NHL Power Rankings Bruins Predators push for top spot while Wild make their move
The same five teams remain intact in this week's NHL power rankings, but their order shifts with the Predators and Bruins both breathing down the necks of top-ranked Tampa Bay. The Wild take a healthy jump in the rankings as do thePanthers, though that's in the bottom half of the rankings. TheRangers? They continue to head in the opposite direction. Here isthecomplete breakdown of Sporting News'NHL power rankings for Week 15. PREVIOUS POWER RANKINGS: | | | | | | | | | | | | NHL Power Rankings 15.0 1. Tampa Bay Lightning 36-14-3, 75pts(last week: 1) In a bit of a win-one, lose-one stretch right now. Vegas, Boston, Winnipeg breathing
Nik Stauskas Jersey down Lightning's necks. 2. Vegas Golden Knights 35-14-4, 74pts (last week: 2) Pittsburgh threw Marc-Andre Fleury quite the homecoming party Tuesday, though Pens ultimately handed Golden Knights aone-goal defeat in an exciting game. Three Stanley Cups 13 seasons Countle s memories There's only one Marc-Andre Fleury Pittsburgh welcomes Flower back with open arms in an emotional return. NHL (@NHL) 3. Nashville Predators 32-12-7, 71pts(last week: 4) Preds have won three straight and 9 of 11 (9-1-1). Even when not at their best -- like Monday against the Isles -- they find a way to win. 4. Boston Bruins 32-11-8, 72pts(last week: 5) Wednesday is the one-year anniversary of Claude Julien being fired in Boston and Bruce Ca sidy taking over. That one kind of worked out, eh? MORE: 5. Washington Capitals 31-17-5, 67pts (last week: 3) Still a Top-5 team, but red-hot Predators and Bruins deserve to pa s Caps, and Jets are nipping at their heels, too. 6. Winnipeg Jets 32-13-9, 73pts (last week: 6) Best home record in the NHL (20-3-2), +33 goal differential overall and only 13 regulation lo ses overall -- third fewest in the league. 7. Toronto Maple Leafs 31-19-5, 67pts (last week: 8) Leafs Nation held its breath when Frederik Andersen departed Monday's game after taking a knee to the
Ersan Ilyasova Jersey head. Breathing easier Tuesday when he was back on the ice. 8. St. Louis Blues 32-20-3, 67pts(last week: 7) Scored only four goals in losing two of last three after three-game win streak. 9. Pittsburgh Penguins 30-22-3, 63pts(last week: 9) Evgeni Malkin, January's First Star in the NHL and the First Star in the opening week of February, continues to be a monster. Currently riding a five-game point-scoring streak in which he has nine goals and four a sists. 10.Dallas Stars 31-19-4, 66pts (last week: 11) There's a reason why Tyler Seguin is always smiling. This Stars team is real good, winning three straight and allowing three goals in that span is small example. 11. Minnesota Wild 29-19-5, 63pts (last week: 15) Impre sive 18-4-4 on home ice, then went to St. Louis and dismantled Blues on the road, 6-2, Tuesday. 12. San Jose Sharks 28-17-8, 64pts (last week: 10) Limping along without the injured Joe Thornton. TRADE TRACKER: 13. Colorado Avalanche 29-19-4, 62pts (last week: 14) Probably need to play better on road to stay in playoff spot, but Jared Bednar's crew continues to be pleasant surprise overall. 14. New Jersey Devils 27-17-8, 62pts (last week: 17) Stubbed their toe in losing to Senators on Tuesday, but righted ship before that with three-game win streak. 15. Calgary Flames 27-18-8, 62pts (last week: 13) Terrific 14-5-5 on the road, but just .500 or so at home. TJ Brodie on the block? 16. PhiladelphiaFlyers 25-19-9, 59
Junior Bridgeman Jersey pts (last week: 16) Brian Elliott injury hurt, literally and figuratively. 17. Columbus Blue Jackets 27-22-4, 57pts (last week: 12) Sixth-fewest goals scored in the NHL. Winle s in last four (0-3-1) and just 2-6-1 in last nine. MORE: 18. Los Angeles Kings 28-19-5, 61pts (last week: 20) Defense, defense and more defense. Allowed second-fewest goals in the league. 19. Anaheim Ducks 26-19-10, 62pts (last week: 18) Ryan Miller holding down the fort in goal, but John Gibson's welcome return is imminent. 20. Chicago Blackhawks 24-21-8, 56pts(last week: 22) Corey Crawford close to return. 'Hawks need him for playoff push. MORE: 21. New York Islanders 26-22-6, 58pts (last week: 21) The league's third highest scoring team also surrenders the most goals. Punch-to-the-gut home-ice lo s to Predators on Monday. 22. New York Rangers 25-23-5, 55pts (last week: 19) Freefalling Rangers lost three in a row and six of seven. Pavel Buchnevich, Jimmy Vesey
Jordan Nwora Jersey and Marc Staal join list of walking wounded. Rick Nash on the trading block. Here is the hit on Jimmy Vesey by Filip Forsberg that the DoPS will be looking at today. John Smith (@HabsCorner) 23. Florida Panthers 23-22-6, 52pts (last week: 27) Harry Sateri (!) sparks four-game win streak. The talent is there for this team, even if results have not. 24. Carolina Hurricanes 24-21-9, 57pts (last week: 23) Minus 20 goal differential ultimately keeps this team out of playoffs, right? 25. Edmonton Oilers 23-24-4, 50pts(last week: 24) Did you see Connor McDavid the other night? 26. Detroit Red Wings 21-23-8, 50pts (last week: 25) Scoring fourth-fewest goals per game in the NHL. 27. Montreal Canadiens 22-25-6, 50pts (last week: 26) A rousing weekend with back-to-back matinee victories. 28. Vancouver Canucks 21-26-6, 48pts (last week: 28) Travis Green provides tough love to young roster, benefits to come down the road. 29. Ottawa
Pat Connaughton Jersey Senators 18-25-9, 45pts (last week: 29) Bounced back from lo s to Habs with solid home-ice victory over good Devils team Tuesday. 30. Buffalo Sabres 14-29-10, 38pts (last week: 30) Ugly week, though Jack Eichel moved past 50 points (51) and is averaging nearly a point per game. 31. Arizona Coyotes 12-32-9, 33pts (last week: 31) The latest losing streak stands at four.