NHL Power Rankings: B/R Experts' Week 19 Poll

We've got about 30 games to go before the playoffs, give or take a game or two with most NHL teams' schedules, so the mold is starting to solidify as to the makeup of the teams that will be there and those that probably won't.

We have a new No. 1 team in our new Bleacher Report panel of experts' picks for latest Power Rankings. A look at the photo above gives a hint as to that team, but here's one more: it rhymes with "Phishago." The Washington Capitals have more points and have played fewer games. But the Chicago Blackhawks are the defending champs and look as tough as ever. It was a close call, with Chicago winning three of five first-place votes over the Caps.

The panel, including myself, Jonathan Willis, Carol Schram, Allan Mitchell and Lyle Richardson, weighed the usual criteria, including: talent level, payroll, injuries, recent strength of schedule and near-term expectations based on all of the aforementioned.

The NHL's strong parity makes these rankings as tough as ever to evaluate. Not much separates the playoff teams from those just on the outside. 

What did we get wrong in our latest picks? Let your voice be heard. Click on the comment bar and let us know.

30-26: Buffalo Sabres-Vancouver Canucks

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

30. Buffalo Sabres (last week: 28)

We're getting toward "playing out the string" time for the Sabres. They made some strides this year, but there are just too many holes everywhere. Entering Saturday, their 120 goals were fewest in the East. Matt Moulson is probably the most overpaid player in the NHL, with a $5 million cap hit and three years left on his current deal, according to General Fanager. He entered Saturday with four goals and 13 points in 51 games.

Can you say, "buyout"?

29. Columbus Blue Jackets (last week: 29)

The Jackets have actually played pretty decent hockey of late. But they are still at the rear of the Eastern Conference standings, and the rankings become weighted heavier in overall play the later it gets in the season.

Joonas Korpisalo has played well in goal of late for the Jackets, who got a 2-1 win at Calgary Saturday. You have to wonder if Jackets management will look to him in the future instead of oft-injured, highly-paid normal starter Sergei Bobrovsky?

28. Toronto Maple Leafs (last week: 26)

The Leafs had won two games in succession before getting blown out in Ottawa Saturday night. There were some nice milestones the game before at least, a win over New Jersey. Coach Mike Babcock was victorious in his 1,000th NHL game behind the bench, while Dion Phaneuf played his 800th game and Joffrey Lupul played his 700th.

27. Edmonton Oilers (last week: 30)

Connor McDavid recently returned from that broken collarbone and scored maybe the most exciting goal of the year his first game back against Columbus. He was great again in a follow-up win at Ottawa before he and the Oilers were blown out Saturday in Montreal and Sunday to the Islanders.

It's probably not too late for McDavid to make a run at the Calder Trophy. That's the most compelling storyline for this team the rest of the way.

25. Vancouver Canucks (last week: 23)

The Canucks remain thoroughly mediocre. They need an overhaul. 

They got away with the lack of a rebuilding program last year, shocking everyone by making the playoffs. But the jig is up now. The Sedin twins can't do it by themselves anymore, and the goaltending/defense is too average. Entering Saturday's game with Calgary, the Canucks had allowed 18 more goals than they'd scored (123-141). Things weren't helped any, as the Flames beat them 4-1.

25-21: Calgary Flames-Montreal Canadiens

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

25. Calgary Flames (last week: 25)

Barring a late run, these guys figure to go down as the most disappointing team of the season. After getting to the second round last season, the Flames just have too many guys who haven't been as good. And it's time to start calling Dougie Hamilton the word that most fits for his performance this season:

Bust. 

24. Ottawa Senators (last week: 23)

The Sens got blown out at home by Edmonton, then blew out Toronto the next night. They can't afford many of the former types of games and need more of the latter if they want to make the playoffs. 

Despite the presence of the awesome Erik Karlsson, the Senators are a pretty boring team to watch. Only Columbus has allowed more goals than Ottawa.

23. Arizona Coyotes (last week: 20)

Seems like the Coyotes have hit kind of a plateau. They are 2-6-2 in their last 10 but still in range of a wild-card or top-three Pacific Division playoff spot. Rookie goalie Louis Domingue was excellent his first bunch of games as a replacement for the injured Mike Smith but has fallen off of late.

22. Winnipeg Jets (last week: 27)

Along with the Flames, Winnipeg is among the "most disappointing team" list. The Jets just don't seem to have any chemistry as a team, with a lot of guys on the trade bubble. Guys such as Dustin Byfuglien probably don't have any idea where they'll be playing after the trade deadline of Feb. 29, so it's been a tense situation around the club.

