NHL Power Rankings: Canadian Teams Dominate the Top 10

It's not quite a national crisis in Canada. But it's close.

Hockey fans of a certain age in the True North will be well aware of the time that has passed since the Stanley Cup was last hoisted by a Canadian team.

Come this spring, it will be 31 years.

However, while the 1993 Montreal Canadiens were the last team north of the 49th parallel to raise a banner, recent indications in the B/R Power Rankings suggest it could happen again soon.

The Winnipeg Jets and Vancouver Canucks monopolized the voting panel's first-place ballots for the second straight week, maintaining their positions at No. 1 and 2, respectively, while the surging Edmonton Oilers—the nation's last dynasty with five Cups in seven seasons from 1984 to 1990—have ridden a two-month wave into the No. 8 spot.

Edmonton has lost to the eventual Cup champions in each of the last two playoffs but began this season with a 2-9-1 skid and was 31st in our rankings 10 weeks ago. Since hiring Kris Knoblauch to replace Jay Woodcroft on November 12, though, the Oilers are 21-6.

Colorado and Boston each moved up a space from last week to take third and fourth, respectively, while the Florida Panthers fell two spots to fifth.

Scroll through to see where your favorite team wound up and drop a thought of your own in the comments.

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Note: Votes were tallied before games on Wednesday, Jan. 17.

32. San Jose Sharks

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 16: A San Jose Sharks fan celebrates after the Sharks score against the Chicago Blackhawks in the third period at the United Center on January 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 32

Overall Record: 10-31-4

The Sharks have struggled to score goals all season, and it's been no different amid a recent run of 15 losses in 16 games.

In fact, San Jose has been held to one or no goals in 10 of those games.

"When you play with emotion and passion, you're just a better hockey player and a hockey team," coach David Quinn said. "Losing can take that away from you."

31. Chicago Blackhawks

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JANUARY 16: Cole Guttman #70 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates scoring with the bench during the first period against the San Jose Sharks at the United Center on January 16, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 31

Overall Record: 13-29-2

Everyone knows about the exploits of teenage star Connor Bedard, but he isn't the only youngster to provide offense for the Blackhawks this season.

Center Cole Guttman scored for the fourth time in a win against San Jose, giving Chicago 21 goals from rookies this season, which ties for the league lead with Columbus.

30. Anaheim Ducks

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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 16: Sam Carrick #39 of the Anaheim Ducks looks tot are a shot on goal during a game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on January 16, 2024 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by John McCreary/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 30

Overall Record: 15-28-1

The Ducks are fourth from the bottom when it comes to goals per game (2.50), and it's been a particular issue lately in a stretch that's yielded three losses in four games.

Anaheim scored five times to beat Florida on Monday but had four total goals in three losses.

29. Columbus Blue Jackets

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COLUMBUS, OHIO - JANUARY 15: Elvis Merzlikins #90 of the Columbus Blue Jackets stretches during warms up prior to a game against the Vancouver Canucks at Nationwide Arena on January 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 28

Overall Record: 14-21-9

Elvis Merzlikins started for the first time since December 29 and made 27 saves to defeat streaking Vancouver on Monday.

It was the netminder's first start since requesting a trade, which he'd initially suggested was simply a desire for a "new scenario" following a January 2 scratch.

Merzlikins, 29, is in the second year of a five-year, $27 million deal.

28. Ottawa Senators

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Jacques Martin of the Ottawa Senators looks onto the ice dejected after the 4th Vancouver Canuck goal during the first period of their NHL game at Rogers Arena on January 2, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 29

Overall Record: 15-24-0

The Senators keep finding frustrating ways to lose. They led Colorado, 4-2, at home Tuesday before allowing five straight in a 7-4 loss, their sixth in seven games.

"You've got to build some mechanism that when you face adversity it brings the best out of you instead of folding," coach Jacques Martin said.

27. Minnesota Wild

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SAINT PAUL, MN - JANUARY 15: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Minnesota Wild makes a save against Cal Clutterbuck #15 of the New York Islanders during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on January 15, 2024 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 25

Overall Record: 18-20-5

It's not been a particularly memorable season for the Wild beyond the milestone-chasing of goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who moved into second on the league's all-time wins list (552) with a shutout of the New York Islanders.

It was his second win in six January starts, and it moved him past Patrick Roy (551) and within 139 of leader Martin Brodeur.

26. Montreal Canadiens

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MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 15: Jake Allen (34) of the Montreal Canadiens makes a glove save during the first period of the NHL game between the Colorado Avalanche and the Montreal Canadiens on January 15 2024, at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC(Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 26

Overall Record: 18-18-7

Eleven days on the shelf was no problem for veteran goalie Jake Allen, who returned from the extended absence to make 32 saves in a 4-3 win at Colorado.

