NHL Power Rankings: Week Ending December 11, 2009

Well, I guess I didn't offend too many folks, with my first ever power rankings.

Then again, smarter readers, who know my level of hockey knowledge, probably scoffed and did the smart thing: they chose to omit reading it. Well then, silence, in my world, means acceptance, so, I'm back for another go at it.

Here are the power rankings for the week ending December 11th:

1. Washington

No Ovie? No problem. Ovie? Big problem—for the rest of the league, that is.

Six wins in a row, and their power play (PP) is now ranked tops in the league, with seven PP tallies in their last two games. Offensively, almost unfair.

2. San Jose

Sure, not the best week, especially with some long-needed home dates, but, still a potent team. How they handle their remaining two home games, as well as their upcoming tough road swing, will determine whether they separate themselves completely from the rest of the Western Conference, or begin to slide back.

3. Chicago

Unlike the BCS, who, amongst other head-scratchers, apparently don't grasp the concept that a team who defeats another, more highly ranked team, on the opponent's home ice, should then be ranked above them. I respect and recognize the 'Hawks accomplishment, and thus have them leap-frogging over the Penguins.

4. Calgary

Kipper is red hot, allowing only seven goals in an eight-game stretch, while facing nearly 31 shots/game, during a 6-1-1 stretch. I did the math, and that translates to a .972 save percentage. Wow!

Kipper stopping only 14 of 16 shots against the Kings? Well, that's because they didn't throw as many shots on goal, right?

5. New Jersey

Winning six of the last seven may not impress, but, with the return of Rob Niedermayer, Johnny Oduya, Jay Pandolfo, not to mention a five-game homestand, I'd worry, if I were the Eastern Conference.

6. Pittsburgh

You'd think that the return of Sid Crosby would have a more immediate impact, but, the Pens lost at home, to Carolina.

No, that's not a misprint.

More baffling is their current league ranking on the PP—28th—proof as to the impact of their blueline injuries this season.

7. Boston

The Bears are coming on as of late, with a 7-1-1 record, with Tuukka Rask being staunch in the net. Marc Savard's return makes them an entirely different team.

8. Phoenix

The "Desert Dogs" are a rollin', winning their last five games in a row. They take advantage of their opportunities, and, have enjoyed stellar goaltending by Ilya Bryzgalov. As I've previously mentioned, maybe they really were winners during the last trade deadline, building up organizational depth and a core of solid young players.

9. Los Angeles

A 5-0-1 streak certainly keeps them in good stead in the Western Conference, and, they're really starting to pick up their goal-scoring, during that streak. They have also really picked up their previous lack of secondary scoring.

10. Buffalo

Winners of five of their last seven, but, their dearth of goal-scoring—19th in goals scored—is puzzling, given their talent level.

Fortunately, for them, and eventually, for Team USA, Ryan Miller has been both healthy and extraordinary. Now, if they can give him some support.

11. Atlanta

Their stellar 9-2-1 road record has been recently marred by their last two road losses.

Correcting their recent power play struggles—8.7 percent for their last eight games—could certainly help, especially as three of their next four games will be on the road.

12. Nashville

No one gives them much credit—that's OK, they don't mind. They just keep finding ways to win.

They do need to take advantage of having their next three of four games at home, as some brutal stretches of 13 out of 15 road games, sandwiched between a four-game homestand, await them.

13. Colorado

I had them pegged as being in their 14 1/2th minute of fame, but they rebounded with two impressive road victories.

Now, the Avs need to take advantage of an upcoming six out of seven-game homestand. Peter Budaj, considered perhaps the league's worst goaltender last season, has certainly silenced his critics with his solid play in net in relief of injured Craig Anderson.

14. Dallas

Have faltered a bit recently, going 2-2-3 over their last seven games. But, a brutal West Coast to East Coast road swing has begun, not to mention a difficult December schedule.

15. Vancouver

It helps to get Daniel Sedin back in the lineup, not to mention beginning an eight-game homestand.

Christian Ehrhoff is starting to assert himself on an already talent-laden, high-scoring defensive corps.

16. Detroit

Their problem? Goaltending, right?

No, not really, as Jimmy Howard has stepped up and taken over the starting job from Chris Osgood.

No, their problem is more about scoring only 19 goals in their last 12 games. And who would have thought that Nik Lidstrom would only have one goal so far this season?

17. St. Louis

The league's ultimate puzzler/EKG machine.

An 8-3-1 mark, has been aided by half of them coming, via shootout.

Still, impressive road wins in San Jose and Los Angeles make you believe a run is coming, but, I have thought that before.

18. Minnesota

Just when you have them left for a lottery pick, the Wild defy all offensive ineptitude and reel off a 7-1-1 streak.

Although they scored 23 goals in five games, having a sound defense and Nik Backstrom always helps you keep on the winning track.

19. Ottawa

Pascal LeClaire's unfortunate injury has left the Sens with Brian Elliot in net, and that's not turning out too well. LeClaire—still out for the next two weeks minimum—can't return, soon enough.

20. Tampa Bay

This team struggles to score?

With those guys—LeCavlier, St. Louis, and Stamkos? If they can get their offense in gear, with their new attention to defense, perhaps this team could give the Eastern Conference fits.

21. Edmonton

Another team left for lottery pick hope, but, their recent four-game winning streak is testament to their grit, not to mention Pat Burns' coaching.

Jeff Deslauriers has admirably filled in for the "Bulin Wall." Too bad that Ales Hemsky's gone for the season. 

Perhaps this team can now achieve to the level they should have, all along.

22. Columbus

Yes, they finally ended their 1-5-3 funk, with a victory over the Panthers. But, it was against the Panthers, who are saddled with injuries to two of their best scorers, in David Booth and Cory Stillman.

Pick up a long overdue win in Nashville, take care of your business in your remaining two home games, and I'll be convinced the slide was an aberration.

23. New York Islanders

Sure, they're wildly inconsistent, but, what a big surprise and what an improvement over last year.

I hear Rick DiPietro's scheduled to return, but, in what year will that take place?

24. New York Rangers

Obliterate a salary cap? Sure. Have those overpaid players actually score goals? Apparently, not gonna happen.

I guess money might not buy you Stanley Cups—instead, it buys you mediocrity.

25. Philadelphia

OK, does anyone want to admit that it might not have been John Stevens?  Still, this team has too much talent for this to continue.

26. Montreal

Three wins in a row is nice, but, for the "NY Rangers of Canada," much more is expected. They need to continue to utilize their team speed to their advantage.

27. Toronto

Take away that dreadful 1-7-1 start, and you have a pretty good hockey team. If they can continue on their winning ways, expect this team to start getting back into the playoff chase.

But, in order to do that, they need "The Monster," Jonas Gustavsson, back, pronto.

28. Anaheim

Why do some analysts rank them much higher than I? This just in: They're not the same team as the SC Champs were—that was over three seasons ago.

Take away that first line, and well, ugh.

29. Florida

It's tough losing those few offensive weapons that they have, to injury, but they're just not good, as evidenced by their 1-5-4 record.

30. Carolina

The good news? Cam Ward's back, and they beat the Pens—in Pittsburgh, no less.

The bad news? Too many devastating injuries.  Otherwise, there's not enough space to elaborate.