By now we have a pretty good idea of where the teams might finish the season. For some fans this season has already been heartbroken, and they’re drinking a little extra eggnog this Christmas season. For others, it’s all systems go and you’re excited to see where your team will end up come April. Let’s take a look at the rankings this week shall we?
32. San Jose Sharks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Sharks take the bottom spot for the ninth win in a row. While they’ve managed to scrape together and become somewhat coherent the last couple of weeks, they’re still the bottom of the barrel. They may not be for long though.
31. Chicago Blackhawks (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Chicago is really, really trying to take that bottom spot away from San Jose. This team is an unfiltered mess with no blueprint on how to get better. Add that to the mountains of drama that always seem to rise from this team and you have the Blackhawks.
30. Anaheim Ducks (Previous rank: 27)
The Ducks have lost 11 of their last 12 games including an 8 game losing streak that ended not too long ago. They nearly tasted glory and now find themselves free falling to the bottom of the mountain with no foothold to catch themselves on.
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29. Columbus Blue Jackets (Previous rank: 30)
The only real good news from Columbus is that Johnny Gaudreau appears to be slowly gathering momentum. I guess fans can take solace that most of their losses have been competitive, but they’re still losses at the end of the day.
28. Seattle Kraken (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Kraken cannot figure it out. The goaltending is awful and the defense is nonexistent. Their offense is still there, but isn’t nearly enough to help them win games this season. At least Tolvanen and McCann are having good seasons.
27. Buffalo Sabres (Previous rank: 24)
Tage Thompson is back from injury and Buffalo is hoping that will spark some sort of comeback. As it stands right now they’re struggling and struggling hard. This is a far cry from where the team was expected to be this season.
26. Montreal Canadiens (Previous rank: 23)
Montreal has had a weird season. They got off to a fast start, then injuries started to pile up, then they ran face first into a wall and plummeted down the rankings. Sorry Habs fans, we know it hurts.
25. Ottawa Senators (Previous rank: 26)
The Sens are in the midst of a three game winning streak which is a reason as to why they’ve moved up the rankings if not slightly. That being said, they still have far too much talent to be playing the way they are.
24. Minnesota Wild (Previous rank: 29)
After ending their losing streak the Wild have picked up the pace a bit. They still have glaring goaltending issues and a severe identity crisis to deal with before we change our outlook on this team however.
23. Calgary Flames (Previous rank: 21)
For a minute there it looked like Calgary was going to be the better Alberta team by default, but then the Oilers remembered how to play and Calgary still can’t score goals. Markstrom is alone in net as well as Vladar has not played good this season.
22. Pittsburgh Penguins (Previous rank: 18)
Maybe that earlier flare up really was all the fight this team had left. They’re back to showing their age and it hasn’t been a very pretty sight. This has been a slow, painful decline for Pittsburgh and the worst of it might still be yet to come.
21. St. Louis Blues (Previous rank: 20)
The Blues are in fact blue as they’ve lost three in a row, two of which came to Columbus and Chicago. This team is trying its hardest to keep up with the big boys, but now we’re starting to see that they just might not have what it takes.
20. New Jersey Devils (Previous rank: 17)
The Devils have been playing better, but they’re still playing well below their talent level. This team was supposed to be competing to win the Metro division this year and right now they don’t even find themselves in a playoff spot. Something has to change or New Jersey risks yet another season of wasted potential and heart break.
19. Carolina Hurricanes (Previous rank: 11)
Carolina finds themselves dropping eight spots this week. Why? Because other teams have continued to get better while the Canes remain stuck in their same pattern all season long. They’re no longer in playoff position and seemingly have no answer for their issues in goaltending.
18. Nashville Predators (Previous rank: 22)
Since their six game winning streak Nashville looks revitalized. They’re still not an elite team, but now they’re far more competitive than they were at the start of the season. If this trend continues they may even end up competing for a playoff spot come April.
17. Edmonton Oilers (Previous rank: 25)
The Oilers are the hottest team in hockey right now. They’ve won seven in a row and while they still seem to struggle defensively and with goaltending, they seem to have remembered what it was that let them win games these last few years. You would still like to see some more scoring outside of the top six however.
16. Arizona Coyotes (Previous rank: 13)
The win streak is over and they’ve lost two in a row, but there’s no reason to fret yet. This team has shown time and time again already this season that they’re here to stay and here to compete. Time will tell if they can keep fighting all the way to April, but there are some good times on the horizon for the Desert Dogs.
