What a week of hockey. This week was full of exciting games and top notch plays. We saw teams continue their success while others appear to be fizzling out and trying to stay above water. It’s anyone’s guess how this season will continue to play out. The teams that were supposed to be on top are struggling, while teams that were supposed to be bad are doing better than expected. Let’s take a look and see where each team lies.
32. San Jose Sharks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Sharks finally got a couple of wins under their belt mostly thanks to stellar play from Mackenzie Blackwood. That’s got to be a sense of relief, but this team is still far from being anywhere close to the playoffs. Two wins won’t change this team’s standing, they’re still at the bottom.
31. Edmonton Oilers (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Oilers almost got switched with the Sharks this week given that they both look awful and San Jose actually has a win over the Oilers now. But they rank higher than the Sharks in points and despite looking awful they have far more talent.
30. Calgary Flames (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Markstrom’s play has slowly started to slip and honestly who could really blame him. He’s getting no help from his backup Vladar and his defense might as well be statues out there on the ice. The poor guy never even had a chance.
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29. Columbus Blue Jackets (Previous rank: 25)
Columbus keeps finding ways to be competitive in games without actually winning the game. They found themselves on the losing end more often than not this week and are quickly getting buried by other teams in the Metro.
28. Seattle Kraken (Previous rank: 29)
Every time you think the Kraken are pulling it together they find a way to let you down. Never mind the fact this team is so far incapable of competing with the best of its own division. They can barely compete with the worst of them. Seattle has to find a solution and they have to find it fast.
27. Chicago Blackhawks (Previous rank: 28)
The Blackhawks are pretty much in the same position they’ve been the last four weeks. Bedard continues to put up highlights while the rest of the team skates around and basks in his glory. Chicago’s rebuild is far from over.
26. Nashville Predators (Previous rank: 23)
This is honestly the weakest the Central division has looked in years and it’s mainly due in part to teams like Nashville who are trying desperately to cling onto past magic. They might have clung on too long however because they find themselves at the bottom of their division with an impending rebuild.
25. Minnesota Wild (Previous rank: 26)
At this point, I don’t know if the Wild will figure it out. They have plenty of season left to go, but even if they turn it around and make the playoffs this lack of identity will just continue to bite them. There’s some bigger, more long term issues that need to be addressed.
24. Pittsburgh Penguins (Previous rank: 27)
The Penguins managed to win some games this week and lift themselves in the standings. One good week doesn’t make a good team though and this team’s holes are still far too prevalent to ignore. At least Crosby can still play.
23. Ottawa Senators (Previous rank: 24)
Ottawa might not be able to put it together in time. They clearly lack any real structure or system that’s going to help them find the chemistry and success they need to make a Cup run or even make the playoffs. I hope they prove me wrong.
22. Philadelphia Flyers (Previous rank: 21)
The Flyers got some mojo back, netting wins over the Ducks and Kings. They’ve brought themselves back to .500 and thanks to stellar play from Carter Hart they have a chance to make almost any game competitive. I still don’t think they have what it takes to make that playoff push though.
21. Buffalo Sabres (Previous rank: 20)
The Sabres can’t find any consistent momentum. One second the talent shines, the next it’s like the team forgot how to play. This team is far too talented to waste an entire season they need to figure it out and fast.
20. Arizona Coyotes (Previous rank: 22)
The Coyotes had a good week. They’re finding ways to win games against the lesser teams of the league, but they still struggle immensely against the elite. There are very big steps in the right direction though and this team continues to impress.
19. New York Islanders (Previous rank: 13)
The Islanders lost every single one of their games this week. They went from a hot team to being at .500 and in desperate need of a rebound. The Metro is far too top heavy to have weeks like that and find yourself in the top three.
18. Tampa Bay Lightning (Previous rank: 10)
Rough week for the Bolts. This team is still finding ways to win games and be competitive, but it’s looking like they may need some sort of spark to really get anything going. Hard for that spark to come when you’re as burnt out as this team though.
17. St. Louis Blues (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Blues were about the same this week as they were last week. They find themselves with a winning record and on the brink of a playoff spot, but it still feels like something’s missing. If Robert Thomas can keep up his stellar play this team will be in a good spot. Both Binnington and Hofer have been outstanding in net as well.
