Now that the NHL’s All-Star Weekend is out of the way, all 30 teams can now focus on more important matters at hand.
For those clubs out of the playoff race, their shops should be open for the postseason contenders, and still be able to rebuild on the fly while looking ahead towards the next season. As for those that are playoff-bound or are on the bubble, can they sustain their solid play and maybe even make some moves before the trade deadline to solidify their push?
There’s still a lot of regular-season hockey left to be played, that’s for sure. But as of this moment, the 10 teams listed below in our inaugural weekly NHL power rankings are certainly the frontrunners for the Stanley Cup.
Check in on our next installment the following week to find out if these 10 teams remain the cream of the icy crop. In the meantime, head on over to updates for the Stanley Cup and the individual player awards odds right after this to maximize your hockey betting experience.
As of this writing, Washington is the one of only two teams with an on-going four-game winning streak, and the only team still in single-digits in the loss column (nine, to be exact).
In addition, the Caps’ absurd plus-56 point differential is tops in the league, which is also 24 more goals scored than the Panthers behind them in this category. Need we say more?
2. Chicago Blackhawks (36-17-4)
Previous Rank: –
The Blackhawks were shutout by the Sharks on Tuesday at home, but the good thing is that they reeled off three-straight road victories prior to that match. Unfortunately, that loss to San Jose happened to be the second time the Hawks were shutout in just a one-week span.
The Blackhawks will be put to the test once again in their next four contests. They’ll host Dallas and its sizzling offense up next, followed by visits from the resurgent Ducks and the Leafs before travelling to the Big Apple to take on the Rangers.
3. Florida Panthers (32-16-6)
Previous Rank: –
The net-minding duo of Roberto Luongo and Al Montoya has been sensational for Florida this season. Then again, they’re actually winning their games lately behind strong offensive outings.
The Panthers just put up seven goals against the Sabres on Tuesday and have now won each of their last six games wherein they put up four or more goals. On the flipside, they also lost all six of their previous games where they scored three goals or less. Can the cool cats from The Keys keep up this torrid shooting spree of theirs all the way into the playoffs?
4. New York Rangers (31-18-5)
Previous Rank: –
King Henrik appears to be his Vezina-winning self again, as Henrik Lundqvist has allowed no more than two goals in each of the Rangers’ victories during their current four-game run. His shutout of the red-hot Penguins earlier today further served as an exclamation point on his return to form.
The Blueshirts may not be able to catch up with the Capitals for the Metropolitan Division crown, but they have not lost back-to-back games yet this 2016, and are seemingly in great shape already for another stellar playoff run.
5. Los Angeles Kings (32-17-3)
Previous Rank: –
Now that’s how you kick-off a seven-game, East Coast road swing! Los Angeles annihilated the Bruins on Tuesday, 9-2, and has put up a total of 18 goals over its last three road games – all wins.
Strangely enough, the Kings only found the net seven times across their last three contests at home, which they all lost. Is this grueling, cross-country trip really a blessing in disguise? They better be careful going up against the Isles, Rangers, Caps and the Blues ahead, though.
6. Anaheim Ducks (26-19-7)
Previous Rank: –
Uh oh, here they come again… The Ducks were stunted by the Penguins in the first game of their current seven-game road trip, but followed up that dismal performance with a sound 4-1 victory over the Flyers on Tuesday. Oh, and they’re also 9-2 over their last 11 games.
And luckily for Anaheim, Chicago is the only team on the remaining five-game road slate that’s still realistically in the postseason hunt. What’s even better is that they’ll face seven teams that are in the bottom-third of the league’s overall standings over their next eight contests.
Winter has indeed ended for the Ducks because they sure are done with their southern migration in the NHL’s basement.
7. Dallas Stars (34-15-5)
Previous Rank: –
Getting blown out by Chicago on Saturday certainly stung, and Dallas even needed overtime to prevail over the Avalanche and the Wild last Thursday and this past Tuesday, respectively. The Stars’ firepower remains prolific, but they have also allowed three or more goals in eight of their last 10 contests.
Now comes a great time to show the league what they’re really made of: they get a rematch with the Blackhawks on Thursday at the United Center then welcome the mighty Capitals back home on the weekend.
8. Tampa Bay Lightning (29-20-4)
Previous Rank: –
Apparently, Canadians aren’t very nice people after all, or at least that’s what the Tampa Bay Lightning found out. After a superb 11-2 start to the New Year, The Lightning fell 5-1 to the Sens then 4-2 to the Habs in a back-to-back road trip up North earlier this week.
A not-so daunting four-game homestand on tap (Nashville, St. Louis, San Jose, and Winnipeg) should help them snap out of their funk. Tampa Bay has 17 wins on home ice – tied for fourth-most in the NHL.
9. New York Islanders (28-18-6)
Previous Rank: –
Back-to-back wins over the lowly Oilers and Jackets were expected, but New York has yet to figure out how to get that quality victory over a true playoff contender.
The Isles each faced Detroit and Washington twice this year already, and all four of those meetings ended as losses. They’ll see the Wings and the Caps again next week, and they better come away with W’s in those two contests if want to be considered as a real threat in the East.
10. St. Louis Blues (30-17-9)
Previous Rank: –
The Blues sure sang a somber tune on Tuesday after the Jets beat them at St. Louis in overtime. The loss could have not come at a worse time, as they’re now entering a frightening four-game stretch against the Panthers, Lightning, Stars and Kings in succession.
The team’s 69 points for the season is still good enough for the third seed in the Western Conference, but their plus-2 point differential shows just how maddeningly inconsistent they are.
Several perennial challengers from the Pacific are on the rise as well, meaning that their cushion in the West’s standings might not be enough if they don’t string together victories. The Blues only have one win streak of over three games, and that was a four-game stretch from way back in mid-October.
Create a betting account now to start placing wagers one any of these hockey heavyweights as the road to the Stanley Cup gets set for even more drama and excitement.
