NHL Power Rankings: Bleacher Report Experts' Week 9 Poll
As the NHL calendar readies to turn to the final month of 2015, we still hold these truths to be self-evident: The teams that got off to great starts this season have, for the most part, been able to maintain them. The Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues—they all started the season well, and not a whole lot has changed as we enter December.
But not one of them is the NEW No. 1 TEAM we have for this week!
Teams who started poorly—the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks and Columbus Blue Jackets—have improved, though some more than others. It's still early, though, and my old theory of hockey is that the best teams don't start to get serious until after Christmas. So we still have some time before that happens.
As always, the Bleacher Report hockey staff of Carol Schram, Jonathan Willis, Allan Mitchell, Lyle Richardson and myself took time to deliver our 1-30 rankings.
30-26: Calgary Flames-Carolina Hurricanes
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30. Calgary Flames (last week: 25)
It's just too hard to string together any kind of win streak with goaltending as bad as it's been with the Calgary Flames. Karri Ramo, Joni Ortio and Jonas Hiller have all been awful so far, and they all have save percentages under .900.
What happened to Mark Giordano's game too? Some thought he'd contend for the Norris Trophy this season, but he entered Saturdays' blowout loss in San Jose at minus-15 with only seven points in 23 games. It's starting to seem like last year was a fluke in Calgary.
29. Edmonton Oilers (last week: 29)
The Edmonton Oilers got off to a nice start on a long road trip with a shootout win in Pittsburgh on Saturday, and there is talk (via NHL.com) that Connor McDavid is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a broken clavicle. One-time No. 1 pick Nail Yakupov is also out for a while with an ankle injury after a freak collision with a linesman.
It always is something with the Oilers injury-wise. Otherwise, this team is too far down in the West to have any realistic hopes of a major push, especially with McDavid likely still a few weeks away from returning.
28. Colorado Avalanche (last week: 30)
The Colorado Avalanche mostly just continue to tread water in the Central Division. That would be OK in other divisions, but not this one. If Patrick Roy's men are to have any chance at all of making the playoffs, they need to string together a good-sized winning streak soon.
Problem is, the only team they've beaten in the last 10 days is Winnipeg (twice), and they're set to go on the road for a tough Eastern trip. The Avs went 4-3-0 on a long road trip previously but came home and played horribly in a loss to Ottawa. Those are the kinds of games they can't afford to lose any longer.
27. Toronto Maple Leafs (last week: 23)
They've been playing decent hockey at times, led by goalie James Reimer's strong play. But the fact is the Toronto Maple Leafs are still last in the East, and it's starting to seem like they will drop out of sight.
Backup Jonathan Bernier got the start on Saturday night against the Washington Capitals, his first action since Nov. 15, and he allowed four goals in a loss. That produced an odd quote from Bernier afterward, per Adam Proteau of the Maple Leafs' official website: “I’ve got to be better. I can name a lot of guys that have been through [a slump]. Probably one of the best everyone remembers—Patrick Roy—did it in Montreal. A lot of guys are going through this, and you’ve got to find a way on your own to get out of it."
Well, of course, Roy did win a Stanley Cup as a rookie with the Habs, but hey!
26. Carolina Hurricanes (last week: 26)
The Carolina Hurricanes continue to be the epitome of mediocrity, and that's probably being a bit generous.
Their goal differential entering Monday's game against the Rangers: 47-66. Yet they are hanging onto slim playoff hopes thanks to the occasional sterling effort by goalie Cam Ward. His 30-save performance in a 4-1 win over Edmonton last week was one good example.
Eric Staal's name continues to be whispered in trade rumors, but it's just too hard to see some team throwing a lot of young prospects or picks for a potential rental player. Besides, what is the market for a guy who scored just four goals his first 23 games this season?
25-21: Philadelphia Flyers-Vancouver Canucks
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25. Philadelphia Flyers (last week: 29)
First-year coach Dave Hakstol wants to play a game predicated on forechecking and turnovers, but when your defense is as slow as his is, it's not going to work too well.