21. Montreal Canadiens (last week: 19)

Carey Price was back on the ice last week, but just when the Hart Trophy-winning goalie will be back in official game action remains a frustrating unknown in Montreal. 

The Habs stopped some of the hemorrhaging with a win Saturday. But that win was over the Edmonton Oilers. The Canadiens did beat the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, too, though, so that's a good sign this team still has some fight in it to make the playoffs.

20-16: Minnesota Wild-New Jersey Devils

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

20. Minnesota Wild (last week: 15)

The slide continues.

The Wild are free-falling down the Western Conference standings, with questions starting to swirl about the job security of coach Mike Yeo. Minnesota general manager Chuck Fletcher told Chad Graff of the St. Paul Pioneer Press Yeo's job is safe still, but who knows? For whatever reason, Yeo's team just can't score anymore, with its 126 goals entering Saturday the third-fewest in the West. 

The Wild and Canadiens, by the way, tied in the voting for 20th. We'll give the Wild the tie-breaker, this time.

19. Philadelphia Flyers (last week: 24)

Philly lost a tough one in overtime Saturday to the Rangers, but the Flyers are playing good hockey these days and have a shot at the playoffs. The problem is, there are a handful of teams to overcome just to get to the last wild-card spot.

Wayne Simmonds was ejected for punching Rangers captain Ryan McDonagh, though it's hard to see how some in the media, including the New York Daily News' Pat Leonard, called it a "sucker punch." The replay shows Simmonds did not hit him from behind.

18. Colorado Avalanche (last week: 13)

The Avs came out of the All-Star break losing home games to Chicago, Dallas and Winnipeg. Goalie Semyon Varlamov returned Saturday after missing four games to defend himself in a civil suit against an ex-girlfriend that he ultimately prevailed in. But the Avs showed no energy in his return and dropped the game to the Jets.

Coach Patrick Roy hasn't been happy with his offense of late and dropped veterans Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay on the depth chart.

17. Carolina Hurricanes (last week: 21)

Give the Hurricanes credit. They're hanging in there.

They entered Sunday's game at Montreal 6-3-1 in their previous 10, just three points out of a playoff spot. Their goal differential (129-142) wasn't too impressive, but they have found ways to get wins. They got a point in a shootout loss to the Habs on the road, so that's not bad.

Defenseman Justin Faulk (34 points entering Sunday) is quietly having a superb season.

16. New Jersey Devils (last week: 12)

The Devils entered Sunday hanging on to the last wild-card spot in the East. They continue to be one of the more surprising teams in the league, a credit to coach John Hynes and first-year GM Ray Shero. Goalie Cory Schneider gives his team a chance to win almost ever night.

That said, they've looked pretty ordinary as a group since the All-Star break.

15-11: San Jose Sharks-Pittsburgh Penguins

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

15. San Jose Sharks (last week: 14)

San Jose had been playing very good hockey, before Saturday's game in Nashville anyway. 

A 6-2 blowout loss to the Predators tempered some of the positive feelings that had been building again for coach Pete DeBoer's up-and-down club. Joe Pavelski is having a tremendous season, though, among the league scoring leaders, and goalie Martin Jones has exceeded expectations. You can never seemingly give up on these guys.

14. Nashville Predators (last week: 17)

The Preds had lost two in a row before getting a big win over the Sharks on Saturday night. They are hanging onto the last wild-card spot in the West. Center Ryan Johansen has started to pick things up with his new team, too. He had a pair of nice assists in the win over San Jose.

I look for this team to go on a bit of a roll now.

13. New York Islanders (last week: 9)

A blowout loss at Detroit Saturday dropped the Isles out of the top eight playoff spots in the East. They've been mediocre for a little while now after getting out to a great start. They've got some games in hand over the teams in front of them, though, so they can get back in the playoff fold with a win or two this week. And they got a win they had to have Sunday over Edmonton, so there's that.

12. Anaheim Ducks (last week: 18)

Here they come. 

The Ducks won their sixth in a row with a strong win at Arizona on Friday night. After that awful start and subsequent stories about coach Bruce Boudreau's job security, such as this one from the Los Angeles Times' Helene Elliott, Anaheim is looking like one of the strongest teams in the league again. 

We'll really see what this team is made of now, though, as it starts a long road trip Monday night in Pittsburgh.

11. Pittsburgh Penguins (last week: 16)

Sidney Crosby is finally looking like himself again.

The longtime Pens star had a hat trick in a win over Ottawa last week, then led the comeback charge in a win at Florida on Saturday. He will need to be as good or better in the coming few weeks, with star Evgeni Malkin out with a lower-body injury.