15. Philadelphia Flyers (Previous rank: 19)
The Flyers have glaring issues, but someway, somehow they keep finding a way to win games. This young team has a lot of heart, and backboned by an outstanding netminder in Carter Hart, they’ve come with a lot to prove this season.
14. Tampa Bay Lightning (Previous rank: 15)
It’s still hard to say whether or not Tampa has found its footing, but they do look more composed. They still barely managed to beat the Kraken, and don’t seem to be able to find much consistency. I’m not sure what it’ll take to turn this team around.
13. New York Islanders (Previous rank: 16)
It’s like the nine game losing streak never happened. The Islanders are back on their groove and have look mighty impressive these last couple of weeks. I guess age really is just a number huh?
12. Washington Capitals (Previous rank: 14)
The Caps are still struggling to score goals and Ovechkin’s struggles are worrying. However, it’s incredibly impressive that they were able to adapt and create a defensive system that has allowed them to win games. Will it be enough to take them far though?
11. Detroit Red Wings (Previous rank: 10)
I called them the most consistent team in the league last week and I stand by that statement. You know exactly where Detroit’s level is and has been all season long. Ville Husso has begun struggling in goal which is an alarming sign, but luckily Alex Lyon has really stepped up.
10. Winnipeg Jets (Previous rank: 9)
The Jets are streaking once again. This team is well balanced and when they’re on they are on. They’re a tough matchup for anyone and are poised to compete for that Central division title if they can keep their wits about them. It helps that Hellebuyck finally appears to have found his stride.
9. Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous rank: 12)
Toronto can go goal for goal with the best of the league and that’s how they’ve won games for the most part. However, they still struggle defensively and despite some decent goaltending from Joseph Woll they’re still not winning games as decisively as they should be.
8. Dallas Stars (Previous rank: 6)
It’s one thing to get off to a good start to the season, but maintaining that momentum throughout is where things get difficult. Dallas is finding that out firsthand right now. Scoring goals hasn’t been the problem, it’s been stopping the other teams from scoring. Oettinger has been good, but not his usual self and that’s hurting Dallas’ already struggling defense.
7. Vegas Golden Knights (Previous rank: Unchanged)
Vegas is starting to feel the lead in the legs that comes from a Stanley Cup run. They’ve shown championship merit however, being able to withstand a slide and come back strong. It’s almost impossible to do poorly with a goalie tandem as good as theirs anyways.
6. Colorado Avalanche (Previous rank: 4)
They’re still my favorite to win the Central, but they have certainly looked more mortal this year than in the past, despite their roster being healthier than it was last season. Colorado is still a team that comes to perform though so it’s hard to count them out.
5. Florida Panthers (Previous rank: 8)
Florida wants to prove that their Finals run last season was not a flash in the pan and they’ve done a good job of doing it so far. Bobvrosky appears to have found his form and all of the pieces are moving for this team. This is a team to keep your eye on this season.
4. Vancouver Canucks (Previous rank: 5)
The highest ranked Canadian team on this list is Vancouver and for good reason. They’ve been strong and consistent all year long. Quinn Hughes continues to prove himself while J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson exceed expectations. Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith have turned into quite the goalie tandem as well.
3. Boston Bruins (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Bruins are proving once again that no matter how much everyone roots on their downfall, they’re not going anywhere. They’ve shown tendencies to lose games that they should be winning, but make no mistake this team is by and far the best team in the Atlantic. Ullmark may not be putting up Vezina numbers anymore, but that’s okay because Swayman is.
2. New York Rangers (Previous rank: Unchanged)
The Rangers could easily take the number one spot, but I have a method to my madness. Shesterkin and Quick are putting up great numbers, and they’ve had plenty of goal support to help out given this team’s high powered offense and power play. They should win the Metro unless tragedy strikes.
1. Los Angeles Kings (Previous rank: Unchanged)
I knew the Kings would be better this season, but none of us expected this much better. Cam Talbot isn’t just exceeding expectations this year, he’s putting up Vezina Trophy numbers. The young core has rallied. Guys like Trevor Moore and Quinton Byfield are stealing the show. Vets like Kopitar and Doughty have yet to show their age. The Kings are coming for the crown.
