Week 14 NHL Power Rankings: Blue Jackets Stay Steady

TSN.ca - up 2 to 12

Just as the hockey world is starting to get on Nikolai Zherdev's side, when he had seven points and was plus-4 in three games, the enigmatic Russian sniper had no points and was minus-5 in the next three games.

CBSSports.com - down 1 to 21

Rich Nash and Nik Zherdev are the only Jackets with double-digit scoring totals, which helps explain why Columbus has won only two of 13 one-goal games.

Yahoo.com - stays put at 20

Ken Hitchcock has taught Rich Nash to be more of a complete player, and he's looking every bit the part of a No.1 overall pick now. It's time for Sergei Fedorov to take it off cruise control. He still has another gear he hasn't shifted into for several seasons now.

CBC.ca - up 1 to 20

Hitchcock has them hanging tough.

ESPN.com - stays at 22

With Fredrik Modin and Pascal Leclaire already out of the lineup, the Jackets are hoping the news isn't serious for Nikolai Zherdev.

FoxSports.com - stays at 20

(.524) By only winning two of the four games it played, Columbus stayed in the 20th position in the rankings. The Blue Jackets may have been able to climb in the rankings had the team's power-play units connected on a few of its chances in their two one-goal losses.

CNNSI.com - stays at 21

Call it a wake up call for 2008. Gilbert Brule, sent to the minors on New Year's Day, notched a hat trick in his first game with Syracuse. It's a fairly safe bet that his stay will be short. The Jackets, meanwhile, on Monday saw Rick Nash notch his first goal (hat trick) since Dec. 5.

ColumbusDispatch.com - awaiting rankings

Average score 19.42 (last week 19.57)

The Jackets maintain this week, which fits their win one lose one style. Their highest score was by TSN at 12 while the lowest ESPN at 22. Most had the Jackets at 20.

The Jackets get a chance to really boost themselves in the standings this starting tomorrow as they have 3 straight at home after going a dismal 1-3 on the road.

-LTL