NHL Power Rankings: Week 23
Noise was not right about the trade deadline as it was very clearly a seller’s market. This trade deadline was likened to the housing market in 2022…insanity. I am awarding the Cup to one team already given their moves and their clear separation from literally everyone else. Oh, and that said team plays my team tonight. Belt to ass incoming.
#16 Vegas Golden Knights (29-21-14; 72 Points)
Previously #11
The Knights might be the leaders of the entire fraudulent Pacific Division (except Anaheim). They are slow, they can’t get a save, and they just don’t have the scary vibe I remember from a Knights team. I pray that the Oilers draw them in the first round because things in Vegas haven’t been as great as they appear. They have the worst 5 on 5 SV% in the league, just behind the Oilers…and their speed is just atrocious. I think they are an early exit in April.
#15 Ottawa Senators (32-22-9; 73 Points)
Unchanged
Ottawa is really starting to make a push for the playoffs and if they keep this up, it might be hard to count them out. I love to see a solid +16 goal differential and the goaltending really seems to be coming around. They could very well be making a nice jump next week.
#14 New York Islanders (36-23-5, 77 Points)
Previously #12
Islanders made a huge push this year as well adding Brayden Schenn. Everyone in this conference is going for it and I love to see that! With Ilya Sorokin between the pipes, this team could be a sneaky pick to make it far.
#13 Utah Mammoth (34-25-5, 73 Points)
Previously #14
Adding Mackenzie Weegar means this Mammoth team wants to try and make a splash. Currently they would fall into the Pacific playoff track and that is exactly where they’d want to be. They could be the best team in that entire bracket as of right now.
#12 Anaheim Ducks (35-25-3; 73 Points)
Previously #10
The Ducks are looking good no doubt but that negative goal differential in the double digits still concerns me. They don’t defend too well and rely on goaltending a bit too much. Dostal can’t play every game…
#11 Columbus Blue Jackets (32-21-10; 74 Points)
Previously Unranked
This Jackets team fired their coach in Dean Evason earlier this calendar year and Rick Bowness has helped turn this ship right around. 13-2-2 in their last 10 and Adam Fantilli is starting to pop. I should have thought more about this team being the team making the playoffs over the Bruins instead of the Senators.
#10 Boston Bruins (35-22-6; 76 Points)
Previously #11
The Bruins are a team that I want to give some flowers to but I just don’t trust at all. They show no major signs of being able to string wins together and are not the greatest defensive/goaltending team to maintain that consistency.
#9 Montreal Canadiens (34-18-10; 78 Points)
Unchanged
It is interesting that the Habs did nothing. This young team deserves to have some push by Management to push them forward and they didn’t get it. That could be a vote of confidence that the current team is good enough but is it?
#8 Detroit Red Wings (36-21-7; 78 Points)
Unchanged
Adding Justin Faulk is a sign that Yzerman is actually looking for the here and now. He is a huge add on the back end and you have him for the next 2 seasons. Quite the move and I think the Wings will keep their spot.
#7 Pittsburgh Penguins (32-17-14; 78 Points)
Unchanged
Penguins are treading water the best they can. They stood by their team at the deadline and will take that team into the playoffs. It’s a team that can make a splash but they will need the best of Sid the Kid.
#6 Minnesota Wild (37-16-11; 85 Points)
Previously #5
Minnesota was a bit quiet at the deadline but we did see them be the team to land Quinn Hughes. I would have expected more from the GM that took home the Gold Medal in Milan, but nonetheless. Their series against the Stars will be amazing.
#5 Tampa Bay Lightning (39-19-4; 82 Points)
Previously #4
Tampa bringing back Corey Perry as an push to bring players who can drag you into fights is awesome in my opinion. The game against the Buffalo Sabres this week might have been the game of the year that saw massive hits, multiple fights, multiple lead changes and 15 total goals scored. Unbelievable game.
#4 Buffalo Sabres (39-19-6; 84 Points)
Previously #6
The Sabres might be the team to beat in the East if they keep this going. This run they a have going is statistically insane and likened to that 2019 Blues Team…and yes that Blues team won the Stanley Cup. Can the Sabres be the team to completely turn their season around (after a big win against the Oilers) and find their way not only to the playoffs but the Stanley Cup Final?
#3 Carolina Hurricanes (40-17-6; 86 Points)
Unchanged
Not much adding to bolster the offense but we will see if this time is different when it really matters. Carolina is clearly the class of its division, it’s a question if they can be the class of the conference.
#2 Dallas Stars (39-14-10; 88 Points)
Unchanged
Modest moves at the deadline but adding Tyler Myers adds much needed size to that backend. It is a crime that they have to face the Wild first but man will it be entertaining. We can say what we want about the format, the format does create huge matchups early and they will be electric.
#1 Colorado Avalanche (43-10-9; 95 Points)
Unchanged
Just hand them the Cup already. Start the engraving…its done. What a deadline, what a season, what a team.