It was the 33-year-old's first win since a December 18 game at Winnipeg and boosted his save percentage for the season to .901 in 15 starts.

25. Buffalo Sabres

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BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen #1 of the Buffalo Sabres tends goal against William Eklund #72 of the San Jose Sharks during an NHL game on January 15, 2024 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joe Hrycych/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 27

Overall Record: 19-21-4

Former second-round pick Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen staked his claim to a full-time place in the Buffalo net and did so memorably with four wins, a 1.40 goals-against average and a .950 save percentage in his last five starts through Monday.

He's the first Sabres goalie with multiple shutouts in a season (2) since Carter Hutton (2) in 2019-20.

24. St. Louis Blues

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JANUARY 15: Morgan Frost #48 of the Philadelphia Flyers defends against Sammy Blais #79 of the St. Louis Blues on January 15, 2024 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Rovak/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 24

Overall Record: 21-19-2

The Blues managed three of a possible eight points in a four-game homestand and will play at home once more before a three-game trip sends them west to Calgary, Vancouver and St. Louis from Tuesday to Friday.

St. Louis was 8-11-1 through its first 20 road games.

23. New York Islanders

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WINNIPEG, CANADA - JANUARY 16: Anders Lee #27 of the New York Islanders celebrates after scoring a first period goal against the Winnipeg Jets at the Canada Life Centre on January 16, 2024 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 16

Overall Record: 19-15-10

Absence of goals means absence of wins for the Islanders, who have scored two or fewer times in five of their last six games and not surprisingly gone 1-5 in the stretch.

The only climb above two goals came in a 4-3 OT defeat of visiting Toronto on Thursday.

New York has fallen to 23rd in the league with 2.93 goals per game.

22. Seattle Kraken

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Jordan Eberle #7 of the Seattle Kraken skates with the puck against Nick Bonino #12 of the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on January 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 20

Overall Record: 19-16-9

The stability gained through a 13-game point streak (11-0-2) hasn't wavered for the Kraken yet, even now that they've lost two straight.

"This ground that we've made up the last month, it slips away pretty quickly if you start losing games," forward Jordan Eberle said.

21. Arizona Coyotes

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TEMPE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 11: Sean Durzi #50 of the Arizona Coyotes skates with the puck against the Calgary Flames at Mullett Arena on January 11, 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 21

Overall Record: 21-18-3

Arizona has scored eight goals across the five losses in a recent 2-5 stretch, compared to 10 in the two wins, but defenseman Sean Durzi isn't concerned the team is falling away from its Western playoff objective.

"It's disappointing," he said, "but this time of year we have to be able to, at least from my experience, move on. That's it. What's happened has happened."

20. Washington Capitals

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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 16: Goalie Darcy Kuemper #35 and John Carlson #74 of the Washington Capitals celebrate after defeating the Anaheim Ducks at Capital One Arena on January 16, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 17

Overall Record: 21-15-6

It's been a success in a different form in three games without an injured Alex Ovechkin.

Washington is 2-1 without the "Great 8" and has scored only six goals but allowed just four, including a Tuesday shutout.

"Every time you miss the big piece like Alex, a lot of guys have to step up," forward Evgeny Kuznetsov said.

19. Calgary Flames

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CALGARY, AB - JANUARY 16: Adam Ruzicka #63 and Daniel Vladar #80 of the Calgary Flames celebrate on ice after a win in OT against the Arizona Coyotes at Scotiabank Saddledome on January 16, 2024 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 23

Overall Record: 21-18-5

The Flames were down some key players but didn't let it divert them from the task on Tuesday, when they defeated visiting Arizona without starting goaltender Jakob Markstrom (lower body) and forward Jonathan Huberdeau (illness).

It was a fourth straight win for Calgary, which is two points off the Western Conference playoff pace.

18. Nashville Predators

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 15: Luke Evangelista #77 of the Nashville Predators celebrates with teammates after a goal during the second period against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on January 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 19

Overall Record: 24-19-1

The Predators hadn't suffered a regulation road loss since December 9 before Monday, when they dropped a 4-1 decision at Vegas to end a 6-0-1 run.

Nashville had scored 29 goals in the seven-game road run while netting just 24 in nine home games.

17. Tampa Bay Lightning

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 13: Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning tends net against Ryan Strome #16 of the Anaheim Ducks during the first period at Amalie Arena on January 13, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 22

Overall Record: 22-17-5

The Lightning lost two of three on a road trip but quickly got back on track at home with three straight victories in which they scored 12 goals and allowed just six.

