NHL Power Rankings: March 7 Edition

Like usual, the team pictured above (this week: the Nashville Predators) is my "Hot Team of the Week."

The first 10 teams all have analyses, as well as any other teams I have some opinions to share about.

1. San Jose Sharks (94 pts)

The Red Wings have caught up to the Sharks in the standings, and Detroit has nearly caught up to San Jose in my power rankings, too.

The Sharks are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games, but that so-so record is certainly not meeting expectations for such a talented elite team. The Sharks have also lost their last three, and early spring is not a good time for them to fall apart.

2. Detroit Red Wings (94 pts)

This is a team that has suddenly become a near-identical version of last year's Stanley Cup Champion team, as Detroit is 6-3-1 in their L10. The Red Wings also did a good job finishing the road swing with two back-to-back victories after a completely embarrassing 8-0 loss to Nashville last Saturday.

3. Boston Bruins (93 pts)

The once-league leading Bruins have dropped their last three games, and let a six-game homestand go mostly to waste. After starting out their home streak with 6-1 and 6-0 wins, Boston has lost to Washington, Philadelphia, and Phoenix.

The Bruins, like the Sharks, are another team that is in a comfortable playoff position, but needs to improve their play (3-5-2 in L10) if they really want to make a Stanley Cup run come late April!

4. New Jersey Devils (87 pts)

The Devils have been red hot ever since the new year and now, with Brodeur back, this team is poised for a great playoff run.

New Jersey is 8-2 in their last 10, and has won four straight. Watch out, hockey fans: this team is looking like possibly the best in the league all of a sudden!

5. Calgary Flames (84 pts)

The Flames have managed to overtake the recently struggling Capitals in the power rankings, but were absolutely humiliated in Carolina last night, enduring a 6-1 rout.

However, Calgary is 7-2-1 still in their last 10, and may still be improving as Olli Jokinen and the rest of the Flames' deadline pickups settle in.

6. Washington Capitals (85 pts)

When I first heard that the Capitals thought they could catch the Bruins, I was astonished, as well as very, very confused. Now I seem to have a reason to have been so bewildered when that headline showed up.

Even though Washington is an average 5-5 in L10, they've still lost three straight (all at home), and have been outscored 13-5 during that span.

7. Chicago Blackhawks (81 pts)

The Blackhawks are one team that many of us, including me, overlooked for most of the season because they're so young, inexperienced, and receive little nationwide TV coverage. But Chicago is 6-3-1 in L10, scored more goals than the Devils, and, if they can overcome their lack of experience, could be a real threat in the Western Conference playoffs!

8. Philadelphia Flyers (78 pts)

The Flyers fit the "Best of the Rest" category very well. They've been right in the thick of the playoff race, but recently Philadelphia has pulled out of it (6-3-1 in L10) and could definitely be a talented, sturdy fourth seed in the East!

9. Vancouver Canucks (74 pts)

This team was struggling mightily at one point about three to four months ago, but as soon as a shorthanded goal with less than two minutes remaining against Carolina gave them the win (a heartbreaker for us Hurricanes fans), the Canucks have been very consistent.

They've won three straight, and are 8-2 in their last 10, which nearly earned them a picture on the top of this article as the "Hot Team of the Week," despite falling just short.

10. Pittsburgh Penguins (74 pts)

Wow! What an amazing turnaround for the Penguins. They've gotten as low as 20th at times in my power rankings, but the latest unbelievable five-game winning streak (which has led to 7-2-1 in L10) has put them in the top 10.

But don't relax yet, Penguins. Their upcoming game against the falling Capitals will be huge, and the Sabres and Hurricanes both have their focus on Pittsburgh's playoff spot.

11. Montreal Canadiens (75 pts)

The Canadiens have managed to snap out of their slump that they had going for most of March, but Carey Price has been horrendous lately, and the Canadiens are just two points out of 10th in the conference.

12. Carolina Hurricanes (73 pts)

This is another team that has gone overlooked by most this season, but has really brought it on strong in the last few weeks. Friday's 6-1 rout of the surging Flames has put Carolina one point out of sixth (and a playoff spot).

The Hurricanes are 7-3 in their last 10 games, and trade deadline pickup Eric Cole (from Edmonton) is filling the spot he left open when he was traded to the Oilers last offseason perfectly. The Hurricanes, if they keep it up, could be as high as fifth come playoff time.

13. Florida Panthers (74 pts)

14. Buffalo Sabres (73 pts)

15. Nashville Predators (70 pts)

I know the Predators are four points lower than the Rangers yet are ranked higher, but there is a reason. Nashville has a league-leading six game winning streak going, which includes an 8-0 shutout of Detroit last Saturday. They are pictured at the top of the article, and are currently in a playoff spot in the tough Western Conference.

16. New York Rangers (74 pts)

About a month ago, when the Rangers were playing well and looking solid at sixth, I predicted that New York may not even make the playoffs. That far-fetched pick seems pretty nice now, because the Rangers have won just three out of their last 10 games, and may not be in a playoff spot even just after tonight!

17. Columbus Blue Jackets (70 pts)

18. St. Louis Blues (66 pts)

The Blues are stuck all the way down at 12th in the West, but they're 7-2-1 in L10. St. Louis may be able to make a playoff push, and I have confidence that they might have a chance.

19. Dallas Stars (70 pts)

The Stars have been very inconsistent in the past couple of weeks, which leads me to believe they only have an average chance at a playoff berth. Still, they have five weeks left to go.

20. Toronto Maple Leafs (65 pts)

The Maple Leafs don't really have a shot at the playoffs, but the recent 5-0-1 run (only one regulation loss in their L10) may give Toronto followers hope for a fairly successful season next year. Of course, it would be just like the Maple Leafs to go and be a total disappointment again next season as soon as fans get their hopes up.

21. Edmonton Oilers (68 pts)

22. Minnesota Wild (67 pts)

23. Anaheim Ducks (68 pts)

Anaheim, who has been a top Western Conference team now for quite a while, has suddenly come a mess of a team. Attitude difficulties are starting to rise, and the trade deadline was a disaster for the Ducks. Personally, I doubt this team will make the playoffs this season.

24. Los Angeles Kings (63 pts)

Definitely a great improvement from last season, but I have to say, it is disappointing to see that the Kings are probably now out of the playoff race.

25. Phoenix Coyotes (61 pts)

26. Ottawa Senators (58 pts)

27. Atlanta Thrashers (54 pts)

At least they've been over .500 lately. They have a fair amount of talent, but they just don't know what to do with it. Perhaps it is because the Thrashers' away record is better than their home record...

28. Tampa Bay Lightning (55 pts)

29. Colorado Avalanche (57 pts)

Six straight losses have put this team as one of the "frontrunners" for the top 2009 NHL Draft Pick. Interesting...I really believe that Colorado is better than this.

30. New York Islanders (47 pts)