leading the way was the New York Rangers, who pulled off in overtime victory, via the hands of superstar Marian Gaborik, besting the Boston Bruins, 3-2. It was a great week for the Central Division as the Detroit Red Wings continued their home ice dominance with only three losses at home on the season. The St. Louis Blues continued their defensive dominance, and play at home, while the superstars of the Chicago Blackhawks proved that they’re the best crop in the league. Meanwhile, Boston’s favorite son, Roberto Luongo, and the Vancouver Canucks plummeted out of the top slot, down to #6 in our weekly NHL Power Rankings.
Here are the NHL Power Rankings:
Rank |
Team |
Record |
Analysis |
|
1 |
New York Rangers |
30-12-4 |
Proving their play of recent was no fluke, the NYR shut Nashville out at home, and topped the Boston Bruins off on the road. Following the Bruins blueprint of success from last season, the Rangers are tops in fewest goals allowed per a team, lead by the incredible play of Henrik Lundqvist. The phenomenal returns of Marian Gaborik, along with rookie Ranger, Brad Richards, have the Empire State thinking parades this year. |
|
2 |
Detroit Red Wings |
32-15-1 |
If there is one thing NHL fans can expect year-in-and-year-out, it is the Detroit Red Wings occupying a top 5 spot in the Western Conference. When it comes to their scouting department, the staff of the red and white is truly a commodity. Lead by the best player in the game in Pavel Datsyuk (13 Goals, 38 Assists), and Vezina-candidate, Jimmy Howard (29-10-1), the Wings will continue to hover around a top three seed all season. |
|
3 |
Boston Bruins |
31-13-2 |
Playing five games in seven nights is no easy task, and the sheer will-power of the Boston Bruins was on display this past week. The Bruins played two games without energetic-forward Brad Marchand, with four-out-of-five games on the road and still managed to escape with 7 points. The suspect, defensive play of Johnny Boychuk and Joe Corvo has fans starting to scream for a defensive upgrade. Remember what I said about Steven Kampfer? |
|
4 |
St. Louis Blues |
29-12-6 |
The Blues continued their home dominance (21-3-3), which is no easy task playing in the Central Division. The Blues won all three games on the week, including back to back shutouts against Dallas and Edmonton. Goaltenders Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott have a combined nine shutouts on the year with a combined GAA of 1.94. The only concern I have with this team going forward is their dreadful play away from St.Louis, with a record of 8-9-3. |
|
5 |
Chicago Blackhawks |
29-14-6 |
The Hawks, just like many NHL teams this year, are finding out what life is like when the injury bug rolls into town. Having to play without stud-forward, Patrick Sharp, the Hawks did not let off the gas pedal, scoring 11 goals in three games played this week. The real issue of concern is the shaky goaltending play of starting keeper, Corey Crawford. |
|
6 |
Vancouver Canucks |
29-15-4 |
The Canucks will remain the leader the whole season in a mediocre, Northwest Division. Since leaving Beantown, the Canucks are 3-2-1, with losses against Florida and Anaheim. However, the cowards from Western Canada continue to get strong play from rookie Cody Hodgson (3 goals, 1 assist in his last 3 games) with the Canucks getting Marchand-victim, Sammy Salo back from a concussion injury. |
|
7 |
Nashville Predators |
28-16-4 |
The Preds sometimes get lost in the shuffle in the talent-laden, Central Division with Detroit, St.Louis, and Chicago. Nashville does not get a lot of national exposure, but the Preds have won 8-of-10, including a spanking over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night. Goaltender Pekka Rinne has the Preds trailing Detroit by only five points, winning 7 straight starts in net. |
|
8 |
Philadelphia Flyers |
28-14-5 |
The concussions continue to mount in Philadelphia, with the latest victim being Daniel Briere. Coach Peter Laviolette should be in contention for Coach of the Year, as the Flyers dressed eight rookies against the Boston Bruins, yesterday afternoon. The Flyers continue to get production from a very talented group of forwards, but this team WILL NOT win a championship with Ilya Bryzgalov in the net. That being said, Bryzgalov is Philly’s highest paid player and under contract for eight more seasons.