Andrei Vasilevskiy earned the three wins in goal while stopping 66 of 72 shots for a .916 save percentage, lowering his mark for the season to .898 in 21 starts.

16. New Jersey Devils

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BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 30: New Jersey Devils defenseman Brendan Smith (2) during warm up before a game between the Boston Bruins and the New Jersey Devils on December 30, 2023, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 15

Overall Record: 22-16-3

Depth on the blue line is being tested in New Jersey, where Brendan Smith will miss time with a sprained knee suffered on Monday against Boston.

The Devils played the remainder of the game with five defensemen and were already limited after Dougie Hamilton's torn pectoral muscle and Jonas Siegenthaler's broken foot.

15. Detroit Red Wings

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TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 14: Patrick Kane #88 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period in an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 14, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Red Wings defeated the Maple Leafs 4-2. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 18

Overall Record: 22-16-5

Patrick Kane left Sunday's game at Toronto after just 67 seconds of ice time with a lower-body injury and won't play at least until the Red Wings complete their three-game trip and and return to host Tampa Bay on Sunday.

The 35-year-old signed with Detroit after hip resurfacing surgery, but coach Derek Lalonde said the injury is not hip-related.

14. Pittsburgh Penguins

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PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 15: Tristan Jarry #35 of the Pittsburgh Penguins deflects a shot on goal during the third period against the Seattle Kraken at PPG PAINTS Arena on January 15, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Harrison Barden/Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 13

Overall Record: 21-15-6

It only took 29 games for Tristan Jarry to establish a new personal best for single-season shutouts, which he did by stopping 22 shots for his fifth of 2023-24 in a 3-0 defeat of Seattle.

The 28-year-old is tied for the league lead with Arizona's Connor Ingram and posted four shutouts across 58 games in 2021-22.

13. Toronto Maple Leafs

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EDMONTON, CANADA - JANUARY 16: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs stretches during warm ups before the game against the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place on January 16, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 9

Overall Record: 21-13-8

The Maple Leafs are 0-3-1 in their last four, including matching 4-2 losses to Detroit and Edmonton in which they'd been up 2-1 after 40 minutes.

"There's a lot of good things that we are doing," forward Auston Matthews said. "It's just a matter of being consistent executing on some of these opportunities that we have later in games."

12. Los Angeles Kings

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 28: Trevor Lewis #22 and Kyle Clifford #13 of the Los Angeles Kings talk while waiting for play to resume during the first period of the game against the Dallas Stars at STAPLES Center on February 28, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. It was Lewis' 600th NHL career game. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 11

Overall Record: 21-12-8

Home can't arrive soon enough for the free-falling Kings, which went 1-3-2 on a six-game road trip and have managed just the single victory—on Monday at Carolina—in 10 games since beating San Jose on December 27.

"Nothing's going for us right now, and we're going to come out of it and we're going to be stronger for it," forward Trevor Lewis said.

11. Philadelphia Flyers

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ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JANUARY 15: Sean Walker #26 of the Philadelphia Flyers looks to clear the puck against Alexey Toropchenko #13 of the St. Louis Blues in the third period at Enterprise Center on January 15, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 14

Overall Record: 24-14-6

The Flyers are embodying the persona of coach John Tortorella, and it's translating into wins.

Three road games in four nights yielded success in Minnesota (4-3), Winnipeg (2-0) and St. Louis (4-2).

"Statement games, measure games, I don't believe in that," Tortorella said. "I just think the team just comes to work, and that's what's good about our group."

10. Carolina Hurricanes

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RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 15: Antti Raanta #32 of the Carolina Hurricanes reacts during the second period against the Los Angeles Kings at PNC Arena on January 15, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 10

Overall Record: 24-14-5

A 7-0-1 stretch ended in frustrating fashion for the Hurricanes, which allowed four third-period goals in a 5-2 loss to visiting Los Angeles.

The four goals came on seven shots and saw starter Antti Raanta pulled after playing 45-plus minutes.

"We had a few bad shifts," coach Rod Brind'Amour said. "Then it was boom, boom, boom, in the net and the game was over."

9. Vegas Golden Knights

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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JANUARY 15: Chandler Stephenson (L) #20 and Mark Stone #61 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrate after Stone scored a goal against the Nashville Predators in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on January 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 8

Overall Record: 25-14-5

Linemates Mark Stone and Chandler Stephenson rekindled some of last spring's postseason magic in a 4-1 defeat of Nashville, in which Stone notched his first regular-season hat trick after scoring three goals in two playoff games.

