NHL Power Rankings: Phoenix Coyotes and Florida Panthers Skating on Thin Ice

Phoenix and Florida are standing on thin ice—and it’s not just because they’re in Sun Belt locations.

As of today, both teams are in first place in their respective divisions, but there’s no guarantee that they will remain top-three seeds in the playoffs. In fact, they might not make the postseason at all.

The Central Division is going to be well represented in the Western Conference playoffs and the Northwest Division, well... won’t. That leaves the somewhat respectable Pacific Division to fill in the holes (although, to be fair, Colorado and maybe Calgary have a decent chance of making the postseason).

If Colorado makes the postseason as a high-seed and all four Central Division teams not located in Columbus are locks, that leaves three spots for four Pacific Division teams.

San Jose and Los Angeles have been there before and should return this season, whereas Dallas and Phoenix—two teams that desperately need a playoff appearance to stay relevant in their respective cities—will probably be vying for the final spot.

Phoenix is in good position now, but don’t expect them to sit comfortably until the final buzzer in Game 82.

In the East, there’s basically one spot open for either Toronto or the non-division-winner in the Southeast.

Florida has held down the division all year long, but Winnipeg currently is in the eight spot, followed closely by Washington and Tampa Bay.

Winnipeg is playing with house money. They’re in a honeymoon period, having just arrived from Atlanta.

Tampa and Washington are expected to make the postseason. Their fanbases have had a taste of postseason success and want it again this year.

Florida, on the other hand, has rendered themselves invisible in the Miami area. The Heat have the Big Three, the Marlins have a new park and the Dolphins, well, are the Dolphins.

The Panthers need a postseason appearance this season—they haven't been there since 2000—if they’re going to generate interest in South Florida.

Will either team make the postseason this year?

We’ll have to wait and see.

30. Columbus Blue Jackets

Last week: 30

The Blue Jackets have started the month off right with wins in Denver and Glendale.

Both Colorado and Phoenix needed those wins, but Columbus pulled off the upsets. 

29. Edmonton Oilers

Last week: 29

The Oilers have lost three of their last four contests, but picked up a nice 5-3 win in Winnipeg.

28. Montreal Canadiens

Last week: 27

Montreal has only one win in its last seven games and remains in the Eastern Conference cellar.

27. Carolina Hurricanes

Last week: 28

The Canes showed signs of life in February, but with four losses in their last five games you can probably stick a fork in ‘em.

26. New York Islanders

Last week: 26

At this point in the year, the Islanders are playing spoiler.

They’re doing a good job at it too. Recent wins over the Rangers and Bruins have people in New York and Massachusetts pulling their hair out.

25. Minnesota Wild

Last week: 23

Losers of four of its last five, Minnesota is fading away in the West.

24. Anaheim Ducks

Last week: 21

After weeks of playing well and looking like a potential playoff team, the Ducks have lost three of their last four games.

They’re not done, but the clock is ticking.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs

Last week: 19

The Leafs finished February with one win in 11 games.

The result?

Ron Wilson was given the boot. 

22. Calgary Flames

Last week: 22

The Flames aren't out of the playoff picture, but they’ve lost five of their last six games and appear to be fading into oblivion.

21. Washington Capitals

Last week: 20

Washington had something good going at the end of February—three straight wins going into March.

Then the Caps lost to New Jersey 5-0 at home. 

20. Colorado Avalanche

Last week: 16

The Avs finished February with four consecutive wins.

They got off on the wrong foot in March, however, losing to Columbus and Pittsburgh by a combined score of 7-1 to begin the month.

19. Tampa Bay Lightning

Last week: 24

The Lightning have won their last four games and (dare I say?) might make the postseason.

18. Buffalo Sabres

Last week: 25

The Sabres have recent wins over Boston, Anaheim, San Jose and Vancouver.

They also took the Rangers to overtime.

Suddenly, Buffalo has playoff hopes.

17. Los Angeles Kings

Last week: 17

In their last four games, the Kings have three big wins over Chicago (4-0), Minnesota (4-0) and Anaheim (4-2) that have vaulted them into the playoff picture.

16. San Jose Sharks

Last week: 14

With only two wins in their last 10 games, the Sharks need to get out of their funk if they want to get past the Western Conference Finals (or, really, secure a spot in the playoffs) this season.

15. Dallas Stars

Last week: 15

Dallas has won five of its last six contests and took Pittsburgh to a shootout.

With the Coyotes and Sharks struggling, the Stars have a chance to win the Pacific.

14. Florida Panthers

Last week: 13

Winnipeg and Nashville beat Florida by a combined score of 10-1 to start out March.

Safe to say, the Cats’ Southeast Division lead is in jeopardy.

13. Winnipeg Jets

Last week: 18

Winnipeg picked up a big 7-0 win against the Panthers and still could make the playoffs in its first season since relocation.

12. Phoenix Coyotes

Last week: 9

After winning six straight to finish off February, the Coyotes opened March with losses to Calgary and Columbus by a combined score of 9-4.

Certainly, this team can feel the rest of the Pacific Division breathing down its neck.

11. Ottawa Senators

Last week: 11

The Sens cannot let a loss to the Blackhawks rattle them.

Ottawa won six of its last seven games in February and is only three points away from Boston in the Northeast Division.

10. New Jersey Devils

Last week: 10

A four-game losing streak down the stretch is tough to stomach, but New Jersey has to feel good about the 5-0 dismantling of the Caps in the DC.

9. Philadelphia Flyers

Last week: 8

Although they own the league’s best offense, the Flyers needs to find some consistency.

Their wins over Winnipeg, Calgary and the Islanders are separated by shutout losses to Edmonton and San Jose.

8. Boston Bruins

Last week: 6

A home-and-home split with Ottawa and loss to the Islanders is never good at this point in the season.

7. Chicago Blackhawks

Last week: 12

The Blackhawks have once again clotted the bleeding with wins over Toronto and Ottawa and appear to be on track to make the playoffs. 

6. Nashville Predators

Last week: 5

Save for a bad loss in Raleigh, the Preds have picked up points in six of their last seven games (they had a shootout loss to St. Louis) and look like a bona fide playoff threat.

5. Pittsburgh Penguins

Last week: 7

The Penguins continue to hum along with wins in their last five games.

4. Vancouver Canucks

Last week: 1

Vancouver only has one win in its last four games, which may be a result of the lengthy road trip.

There’s no real threat in the Northwest Division, but they could lose the top seed in the conference to Detroit or St. Louis.

3. New York Rangers

Last week: 3

They suffered a tough overtime loss to the Lightning in Tampa, but other than that the Rangers are rolling and should be a huge threat going into the postseason.

2. Detroit Red Wings

Last week: 2

After a three-game slump, the Red Wings have gotten back on the right track, bashing the Blue Jackets and Wild by a combined score of 11-2 in their last two contests.

1. St. Louis Blues

Last week: 4

Owners of the league’s best defense, the Blues suffocated everyone except Vancouver on their six-game road trip.