This has been an eventful season. From scandals, to line brawls, to even a goalie goal this past week, there’s been no shortage of excitement from this league. Top it off with a few teams that are just downright fun to watch and I guess you have an exciting hockey season! Let’s dive in and start ranking these teams.
32. San Jose Sharks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
For the first time since the season started, the Sharks were not the definitive last place team in the power rankings. It’s not because they aren’t bad, they are, it’s because other teams are now playing almost as bad as them.
31. Chicago Blackhawks (Previous rank: 29)
Corey Perry scandal aside, it took my all not to rank this team at absolute bottom. They are dreadful to watch. The only exciting things that have come from this team this year is Connor Bedard highlights and drama.
30. Columbus Blue Jackets (Previous rank: 31)
Since they ended their nine game losing streak Columbus has looked… better. They look like they’re playing with more confidence. They still have a long ways to go however.
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29. Minnesota Wild (Previous rank: 26
The Wild finally ended their long losing streak with three wins in a row. That’ll definitely help with confidence moving forward, but I just don’t have faith in this team anymore. Ugly salary cap situation aside, there’s just nothing to set this team apart from everyone else.
28. Seattle Kraken (Previous rank: 24)
The Kraken cannot get it together. In the midst of a four game losing streak you can feel the hope start to slip away. The Kraken are going to need something big if they hope to prove that last year wasn’t just a flash in the pan.
27. Anaheim Ducks (Previous rank: 16)
The Ducks ended their eight game losing streak with a shootout win over Colorado. It’s a good win over a good team, but it’s hard to believe this team has what it takes to climb back up to the top. They’ve shown promise this season so far and that says a lot as is.
26. Ottawa Senators (Previous rank: 23)
The Sens snapped a three game losing streak with a 2-0 win over Seattle. Another team that appears to be struggling to put it together, it’s starting to seem like this season isn’t going to go in the direction Ottawa was hoping.
25. Edmonton Oilers (Previous rank: 30)
Edmonton is behind a few of these teams in the actual league standings, but they find themselves on a four game winning streak, their longest streak this season. McDavid and Draisaitl have begun stepping up their play. This team still lacks scoring outside of the top 6 though and goaltending is still a massive issue.
24. Buffalo Sabres (Previous rank: 21)
They followed up an incredible 5-1 win over the Rangers with a three game losing streak. This has been Buffalo’s season. Any chance they get to build any sort of momentum and they always squander it away.
23. Montreal Canadiens (Previous rank: 22)
Montreal is scrambling to regain some sort of footing right now. They’ve lost all of their ground in the division and they show absolutely no signs of making it up. If you want to compete with the big guys, you have to find a way around the wall.
22. Nashville Predators (Previous rank: 28)
They had their winning streak snapped, but they still look better than they did before. The 6-1 loss to the Wild wasn’t a great look, but this team is showing a resilience I didn’t know they had.
21. Calgary Flames (Previous rank: 27)
The Flames have won three of their last five. In those three wins they’ve beaten the Stars twice, and beaten the Golden Knights. They’re still struggling to maintain consistency, but they’re getting some pretty solid wins and preventing themselves from getting buried too badly.
20. St. Louis Blues (Previous rank: 16)
It’s hard to accurately rate the Blues because they rarely ever show their skill level consistently. Right now, they’re on a bit of a skid. That being said, they’re still competing at a higher level than they were predicted to.
19. Philadelphia Flyers (Previous rank: 10)
If you wanna talk about inconsistency, the Flyers match the bill pretty well. One minute they look like they’re ready to take over the lead, the next minute they’re on a losing streak. Their issue with consistently scoring goals has reared its ugly head this last week and costed them some games.
18. Pittsburgh Penguins (Previous rank: 17)
The Pens aren’t as bad as I thought they would be, but they’re not great either. After their five game winning streak got snapped a couple weeks ago they’ve been content just trudging along in the middle of the pack. Congratulations to Tristan Jarry on scoring a goal though.