|
|
9 |
Ottawa Senators |
27-17-6 |
When you start believing this Sens team is for real, they let you down with a stinker, like getting shutout against Winnipeg. Although the Senators remain one of the NHL’s hottest teams, for me to justify the hype, they need to knock teams off like the Jets and Anaheim Ducks. |
|
10 |
Pittsburgh Penguins |
27-17-4 |
Once consumed by the injury bug, the Penguins continue to get healthy. With the return of defenseman, Kris Letang, the Penguins are once again jolting through the Eastern Conference standings. The Pens won all four games this past week, as Evgeni Malkin, easily the NHL’s first half MVP, continues to carry the load, netting nine goals in his last six games. If #87 gets healthy for the Pens, they will win the East. |
|
11 |
San Jose Sharks |
26-14-5 |
San Jose will win the Northwest Division, they might even win a playoff series again, but there is no way this team is a contender with Joe Thornton at the top of their payroll. Losers of three out of their last four, San Jose needs Martin Havlat back, or help out on the trade markets. |
|
12 |
Washington Capitals |
25-19-3 |
Once upon a time ago, the Washington Capitals lead the NHL in goals scored per a game. Much like what Kris Letang means to the Pens, Mike Green means more to the Caps. With Green in the lineup, the Caps are 8-2 and 17-17-3 without the defenseman back on the point. With Niklas Backstrom still out with a concussion, and a looming suspension on Alexander Ovechkin, the Capitals could be in some serious trouble. |
|
13 |
Los Angeles Kings |
23-16-10 |
Sure, the play of the Kings has improved under Coach Darryl Sutter but the offensive output still is not there. If you take Goaltender Jonathan Quick off this team then the Kings would be in contention for the No. 1 Lottery Draft Pick. |
|
14 |
Florida Panthers |
22-15-10 |
Although technically leading the Southwest Division, I have a hard time buying into the notion that the Florida Panthers are contenders this season. Without making a trade for a top-tier forward, and a reliable goaltender, the Panthers will fall out of contention before the trading deadline. Since coming back from injury, starting goaltender, Jose Theodore has dropped each of his starts. |
|
15 |
New Jersey Devils |
26-19-2 |
The Devils continue to somehow stay in contention in the Eastern Conference and as a result will have some tough decisions to make in the upcoming weeks. The question at large is whether or not New Jersey will be buyers or sellers at the deadline, even while hanging onto one of the last playoff seeds in the East. If the Devils are sellers, my gut instinct tells me a trade involving Zac Parise to the Kings will occur. |
|
16 |
Toronto Maple Leafs |
23-19-5 |
Old friend Phil Kessel, along with Joffrey Lupul have the Leafs hanging around the last spot in the playoff race as the hockey world prepares for GM Brian Burke to make a major acquisition before the trading deadline. However, visions of a Bobby Ryan-to-Toronto trade are quickly fading. |
|
17 |
Colorado Avalanche |
26-22-4 |
The Avs continue to fight toward a playoff spot, lead by the reemergence of Jean Sebastien-Giguere in net. The Avs are plentiful on youthful talent but that will only take them so far. As one of my picks to fade down the stretch, the Avalanche must not jump the ship and part ways with their highly, sought after talent. |
|
18 |
Winnipeg Jets |
22-20-6 |
The second half of the schedule has the Jets facing a daunting road stretch, and based on what we have seen from them on the road( 7-12-4) so far, has the Jets falling in the ranks slowly. Staying in contention, and doing so without All-Star defenseman, Dustin Byfuglien, is near impossible. |
|
19 |
Minnesota Wild |
23-18-7 |
The Minnesota Wild continue to free-fall from the playoff ranks, dropping six-of-the-last-eight games. For a team and city so desperate for playoff hockey this year, the Wild remain in trouble. Losing Captain, Mikko Koivu to injury stunts the Wild’s chances at a playoff birth, unless Dany Heatley somehow gets motivated. |
|
20 |
Montreal Canadiens |
18-21-9 |
Believe it or not, I actually think things are starting to look up for the Habs. The Canadiens came away with points in two-out-of-three games this week and have the look of a team heading in the right direction. The play of forwards Erik Cole and Lars Eller have the fans of Montreal believing a second half surge into the playoffs is within grasp. |
|
21 |
Calgary Flames |
23-20-6 |
The mid-game acquisition of Mike Cammalleri has paid immediate dividends for a team once looking to fade into oblivion. The Flames picked up points in all three games this week and can never be counted out in the West. A team with Jarome Iginla on the roster will always be a team in playoff contention. |
|
22 |
Dallas Stars |
24-21-2 |
As predicted in our last Power Rankings, the Dallas Stars have quickly fallen out of contention in the West. Dallas played four games on the week, picking up a point, and losing all four contests. For a team that already lacks forward depth, losing center Mike Ribiero and winger Jamie Benn to injuries will quickly dart any playoff hopes. |
|
23 |
New York Islanders |
19-21-6 |
Hockey is relevant once again on Long Island, as is goaltender, Evgeni Nabokov. The former San Jose star has regained his footing in New York, leading the Isles to victories in three straight contests. The netminder is 3-0 in his last three starts, with a GAA of 0.65 and a Save Percentage of .978%, including one shutout. |
|
24 |
Anaheim Ducks |
18-22-7 |
With so many trade rumors coming out of Charlie Conway’s Alma Mater, it’s hard to even comprehend how this team could ever find any momentum. However, much to dismay of District 5, the Ducks have gained momentum, amidst trade talks, going 8-0-1 in their last nine games, removing superstar, Bobby Ryan, from the trading block. |
|
25 |
Phoenix Coyotes |
21-20-8 |
Consistency lacks in the desert as the Coyotes have dropped three straight games. At timesPhoenixshows signs of life, such as a 6-1 victory over the Colorado Avalanche, but follow it up with a 6-2 defeat, from the Anaheim Ducks. It is about time the NHL steps in and moves this team out of Arizona. |
|
26 |
Tampa Bay Lighting |
20-23-4 |
After limping through the first half of the season, the Lightning won all three games this week, including a 5-3 victory over the defending Stanley Cup Champs. Everyone knows what Steven Stamkos, Marty St.Louis and Vinny Lecavalier bring to the table, but for this team to compete, a starting goalie needs to emerge or GM Steve Yzerman needs to trade for one. |
|
27 |
Buffalo Sabres |
19-24-5 |
All you need to know: Since playing the Bruins on November 23rd, the Sabres are 7-17-4. Message sent? |
|
28 |
Carolina Hurricanes |
17-24-9 |
Goaltender Cam Ward has regained confidence in his game, as the Hurricanes came away with a point in all three games this week. Saying that, barring a miracle, this team will have ping-pong balls in the NHL Draft Lottery. |
|
29 |
Edmonton Oilers |
17-26-4 |
The way Edmonton is going, the NHL Network will continue filming their programming series, “Oil Change,” for the next 15 years. Currently, the Oilers have been victorious once in their last nine game, and remain in contention for the No. 1 Draft Pick, once again. This team can not even take a pregame warm-up without a catastrophe. |
|
30 |
Columbus Blue Jackets | 13-28-6 | FREE RICK NASH! |