NHL Power Rankings: March 21 Edition

Martin Brodeur broke the career wins record, the Blackhawks are crashing (and they aren't stopping anytime soon), Montreal is becoming a disaster, Pittsburgh makes the competition look like high school teams, and the Islanders (for once) have become an actual team, instead of a "collection of toddlers."

Not a bad week. In fact, it's been pretty exciting...

Like usual, the top ten teams all have analysis as well as any others I have something to say about.

The article picture, which is usually the Team of the Week, has been changed for this edition only to the Player of the Week. And it's fairly obvious who that is.

1. Detroit Red Wings (105 pts)

The Red Wings have definitely returned to last year's Stanley Cup form. They're 7-2-1 in the last 10 games and have won four in a row, which has put them as the President's Cup front-runner, with the best record in the league.

This team could be dangerous in the playoffs, considering that they're in the weaker Conference, and the only team that has a chance to challenge them, San Jose, hasn't been too great recently.

We're going to be watching them for several more months, I believe, because the Wings are going to be going far again.

2. San Jose Sharks (102 pts)

I'm starting to really question the Sharks' skill and ability to live up to expectations in the playoffs. San Jose is below .500 in their last 10 games, and the Red Wings have come on strong just as they've fallen off.

They better watch out, because the run to the Stanley Cup may not be as easy and quick as expected.

3. New Jersey Devils (97 pts)

Well, while Brodeur has been making history in the net, the rest of the Devils have been playing pretty well, too. New Jersey is 8-2 in their last 10, and now have a better than 50/50 chance of catching Boston.

However, Washington is hot on their heels, and Brodeur's accomplishments may distract this team unnecessarily.

4. Boston Bruins (100 pts)

The Bruins have been one of the most disappointing teams so far this month, and it may end up costing them the top seed in the East.

Since Boston is just 3-5-2 in their last 10, it has allowed New Jersey and Washington to catch up to them, and the three teams are now in big jam for the top three seeds.

Still, a thoroughly talented lineup may allow the Bruins to represent the Eastern Conference in the finals. Yet, then again, this play must improve for them to move past just the first round!

5. Washington Capitals (96 pts)

I've just had this feeling that the Capitals are taking their success for granted, and are becoming somewhat of a slacker team recently. Washington is hovering just around even in their last 10, and they haven't done much as a team—Ovechkin is another story—in the past few weeks.

Plus, lack of experience may begin to show in the playoffs, so Washington may want to pick up the pace slightly to finish off the regular season.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins (86 pts)

Wow, what a hot streak they've been on! It has now been three weeks of red-hot hockey from the Penguins, who could be very dangerous come playoff time.

If they can keep this up (this meaning their 11-0-2 run), the likely cross-state series against Philly may likely end up in the Penguins favor in just four or five games.

7. Vancouver Canucks (85 pts)

The Canucks have been mighty hot recently, too. Luongo is really catching stride, along with the defense, and they've managed to somehow overtake Chicago for fourth place.

Their run hasn't received much press coverage over here on the East Coast, but even the quickest glance will tell you that this Vancouver team appears to be ready to take on the playoffs playing their best hockey of the season.

8. Calgary Flames (88 pts)

Suddenly, the Flames just lead their Northwest Division by three points over high-flying Vancouver, after they've been playing like their path to the playoffs is all set.

After such as successful trade deadline, you would've thought that Calgary would be all set to make an impression in April and beyond. But they haven't, at least so far, going 4-6 in their last 10.

Calgary, you better get ready to start playing with emotion again, or else the playoffs may not last very long in Alberta.

9. Philadelphia Flyers (86 pts)

The Flyers haven't really done much in the past few weeks, but they've managed to get themselves in position for a huge rivalry series against Pittsburgh in the first round.

However, the season isn't over yet, and with all the teams below them fighting for a spot, Philadelphia may find themselves falling back into the race for playoff spots again.

10. New York Rangers (82 pts)

Along with the Hurricanes, Canadiens, Panthers, and Sabres, the Rangers are in a fight for their lives.

