Weekly NHL Power Rankings: December 21st 2009
Click here to check out last week’s rankings.
We are now accepting thesis submissions regarding the success of the Nashville Predators. With an undefeated four win week, the Preds are competing for top spot in the Western Conference.
Looks like the Hawks have adapted to life with Marian Hossa in the lineup, as the team has won four straight games, three of which have been shutouts (!!!).
Oh, and in bizarre-o news, the Minnesota Wild’s equipment was destroyed in a van fire. If the NHL were on David Letterman’s radar, he most certainly would have made a joke about the incident.
TOP 10
1. Chicago Blackhawks (+1 spot)
Record: 23-8-3
Last Week: 3-0-0
Games This Week: (vs. SJS, @ DET, @ NSH, vs. NSH)
While everyone knows how offensively skilled Chicago’s d-men are, the Hawks’ blueliners are also helping the team allow the fewest shots per game league-wide.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins (+1 spot)
Record: 25-10-1
Last Week: 3-0-0
Games This Week: (vs. NJD, vs. OTT, vs. TOR)
Sidney Crosby was bored, so he decided to get himself into the mix for the Richard trophy, while cementing himself as this year’s best shootout performer. In an Olympic year, Canadian fans couldn’t be happier to have an additional shootout whiz.
3. New Jersey Devils (+1 spot)
Record: 25-8-1
Last Week: 3-0-0
Games This Week: (@ PIT, @ WAS)
What is New Jersey Devil hockey? They have a .923 winning percentage in games when they’ve been outshot.
4. Washington Capitals (-3 spots)
Record: 22-8-6
Last Week: 2-1-0
Games This Week: (vs. BUF, vs. NJD)
22-year-old Czech Tomas Fleischmann is now tied with Alex Semin for second on the team in goals with 14.
5. San Jose Sharks (+5 spots)
Record: 20-8-7
Last Week: 1-0-0
Games This Week: (@ DAL, @ CHI, vs. ANA)
Joe Thornton knew that his Sharks had only one game on tap for last week, so he scored a week’s worth of points, with 2 goals and 2 assists versus Anaheim.
6. Nashville Predators (+7 spots)
Record: 22-11-3
Last Week: 4-0-0
Games This Week: (@ VAN, vs. CHI, @ CHI)
The Preds have a .923 winning percentage when leading after the first period. Looks like everyone has bought in this year, which might just keep the team in Nashville.
7. Los Angeles Kings (-2 spots)
Record: 22-12-3
Last Week: 1-2-0
Games This Week: (@ PHO)
Based on this season’s performance, Jonathan Quick might be more deserving of a spot on the Olympic team than Tim Thomas.
8. Colorado Avalanche (+1 spot)
Record: 20-11-6
Last Week: 1-1-0
Games This Week: (@ MIN, vs. ANA, vs. DAL)
Move over Marius Czerkawski, because the new “Polish Prince” is Wojtek Wolski, who is now tied for the team lead with 36 points. He is actually 10th in scoring among Canadian forwards, ahead of Rick Nash and Steven Stamkos.
9. Phoenix Coyotes (-2 spots)
Record: 21-13-2
Last Week: 2-2-0
Games This Week: (vs. CBJ, vs. ANA, vs. LAK)
Radim Vrbata is once again on pace to score over 20 goals as a Coyotes, and he sits atop the team in scoring tied with Shane Doan. Talk about Radim-ing yourself.
10. Buffalo Sabres (-2 spots)
Record: 21-10-3
Last Week: 2-1-1
Games This Week: (@ TOR, @ WSH, vs. OTT, vs. STL)
Every comment about the Sabres seems to have something to do with Ryan Miller, and this week is no different.
MIDDLE 10
11. Calgary Flames (-2 spots)
Record: 20-11-4
Last Week: 1-2-0
Games This Week: (vs. STL, vs. VAN)
The Flames have yet to regain the Northwest division lead from Colorado since the two teams met on December 13th. The Flames should feast on the Blues at home this week and will then host the Canucks.
12. Detroit Red Wings (-1 spot)
Record: 18-13-5
Last Week: 1-2-0
Games This Week: (vs. CHI, vs. CBJ)
Jimmy Howard sure has been a bright spot for the Wings this year. Read more about it here.
13. Ottawa Senators (+5 spots)
Record: 18-13-4
Last Week: 2-2-0
Games This Week: (vs. BOS, @ PIT, @ BUF)
On Saturday night, the 19th of December, there were two separate box scores which listed “M. Brodeur” as the winning goaltender. Ottawa’s Brodeur, Mike, made several fantastic saves in a 4-1 win versus Minnesota.
14. Boston Bruins (-2 spots)
Record: 16-11-7
Last Week: 0-2-1
Games This Week: (@ OTT, vs. ATL, @ FLA)
Was it such a good idea to let go of Phil Kessel, even with the return of two firsts? The Bruins appeared to be on the cusp of a Cup, but have taken a step backwards without scoring punch from the wing. Proof? Playmaker Marc Savard has 8 goals and 6 assists.
