NHL Power Rankings: Week Ending January 29, 2010

With the Winter Olympic break coming up in just over two weeks, two teams in particular are staking their claim as the dominant powers in the NHL.

Here are the power rankings for the week ending January 29, 2010:

1. San Jose - They are absolutely pummeling their opponents, outscoring their opponents by a count of 26-7, over their last five games. Combined with their recent 33 percent power play (PP) efficiency rate, this team is absolutely lethal.

2. Washington - Another team smashing their opponents, the Caps have outscored their opponents 36-14 over their last seven games. The prevailing question here, however, is the health of Semyon Varlamov. Because unless he's healthy enough to participate in the playoffs, when high-scoring teams get clamped down, they may be first round upset material.

3. Chicago - Their brutal eight-game road swing has drained their ascent to the top of the rankings—big losses to Ottawa and Vancouver were evidence of that. Fortunately, games against the putrid Oilers and plummeting Flames helped them recover a bit. As soon as they get through the next two games, one of which is in the Shark Tank (HP Pavilion), they may have weathered the last remaining obstacle between themselves and the Presidents Trophy.

4. Vancouver - Arguably the NHL's hottest team, since their early season struggles, the 'Nucks have benefited from having the majority of their games at the GM Center. But now the 14-game road death march beckons.

5. Colorado - Winners of the last six games, we can put to bed any notions of this team being a fluke. Stellar goaltending, great team speed and youth—Matt Duchene is staking his claim for the Calder Trophy—all make up a team who could be the opponent no one wants to play in the Western Conference, come playoff time.

6. Buffalo - The Sabres didn't exactly come out of their brutal, seven-game road trip unscathed, going 2-4-2; however, they have returned home to the HSBC Center and can now solidify home ice advantage during the playoffs. Great credit goes to Lindy Rupp for changing his old-school ways to accommodate to his youthful squad.

7. New Jersey - Marty Brodeur's heavy workload, combined with not scoring many goals—even for a Jaques Lemaire system—have resulted in the Devils' recent trend of flattening out. As injuries have decimated the team, could a trade be on the horizon?

8. Pittsburgh - Right now the Pens can't match the firepower of the Caps—but it's the regular season, and the playoffs are a different story. They are starting to play much better—the return of Marc-Andre Fleury was a welcomed relief.

9. Phoenix - The 'Yotes offensive arsenal is a pleasant surprise; however, Ilya Bryzgalov's struggles during the month of January—4-4. 3.80 GAA, .885 save%—could be a sign of the clock striking midnight on one of the league's biggest surprises.

10. Los Angeles - Despite their current struggles on the power play, the Kings have won five of their last six. Losing Justin Williams with a broken leg will definitely hurt their offensive firepower.

11. Ottawa - Winners of seven straight, the 'Sens are riding the strength of Brian Elliot's stellar goaltending. Pascal LeClaire appears to have lost his starting job, but for such a roller coaster team, that could change quickly.

12. Detroit - Watch out: Niklas Kronwall has returned, and Jason Williams and Tomas Holmstrom are returning shortly. While obtaining home ice advantage might be out of the question, much like Colorado, the Wings are a team no one will want to face.

13. Anaheim - The Ducks have come back to the pack, losing three of their last four games after going on an 8-2 run. The Ducks have been doing it with balanced scoring, in spite of their injuries to key personnel—Joffrey Lupul, Teemu Selanne and Saku Koivu.

14. Nashville - Losers of their last four games in a row, the 'Preds are struggling, to be kind. Losing to Columbus, a team they'd previously had a 22-2-2 record against since 2006-07, might have been evidence that a freefall is imminent.

15. Calgary - Flame off? Jarome Iginla's struggles (his goal-scoring drought is up to 13 consecutive games) and an overall lack of goal-scoring support—Kipper can only do so much - are evidence of a team dangerously moving out of playoff contention. Are the rumors true that Dion Phaneuf could be on the move?

16. Philadelphia - The Flyers appear to have found consistency, and appear to be buying into Peter Laviolette's system. Ray Emery appears to be the starting netminder du jour. If they can get star players such as Mike Richards and Simon Gagne in gear, watch for a playoff run.

17. Dallas - The Stars win games—that's when they're at home—and they lose games—that's when they're on the road. Unless they can schedule all of their road games against the Oilers, this pattern will keep them out of the playoffs.

18. Minnesota - Similar to the Stars, the Wild are not a stout road team. But with a 17-6-2 home record and the return of Brent Burns, the Wild are in position for a possible return to the playoffs.

19. Florida - Just when you thought the Panthers were primed for the draft lottery, they go 6-1-2 and are in the race in the Eastern Conference. Losing Nathan Horton for the season might prove devastating to their playoff aspirations.

20. St. Louis - The Blues are up and down, but at least they're now winning at home. But in order to return to the playoffs this year, a repeat of last year's incredible run might be necessary.

21. Tampa Bay - Winners of four of their last five, the 'Bolts are starting to play consistent, competitive hockey. Steven Stamkos has not only avoided the sophomore jinx, but has established himself as a player who lived up to the hype.

22. New York Islanders - Yes, they got smashed by the Caps, but right now every team is getting smashed by the Caps. Having a healthy Rick DiPietro back, as well as rookie John Taveras' performance, has solidified the Isles as one of the great success stories in the NHL.

23. Atlanta - The chaos that is the Ilya Kovalchuk saga continues. As a trade appears imminent, unless the Thrashers can obtain reasonable return, the rebuild and draft lottery appears certain.

24. Boston - Claude Julien's job may be safe—well, that's what they're telling him, anyway—but if their losing ways continue, that Jack Adams award won't save his job.

25. Montreal - Jaroslav Halak, who stopped 63 of 64 shots in their two victories last week, can only do so much. I'd suggest a rebuild, but where do you start, particularly with an underachieving, salary-bloated team?

26. New York Rangers - Getting drilled by just about everyone. Just remember: It's not the organization's fault, it's Daniel Carcillo's fault.

27. Columbus - Playing close to .500 hockey over their last 12-13 games, which has prompted Ken Hitchcock to proclaim that their playoff run has begun. However, that run would have to involve going 21-6-1, and they're not that far removed from that 3-14-7 meltdown a few weeks ago.

28. Carolina - Tough call—do you keep trying to make a run at the playoffs, a record of which would rival what Columbus has to accomplish, or do you try to position yourself for a top pick in the upcoming draft? Still, you have to admire their team's pride—if they could just press the reset button and throw out those first 35 games.

29. Toronto - Brian Burke put all of his eggs in the basket to pick up Phil Kessel. Now, without a No. 1 pick next season, their rebuild might take a decade, rather than a season or two.

30. Edmonton - Losers of 18 of their last 19 games, the Oilers can take solace in only one thing: Only 148 days until the next NHL draft.