Power Rankings Updated
New Power Rankings are up.
1. Detroit Red Wings (0.803, 0 change)
The Wings remain untouchable in my Power Rankings, due mostly to their ridiculously low shots allowed per game. They certainly do their best to make things easy on Dominic Hasek.
2. Anaheim Ducks (0.710, 0)
The Ducks got good news – the return of JS Giguere, Chris Pronger and Francois Beauchemain – and bad news – the loss of captain Scott Niedermayer – in the same week. The good and bad seems to have mostly balanced out, though the Ducks lost their dominance in the West as they struggled through their injuries.
3. San Jose Sharks (0.687, 0)
Evgeni Nabokov continues to play well but lose games. The Sharks have stayed with their rotation, as neither Toskala nor Nabokov has played more than a single game in a row all year long. They will be fielding calls for one or both of their netminders for the next month, but have yet to make a decision on which one is their man going forward.
4. Buffalo Sabres (0.582, 0)
The Sabres haven’t dropped in the standings but that won’t last if the Sabres don’t turn their slide around. Word out of Buffalo is that Martin Biron will get the start Tuesday night, and possibly Thursday as well, to give Ryan Miller the chance to refocus.
5. New Jersey Devils (0.569, +2)
So much for the theory Martin Brodeur’s success hinged on a dominant defence corps.
6. Ottawa Senators (0.567, 0)
The loss to Montreal was a bitter pill to swallow, as the Senators are mounting a steady climb with the Habs the next team to climb over. Jason Spezza’s return was little more than a whisper.
7. Dallas Stars (0.557, -2)
Mike Modano is inching closer to a return. He can’t return fast enough for the Stars.
8. Carolina Hurricanes (0.550, +1)
The Hurricanes are on pace to finish a full 10 points below Atlanta in the standings, but my Predicted Final Standings show the Canes taking the Division title. Even with all their injuries, the Canes have remained competitive. Their moves leading up to the trade deadline will say much about the chances this team has this year.
9. Vancouver Canucks (0.548, +2)
Roberto Luongo continues to play inspired hockey. If Markus Nasland can start to score (the Canucks have to be interested in grabbing Forsberg) this team will be a lock to make the playoffs.
10. Nashville Predators (0.544, 0)
The Predators deserve a better spot in the Power Rankings, missing out because they give up too many shots. With Vokoun and Mason behind them, that hardly seems to matter.
11. Tampa Bay Lightning (0.526, -3)
Do they have enough to squeak into the playoffs again? Unlikely.
12. Toronto Maple Leafs (0.515, 0)
When Raycroft plays his best, this team is almost unbeatable. If only he could do so regularly.
13. Colorado Avalanche (0.482, 0)
Can they find a better solution than Jose Theodore? Can they find a solution to the elephant sized problem that is Theodore’s salary and poor play?
14. Florida Panthers (0.468, +1)
Ed Belfour is playing better than anyone gave him credit for when he signed last summer. Despite Florida’s stronger play of late, it is unlikely they have the depth to beat out the teams around – and above – them in the standings.
15. New York Rangers (0.464, +3)
I expected Henrik Lundqvist to suffer a sophomore slump and be the problem in New York this year. His play has been stellar, but the team around him has not been. The Rangers are still one of the better teams fighting for the last few playoff spots, however.
16. Montreal Canadians (0.455, -2)
A recent win over the surging Senators was huge for the struggling Habs. If they can string together a few more, they might help to solidify their playoff spot, which has been less and less solid for the last few weeks.
17. Atlanta Thrashers (0.450, -1)
My Power Rankings have been predicting a slide in Atlanta for months. What do the Thrashers need more: defensive help or a top centerman?
18. Calgary Flames (0.434, -1)
They didn’t pay too high of a price, but Craig Conray may not have been the answer. I would however expect at least a slight upsurge out of Conroy, which can only help the Flames short term.
19. Minnesota Wild (0.434, 0)
Anyone remember the Wild’s amazing start to the season?
20. Pittsburgh Penguins (0.410, +7)
Wow, what a surge! Behind the inspired play of Mark Recchi the Penguins are making a serious push for the playoffs.
21. Edmonton Oilers (0.401, 0)
Petr Nedved has disappeared. Petr Sykora disappeared a long time ago. Helps explain why the Oilers are reportedly so interested in Darcy Tucker.
22. New York Islanders (0.386, 0)
Good enough to make the race interesting, but look for the Islanders to miss the playoffs again.
23. Boston Bruins (0.375, -3)
It has become clear that the tandem of Tim Thomas and Hannu Toivonen is simply not enough to get this team into the playoffs. Who will the Bruins target for the trade deadline?
24. Chicago Blackhawks (0.367, +2)
I really feel bad for the city of Chicago. Its fans and its players deserve better than the ownership seems willing to give. It’ll be another long summer in Chicago.
25. Phoenix Coyotes (0.361, -2)
How much can the Coyotes squeeze in exchange for Shane Doan, Ladislav Nagy, Curtis Joseph and their other veteran assets? Look for Doan, at least, to be traded as soon as the Coyotes find the right offer.
26. Washington Capitals (0.359, -2)
Do the Capitals look to trade Richard Zednik before the deadline? He could bring a decent return from a team not willing to spend what it takes to grab Forsberg.
27. Los Angeles Kings (0.357, -2)
The future looks bright for this team. But not the short-term future. Sean Burke?
28. Columbus Blue Jackets (0.345, 0)
Who gets traded before the deadline?
29. St. Louis Blues (0.336, 0)
What can the Blues get for Eric Brewer?
30. Philadelphia Flyers (0.223, 0)
What can the Flyers get for Forsberg?
It’s wonderful how few teams are definitely out of the playoff picture, but for those few that are out, it’s tough to find much to say beyond speculating over who will be left when March rolls around.