NHL Power Rankings: Chicago Blackhawks' Win Streak Means Small Move
The Western Conference’s top contenders, including the Chicago Blackhawks, are putting on a run in this week’s NHL power rankings
Throughout this season, the Eastern Conference has been dominating the standings and our NHL power rankings. And while that still might be the case today, some Western Conference contenders are making a push to be recognized as well.
If you look at the NHL standings prior to Tuesday’s action, the Atlantic Division’s top four teams all hold a win streak of two or more games. However, the West’s top six teams have three such streaks, and all six of those teams have seven wins in their last 10 games.
What does it all mean in this week’s NHL power rankings, specifically for the Chicago Blackhawks? Let’s find out by starting at the bottom.
Editor’s note: The New York Rangers were accidentally left out of last week’s rankings. For the purposes of these power rankings, they were retroactively slotted into the No. 7 spot for their “previous ranking.”
Jan 23, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche right wing Jarome Iginla (12) celebrates with left wing Blake Comeau (14) after his goal in the second period against the San Jose Sharks at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
No. 30: Colorado Avalanche
Previous: No. 30
Record: 13-30-2 (28 points)
The Avs may well be locked into this spot for the rest of the regular season, unless the next team in these rankings loses about 14 straight games. Colorado just isn’t doing anything right, going 1-8-1 in its last 10 games. A major selloff should be coming, with fan favorite Cody McLeod the first piece to hit the road. Who’s next? Jarome Iginla? Semyon Varlamov? Gabriel Landeskog?
Jan 23, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Coyotes center Tobias Rieder (8) celebrates with center Alexander Burmistrov (91), defenseman Alex Goligoski (33) ad defenseman Jakob Chychrun (6) after scoring the game winning goal in overtime to beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
No. 29: Arizona Coyotes
Previous: No. 29
Record: 15-26-6 (36 points)
The Coyotes were expected to make a bit of a leap this season with their youth getting another full season in the league. That hasn’t happened. One trade target constantly linked to the Blackhawks is Arizona wing Radim Vrbata. It would certainly be better than adding Shane Doan.
Jan 19, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) takes a break in the game against the San Jose Sharks in the second period at SAP Center at San Jose. The Sharks won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
No. 28: Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous: No. 21
Record: 21-22-5 (47 points)
Coming into Chicago on a two-game losing streak and with a 2-7-1 record over your last 10 games usually isn’t fuel for success. The 2015 Stanley Cup runner-up seems a long way from that distinction this season. The latest rumor has goaltender Ben Bishop moving to St. Louis in a deal involving Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.
Jan 21, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) stops a shot as Washington Capitals left wing Andre Burakovsky (65) jumps out of the way during the third period at the American Airlines Center. The Capitals defeat the Stars 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
No. 27: Dallas Stars
Previous: No. 26
Record: 19-20-9 (47 points)
Speaking of needing goaltending, I’m guessing general manager Jim Nill has figured out the Kari Lehtonen/Antti Niemi tandem isn’t going to work. That’s especially true when the Stars can’t stay healthy to begin with. We’ll probably hear Patrick Sharp to Chicago as a possibility up until the deadline. I’m not sure he’ll get moved at all, as his recent concussion problems are a likely red flag for contending teams.
Jan 23, 2017; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec (31) watches an incoming puck during the third period against the Anaheim Ducks at MTS Centre. Anaheim wins 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
No. 26: Winnipeg Jets
Previous: No. 24
Record: 22-24-4 (48 points)
I didn’t say the bottom of the Western Conference was making a run up these rankings. The Jets don’t really know what they’re doing in net, as Ondrej Pavelec has returned from the dead (minor leagues) to try and retake the starting spot. Until Winnipeg gets its back end sorted out, having a really solid forward corps with Patrik Laine, Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler, Nikolaj Ehlers and others won’t matter much.
Jan 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders center Alan Quine (10) is congratulated by center Shane Prince (11) after scoring a goal against the Philadelphia Flyers during the second period at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
No. 25: New York Islanders
Previous: No. 27
Record: 19-17-9 (47 points)
New York’s slight rise in the rankings doesn’t have as much to do with it playing well as it does with other teams faring poorly. Though the Isles have responded a bit to Doug Weight taking over behind the bench, winning two of three games and getting a point out of the third. It at least pulled them out of the East basement (for now).