Although I listed them on top of all of those teams, New York has nowhere near secured a spot yet.

However, their play of late (6-3-1 in their last 10) has managed to get them in a comfortable position to obtain the sixth or seventh spot in the East.

11. Carolina Hurricanes (83 pts)

The Hurricanes have been very good in their last 10 games, going 6-2-2, which has them in the sixth spot. However, most teams around them have a few more games left to play than them, and the schedule down the stretch is testy.

But Carolina has six of their remaining nine games at home, and since they are beginning to really catch stride (they even managed to beat New Jersey earlier in the week), the Hurricanes have a decent shot at becoming a playoff team for the first time since their Stanley Cup season.

12. Columbus Blue Jackets (80 pts)

With a record like theirs in their last 10 games, I have a feeling the West may starting getting scared of this young team. Powerful goaltending may end up making Columbus a real playoff contender!

13. Chicago Blackhawks (85 pts)

This recent level of play from the Blackhawks has been horrid. Although they are overflowing with both offensive and defensive talent, the Blackhawks have looked dismal in the past couple of weeks.

I suppose the lack of experience is finally going to end up hurting Chicago and, in the end, may end up costing them playoff success.

14. Florida Panthers (80 pts)

This is another team that has tons of talent but hasn't been that good recently. And "not being good recently" is a big problem when you are on the edge of the playoffs, but currently out and looking in.

However, I still do have my feeling, though, that Vokoun and his talented first line will end up letting the Panthers sneak into the playoffs and possibly making an impression once they're there.

15. Edmonton Oilers (79 pts)

Although they only have one regulation loss in their last 10 games, the Oilers have been a bit shaky to me. However, a playoff berth would be an impressive season for Edmonton, and that may be what they end up achieving.

16. Montreal Canadiens (81 pts)

This Montreal team seems confused. Confused about their head coach. Confused about their losing streaks (yes, all 4,000 of them). Confused about, well, pretty much everything.

Being confused isn't good, either. No, definitely not when you are in the middle of a tight playoff race. Sorry guys, but the Canadiens' outlook this season appears fairly bleak right now.

17. Nashville Predators (77 pts)

18. St. Louis Blues (75 pts)

What a run the Blues have made so far this year. Heading into Christmas, they appeared to be the punching bag of the Western Conference. But not anymore.

St. Louis has been good so far this month, and it may end up catching them a surprise playoff berth. But then again, it might not.

19. Buffalo Sabres (76 pts)

The loss of Vanek and Miller has practically killed this team's chances and hope. If they lose once again tonight against the Rangers, Buffalo's once-bright outlook may have fizzled down to nothing just because of injuries.

20. Anaheim Ducks (74 pts)

21. Dallas Stars (74 pts)

22. Minnesota Wild (74 pts)

Do they really want to make the playoffs, or not? That is the feeling I'm getting from this team. Minnesota has just three wins in 13 games, and they're lucky the playoffs may still be in reach.

I thought that they were a good looking team, but maybe not. Maybe the Wild aren't too wild about getting a top eight spot this year!

23. Ottawa Senators (70 pts)

The Senators have really been playing like a playoff team so far in March. I nearly put them ahead of Minnesota, but eventually decided not to. Still, Ottawa could be a threat to take seriously next year!

24. Los Angeles Kings (70 pts)

25. Toronto Maple Leafs (71 pts)

At least they've managed to win some games down the stretch of a disappointing season for the Maple Leafs.

26. Atlanta Thrashers (64 pts)

The Thrashers have been actually kind of good recently. Wow...I always knew they had the talent to put some wins together. Now they just need to do it when it matters.

27. Phoenix Coyotes (65 pts)

28. Colorado Avalanche (64 pts)

29. New York Islanders (56 pts)

Yes, I did. I finally moved the Islanders up from the bottom spot! Even though they blew a 4-2 in lead in Carolina last night, the Islanders have played well, and the deserve to move up.

But, if you think about it, it is just the 29 spot out of 30. Hmm...

30. Tampa Bay Lightning (61 pts)

A dreadful season for the Lightning is ending very dreadfully. In last.