That said, the Philadelphia Flyers showed some new life late last week, especially in a 3-0 road win against the Rangers. Wayne Simmonds netted a pair of goals in that victory. If he can continue his strong play following his slow start, all the better for Hakstol's group. The Flyers got an overtime win over former coach Peter Laviolette's Nashville Predators on Friday too. There's still hope for this team.
24. Anaheim Ducks (last week: 21)
Ryan Getzlaf is back and Corey Perry is beginning to pick up his scoring pace. But the Anaheim Ducks remain in the lower half of the Western standings.
Center Ryan Kesler continues to struggle, having just three goals, 10 points and a minus-11 in his first 24 games. Newcomer defenseman Kevin Bieksa appears to have lost a step, struggling at a minus-10 with no goals in 24 contests.
Anaheim is in a better place than it was after a horrible start. But not by much.
23. Buffalo Sabres (last week: 22)
After losing six in a row (0-4-2), the Buffalo Sabres had a nice weekend with wins over Carolina and Nashville. The one against the Preds on the road on Saturday night might have been their best win of the season.
Sam Reinhart was excellent in the win in Music City, scoring his fifth and sixth goals of the season. Buffalo has a home game Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings before going on the road for three in western Canada. A win against Detroit would mean the Sabres are 11-12-2. For this team, that would be a nice accomplishment before heading on the road.
22. Columbus Blue Jackets (last week: 27)
The Blue Jackets had won six of their previous nine matches before losing a hard-fought game in St. Louis on Saturday. Let's face it, the playoffs are a pipe dream for John Tortorella's club, but Columbus is playing a lot better since he took over from Todd Richards.
One bit of good news: Ryan Johansen is starting to get his game back. He has scored goals in four of his last five games.
21. Vancouver Canucks (last week: 18)
The Vancouver Canucks continue to win one and lose one, and that's just not good enough in the Western Conference. This is too much of a one-line team, too reliant on Ryan Miller to win most nights. However, there are still those games in which the Sedin twins really turn it up a notch, such as in their 6-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Nov. 22.
Daniel had a five-point night in the win over the Blackhawks, combining with brother Henrik on one of the goals of the season to date.
20-16: Winnipeg Jets-Arizona Coyotes
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20. Winnipeg Jets (last week: 17)
After a great start, the Winnipeg Jets just aren't playing well enough and are consequently starting to slide in the standings.
A loss in Colorado on Saturday night kept Winnipeg in 10th place in the West. They have just a 3-8-0 mark in the last 11 games. Winnipeg entered Saturday's matchup with a more-than-respectable 51.9 Corsi-for percentage, though. They're just in one of those lulls but will get it back together before long. If they don't, they're in trouble.
19. Florida Panthers (last week: 24)
The Florida Panthers got back to .500 with a nice 3-2 win over the Islanders on Friday, and Jaromir Jagr checked out OK after leaving the game in the third period. He played on Sunday against Detroit, and Florida pulled out an OT win at Joe Louis Arena.
Florida always seems to be missing some key player to injury, though, and another one lately has been defenseman Dmitri Kulikov (lower body), who practiced on Saturday but still isn't return to return. Gerard Gallant needs a healthy roster if he has any hopes of taking his team to the postseason.
18. Tampa Bay Lightning (last week: 13)
Just when it looked like the defending Eastern champs were getting things back together, the Tampa Bay Lightning dropped back-to-back games to the Capitals and Islanders. They are set to go on the road against the three California teams.
Maybe that will be good for the Bolts, though. Sometimes, those long trips out on the other coast can bring a team together. It's still early, and you have to think they'll make the playoffs. But as of Saturday, they were out of the playoff picture in the East.
17. New Jersey Devils (last week: 19)
The New Jersey Devils (the Devils...the Devils!) had a nice weekend, picking up three of a possible four points against Montreal, including an overtime win at Centre Bell on Saturday.
