NHL Power Rankings: New York Rangers Making Moves

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

The NHL season is winding down as the playoff races are heating up in the Eastern and Western Conferences. Things are becoming clearer in the East as it is a three-team race for the final two spots. While the West is still open. It is a three-team race for the final spot in the West. That means only a few more editions of these power rankings coming your way.

After last week’s NHL Power Rankings, nothing much is changing inside the Top 10. There is a little shakeup, but for the most part, things are pretty much the same.

We are inching closer to the final rankings of the year with the 16 teams making the playoffs. The bottom of the rankings has not changed much either. Some movement, but there is a clear distinction between the good and the bad teams.

Time to dive into this week’s NHL Power Rankings.

NHL Power Rankings

1. Boston Bruins (Previous Ranking 1) 

The Boston Bruins are the best team in the NHL. Right now the only thing stopping the Bruins is the Bruins themselves. They have such a complete team and know how to put losses behind them. Is there a team that can beat them in a best-of-seven series?

2. Carolina Hurricanes (Previous Ranking 2) 

The Carolina Hurricanes continue to show they are the class of the Metro Division with the Devils and Rangers on their heels. Carolina is figuring out how to win games even with injuries to top players. Let’s see how their goaltending holds up in the playoffs and who they match up against.

3. New Jersey Devils (Previous Ranking 3) 

The Devils are sticking around despite their recent struggles. New Jersey is showing their ability to bounce back in games. Jack Hughes is starting to heat up for the Devils. New Jersey is learning what playoff hockey is going to be like after they clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2018.

4. Los Angeles Kings (Previous Ranking 5) 

The Los Angeles Kings are a sleeper team in the West and the Pacific Division. Despite the loss to Calgary, where their 12-game point streak ended, the Kings are one of the hottest teams in the NHL right and have a legit shot to win a Stanley Cup.

5. Colorado Avalanche (Previous Ranking 9) 

And just like that the Colorado Avalanche are challenging for the Central Division crown as most expected they would this season. The Avalanche are playing really well right now. Everything is clicking for them and it appears Gabriel Landeskog will be ready for the playoffs too. Look out for this Avalanche team as they have a record of 9-2 in their last 11 games.

6. New York Rangers ( Previous Ranking 10) 

The Rangers are another team playing well as the season winds down. With a record of 8-1-1 over their last 10 games and winners of three straight, Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane have settled into their roles. New York is back in the playoffs for a second year in a row and could get home ice when this thing starts.

7. Edmonton Oilers (Previous Ranking 8) 

The Edmonton Oilers are nipping on the heels of the Kings and Golden Knights for the top spot in the division. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evander Kane, Ryan-Nugent Hopkins and the rest of that offence is clicking. The key for the Oilers will be their goaltending come playoff time.

8. Vegas Golden Knights (Previous Ranking 4) 

The Golden Knights are looking good as any team to come out of the West. Jack Eichel is heating up at the right time. It will be interesting to see Eichel on a big stage for the first time once the Stanley Cup Playoffs begin.

9. Minnesota Wild (Previous Ranking 6) 

The Wild are right there in the Central Division. Matt Boldy continues to announce to the league his superstar power. Another hat trick for Boldy as the Wild are getting it done without Kirill Kaprizov. Just imagine when Kaprizov gets back what this team will look like. Who will start in the playoffs for Minnesota this year as both Filip Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury are playing well?

10. Dallas Stars (Previous Ranking 7) 

The Stars continue to hold on to the top three spots in the Central. Some shaky performances lately have dropped them out of the lead in the division. However, right now it is all about not getting hurt and being ready for Game 1.

11. Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous Ranking 10) 

The Maple Leafs are playing a little better before the playoff start. They know who they are going to play in the first round. Most likely, Toronto will rest some guys down the stretch. We know what this team is and like always will come down to goaltending.

12. Tampa Bay Lightning (Previous Ranking 12) 

We know what this Lightning team is all about. Survive the regular season before the playoffs come in April. They have played a lot of hockey over the past three seasons it can take its toll on the body. But as we have seen in years past this team can flip the switch when they need to.

13. New York Islanders (Previous Ranking 13)

The New York Islanders are showing they can be a tough out. General manager Lou Lamoriello has this team right there. It feels like the Islanders are in a position to make the playoffs and will be a tough out, especially with Ilya Sorokin between the pipes. Bo Horvat has cooled down some, but maybe once Matthew Barzal comes back this team gets it going more consistently on the offensive side of the puck.

14. Seattle Kraken (Previous Ranking 14) 

The Seattle Kraken are digging deep to lock up the first wild card spot. They are in a similar position to the Islanders. Teams behind them are fading as they are rising up. When it came down to it Seattle may have locked up WC 1 in the West with three massive points in Nashville.