Jan 23, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jeff Zatkoff (37) makes a save against the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
No. 24: Los Angeles Kings
Previous: No. 17
Record: 22-21-4 (48 points)
You don’t lose four straight games and get to hold serve in these rankings. Not when so many teams have 47 or 48 points. The Kings started off this run by falling to the lowly Lightning before dropping games to San Jose (understandable), the Islanders (not so much) and the Rangers (very understandable). Jonathan Quick cannot return soon enough.
Jan 17, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Buffalo Sabres defenseman Justin Falk (41) defends in front of the net against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. Toronto defeated Buffalo 4-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
No. 23: Buffalo Sabres
Previous: No. 28
Record: 19-18-9 (47 points)
I’m not so low on the Sabres as some of my Blackhawk Up counterparts when its comes to our NHL power rankings. They’ve won their last two games and are 6-3-1 over their last 10. They just need to find some scoring, as Kyle Okposo’s 30 points somehow leads the team.
Jan 22, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser (65) skates with the puck chased by New York Rangers right wing Brandon Pirri (73) in the second period at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
No. 22: Detroit Red Wings
Previous: No. 25
Record: 20-19-8 (48 points)
Again, moving up not so much a product of playing well, but more so a product of other teams struggling. Detroit did manage to hold the Rangers’ vaunted offense to one goal in an overtime loss Sunday, almost a week after shutting out Montreal. There were also six-goal outbursts against Pittsburgh and Boston. So Detroit is showing something, but is it enough to keep the playoff streak alive?
Jan 23, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward (30) makes a save against the Washington Capitals in the first period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
No. 21: Carolina Hurricanes
Previous: No. 16
Record: 21-19-7 (49 points)
Another team that’s lost four straight games while fighting for a wild-card spot, the Canes at least have an excuse: They were given a really unfortunate schedule draw. Their last four games saw a 4-1 loss to Columbus, a 7-1 loss to Pittsburgh, a 3-2 loss to Columbus and a 7-1 loss to Washington. Not the teams you want to be facing right now.
Jan 20, 2017; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Taylor Hall (9) reacts skating off the ice after losing to the Montreal Canadiens at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
No. 20: New Jersey Devils
Previous: No. 23
Record: 20-19-9 (49 points)
We cap the teams under 50 points at the No. 20 mark. This is another team that needs to find its offensive punch. Taylor Hall leads the group, as he should, but he has just 31 points due to injuries earlier this season. Imagine if he wasn’t with the team at all. Would the Devils have any goals?
Jan 22, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Vancouver Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher (51) celebrates his goal against the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period at the United Center. The Hawks won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
No. 19: Vancouver Canucks
Previous: No. 22
Record: 22-20-6 (50 points)
The Canucks being the top non-playoff team in the West right now, points-wise, is as big an indicator as any that the salary cap is doing a fine job of creating some parity in the league. But this isn’t the kind of parity anyone asked for or wanted.
Jan 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) during their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Flames 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
No. 18: Calgary Flames
Previous: No. 15
Record: 24-23-3 (51 points)
Our first playoff team in these rankings is on a three-game losing streak. And is still a wild-card team. Yikes, Western Conference. Calgary needs to do a little less losing at home, as the team holds a very even 13-13-0 record when hosting. Two of the Flames’ last three losses came at home, and they gave up a combined 11 goals in those games.
Jan 22, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) scores a goal against Boston Bruins goalie Zane McIntyre (31) during the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
No. 17: Boston Bruins
Previous: No. 11
Record: 23-21-6 (52 points)
If they fired Claude Julien now, I bet they can still get Patrick Roy to take over. But in all seriousness, Boston is going to need to find a way out of its current mini-freefall (3-5-2 in its last 10) and soon. The Bruins can’t let Toronto and Ottawa pull away in the Atlantic, and relying on Philadelphia to continue trying to lose its wild-card spot isn’t a great bet either.