Goalie Cory Schneider (.928 saves percentage) continues to give New Jersey a chance to win almost every night. The analytics crowd probably doesn't like their 48.2 Corsi-for percentage much, which makes Schneider's play that much more important. It was nice to see veteran Patrik Elias make his season debut last week too. The 39-year-old had a goal and assist in his first three games back.
16. Arizona Coyotes (last week: 20)
Unfortunately for Mikkel Boedker, the Ottawa Senators aren't on the Arizona Coyotes' schedule anymore this season.
Boedker has two hat tricks this season, both coming against Ottawa. He has 12 points in seven career games against the Sens. Most observers remain hesitant to buy into the Coyotes just yet despite their being in top eight of the West. Their underlying numbers aren't all that great (48.1 Corsi), but they're scraping wins together.
15-11: Detroit Red Wings-New York Islanders
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15. Detroit Red Wings (last week: 12)
With Florida, Buffalo, Arizona and Nashville at home this week, this is a good time for the Red Wings to inch up the standings. They got off to a bad start on Sunday, blowing a late 1-0 third-period lead and losing in overtime to the Panthers.
Rookie Dylan Larkin (nine goals, plus-13 entering Sunday's contest with the Panthers) has been great of late. Forward Tomas Tatar, after a slow start, is picking it up too, with goals in three of his last four games entering Sunday.
Petr Mrazek (.931 saves percentage) has been excellent of late too.
14. Pittsburgh Penguins (last week: 14)
Mario Lemieux took to the Pittsburgh Penguins' Twitter account to strongly deny a reported "rift" between him and star Sidney Crosby. Something still isn't quite right with the Penguins, though.
They're only 4-4-2 in the last 10, including a disappointing shootout loss to Edmonton at home on Saturday. Their goal differential is 52-54, and Crosby has just five goals through 23 games. All that said, the Pens entered Sunday in fifth place in the East. So things could be a whole lot worse.
13. Minnesota Wild (last week: 5)
Our panel really soured on the Minnesota Wild this week, enough to make them the biggest-dropping team in the countdown.
Saturday's third-period meltdown at home against Dallas didn't help the cause. You can't blow 3-0 third-period leads to a divisional rival, then lose the extra point in overtime and expect to gather admirers. The Wild has fallen to eighth place in the West.
12. Boston Bruins (last week: 16)
Suddenly, the Bs are hot again.
The Boston Bruins will take a five-game winning streak into their next game, which is Wednesday on the road in Edmonton. Included was a great comeback win over the Rangers on Saturday, with David Krejci potting the OT winner. After their awful 0-3 start, in which they were outscored 16-7, it's been a fine turnaround for coach Claude Julien's club.
They've been up and down all year, but for now they're up again.
11. New York Islanders (last week: 15)
The New York Islanders got a much-needed win over the Lightning on Saturday to lift themselves back into the top eight of the Eastern standings. It was a bit of a bumpy ride at times in November for coach Jack Capuano's club, but the win over Tampa Bay had people feeling good again in Brooklyn.
The Isles need to keep it going on Monday at home against lowly Colorado.
10. Nashville Predators
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Record: 12-7-4, 28 points
Last week: 7
Big Picture
Suddenly, the Predators aren't looking very good.
An ugly 4-1 loss at home to Buffalo Saturday was Nashville's fifth loss in the last six. Out of nowhere, the Predators have conceded more goals than they've scored (59-60). There's too much talent for this kind of major slump to continue, but Peter Laviolette's team better start snapping out of it soon in the brutal West.
That especially applies to Filip Forsberg, who just isn't producing points at the pace of last year. He has only three goals after 23 games.
By the Numbers
The biggest reason for optimism—that this is just an aberration—is Nashville's puck-possession numbers. They remain fourth best in the league in Corsi-for percentage (53.3). There are just too many good defensemen, led by Shea Weber and Roman Josi, for that to be otherwise.
9. Ottawa Senators
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Record: 12-6-5, 29 points
Last week: 9
Big Picture
The Senators went out West last week and picked up four of a possible six points, including a fun 7-4 win at Dallas. Left wing Mike Hoffman is quietly having a very good season, with 10 goals and 21 points. Hoffman had 27 goals last year, which isn't bad for a guy not taken until the 130th selection in the 2009 draft.