15. Pittsburgh Penguins (Previous Ranking 16) 

You can never count out a Sidney Crosby-led team, especially the way he and Evgeni Malkin are playing, but man this Penguins team is vulnerable. It feels like they get in it is one and down for them. Goaltending is a major area of concern.

16. Florida Panthers (Previous Ranking 15) 

Look the Florida Panthers did themselves no favours by blowing leads and losing to the Flyers after getting into a playoff position last Monday. That loss to Philadelphia will cost them a playoff spot because including that loss, the Panthers have now lost four straight games. However, with their recent win they are still alive.

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17. Winnipeg Jets (Previous Ranking 17) 

Boy oh boy, are the Winnipeg Jets making life tough on themselves. Just imagine if they were able to win against San Jose. That loss might keep them out of the playoffs after a terrific season. Head coach Rick Bowness is not happy with his team’s play as of late.

18. Calgary Flames (Previous Ranking 18) 

And just like that the Flames remain alive in the Western Conference Wild card race. Two wins in a row and the Flames are just two points back of the Jets. Can we really believe the Flames can get in? There is a chance they get as that game against Winnipeg on April 5th is becoming bigger and bigger.

19. Nashville Predators (Previous Ranking 19) 

The Nashville Predators showed they were in selling mode, but they are right there still thanks to Winnipeg not being able to close the door on teams behind them. Nashville has a rallying cry now after the tragedy that occurred. That just might push them over the edge to get in.

20. Philadelphia Flyers (Previous Ranking 27) 

The Flyers are showing they can play the type of hockey they did at the beginning of the season. Winners of four straight, the Flyers continue to thrive on home ice with the young players taking the next step in their careers.

21. Vancouver Canucks (Previous Ranking 21) 

How about those Canucks right now. Over their last 10 games, the Canucks are 7-2-1 and are playing really well under Rick Tocchet. Elias Pettersson, Andrei Kuzmenko, and Thatcher Demko have all stepped up. Kuzmenko is about to hit the 40-goal mark on the season.

22. St. Louis Blues (Previous Ranking 24) 

It is all about the future for the Blues. How about the play of Jakub Vrana and Kasperi Kapanen? Two great pickups by Doug Armstrong that have really performed post-trade deadline.

23. Buffalo Sabres (Previous Ranking 23) 

It has been a great season in Buffalo. The Sabres are still in the mix, but they can’t be giving points away down the stretch.

24. Ottawa Senators (Previous Ranking 20) 

The Senators are struggling and falling out of the playoff race quickly. A record of 3-6-1 over their last 10 games is not going to cut it if they wanted to make the playoffs. Still in it, but soon going to be out of it. But it has been a good season in Ottawa for players like Brady Tkachuk and Tim Stutzle. How about the resurgence of Claude Giroux?

25. Washington Capitals (Previous Ranking 22) 

The Capitals are still battling in the East, but time is starting to slip away. Everything points toward next season. But hey it is good to see John Carlson back in the lineup.

26. Arizona Coyotes (Previous Ranking 26) 

Despite the arena situation surrounding the Arizona Coyotes, the Coyotes are playing well at Mullet Arena. There is something about that place where the magic happens. Speaking of magic, how about Matias Maccelli? Maccelli is setting career highs in every statistical category. 

27. Detroit Red Wings (Previous Ranking 25) 

GM Steve Yzerman knew his team was not ready to make a deep run in the playoffs. David Perron has been a major bright spot for this team. It will be interesting to see what steps they take next season.

29. Montreal Canadiens (Previous Ranking 27) 

Not too much going right in Montreal outside of the play of Nick Suzuki and Kirby Dach. Dach is showing he can play in the NHL in the right system. This trade is looking really good for the Canadiens. But lots of changes are coming to this offseason.

30. Anaheim Ducks (Previous Ranking 28) 

The Anaheim Ducks are just waiting for this season to be over. Mason McTavish has been great for the Ducks this season, but they have some questions this off-season.

30. Columbus Blue Jackets (Previous Ranking 30) 

Finally, Johnny Gaudreau is showing what he can do for the Blue Jackets. But as he said it is garbage time. Just imagine if Patrik Laine was not hurt so much and they got quality goaltending things might have been different.

31. Chicago Blackhawks (Previous Ranking 31) 

We knew it was going to be bad in Chicago this season. The Blackhawks have now lost six straight games and they just might lose the rest of the way out. Times are truly changing in Chicago.

32. San Jose Sharks (Previous Ranking 28) 

It is great what Erik Karlsson is doing. Karlsson is closing in on a 100-point season for a defenceman. You have to wonder how much that will factor into Norris Trophy voting this season.

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