NHL Power Rankings: Week 11
What a weekend in the NHL! The Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins (feat. Nashville Predators) started off with a blockbuster trade that sent Tristan Jarry and Stuart Skinner away from their former teams. However, that “blockbuster” was short lived. The big trade happened…Quinn Hughes was dealt. Minnesota Wild now sit with likely the best all-around defense core in the entire league…Quite the weekend indeed.
#16 Boston Bruins (19-14-0; 38 Points)
Previously #12
Boston hangs around and they could very well make the playoffs, shockingly enough.
#15 Detroit Red Wings (18-12-3; 39 Points)
Previously Unranked
The Red Wings are finding ways to get back into this. This is my problem with this team though, they struggle to string along consistent efforts and once again they could be in danger of missing playoffs.
#14 Tampa Bay Lightning (18-12-3; 39 Points)
Previously #13
I might be snoozing on the Bolts but their lack of true consistency hurts them in my eyes.
#13 Montreal Canadiens (17-11-4; 38 Points)
Previously #12
Solid week for the Habs and they looked quite good against the Oilers on Sunday. They will need to keep working to chip away at their negative goal differential.
#12 Los Angeles Kings (14-8-9, 37 Points)
Previously #9
Haven’t won a game in a little bit here. They are having their prototypical slow December period but with the likes of Minnesota coming on strong and the Oilers potentially figuring it out, the Kings will be smart to ensure they stay in the Pacific spot because a Wildcard spot might be death.
#11 Florida Panthers (17-13-2; 36 Points)
Previously #16
Panthers looking better and better, here we go again folks.
#10 Pittsburgh Penguins (14-8-9; 37 Points)
Previously #8
Penguins have moved on from Tristan Jarry and sit with Stuart Skinner and Brent Kulak as likely trade pieces for the trade deadline. They will play the Oilers and Jarry tomorrow for what is sure to be a fun night.
#9 Philadelphia Flyers (16-9-6; 38 Points)
Previously #10
Lot of loser points for the Flyers but loser points are there for a reason. They are finding ways to make overtime and you can’t completely knock them for that. They have also been showing strong performances over quite a stretch here.
#8 New York Islanders (19-11-3; 41 Points)
Previously #11
Islanders are shoving it up my hoop. They are legit, they are fun. Matthew Schaefer has been fantastic and they are a team that is worth talking about again. I would heed warning for any person who thinks they are not a playoff team…at least right now.
#7 Anaheim Ducks (20-12-1, 41 Points)
Previously #5
What is amazing about the Ducks is their ability to bounce back. I know they are taking a little hit on the rankings and it’s because of the uneven week they had. It’s also giving credit to a couple teams who’ve surged. The Ducks are here to stay though, let me tell you.
#6 Washington Capitals (18-10-4; 40 Points)
Previously #3
1 point last week, granted light schedule and all. I am not overly worried about that.
#5 Minnesota Wild (19-9-5; 43 Points)
Previously #7
Minnesota has been great and now they sit with Quinn Hughes. They have officially entered the Cup Contending category. Many will argue that they are still the 3rd best team in their division, which is likely the case right now but if Bill Guerin can find a center…this team might be the 2nd.
#4 Vegas Golden Knights (16-6-9; 41 Points)
Previously #6
The Knights continue to just bank points and now sit tied with the Ducks with 2 games at hand of their own. They sit 5th in expected goal percentage and still are scoring 8.6 goals under expected, you have to wonder that when the dam breaks, the Knights might be a problem.
#3 Dallas Stars (21-7-5; 47 Points)
Previously #2
Tough week for Dallas but after such a strong stretch, they were bound to have a stinker or two. You earn goodwill and credit in this league through those stretches so that when you don’t have the best week, you can manage accordingly. Jason Robertson has been so damn good.
#2 Carolina Hurricanes (21-9-2; 44 Points)
Previously #4
How do you come back to the top 2 after a drop? Win all of your games…It is simple. Quite the response after a rough week prior. Nik Ehlers has been quite pedestrian which is a concern for the Canes.
#1 Colorado Avalanche (23-2-7; 53 Points)
Unchanged
They’ve gone full Vecna…