Ottawa dominated the shot total on Saturday at Arizona, but it dropped a 4-3 decision to the Coyotes. Overall, though, it was still a good week.
By the Numbers
Bobby Ryan is really starting to heat up. After getting just one goal in his first eight games, the former Anaheim Duck has points in 10 of his last 11. He's too talented to stay down for long.
Ryan has moved into a tie for second place in team scoring with 21 points. Ottawa has five players with 20 or more points, led by defenseman Erik Karlsson's 26.
8. Los Angeles Kings
7 of 14
Record: 14-8-1, 29 points
Last week: 8
Big Picture
Marian Gaborik, whose game had been mostly subpar to that point, came alive with two late goals on Saturday in a thrilling overtime win at home over Chicago. The tying goal, following a turnover by Brent Seabrook and great steal and backhand pass by Anze Kopitar, came with things getting late in the third.
If Gabby can keep it up, the Kings might really go on a roll. The defense and goaltending remains strong, and Los Angeles' puck-possession numbers (a league-leading Corsi-for percentage of 56.2) have been terrific.
By the Numbers
Kopitar, after a bad start, is slowly starting to build up his offensive stats. He has at least a point in four of his last five games, including two assists to Gaborik on Saturday. The second one, a long lead pass, was classic Kopitar, digging the puck out of his own zone on a hard backcheck, then the touchdown pass ahead.
Kopitar's 13 points overall in 23 games still looks low for a player of his talent. But his numbers are getting better.
7. San Jose Sharks
8 of 14
Record: 14-9-0, 28 points
Last week: 7
Big Picture
Classic San Jose Sharks: They go 6-0 on a road trip, then come home and get thumped 5-2 by Chicago on Wednesday night. While there's no shame in losing to the defending Cup champs, it was a disappointing showing after such a great road trip.
The Sharks did rebound with an easy win on Saturday over a woeful Calgary, though. With 14 wins and 28 points through their first 23 games, it can officially be called a good start for the Sharks in a season in which many were skeptical about how good they could be.
By the Numbers
Brent Burns continues to show he's a special player. Despite moving back to defense, Burns is second in the league in shots on goal (102).
His booming slapper is keeping defenses honest, especially on the power play. That said, San Jose's power-play percentage of 16.4 ranks in the lower half of the league. It hasn't been Burns' fault.
6. Chicago Blackhawks
9 of 14
Record: 13-8-3, 29 points
Last week: 10
Big Picture
A blown third-period lead on Saturday in Los Angeles ended a long road trip on a sour note, but the defending champs still picked up a point in a tough building and have quietly moved into the top four of the West.
The return of Duncan Keith has stabilized the back end, and he's also getting it done at the offensive end too. In the eight games he's played since returning from a knee injury, last season's Conn Smythe winner has four goals and four assists.
By the Numbers
Patrick Kane set the record for longest point streak by an American-born player in the OT loss at L.A. The streak stands at 19 games, breaking the record previously shared by Phil Kessel and Ed Olczyk. The all-time NHL record remains a ways off, though. Kane still needs to post a point in 32 more games to tie Wayne Gretzky's mark of 51 straight.
5. New York Rangers
10 of 14
Record: 16-6-2, 34 points
Last week: 2
Big Picture
It was not a great week for the Blueshirts, who lost three in a row. That marks the first time that's happened since October of last season.
"We look at it as it's pretty serious after one loss," Rangers forward Rick Nash told the team's website. "As good a team as we can be when you lose one or two you push the emergency button, so three is not acceptable for a team of our caliber."
This is probably just a minor bump in the road. Henrik Lundqvist will probably go on some new hot streak to calm everyone down. Then again, the worry with this team is it's still a little too reliant on King Henry.
By the Numbers
More goals from the depth centers would help the cause here. Jarret Stoll has one goal in 23 games and Dominic Moore has two. Both are more than capable of providing more than that.
