NHL Power Rankings: Blues and Bruins continue Hot Streaks

With the NHL Trade Deadline quickly approaching, teams in the playoff race are looking to add potential pieces to their roster to get them over the top. While Tampa Bay is in a class among themselves, the rest of the teams are in a log jam. With Boston and St. Louis on long winning streaks, one team in Boston in a true contender, while St. Louis has taken advantage of weak Western Conference. Time to go inside this week’s NHL Power Rankings to see where these teams rank.

NHL Power Rankings: Blues and Bruins continue Hot Streaks

1. Tampa Bay Lightning – Anything less than winning the Stanley Cup, the season is a complete failure for the Lightning.
2. San Jose Sharks – The Sharks are finally molding into the team everyone expected them to be.
3. Calgary Flames – This group is fine the way it constructed, adding a piece or two could throw off the chemistry. Just need the goaltending to hold up.
4. Boston Bruins – The Bruins have won 7 games in a row and looking really good without David Pastrnak in the lineup. Watch out when he returns. Boston could be a spoiler in the playoffs.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs – Too many duds lately from a group that has a lot of talent on the roster. Adding another player or two to play against Boston would be helpful.
6. New York Islanders – This group is confidence with each. History has shown that Lou Lamoriello will make a move at the playoffs to bolster the lineup.
7. St. Louis Blues – The Blues have won a franchise-record 11-games in a row and solely in control of the 3rd seed. They can thank Jordan Binnington for this run.
8. Winnipeg Jets – Adding Paul Statsny last year was a great move, the Jets need to add another piece like him this year. Not to mention Patrik Laine needs to start scoring.
9. Nashville Predators – Speaking of adding players at the deadline, Nashville could afford to do this as well considering the previous two moves have not helped.
10. Washington Capitals – Washington is starting to make moves. First putting Stanley Cup hero Devante Smith Pelly on waivers. Now the Capitals added Carl Hagelin to bolster the offense.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins – The Penguins have the experience with this group but right now there is no spark. Look for a move to be made.
12. Columbus Blue Jackets – With the deadline here, it is time for the Blue Jackets to decide who stays and who goes. Regardless this team isn’t good enough to win as constructed.
13. Carolina Hurricanes – Embracing the title of a “Bunch of Jerks” may just be what the Hurricanes need to get into the playoffs.
14. Montreal Canadiens – For most of the season the Canadiens were overachieving and have now settled into the team we thought they would be.
15. Vegas Golden Knights – Vegas is not the same team as a year ago. They are settled into third in the Pacific and will play either San Jose or Calgary.
16. Chicago Blackhawks – Patrick Kane has got a 19 game point streak going and the Blackhawks are right on the cusp of the playoff picture.
17. Philadelphia Flyers – Adding Cam Talbot was interesting for sure. Even so, he is another veteran that can help Carter Hart.
18. Dallas Stars – Going forward, the Stars must figure out a way to start winning games. Especially with this big homestand starting.
19. Buffalo Sabres – Rebuilding takes time. As much as the winning streak was fun for Buffalo, the Sabres are right on track for their rebuild.
20. Minnesota Wild – As the Wild trade Charlie Coyle for Ryan Donato, the team is hoping to find magic between Jordan Greenway and Donato similar to what is going on in Chicago.
21. Florida Panthers – Aleksander Barkov is having a season to remember down in Florida, too bad the Panthers will fail to make the playoffs again.
22. Colorado Avalanche – The Avalanche are starting get on the winning track once again. Wins in the past 3 of 4 games has allowed Colorado back into the final wild card spot.
23. Vancouver Canucks – Another team that is a year or two away from being a good and steady team in the NHL. The Canucks should not reach for the playoffs at the expense of their future.
24. New York Rangers – Kevin Hayes or Mats Zuccarello’s stock continue to rise, the question remains which teams they end up on at the deadline.
25. Arizona Coyotes – The Coyotes will honor Shane Doan this weekend. Good for them, this will be a the highlight of the season.
26. New Jersey Devils – All of a sudden Cory Schneider is playing well for the Devils. Keep an eye on Marcus Johansson as his value is rising with the deadline right around the corner.
27. Detroit Red Wings – There are a lot of pieces in play from a Detroit perspective especially goaltender Jimmy Howard.
28. Los Angeles Kings – The Kings are starting the selling process. First it was Jake Muzzin now Carl Hagelin. Who’s next to get traded?
29. Anaheim Ducks – Since Bob Murray took over the Ducks have won three of four games, but there is still a big hill to climb if the Ducks want to see the playoffs.
30. Edmonton Oilers – It is such a shame that Edmonton will waste some of Connor McDavid’s best years. Eventually Edmonton has to figure this thing out. Right?
31. Ottawa Senators – The Senators are becoming true sellers. With Matt Duchene being held out of the lineup, does Mark Stone join him or does he sign long term?

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NHL Power Rankings: Blues Making Moves into the Top 15

Photo Credit: By Lisa Gansky (Flickr: IMG_7786) [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons