NHL Power Rankings: Can Anyone Topple The Calgary Flames?

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

The trade deadline has come and gone with the contenders for the Stanley Cup getting better, while the sellers doing what they had to in order to get assets for the future. However, there is not much change near the top of the rankings even after a week off. However, there is some movement within the Top 10 of the NHL Power Rankings. The Calgary Flames continue to be in the top spot, but the Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche are not far behind. Outside the Top 10, there is even more movement amongst the teams trying to make the playoffs.  Let’s see what other changes there was this week.

Time to dive into the NHL Power Rankings and find out where these teams stand.

NHL Power Rankings

1. Calgary Flames (Previous Ranking 1) 

The Calgary Flames continue to be one of the best teams in the NHL as they sit number one in the NHL Power Rankings. The moves they have made at the trade deadline have put them in contention to win a Stanley Cup. Johnny Gaudreau and Mathew Tkachuk get the headlines but Elias Lindholm needs a little more love than he is getting.

2. Florida Panthers (Previous Ranking 2)

The Panthers have won four of their last five games. The defensive adds were exactly what they needed, but they better hope Aaron Ekblad comes back before the playoffs. Their offence is one of the best, and Jonathan Huberdeau is making it known he wants to win the Hart Trophy.

3. Colorado Avalanche (Previous Ranking 3) 

The Avalanche made some great additions at the trade deadline. They are still the team to beat in the Western Conference despite their question marks in goal. Their best player all season is Nazem Kadri. Just imagine if they were able to keep him going forward.

4. New York Rangers (Previous Ranking 8) 

The Rangers are playing really well and look like contenders in the Eastern Conference, especially with wins over the Lightning, Penguins, and Hurricanes. Chris Drury did what he wanted to do at the trade deadline. Frank Vatrano has fit in perfectly in their top six with five goals in six games.

5. Pittsburgh Penguins (Previous Ranking 5)

The Penguins continue to play really well. Yes, they had some tough losses along the way, but they still have a dangerous team. The addition of Rickard Rakell has given Evgeni Malkin a solid winger and their offence can explode at any time.

6. Boston Bruins (Previous Ranking 6) 

The Bruins have won four in a row and have a real chance to be one of the top three teams in the Atlantic Division. Hampus Lindholm has fit in perfectly on the Bruins defence. Not to mention, the balance the Bruins are getting on offence. Let’s see how things play out with Jake DeBrusk in the summer.

7. Carolina Hurricanes (Previous Ranking 4)

The Hurricanes are quietly going about their business. Carolina has won three of its past four games outscoring its opponents 19-8. They are probably still the most complete team in the East, especially with the addition of Max Domi, but they have struggled prior to this winning stretch.

8. Tampa Bay Lighting (Previous Ranking 7)

The Lightning had a rough week. They are still right in the thick of things in the Atlantic Division. Offensively they are in a bit of a funk. However, Jon Cooper knows this team can play through adversity now. They will be ready for the playoffs. And look what they did to retool their third line with Brandon Hagel, Nick Paul, and Riley Nash.

9. Minnesota Wild (Previous Ranking 15) 

How about those Minnesota Wild? The Wild are on a seven-game winning streak going 9-1-1 over their last 11 games. Ever since Marc-Andre Fleury has come to town, Cam Talbot has raised his game to another level. The Wild are a dark horse to make a deep run.

10. Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous Ranking 13) 

The Maple Leafs goaltending continues to be a total wild card at this point. Petr Mrazek is hurt again. It will all fall on their rookie Erik Källgren. Let’s see if he can continue his stellar play. The addition of Mark Giordano has really settled this defence down.

11. Edmonton Oilers (Previous Ranking 17) 

The Oilers are back into third place in the Western Conference. Evander Kane has fit into this lineup perfectly. In 28 games with the Oilers, Kane has 23 points. Can they hold off Vegas for the final spot in the Pacific is the real question?

12. Los Angeles Kings (Previous Ranking 9) 

The Kings are hanging on to second place in the Pacific Division. Phillip Danault and Viktor Arvidsson have been great additions to this team. Los Angeles is building something towards the future and will be a good team going forward. If Quinton Byfield can continue his stellar play, the Kings will be a force in the playoffs.

13. Nashville Predators (Previous Ranking 14)

Nashville is holding onto the top wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Who would have thought they would be in this position. And when are we going to start to say Roman Josi is the best defenceman in the league. With a 13-game point streak, he most likely can win the Norris if not the Hart Trophy as well.

