NHL Playoff Power Rankings (through April 12)

The reason for the NHL regular season is currently five days in. With all series having played at least one game (most of them two), why not kick off a weekly 2008 Playoff Power Rankings?

1. Dallas Stars

They have to hold the most impressive series lead through 2 games. As a goaltender who is once again out to prove his worth in the playoffs, Marty Turco has helped the Stars to a convincing 2-0 series lead while winning both games in Anaheim.

2. Detroit Red Wings

This series has gone pretty much as expected so far, with Detroit easily handling Nashville in Game 1 and getting a questionable victory in Game 2, with many calls and noncalls going their way.

3. Montreal Canadiens

Most people expect this series to go four games in favor of a much deeper and talented Montreal team. Carey Price is going to get all the chances to follow in Dryden and Roy's big footsteps.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins

This collection of young stars is proving its worth so far in this young playoff season. Although they needed two late goals to put away Ottawa in Game 2, anytime a team can put 54 shots on goal in a playoff game, they're likely to win.

5. New York Rangers

This team has all the right ingredients and has the chance to catch fire in the playoffs especially if Henrik Lundqvist can stay hot.

6. San Jose Sharks

The only reason this team is ranked ahead of Calgary is Nabokov. He simply stole Game 2, something he needed to do after suffering a couple of bad bounces in Game 1. If you haven't seen his amazing glove save, its called YouTube.

7. Calgary Flames

Kipper is going to have to match Nabokov and steal games if he wants another shot at the Detroit Red Wings in Round 2. Watch for Iginla to turn it on at the Saddledome.

8/9. Minnesota Wild/Colorado Avalanche

This series looks like its has a Game 7 written all over it. Oh yeah, there is more overtime to come in this one, which is advantage Captain Joe and the Avs.

10. Washington Capitals

When do you think Ovechkin breaks a pane of glass during his celebrations? If Huet can prove himself a worthy playoff goaltender, these Capitals have a chance to become the story of the 2008 playoffs.

11. Philadelphia Flyers

They can score goals, but they sure can let them through also. I expect many of these games to be similar to Game 1, with lots of scoring! Do you want to get into a goal scoring match with Alexander the Great?

12. New Jersey Devils

I'm still amazed that Martin Brodeur allowed a puck to sit happily in his crease to get knocked home by a shorthanded Rangers team in Game 1. If only Marty could score goals, New Jersey fans wouldn't be as worried.

13. Nashville Predators

The Predators need to forget Game 2, which had the chance to go their way. I'm sure they're looking forward to two games at home in front of a very anti-Detroit crowd. Ellis must steal some games, not just play better than Hasek. He's already done that.

14. Boston Bruins

I think any chance at this being a series was lost when Kovalev released a laser beam just over Tim Thomas in OT of Game 2. Maybe next year.

15. Ottawa Senators

Martin Gerber has been nothing but solid in goal for the Sens. I would love to see what's going on in that locker room so I could learn how the Senators got this bad. Time for Spezza and Heatley to be leaders.

16. Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks are definitely not mighty through two games. They are in the last spot simply because a team with great goaltending and amazing leadership should never lose the first two games at home. Quack Quack.