NHL Power Rankings: New York Rangers Surge to No. 1, Phoenix Breaks Top 10

The trading deadline has come and gone, and it was uncharacteristically lackluster.

All of the major trades, such as Marek Zidlicky going to the New Jersey Devils and Jeff Carter shipping down to Tinseltown, happened before the deadline.

Now the waiting game begins to see how these acquisitions actually affect teams. 

As we head toward the final push of the season, plenty of story lines are emerging. Does Toronto make a coaching change? Will Sidney Crosby make a comeback? And most importantly, can the NHL and the players' association strike a labor deal?

These burning questions will be answered in the coming weeks.

Until then, here are the latest rankings:

1. New York Rangers (Last week: No. 3)

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. The Rangers liked the way they looked heading into the deadline and refused to sell the house for Rick Nash. 

They've also been playing stellar hockey. They're 11-3-2 in their last 16. They have a comfortable lead atop the Eastern Conference and have three games in hand against Vancouver, St. Louis, and Detroit for the Presidents' Trophy lead.

2. Vancouver Canucks (Last week: No. 2)

The Canucks finished their road trip with a 3-1-2 record. They've made a strong case for the No. 1 spot in the power rankings, but they've been losing in overtime games. They lost four times in the extra frame this month.

In the playoffs, there is no consolation for losing in overtime. So although their long points streak was pretty incredible, their lackluster performance in close games cost them the No. 1 spot. 

3. St. Louis Blues (Last week: No. 4)

The Blues are 4-0 on their six-game road trip so far. Their toughest test comes tonight in Vancouver. 

4. Detroit Red Wings (Last week: No. 1)

The Red Wings spent a few weeks at No. 1 but absolutely struggled this week. Their home winning streak was snapped as they lost twice at the Joe. Their only win came against the Blue Jackets (which shouldn't really count since they're terrible). So essentially, the Wings didn't beat anyone this week.

5. Boston Bruins (Last week: No. 5)

The Bruins have been close to a .500 team since the All-Star break with a 6-7-1 record. However, with five guys with 40 points or more and an elite goaltender with Tim Thomas, the team just has to be ready come playoff time.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins (Last week: No. 7)

Just give Geno the MVP already after that sick goal on Saturday.

7. Nashville Predators (Last week: No. 8)

The Predators haven't lost a home game in regulation since January 5. 

8. Phoenix Coyotes (Last week: No. 12)

After winning just three games in January, the Coyotes have gone on an 11-0-1 tear in February to take over first place in the Pacific Division.

Unfortunately, nobody's noticed.

9. Philadelphia Flyers (Last week: No. 10)

All of a sudden it's the offense that has become a problem for the Flyers as they've been shut out twice in the last three games.

But at least their goaltending, their biggest concern, has stepped up in those games. 

10. New Jersey Devils (Last week: No. 6)

Just when we anoint the Devils as the No. 6 team in the power rankings last week, they follow it up with a total of zero wins this week. 

They dropped two huge games against the Canucks and Rangers, which exemplifies their incapability to hang with the best of the league.

11. Chicago Blackhawks (Last week: No. 9)

The streaky Hawks have a tough two weeks coming up. They play the Blues twice, the Red Wings and the Rangers. Strong performances in these games would build confidence in a team that's been Jekyll and Hyde all year. 

12. San Jose Sharks (Last week: No. 11)

The Sharks are finally back home after a lackluster 2-6-1 record on their nine-game road trip. They can sure use some home cooking to take back the top spot in the Pacific.

13. Ottawa Senators (Last week: No. 13)

The Senators may be 7-1-1 in their last nine, but this team doesn't play defense, and it's going to cost them in the long run.

14. Florida Panthers (Last week: No. 14)

A couple of nice wins help open up the gap in the Southeast, but there is no doubt that the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference will be smiling at the fact that they get the Panthers in the first round of the playoffs.

15. Washington Capitals (Last week: No. 17)

The Capitals have won three in a row. Is this the long-awaited winning streak that's going to propel them to the top of their division?

16. Los Angeles Kings (Last week: 15)

There is no doubt that Jeff Carter will help the Kings. His presence alone has given the Kings a boost with two 4-0 victories this week. The Kings become a more difficult team to play against. Watch out for this dark-horse team in the playoffs.

17. Dallas Stars (Last week: 21)

The Stars finally established some sort of winning streak after a season filled with inconsistencies. They now hold the No. 8 seed in the West after a valiant effort against the surging Penguins last night on national television. 

18. Colorado Avalanche (Last week: No. 22)

A much needed four-game winning streak puts the Avs just a point behind the Stars for a playoff spot. The Duchene-Hejduk-Stastny line needs to be more consistent if they want to make the playoffs. 

19. Calgary Flames  (Last week: No. 16)

The Flames have lost five of their last six. Worst time to start bad habits.

20. Winnipeg Jets (Last week: No. 20)

The Jets spent time at the top of the Southeast Division this week, which is absolutely ridiculous. They're very much in the thick of things, but if they want to make the impossible happen they need to start winning some more road games.

21. Toronto Maple Leafs (Last week: No. 19)

"Fire Wilson" chants heard after the Leafs lose. Will the Leafs actually make a last-second move to revitalize the team?

22. Anaheim Ducks (Last week: No. 18)

Back-to-back losses put the Ducks in a huge hole. They're now seven points behind the Stars. If they had won those two games they would've been just three back. There is still some time left, but the hourglass is running out of sand. 

23. Buffalo Sabres (Last week: No. 26)

The Sabres have collected points in each of their last six games. This is exactly what they needed to get back into the playoff race. Ryan Miller's solid play in goal has been a major part of the Sabres' success.

24. Tampa Bay Lightning (Last week: No. 23)

Solid trade deadline for a team that probably won't make the playoffs. They stockpiled on defense, a facet of the game they haven't been doing well in.

25. Carolina Hurricanes (Last week: No. 24)

The Hurricanes surprisingly held on to Jaroslav Spacek, who will be a free agent this summer. Perhaps there was a lack of interest in the veteran defenseman.

26. Minnesota Wild (Last week: No. 28)

Nick Schultz said good bye to the only team he's ever played for after he was exiled, err, traded to Edmonton during the deadline.

27. New York Islanders (Last week: 27)

The Islanders are now looking to extend Evgeni Nabokov's contract. Pretty surprising after the rocky beginnings between the goalie and the team.  

28. Montreal Canadiens (Last week: No. 25)

Funny how the most successful franchise in NHL history was a seller during the trade deadline, and the Nashville Predators were buyers. Welcome to the salary cap era.

29. Edmonton Oilers (Last week: No. 29)

The Oilers' 25 wins matches what they had last season. Expect a strong finish for a young team with nothing to lose or gain, except shatter other teams' playoff hopes. 

30. Columbus Blue Jackets (Last week: No. 30)

Kudos to GM Scott Howson for keeping Nash. He stood firm on his lofty trade demands, and it shows that he really wants to turn this team into a winner soon.

Power Rankings History: Dec 13-19 | Dec 20-26 | Dec 27-Jan 4 | Jan 5-11 | Jan 12-18 | Jan 19-26 | Jan 31-Feb 14 | Feb 15-22