They have been responsible defensively, however, at a combined plus-10.
4. St. Louis Blues
11 of 14
Record: 15-6-3, 33 points
Last week: 6
Big Picture
It was a nice week for the Blues, who gained five of a possible six points. Vladimir Tarasenko continues his ascent as one of the league's elite offensive players, netting his 14th goal of the season in Saturday's 3-1 win over Columbus.
That this team continues to post points at a rapid clip is a nice tribute given the continued extended absence of forward Jaden Schwartz. Paul Stastny returned last week after missing more than a month with injury and has contributed nicely. He won 81 percent of his faceoffs in Saturday's win over the Blue Jackets.
By the Numbers
St. Louis had a plus-47 goal differential last season (248-241). So far this year, it's plus-7 (65-58). Is that a cause for concern?
Not necessarily. Maybe it's good the Blues are finding ways to win more close games because that's usually what playoff hockey is all about. Given the Blues' playoff frustrations in recent years, fans will take any kind of optimistic outlook they can get.
3. Montreal Canadiens
12 of 14
Record: 18-4-3, 39 points
Last week: 3
Big Picture
Uh-oh. Carey Price is hurt again.
That was the bad news for the Habs in a week that also saw them lose in overtime on Saturday to New Jersey. Price will undergo further tests this week on a suspected knee injury, the team said. Reports claiming he'll miss at least a month are said to be false, but until we hear more on those tests, who knows?
The Habs have banked so many early points they can afford to withstand a moderately long absence of their reigning Hart Trophy and Vezina-winning goalie. Mike Condon has shown himself capable as the backup.
By the Numbers
General manager Marc Bergevin was rewarded with a seven-year contract extension last week. That kind of security is virtually unheard of for hockey GMs, though many actually do spend that long in office. It's just rare for a team to commit to so many years like that, but Bergevin's tenure since taking over in 2012 has been very successful (142-68-26).
2. Dallas Stars
13 of 14
Record: 19-5-0, 38 points
Last week: 1
Big Picture
The Stars' defense looked sloppy in a 7-4 home loss to Ottawa last week, and things looked dire in the third period of Saturday's game at Minnesota, in which they trailed 3-0. But the Stars woke up and took a 4-3 overtime decision that had everybody in victory green feeling better about themselves.
Jamie Benn led the way, scoring the goal that made it 3-2 and setting up Tyler Seguin with a great pass on the OT winner. Benn and Seguin are a nightmare in the 3-on-3 OT, as the team's 3-0 record in OT (plus one shootout victory) attests.
By the Numbers
The Stars lead the NHL in goals per game (3.50), just ahead of Montreal's 3.48. They are second in the league in shots on goal per game (32.0, just barely behind the Kings' 32.1) and they are allowing a respectably low 29.4.
Dallas also is the league's fifth-best team in winning faceoffs (51.1 percent) and is second in the league on the power play (27 percent).
1. Washington Capitals
14 of 14
Record: 17-5-1, 35 points
Last week: 4
Big Picture
The Caps have won five games in a row and don't play again until Thursday in Montreal. A win there, and it'll be time to really get excited. As it stands, there is a lot to be happy about in Washington regarding the hockey team, and they are Bleacher Report's new No. 1 team.
They're getting balanced scoring, good defense and superb goaltending almost every night from Braden Holtby. Washington's underlying numbers are even making the analytics people happy, as their 52.4 Corsi-for percentage ranks fifth best in the league.
By the Numbers
Washington is taking defensive-zone faceoffs only 29.77 percent of the time, which is making life easier on the defense and goaltender. The Caps are taking offensive-zone draws at a 32.13 percent clip and 38.10 in the neutral zone.
Those are the kinds of numbers coach Barry Trotz likes. It's always better to play in the other team's end than your own.
What did we get right? What did we get wrong? Feel free to click on the comment tab and tell us.
News and statistics for this piece come from newspapers and other digital websites, NHL.com and Puckalytics.
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