14. Washington Capitals (Previous Ranking 10) 

The Capitals are going to go as far as their goaltending takes them. Out of the eight teams in the East, the Capitals are the weakest. Alex Ovechkin continues to rack up the goals, but they are a one-and-done team.

15. Vegas Golden Knights (Previous Ranking 16)

The Vegas Golden Knights are barely hanging on to the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference. Who would have thought they would have been in this position at the beginning of the year. They have righted the ship right now, but that could change.

16. Dallas Stars (Previous Ranking 11) 

The Stars are just on the outside looking in on the playoffs. They will be in that position all season. Dallas can control its own destiny as they hold games in hand on all the teams battling for the final playoff spot in the West. They are only good if they win those games.

17. Winnipeg Jets (Previous Ranking 19) 

The Jets are battling for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. If Connor Hellebuyck can play at this level the Jets have a chance. They got cheaper versions of Andrew Copp with Manson Appleton and Zach Sanford. But is it too little too late?

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18. St. Louis Blues (Previous Ranking 12) 

The Blues are in a bit of a funk right now. They got a nice win over the Canucks, who are battling for the final wild-card spot in the West. 3-6-3 in the month of March is not going to cut it, especially with the Predators breathing down their necks.

19. Vancouver Canucks (Last Week 18) 

The Canucks are within three points of the final wild-card spot in the West. It will be hard for them to pass the teams in front of them. They need to keep winning. J.T. Miller has been great all season, you have to wonder what other changes will be made in the summer.

20. New York Islanders (Last Week 21) 

The Islanders sealed their fate back in November and early December. Now it is all about next year for the Islanders and see what pieces they need to be competitive next year.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets (Last Week 20) 

The Blue Jackets have overachieved all season and it finally caught up to them. With Joonas Korpisalo and Zach Werenski out of the lineup, it is all about next year for them. You never know, Patrik Laine could end up being a Blue Jacket long-term.

22. New Jersey Devils (Previous Ranking 26) 

The Devils show signs of being a consistently good young team. The keyword here is young. Jack Hughes is on another level for the Devils right now. They have the potential to have five 20-goal scorers. It is all about progress through the pain with this team.

23. Chicago Blackhawks (Previous Ranking 24) 

The Chicago Blackhawks have a nice trio for the future of Patrick Kane, Dylan Strome, and Alex DeBrincat. But the Blackhawks have to commit to the rebuild and try to move some contracts out. The fact that Calvin de Haan didn’t get moved is a sign he could be part of their future.

24. San Jose Sharks (Previous Ranking 30) 

The Sharks continue to pile up bad contracts. Since 2016, the Sharks have signed Tomas Hertl, Logan Couture, Brent Burns, Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Erik Karlsson to eight-year-long contracts. It will be hard to for this team to add pieces to be competitive.

25. Seattle Kraken (Previous Ranking 32) 

The Kraken are playing better with three wins in their last four games. Amazing… considering who is behind the bench and the players they selected in the expansion draft.

26. Buffalo Sabres (Previous Ranking 29) 

The Sabres are playing well as they are 6-2-1 in their last nine games. The future is bright for the team in Buffalo. They just need to get some players to go along with what they have already.

27. Anaheim Ducks (Previous Ranking 27) 

General manager Pat Verbeek accomplished what he wanted to at the NHL Trade Deadline. Next up for Verbeek is seeing where Max Comtois and John Gibson fit in with this team. And maybe the head coach too.

28. Ottawa Senators  (Previous Ranking 28) 

The Senators signed their hot commodity getting Anton Forsberg locked up for three more seasons. It is so hard to see the progress they are making, but if you look at the stats they are. At least internally they are.

29. Philadelphia Flyers (Previous Ranking 31) 

The Flyers are just putting a consistently bad hockey team on the ice each night. They will compete on most nights, but there are some lean years ahead in Philadelphia.

30. Montreal Canadiens (Previous Ranking 22)

The Montreal Canadiens have hit the skids and the high of Martin St. Louis has come back down. The Canadiens are 3-7 in their last 10 games. Cole Caufield has 13 goals since St. Louis took over as head coach. He had one under Dominique DuCharme.

31. Detroit Red Wings  (Previous Ranking 23) 

The Detroit Red Wings have so much hope going forward. They have good young pieces to build around including Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond. Detroit is on the cusp of being good again. They need better goaltending if they want to compete in this division.

32. Arizona Coyotes (Previous Ranking 25)

The Arizona Coyotes have lost six games in a row. Look for more changes come the offseason when Bill Armstrong can get a deal for Jakob Chychrun. Most likely Phil Kessel is gone too.

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