16. Montreal Canadiens (Previous rank: 12)
Montreal has started to sputter out. They don’t look like the world beaters they did in the first two weeks. That being said, they don’t look bad either. They’re right up in there with the rest of the teams. Will they continue to slip or will they pull it back?
15. Winnipeg Jets (Previous rank: 16)
The Jets won three of their four games this week with their only loss coming to the Stars. That’s a pretty good week. This team continues to get hotter and hotter every week. They really know how to make the fans excited about them.
14. Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous rank: 15)
Toronto is still completely struggling from a lack of depth scoring, but unlike Edmonton they’re still finding ways to win games. It could be that Joseph Woll is having a decent year, or it could be that the top guys just score that much. They need better play from their depth guys and Samsonov has to be better in net.
13. Anaheim Ducks (Previous rank: 7)
After a red hot 2 weeks straight the Ducks have slowed down a bit. They lost two in a row to the Penguins and Flyers then rebounded at the end of the week with a win over the Sharks. This team still looks far, far better than they were expected to.
12. Detroit Red Wings (Previous rank: 11)
I like Detroit. They’ve been a fun team to watch so far this year. There’s still that lingering question as to whether this success is temporary or if they’ve found their game. Can they make it to Spring without falling apart?
11. Washington Capitals (Previous rank: 19)
Washington is showcasing some of their old magic as they find themselves in the top 3 of the Metro division. With their top guys performing incredibly well and all gears appearing to be working in sync, this team has made a statement the last couple of weeks.
10. Carolina Hurricanes (Previous rank: 14)
Carolina does appear to be slowly gaining momentum. They’ve won six of their last eight and are in second place in the Metro right now. Their last two losses came from the streaking Panthers, and the juggernaut Rangers so nothing to be ashamed of.
9. Florida Panthers (Previous rank: 18)
The Panthers are red hot right now. They’ve won four in a row and have started to look like the team that made it to the Cup Finals last year. They still have some concerning areas such as goaltending and their top guys not producing the way you would want, but this was their best week for sure.
8. Los Angeles Kings (Previous rank: 9)
Rough end to the week for the Kings, losing two in a row to Pittsburgh and Philly. Don’t let that distract you from how well this team is playing, especially on the road. Adrian Kempe is getting hot, Kopitar is playing amazingly, Cam Talbot is exceeding expectations, and Quinton Byfield is finally coming into his own. They need better play from Phoenix Copley however.
7. Colorado Avalanche (Previous rank: 6)
Colorado has looked shockingly mortal the last couple of weeks. They won only one of their last three games, dropping games to the Kraken and then getting blown out by the Blues, which are both teams that they should be beating.
6. New Jersey Devils (Previous rank: 5)
The Devils may be overranked on this list, but I believe in their talent. That being said, they’ve lost three of their last four and are in dangerous territory. They need to bounce back or their talent won’t be enough to stop them from dropping down this list.
5. Dallas Stars (Previous rank: 3)
This entire top five can be completely interchangeable. Every team from here on out is playing incredible hockey and the Stars are no exception. They’re incredibly well rounded and can out play you on every side of the ice.
4. Vancouver Canucks (Previous rank: 8)
Who saw this coming? The Canucks look like absolute world beaters right now. They’re firing on all cylinders and have won six of their last seven games. Their quickly catching the Golden Knights for the number one spot in the division.
3. New York Rangers (Previous rank: 4)
As said before, this entire top 5 is interchangeable and that rings especially true for these next three teams. This is the best I’ve seen the Rangers look since they won the President’s Trophy back in 2015. This is the team I was hoping to see last season before they got knocked out in the first round.
2. Boston Bruins (Previous rank: Unchanged)
If the best goalie tandem in the sport wasn’t enough, this team also has a stacked defense and offense just to rub it in your face. They’ve lost three games in five weeks and have a chokehold over the Atlantic division. This would be intimidating, if they weren’t so fun to watch.
1. Vegas Golden Knights (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Number one for yet another week goes to the reigning champs. They might be the most well rounded team in the sport right now, given that they don’t have any traditional superstars yet play with the best of them. Every player does his part and with both Adin Hill and Logan Thompson stopping pucks like they’re life depended on it, there’s no surprise as to why they’re the best team in the league.