Jan 23, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; Florida Panthers center Michael Sgarbossa (48) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal in the second period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
No. 16: Florida Panthers
Previous: No. 18
Record: 20-19-10 (50 points)
Florida just doing Florida things by getting as many loser points as possible and trying to earn a playoff spot off it. A minus-22 goal differential when you have Roberto Luongo in net (though he’s been just OK) is a bit of a crime. Maybe get more than two guys to hit the 30-point mark?
Jan 21, 2017; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets center Bryan Little (18) puts the puck past St. Louis Blues goalie Pheonix Copley (30) during the third period at MTS Centre. Winnipeg wins 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
No. 15: St. Louis Blues
Previous: No. 12
Record: 23-19-5 (51 points)
Setting aside a three-game losing streak for the Blues, what exactly is this team trying to achieve moving forward? GM Doug Armstrong hating losing former captain David Backes for nothing last offseason (seems like a blessing in disguise to me), so now he’s trying to shuttle new captain Kevin Shattenkirk off while simultaneously eradicating what remained of goaltender Jake Allen’s confidence — after dumping Brian Elliott in the offseason as well. Doug Armstrong for GM of the Year.
Jan 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Philadelphia Flyers center Claude Giroux (28) reacts after scoring the winning goal in overtime against the New York Islanders at Barclays Center. The Flyers won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
No. 14: Philadelphia Flyers
Previous: No. 13
Record: 23-19-6 (52 points)
Philly’s hold on the second wild-card spot is getting tenuous with a 3-5-2 run, and the Metropolitan’s top four are pulling away. Thankfully for the Flyers, no one below them in the standings seems to want the spot either. If there’s any way to upgrade from the Steve Mason/Michal Neuvirth goaltending tandem by the trade deadline without selling the farm, the Flyers should actively consider it.
Jan 23, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A young Toronto Maple Leafs fan skates with a Maple Leafs flag before the start of the game against the Calgary Flames at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Flames 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
No. 13: Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous: No. 14
Record: 22-14-9 (53 points)
Mike Babcock’s experiment is starting to pay dividends a little sooner than expected, climbing into the Atlantic’s third playoff spot. While there are really talented forwards here in Aston Matthews, James van Riemsdyk, Mitchell Marner and Tyler Bozak, the Leafs are having an old Blackhawks problem: They aren’t any good in the shootout (1-6).
Jan 22, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; The Ottawa Senators celebrate a goal scored by right wing Mark Stone (61) in the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets tat the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
No. 12: Ottawa Senators
Previous: No. 19
Record: 25-15-5 (55 points)
From the latest Eastern Conference shootout at the OK Corral, the Senators saw a 5-3 lead evaporate in the third period while losing 7-6 to Columbus on Sunday. Is this another product of Ottawa’s defense not being all there outside Erik Karlsson, or is this just another “Columbus going crazy” moment?
Jan 20, 2017; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) skates against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
No. 11: Nashville Predators
Previous: No. 20
Record: 23-17-7 (53 points)
What a difference getting your star defenseman back, going on a 7-3-0 run and winning three straight makes. P.K. Subban’s return seems to have been a nice pick-me-up for the Preds, who most recently knocked off red-hot Minnesota 4-2 with three third-period goals. They’re still 12 points back of Chicago and Minnesota (with two games in hand on the Blackhawks), but if this team can stay healthy, there’s a chance they can keep surging.
Jan 18, 2017; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) skates against the Florida Panthers at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
No. 10: Edmonton Oilers
Previous: No. 8
Record: 26-15-8 (60 points)
There’s a real segregation in the NHL when it comes to the line between pretender/fringe teams and contending teams. It seems to be drawn here, and it makes for a really hard time ranking these top-10 squads. The Oilers are 7-2-1 in their last 10 but have games in hand on almost no one (except Anaheim, which has played a league-high 50 games). As Connor McDavid goes …
Jan 18, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) looks at the scoreboard during the first period against Pittsburgh Penguins at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
No. 9: Montreal Canadiens
Previous: No. 5
Record: 28-13-7 (63 points)
I mean, what are you supposed to do if you’re Montreal? You’re atop your division by eight points and have been leading it from the get-go, but there’s just too many other hot teams around to make a 5-4-1 record in your last 10 worth anything. Well … not losing to Buffalo in your previous game would probably help matters.
