Power Rankings: Week Ending January 22, 2010

With so many of the teams, particularly at the top of the NHL point totals, struggling through brutal road swings, not to mention the compressed (Pre-Olympic) schedule, this week's Power Rankings truly separate the stout from the struggling.

With that, here

are the power rankings for the week ending January 22, 2010:

1. Chicago - In the midst of their brutal eight-game road swing, which included a puzzling 4-1 loss to the Sens. With their Northwest Canada portion of their swing, starting tonight, and a game in the Shark Tank, we will see what's left in their tank, come the end of January.

2. San Jose - This one (not ranking the Sharks above the 'Hawks) was a tough call, as the Sharks are on a roll. The Sharks have a nice little five-game homestand - all against formidable foes, including Chicago - which will go a long way towards determining their positioning, pre-Olympic break.

3. Washington - Winners of seven of their last eight games, the Caps are really starting to light the lamp; however, the prospect of going with their current tandem of Theodore and Neuvirth will not take them deep into the playoffs, in spite of what Ovie does.

4. Buffalo - The Sabres have flatten out, a bit - they, too, on in the midst of a brutal (seven-game) road trip. Their task gets even tougher during the remaining three road games - against the Kings, Sharks and Canucks. The good news is the Sabres are scoring goals, giving Ryan Miller - finally - some goal-scoring support.

5. New Jersey - The Devils have struggled, recently, losing three in a row, before their 2-0 victory, against the Panthers. But, scoring just eleven goals in their past seven games - Louie and Lemaire hockey, aside - is a concern.

6. Pittsburgh - The Pens are playing a bit better - at least they're not losing to teams they appear to be much better than. Of great concern is the status of Marc-Andre Fleury, who is out with a finger injury.

7. Colorado - Memo to the rest of the NHL: This team is not a fluke.  While it won't happen, Craig Anderson's play is worthy of MVP consideration. Kudos to the organization for ditching that retro philosophy and going with a philosophy based on youth, speed and skill - it's not called the "new NHL" for nothing.

8. Nashville - The 'Preds swept the Northwest Canadian teams, this past week. Then, at home, they lose to the struggling Leafs - that has to be fatigue. Finishing off a four-game road swing will go a long way towards solidifying that coveted home ice advantage, come playoff time.

9. Vancouver - The good news? The 'Nucks have won two games in a row, and play four straight home games, starting tonight. The bad news?  After that, a 14-game road death march begins.

10. Phoenix - The 'Yotes had two impressive wins again the Devils and Wild, before getting smashed by the Sabres. As with so many teams, the 'Yotes have some tough road stretches, upcoming.

11. Los Angeles - Beating the Bruins and Ducks helped their slide, a bit. But, tough games, ahead, against the Sabres and Wings will determine if they've righted the ship - getting drummed by the Sharks certainly didn't ease any concerns by the faithful.

12. Calgary - The Flames are flaming out- pardon the pun. Getting drilled by the Sharks, 9-1 and going 0-4-1 in their past five games, has their ardent fans in panic mode.

13. Anaheim - Winners of seven of their last eight games, the Ducks are keeping their playoff hopes alive. Now that Jonas Hiller appears to be their no. 1 netminder, could JS Giguere be dealt, to bolster a playoff push?

14. Detroit - The Wings have lost four of their last five games, including an embarrassing 6-1 loss to the NY Islanders, while being out shot, 31-16. Forget losing five players for the season - the rest of the squad resembles a M.A.S.H unit, also. This team may be on the outside looking in, come playoff time.

15. Ottawa - Winners of four straight, the 'Sens roller coaster season continues. Brodeur - that's Mike, not Martin - and Elliot have stepped up, in the wake of another Pascal LeClaire injury, to provide Ottawa with stellar goaltending.

16. New York Rangers - After a disappointing three-game losing streak, wrought with more of the same: lack of goal scoring, the Broadway Blueshirts rebounded by smashing the Habs (6-2) and the Lightning (8-2).

17. New York Islanders - If the season ended, today, no, the Isles wouldn't make the playoffs. But, after having their four-game winning streak snapped by the Penguins, losing to the Isles is no longer embarrassing. In fact, it's not a surprise, at all.

18. Boston - It's official: The Bruins are having a Winter Classic hangover, as they've lost five of their last six games. Injuries have put the team in a precarious position to make the playoffs, something unthinkable for the Eastern Conference points leader, last season.

19. Philadelphia - Recovered from being soundly beaten in their past two games by defeating the Blue Jackets, 5-3. Well, maybe that's not really a recovery. Getting Ray Emery back, so long as he's fully recovered, should help their quest for the playoffs.

20. Dallas - The Stars have won their last two games; however, they were both at home. So long as they fail to win on the road - they've lost seven straight, on the road - this team will be headed straight to the draft lottery.

21. St. Louis - Winners of five of their last six games, the Blues are playing much better. But, are they good enough to repeat last season's improbable run towards the playoffs?

22. Minnesota - Like the Stars, for any chance at the playoffs, they have to find a way to improve their road fortunes. However, with eight of their next eleven games, at home, the Wild can make a run at the playoffs.

23. Atlanta - Well, at least they haven't been pummeled, lately - the Thrash have been much more competitive in their last five games. So long as the Ilya Kovalchuck saga continues, Atlanta will not be in the running for the playoffs, once again.

24. Florida - The Panthers' three-game winning streak came to an end against the Devils; however, Tomas Vokoun's gaudy .952 Save % has kept their playoff dreams alive.

25. Montreal - The NHL's greatest dynasty is merely a mediocre, .500 team. When Cary Price is your most physical player, you have serious problems. This team is a prime candidate for a complete rebuild - see the Colorado Avalanche.

26. Tampa Bay - While Mike Smith may not be the answer, Antero Nittymaki, with a .793 Save %, the past three games - in relief of Smith - isn't exactly stating a case for taking over as the starting netminder.

27. Columbus - Well, they've opened up their game, recently - the problem is, their opponents have opened up their offense, quite a bit more. It looks like they'll be back to being sellers at the trade deadline.

28. Carolina - A three-game losing streak immediately followed a three-game winning streak. They, like the Blue Jackets, have opened up their offense. Much like Columbus, what do you have to lose, at this point?

29. Toronto - Wasn't Brian Burke supposed to be the savior of the Leafs?  Sure, they were sub-mediocre, the prior four seasons, but, possessing the 3rd worst record in the NHL isn't exactly a return to glory.

30. Edmonton - Losers of 16 of their last 17 games, the Oilers would stand a far better chance at winning if their legendary 1980s players took the ice - many years removed from playing - rather than this inept group.