"(Stone's) pretty good with (Stephenson). They were on. We saw their chemistry," coach Bruce Cassidy said.

8. Edmonton Oilers

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EDMONTON, CANADA - JANUARY 16: Derek Ryan #10 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates his third period goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs with Mattias Janmark #13 at the bench at Rogers Place on January 16, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 12

Overall Record: 24-15-1

Who's got it better these days than the Oilers, who extended a franchise record with an 11th straight win on Tuesday.

Edmonton was tied for 32nd overall on November 9 but has gone 19-3 since November 24—the league's best record in that span.

7. New York Rangers

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 16: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers is named second star of the game in a 5-2 win against the Seattle Kraken at Madison Square Garden on January 16, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 6

Overall Record: 28-13-2

Is that former Vezina winner Igor Shesterkin rounding into form?

The 28-year-old Russian has won two straight starts while stopping 53 of 56 shots (.946 save percentage) after a stretch in which he lost two in a row with nine goals allowed on 44 shots (.795).

6. Dallas Stars

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DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 16: Wyatt Johnston (right center) #53 of the Dallas Stars celebrates his third period goal against the Los Angeles Kings with Jani Hakanpaa #2, Roope Hintz #24, and Jason Robertson #21 at American Airlines Center on January 16, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 7

Overall Record: 26-12-5

There's never enough of a good thing for the Stars, which have won four of five games and got a combined six points from the new forward line of Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson and Wyatt Johnston in a Tuesday win over Los Angeles.

Robertson's two assists took him to 30 for the season for the third straight time.

5. Florida Panthers

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SUNRISE, FL - JANUARY 15: Jackson LaCombe #60 of the Anaheim Ducks defendds against Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers during first period action at the Amerant Bank Arena on January 15, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 3

Overall Record: 27-13-3

It's been mostly smooth sailing through 2023-24 for the Panthers, but they may spend some time without prolific forward Aleksander Barkov, who left Monday's OT loss against Anaheim with a lower-body injury.

The 28-year-old didn't play Wednesday against Detroit, and he may also miss Friday's game with Minnesota.

4. Boston Bruins

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BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 15: Charlie Coyle #13 and Jeremy Swayman #1 of the Boston Bruins celebrate the win against the New Jersey Devils at the TD Garden on January 15, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Steve Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 5

Overall Record: 26-8-9

The Bruins returned home after a four-game road trip in which they lost three times, each in a shootout or overtime.

Upon getting back to the TD Garden, they defeated New Jersey 3-0 in Jeremy Swayman's third shutout of the season.

The goaltender is in the league's top 10 in shutouts (tied, fourth), save percentage (tied, fifth) and goals-against average (seventh).

3. Colorado Avalanche

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OTTAWA, CANADA - JANUARY 16: Jonathan Drouin #27 of the Colorado Avalanche and Ridly Greig #71 of the Ottawa Senators skate against each other during the first period at Canadian Tire Centre on January 16, 2024 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Colorado Avalanche defeated the Ottawa Senators 7-4. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 4

Overall Record: 29-13-3

No early lead? No problem for the resilient Avalanche, which were down 4-2 at Ottawa on Tuesday before scoring the game's last five goals.

It was the sixth multi-goal comeback win of 2023-24 for Colorado, good for No. 1 in the league alongside Central rival Dallas.

2. Vancouver Canucks

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COLUMBUS, OHIO - JANUARY 15: J.T. Miller #9 of the Vancouver Canucks talks with his teammates during the overtime period of a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on January 15, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 2

Overall Record: 30-11-4

The Canucks finished 5-1-1 on a seven-game road trip but the finale, a shootout loss at Columbus, marked the first time this season they'd lost after holding a lead through two periods (26-0-1).

"We have a high expectation and we'll get back to where we need to be next game," forward J.T. Miller said.

1. Winnipeg Jets

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WINNIPEG, CANADA - JANUARY 16: Kyle Connor #81 of the Winnipeg Jets takes part in the pre-game warm up prior to NHL action against the New York Islanders at the Canada Life Centre on January 16, 2024 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Darcy Finley/NHLI via Getty Images)

Previous Ranking: 1

Overall Record: 29-10-4

Prolific winger Kyle Connor was on the shelf for 16 games with a knee injury but returned as if he'd not missed a shift, scoring a goal in Winnipeg's 4-2 win over the New York Islanders.

The Jets were 12-2-2 in his absence and scored 3.38 goals per game, better than their 3.27 average before his injury.