Jan 23, 2017; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf (15) controls the puck during the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Anaheim wins 3-2. Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
No. 8: Anaheim Ducks
Previous: No. 9
Record: 27-14-9 (63 points)
I promise I didn’t drink before I created these rankings. Anaheim is atop the Pacific Division, but it’s 1) in a near-tie with San Jose, 2) with the most games played in the league and 3) with three fewer regulation/overtime wins than San Jose. There’s much to be desired still from the Ducks, which isn’t surprising considering they employ Ryan Kesler.
Jan 23, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; San Jose Sharks fans celebrate after a goal in the third period against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
No. 7: San Jose Sharks
Previous: No. 10
Record: 30-16-2 (62 points)
The Sha-arks are using a nice five-game win streak to vault back up the Pacific standings and stay in touch with warm Edmonton and Anaheim clubs. The Sharks can thank a comfy stretch of games for that, as their last five contests (and wins) have come against Winnipeg, Los Angeles, Tampa Bay and Colorado two times. Not exactly a murderer’s row, but don’t be fooled: This is still a West title contender.
Jan 23, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (30) is congratulated by defenseman Adam Clendening (4) after defeating the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
No. 6: New York Rangers
Previous: No. 7
Record: 31-16-1 (63 points)
Continues to be a tough time to be the Rangers, who have won three straight and have a plus-40 goal differential but can’t make up any ground in the Metropolitan, thus holding a wild-card spot. Imagine if this team can get Henrik Lundqvist going at his usual other-worldy rate (or boost the defense at the trade deadline). That would make for some really fun matchups in the playoffs.
Jan 22, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks with his teammates during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
No. 5: Chicago Blackhawks
Previous: No. 6
Record: 30-14-5 (65 points)
A cushy stretch of games still hasn’t seen great play from the Blackhawks, but good enough play to pile up a three-game win streak, a 7-3-0 mark in the last 10 games and a pace-keeping rate with Minnesota. Marcus Kruger may return tonight, as he was activated off injured reserve and Dennis Rasmussen is dealing with an illness.
Jan 21, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter (20) smiles following the game against the Anaheim Ducks at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Ducks 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
No. 4: Minnesota Wild
Previous: No. 2
Record: 30-11-5 (65 points)
Minnesota just closed a four-game homestand in which is actually lost two games, and now comes three interesting games to end the month. Tonight they visit the Stars before hosting St. Louis on Thursday and traveling to Edmonton on the 31st. That last game opens a four-game West Coast swing that ends Feb. 7. The night after that? The Wild host the Blackhawks.
Jan 22, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) waves a Terrible Towel in support of the Pittsburgh Steelers after being named a star of the game against the Boston Bruins at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
No. 3: Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous: No. 3
Record: 30-11-5 (65 points)
You’ve won four straight games. You’re tied for the third-most points in the league. And … you’re third in your division and in these rankings. So goes it for the Penguins, though it’s unlikely they’ll complain with struggling St. Louis coming to town tonight and Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin both at 54 points.
Jan 22, 2017; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Cam Atkinson (13) scores against Ottawa Senators goalie Mike Condon (1) in overtime at the Canadian Tire Centre. The Blue Jackets defeated the Senators 7-6 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
No. 2: Columbus Blue Jackets
Previous: No. 4
Record: 32-10-4 (68 points)
Columbus has had some pretty stellar goaltending from Sergei Bobrovsky this season. He wasn’t in net for any of the six-goal barrage by Ottawa, and his absurd .932/1.97 statline is a huge reason why the BJs are a plus-49 in goal differential and are tied for second-fewest allowed in the league at 106.
Jan 23, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz looks on from behind the bench against the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 6-1. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
No. 1: Washington Capitals
Previous: No. 1
Record: 32-9-6 (70 points)
Is this really a Barry Trotz-led team? We saw so many boring units in Nashville when he was coach, you wouldn’t think it was possible he could lead an offensively explosive group. But in 10 of 12 games this month, the Caps have hit four or more goals, and they’ve won all but one of those (the 8-7 overtime thriller against Pittsburgh). Interestingly, the other two games came against the defensively-suspect Senators — but the Caps posted 2-1 and 1-0 wins in those games anyway.
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