17. New Jersey Devils (Previous rank: 19)
They finally found their way into a winning streak only to have it snapped by a 6-3 loss to the Sharks of all teams. I don’t know what’s going on with this team, but they better figure it out quick.
16. New York Islanders (Previous rank: 25)
The Islanders had two very good wins over the Hurricanes and Panthers this week. I still don’t know where this team will finish the season, but it’s hard to count them out just yet. They have some fight.
15. Tampa Bay Lightning (Previous rank: 14)
Vasilevsky returning did not spark this team the way they were hoping. They’ve lost four in a row since his return. That being said, we know this team can fight and crawl their way into where they want to be, so don’t count them out.
14. Washington Capitals (Previous rank: 12)
If you told me before the season started that the Caps would be a top team defensively while having one of the worst power plays in the league I would’ve never believed you. The long time offensive power house has flipped the script, becoming one of the hardest teams to score on, but struggling to find goals themselves.
13. Arizona Coyotes (Previous rank: 20)
Once again, every time you think this team has hit its ceiling, it shows you that there’s still more. A four game winning streak with wins over the Avs, Knights, and Lightning. This team might find themselves competing for a playoff spot.
12. Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous rank: 9)
The Leafs still have the same issues. Terrible first period play and no depth scoring. They’re an exciting team to watch play, but they have to find a better way to win hockey games or they could be looking at another first round exit.
11. Carolina Hurricanes (Previous rank: 13)
The Canes are still following their win one, lose one mantra and it’s really starting to prevent them from making any ground. They find themselves in a struggling division, but can’t separate themselves from the rest of the pack.
10. Detroit Red Wings (Previous rank: 15))
They may not be turning many heads or blowing anyone’s socks off, but this is the best Detroit has looked in years and that’s reason enough to be excited. They’re fundamentally solid and a tough out for any team.
9. Winnipeg Jets (Previous rank: 11)
The Jets had their winning streak snapped and went on to lose three in a row. They ended the week on a win however, and they still look like a solid team. Hopefully the win gets their feet back under them and they can take off running next week.
8. Florida Panthers (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Panthers have hit a snag themselves, finding themselves in a win one lose one pattern. This team is talented enough that it shouldn’t be too big of a worry though. They’ll find their traction again.
7. Vegas Golden Knights (Previous rank: 3)
This is a big drop off for Vegas. Despite their goaltenders still playing like their lives depend on it, Vegas has lost three of their last five. They’ve dropped games to Calgary and Edmonton. They’ve won two in a row so hopefully they can get that momentum back.
6. Dallas Stars (Previous rank: 4)
Dallas shares the same issue as Vegas. They’ve stalled out. They’ve also lost three of their last five, with two of those losses coming to Calgary. They had an 8-1 win over Tampa to end this week, so let’s hope that gives them a needed spark.
5. Vancouver Canucks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
They may not be the powerhouse people were hoping them to be, but they’re still much improved. You can sense a stall out coming and in some ways it’s already started, but there is a lot to be excited for in this team.
4. Colorado Avalanche (Previous rank: 7)
Colorado appears to have found their groove again. Despite occasionally dropping a game to teams they probably should beat, this team is still a force to be reckoned with. They can go goal for goal with anyone, and while the defense has looked shaky at times, it’s still enough to have faith in.
3. Boston Bruins (Previous rank: 1)
The Bruins have looked more mortal than in past weeks. A 5-2 loss to the Jackets seems to have kicked them in the butt however as they rebounded with three straight wins. You have to wonder if they’re planning on moving either Ullmark or Swayman though, as they might not be able to afford both.
2. New York Rangers (Previous rank: 2)
2. New York Rangers (Previous rank: 1)
1. Los Angeles Kings (Previous rank: 6)
Number one in offense. Number one in defense. Number one penalty kill. Cam Talbot playing his heart out. Trevor Moore, Quinton Byfield, and other young guys coming into their own. Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty showing veteran saavy. They’re also number one in points percentage as well. They’re number six in the standings overall and they’ve played the second least number of games in the league. This team is one to watch out for.
