Boston Bruins Still on Top: January NHL Power Rankings

Here are Michael Wagner's 2009 NHL Power Rankings. Hope you enjoy!

1. Boston Bruins

The Bruins are the best team in the East and, in my opinion, still the best team in the NHL, followed ever so closely by the Detroit Red Wings. The Bruins handled the Wings easily in the beginning of the season, but today I think they are the teams destined to meet again in the Stanley Cup finals.

2. Detroit Red Wings

The Red Wings are the reigning champions of the NHL, and with their play this season they look to make another run at the Cup. They are currently on a six-game winning streak in which they man-handled divisional foe the Chicago Blackhawks twice. Look for the Red Wings come playoff time, because they have only gotten better since last season.

3. San Jose Sharks

Before Dec. 17, I would have put the Sharks ahead of the Red Wings, but after the Wings completely dismantled the Sharks I had to knock them down a peg. The Sharks are still a great team, and they will be able to get their revenge against Detroit on Saturday.

4. Washington Capitals

After a somewhat slow start for Alexander Ovechkin, he has burst back onto the scoring scene and is third in the league in scoring. All they need is to figure out who will be their No. 1 goalie.

5. Montreal Canadiens

Montreal was my pick in the preseason to make it to the Stanley Cup finals, and they haven’t given me any doubt that they won’t have a good shot. They just need to figure out a way to beat Boston. They will get a chance against the East’s best on Tuesday.

6. Chicago Blackhawks

This is the team closest to my heart, being the Blackhawks CL, but I think that they do not deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as Detroit, Boston, or San Jose. They have failed to beat these three teams this season, but against the rest of the league the Blackhawks are 23-7-3.

7. Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers just recently overtook the New York Rangers for first place in the Atlantic conference and will be welcoming Daniel Briere back into the lineup sometime this week—making them only stronger.

8. New Jersey Devils

Without Martin Brouder, the Devils have played as well as can be expected, finding them in sixth in the Eastern Conference.

P.S. Patrick Elias is back. 

9. Calgary Flames

The Flames have beaten up on the teams that they were supposed to but have struggled against the better teams in the West. The biggest surprise for the Flames this season has been Rene Bourque, who is having a career year after being traded to Calgary from Chicago.

10. Anaheim Ducks

J.S. Giguere is the Western Conference starting goaltender (for some reason), but it is his backup, Jonas Hiller, who has been rather impressive. Hiller has many Duck fans excited about their goaltending situation for the future. He is going to be a star.

11. Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres have been really good in January, going 4-1, with their only loss coming against the defending champion Red Wings.

12. New York Rangers

The Rangers started the season very strong but have begun to fizzle. They are a playoff team but are losing steam fast. Maybe a change is in order? (Cue Greg.)

13. Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver has been playing high quality hockey and I can imagine that they will only get better as they welcome Mats Sundin into the lineup. Once Robert Luongo is back and Sundin shakes off the rust, the Canucks will be a legit Cup threat.

14. Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh has the two leading scorers in the NHL, but they are only 20-19-4. I guess defense does mean something in the NHL. If they get Sergei Gonchar back healthy, I bet they will get back in the swing of things.

15. Carolina Hurricanes

How is Rod Brind’amour a -27? The ‘Canes are playing well since Peter Laviolette was fired and should contend for the Southeast crown.

16. Phoenix Coyotes

Attendance has been down, but this young Coyotes team has been up—holding onto the seventh spot in the Western Conference. This team has tons of upside. I just hope that they can start filling the arena.

17. Colorado Avalanche

Who would have thought that Andrew Raycroft would be the Avalanche’s No. 1 goaltender? Raycroft has won his last six, including wins against the Penguins, Blackhawks, Phoenix, and Detroit.

18. Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers in the playoffs? Hey, it could happen. They have been a very well-rounded offensive team and have to receive solid goaltending from Craig Anderson. It sounds strange now, but hey, anything is possible. (Look at the Philadelphia Eagles.)

19. Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jacket fans have a lot to be excited about with Steve Mason, Nikita Filitov, and Derrick Brassard (even though he is out for the season). I think Mason has a good chance at edging out Kris Versteeg for the Calder Trophy.

20. Nashville Predators

Nashville welcomed Steve Sullivan back to the lineup for the first time in two years on Saturday and his presence was noticed early, but the Predators are 2-4-0 in the New Year.

21. Minnesota Wild

Niklas Backstrom has been outstanding this season, but the Wild’s offense has been rather inconsistent. If they can figure out how to score on a regular basis, they should be a lock to make the playoffs. But right now it looks like Backstrom and his five shut-outs will be sitting at home during the playoffs.

22. Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton is the Jekyll and Hyde of the NHL. I have no idea what to make of them.

23. Dallas Stars

Oh, the Stars. They were my pick to make it to the Stanley Cup finals and play the Montreal Canadiens, but wow, was I wrong. Whether it was Sean Avery, poor goaltending, or some other ridiculous circumstance, the Stars have been unable to find a groove.

24. Los Angeles Kings

The Kings are only five points away from a playoff spot and are probably a legitimate goalie away from making the playoffs. Recently, however, GM Dean Lombardi stated that they were going to give Jonathan Quick a chance.

25. Toronto Maple Leafs

Brian Burke promised big changes when he came to Toronto and took little time acquiring Brad May. Well, it wasn’t a huge trade, but I think it shows what Burke has envisioned for this team. The Leafs will not be making it out of the cellar this year, but I think Burke is at least giving them some direction.

26. St. Louis Blues

The Blues started out the season 8-3-1 but have faltered ever since. A lot has to do with their numerous injuries to key players (MacDonald, Kairya, Brewer, and McKee). When they get some of their people back, you can bet that they will make a playoff push, but until then expect them to be around this spot.

27. Atlanta Thrashers

There is only one good thing that has happened for the Atlanta Thrashers this season: They named Illya Kovalcuk captain. Too bad he won’t be in Atlanta next season. Sorry, Thrashers fans. I hope that the Thrashers can get it figured out, but it’s not going to happen this year.

28. Ottawa Senators

The Senators have four good players and that’s about it. They have relied on Heatley, Alfredsson, Spezza, and Kuba for all of their offense, and that is a combination that doesn’t translate into winning. Even though the Senators are playing poorly, don’t look for them to be able to move any of their big contracts. No one can afford them.

29. Tampa Bay Lightning

Who would have thought that, after all that offseason spending, the Lightning would be at the bottom of the league? I would. You can have all the offensive weapons in the world, but if you have a poor defense you will not win. By the way, the Sharks really appreciate you giving them Dan Boyle.

30. New York Islanders

I sense a fire sale. Tavares anyone?

Make sure to check out Alan Bass' Power Rankings as well.