15. Atlanta Thrashers (-1 spot)
Record: 18-12-3
Last Week: 2-2-0
Games This Week: (vs. MTL, @ BOS, @ TB)
Tobias Enstrom is on pace to nearly double his career-best point total of 38, while fellow Blueliner Zach Bogosian’s minus-9 won’t do much to serve his U.S. Olympic team hopes.
16. Vancouver Canucks (-1 spot)
Record: 20-16-0
Last Week: 2-2-0
Games This Week: (vs. NSH, vs. EDM, @ CGY)
Both the Canucks and Sharks have 20 wins. The Sharks are 2nd in the West while the Canucks are 10th.
17. Dallas Stars (-1 spot)
Record: 15-9-11
Last Week: 1-1-1
Games This Week: (vs. SJS, vs. CBJ, @ COL)
If the Stars keep up their current pace, they’ll finish the season with well over 20 extra time losses, which will most certainly mean the difference between playoffs and no playoffs.
18. Minnesota Wild (+3 spots)
Record: 17-15-3
Last Week: 2-1-0
Games This Week: (vs. COL, vs. EDM, vs. STL)
Minnesota is over the .500 mark and looking to gain momentum towards a playoff spot. And did the Hockey Gods cause the team’s equipment fire as a favour to headine writers across the hockey world? Because ‘Wild Fire’ is just too easy.
19. St. Louis Blues (no movement)
Record: 15-14-5
Last Week: 2-2-0
Games This Week: (@EDM, @ CGY, @ MIN, vs. BUF)
The Blues continue to wait for their many talents to heat up. A prime example is Patrick Berglund, who is on pace to score 30 less points than he did last year.
20. Anaheim Ducks (+5 spots)
Record: 14-14-7
Last Week: 2-1-0
Games This Week: (@ COL, @ PHX, @ SJS)
While everyone talks about Corey Perry’s hot season, American sophomore Bobby Ryan has equalled him in goal output with 16.
BOTTOM 10
21. Philadelphia Flyers (-1 spot)
Record: 15-17-2
Last Week: 1-2-1
Games This Week: (vs. FLA, @ TB, @ CAR, @ NYI)
Perhaps the return of long-time Flyer Simon Gagne can help right the ship in Philadelphia. The sniper picked up an assist in his return to action, having been injured since late October. Oh, but the Flyers still lost.
22. Columbus Blue Jackets (no movement)
Record: 14-15-7
Last Week: 0-3-1
Games This Week: (@ PHX, @ DAL, @ DET)
Once dreadful with the extra man, the Blue Jackets now lead the league on the powerplay, but have taken a considerable step backwards since last year, namely because of inconsistent/non-existent goaltending — Steve Mason has been pulled six times for poor play.
23. Edmonton Oilers (-6 spots)
Record: 15-16-4
Last Week: 0-3-0
Games This Week: (vs. STL, @ MIN, @ VAN)
A winless week has moved the Oilers to the bottom of the Western Conference. At least their third jerseys are nice.
24. Toronto Maple Leafs (no movement)
Record: 13-16-7
Last Week: 2-2-0
Games This Week: (vs. BUF, @ NYI, vs. MTL, @ PIT)
Phil Kessel continues to do squat against Boston, but the Leafs were finally able to topple the Bruins, with Jonas Gustavsson getting the shutout in his first start back since having his second heart procedure.
25. Florida Panthers (+4 spots)
Record: 15-15-7
Last Week: 3-1-0
Games This Week: (@ PHI, @ NYR, vs. BOS)
The Panthers are somehow in the playoff picture, which goes to show that a 3-1 week can really propel a team in the mediocre Eastern Conference.
26. New York Rangers (+2 spots)
Record: 16-16-3
Last Week: 2-1-1
Games This Week: (@ CAR, vs. FLA, vs. NYI)
Just 11 points thus far for 7-million-dollar-man Chris Drury, who is also a minus-8.
27. Tampa Bay Lightning (-4 spots)
Record: 12-14-9
Last Week: 1-2-0
Games This Week: (@ NYI, vs. PHI, vs. ATL)
The Bolts were shut out twice in three losses last week, managing only one win which came against the Blues. Here’s a scary thought: Steven Stamkos is eligible for the Canadian World Junior team but instead is playing his second NHL season while receiving serious consideration for the Olympics.
28. Montreal Canadiens (-2 spots)
Record: 16-18-3
Last Week: 1-3-0
Games This Week: (@ ATL, @ CAR, @ TOR)
Returning from injury earlier than expected was Andrei Markov, who gave Habs fans an early Christmas present by pitching in two goals in a 3-0 blanking of the Isles.
29. New York Islanders (-2 spots)
Record: 13-16-7
Last Week: 1-3-0
Games This Week: (vs. TB, vs. TOR, @ NYR, vs. PHI)
Despite the team’s 13th place standing, the youthful Islanders have injected hope into their fan base. John Tavares would also be eligible (along with Stamkos) for the World Juniors.
30. Carolina Hurricanes (no movement)
Record: 9-20-6
Last Week: 2-1-0
Games This Week: (vs. NYR, vs. MTL, vs. PHI)
The Canes are reportedly more interested in re-signing Ray Whitney than dealing him. Being one of the more valuable veterans on the Canes, it appears Jim Rutherford hasn’t quite learned his lesson on when to turn the page with older players.
