NHL Power Rankings: New York Rangers Close In On The Top Spot

Welcome back to another edition of NHL Power Rankings here at Full Press Hockey

There is some change towards the top of the power rankings as another week of NHL action in the books. Lots of things happening off the ice with two Canadian teams and in the city of Brotherly Love. Unlike the College Football Playoff, where only four teams make the playoff, the NHL has 16 out of 32 teams that make the playoffs. Not to mention the power rankings are best on how teams perform during the week. But there is a shift in the top 10 for sure with teams moving up because of their strong play.

Time to dive into the NHL Power Rankings and find out what shifts happen within the top 10.

NHL Power Rankings

1. Toronto Maple Leafs

Wouldn’t you know it the Maple Leafs remain number one? Now there is some debate as to whether that is possible losing two straight games. But Auston Matthews and John Tavares continue to score. They had a tough two-game stretch and still are one of the best teams out there.

2. New York Rangers 

The New York Rangers remain red-hot as they continue to win games. Chris Kreider is having an amazing bounce-back season leading the team in goals. Who said Gerard Gallant couldn’t coach in the NHL?

3. Calgary Flames

The Flames continue to play well under Darryl Sutter. They are unstoppable on the road. Their loss Sunday was their first in five games. Plus with Jacob Markstrom and Dan Vladar they have a solid one-two combination.

4. Tampa Bay Lightning

The champs are the champs and are winning and are showing why they are threatening to win the Stanley Cup again this season. No Nikita Kucherov or Brayden Point, no problem Steven Stamkos is there to pick up the slack.

5. Minnesota Wild

The Wild remain in first place in the Central Division as they are on a six-game winning streak. Kirill Kaprizov leads the team in points after a slow start. Everyone is buying into the system as the Wild continue to roll.

6. Florida Panthers

This team continues to find ways to come back and win games. The Panthers are entertaining yet the building remains empty. Andrew Brunette has to be in the Jack Adams conversation

7. Washington Capitals

Hard to imagine a team on a three-game winning streak drops in the rankings, but that says a lot for what the teams did in from of the Capitals. Alex Ovechkin continues to scorch the league with 20 goals in 26 games.

8. Edmonton Oilers

The biggest thing stopping the Oilers from taking the next step is goaltending. Mikko Koskinen and Stuart Skinner are not getting the job done. Edmonton needs Mike Smith back.

9. Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina has dipped a bit some from earlier in the season. The Hurricanes were able to stop a three-game losing streak before hitting a long road trip.

10. Dallas Stars

The Stars are on a seven-game winning streak. Jake Ottinger and Braden Holtby have made Anton Khudobin expendable. Rick Bowness knew exactly how to fix the problems ailing this team.

11. Colorado Avalanche

Nathan MacKinnon has returned to the lineup and the Avalanche have not missed a beat. However, they need Darcy Kuemper healthy if they want to make a run at a Stanley Cup.

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12. Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights are playing much better as they are getting healthier. Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty are back in the lineup and the Golden Knights have become that threat to win the Pacific again.

13. Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks are showing they are flukes at the moment continuing their great start. Though Troy Terry has cooled off, Sonny Milano, Rikard Rakell and Trevor Zegras have picked up the slack.

14. Detroit Red Wings

Steve Yzerman continues to look like a genius with the moves he made in the off-season. Alex Nedeljkovic is playing back to form and the Red Wings are in a playoff position.

15. Winnipeg Jets

The Jets are starting to find their game as Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler are producing. That will only help the Jets chances of making the playoffs.

16. St. Louis Blues

The Blues are struggling as of late, especially defensively and that should be concerning for Blues fans. Not to mention COVID-19 is starting to play a factor.

17. Boston Bruins

The Bruins continue to rely on their top line to get things done. Depth scoring continues to be an issue for Boston and that will continue once Jake DeBrusk is traded.

18. Pittsburgh Penguins

The Penguins are in contention for a playoff spot but it is because of Jake Guentzel and Evan Rodrigues, not Sidney Crosby. Who would have thought that?

19. Nashville Predators

John Hynes is showing he can coach in the NHL with the right group of players. Filip Forsberg‘s next contract for Nashville is going to be hefty the way he is playing.

20. San Jose Sharks

The Sharks continue to impress despite losing the final two games of a five-game road trip. Defensively the team is much better and Timo Meier is so underrated.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets are finally coming back to Earth after going `1-3 in their past four games. It was a nice story to start, but the Metro is just so tough for them to keep pace in.

22. Seattle Kraken

The Kraken are coming from the depths of the ocean. Jordan Eberle and Yanni Gourde are scoring goals. You just wish their goaltending was just a little better.

23. Los Angeles Kings

If it was not for the play of Alex Edler on the backend, the Kings might not have survived their time without Drew Doughty. That is how important Edler was to this team.

24. Ottawa Senators

Give credit to the Ottawa Senators for winning three-straight games. Brady Tkachuk has five points in three games.

25. New Jersey Devils

The Devils are in a slump. Losses in four straight games with head coach Lindy Ruff‘s seat getting a little warmer with each passing loss.

26. Chicago Blackhawks

After a slow start, Marc-Andre Fleury has found his game again as he continues to raise his trade stock. The question will be which team comes a calling.

27. Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers are another team in turmoil. Philadelphia just fired Alain Vigneault after an eight-game losing streak. Some major changes are needed in Philly.

28. New York Islanders

The Islanders are due for a win right? 11 straight losses, oh I’m sorry winless in 11, but on a three-game point streak. That led to four thanks to beating Ottawa. Just what the doctor ordered. Let’s see if the offence can be sustained.

29. Arizona Coyotes

The Coyotes are a team turmoil as the rumours continue to swirl about them being sold yet again. Until they found a direction, the Yotes will struggle in the desert.

30. Buffalo Sabres

The final three spots are interchangeable. It does not matter where the teams rank. The Sabres are 30 but could be 31 or 32 because of the poor goaltending they continuously get.

31. Montreal Canadiens

A terrible season continues to get worse despite the change to Jeff Gorton. It will take some time to find a general manager. The Canadiens are 2-8-1 in their last 11 games. It can’t get much worse right?

32. Vancouver Canucks

The Canucks decided to play the Montreal Canadiens and fire everyone. Bruce Boudreau is in and got a win right away. Still going to take much more to get this group going.

That does it for this edition of NHL Power Rankings… Stay Tuned for another edition next week.

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