10. Detroit Red Wings

Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

Record: 26-18-8, 60 points

Last week: 9

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A nice win over the Islanders Saturday got the Wings back in the playoff group in the East. The win snapped a five-game (0-4-1) home losing streak, which is uncharacteristic. Dylan Larkin had a goal and assist in the win and continues to be a top contender for the Calder Trophy.

By the numbers

Detroit's puck-possession numbers have gotten better since the early going. They were among the worst teams in the league in Corsi-for percentage in the first couple months but have improved to 13th overall (50.7). The return to normal health of 37-year-old center Pavel Datsyuk has helped.

Datsyuk's Corsi-for percentage stands at a robust 58.4.

9. Boston Bruins

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

Record: 28-18-6, 62 points

Last week: 11

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Back-to-back games against the Buffalo Sabres was just what the Bruins needed, as they gained four needed points with successive shootout wins. The 3-2 win Saturday at TD Garden was Boston's first home victory of the 2016 calendar year.

Goalie Tuukka Rask was excellent and has picked up his game again after a bit of a slump.

By the numbers

Brad Marchand has really picked things up of late. He scored the overtime winner Saturday on a dubious penalty-shot call. That gives him nine goals in the last nine games.

8. New York Rangers

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

Record: 29-18-5, 63 points

Last week: 8

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The Blueshirts had a nice 3-1-0 week, including a come-from-behind win over Philadelphia on Saturday. Keith Yandle, for a change, scored a big, clutch goal, tying the game with 12.8 seconds remaining to send it to overtime before the Rangers won the shootout.

It was, for a change, a nice road win for the Rangers, too. They are still only 4-11-2 in the last 17 on the road.

By the numbers

Yandle's goal marked the first time the Rangers tied a game with under 13 seconds left in regulation since Markus Naslund tied the Atlanta Thrashers with 11 seconds left on Feb. 3, 2009. 

7. St. Louis Blues

Frederick Breedon/Getty Images

Record: 30-17-8, 68 points

Last week: 4

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The Blues actually tied in the voting with the team listed on the following slide, Tampa Bay, but we'll give the Lightning the 6 spot in honor of a Stanley Cup Finals appearance last year.

The goal differential isn't that of a dominant team (135-132). But the Blues' strong defense continues to make the winning difference on more nights than not, but St. Louis has yet to show it is among the truly elite. This team can drive you crazy trying to figure it out, but the bottom line remains the Blues are a winner.

By the numbers

The Blues scored four times in their win over the Wild on Saturday. Entering that game, though, they ranked 25th in the league in goals per game (2.37). That's not enough for a team with as much young talent on hand, though the Blues should get a boost with the pending return of forward Jaden Schwartz from a three-month absence.

6. Tampa Bay Lightning

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Record: 29-18-4, 62 points

Last week: 7

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Everything is good again for the Lightning, who entered Sunday 9-1-0 in their previous 10. Tampa Bay doubled up Pittsburgh, which had won four in a row, with a 6-3 win Saturday. Nikita Kucherov, who got off to a slow start like many of his teammates, has really turned it on of late. He now has 21 goals and 45 points.

By the numbers

The Lightning's advanced metric numbers are looking better and better as well. Tampa Bay's 52.2 Corsi-for Percentage is seventh-best in the league. 

The Bolts are taking more faceoffs in the offensive zone (34.02 percent of the time) than the D-zone (30.87).

5. Florida Panthers

Alex Brandon/Associated Press

Record: 31-15-6, 68 points

Last week: 6

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Well, the Panthers blew an extra point Saturday, allowing Pittsburgh to beat them after having a 2-0 lead with under six minutes left. That hurt, but the Panthers have played better of late after a dip. The return to health of defenseman Aaron Ekblad had a lot to do with that. 

Ekblad is unquestionably the glue player who keeps everything together on the back end, and he's good on the power play, too. 

By the numbers

Best of all in Florida, the crowds are starting to come back. They had 20,295 on hand for Saturday's game against the Penguins, the third-largest in team history, per Alain Poupart of NHL.com. That's great to see. After their first 27 home dates, average home attendance was 14,831, per ESPN.com. 

Florida's average attendance last season was 11,265, lowest in the league.

4. Los Angeles Kings

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Record: 31-17-3, 65 points

Last week: 3

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The Kings lost to the Ducks Thursday night and are just 5-5-0 in the last 10. So, they've cooled off some after blasting to the top of the Pacific Division standings. But they have a relatively safe lead over the Sharks and Ducks for the top spot. Vincent Lecavalier, pictured above, has been a nice surprise since coming over from Philadelphia.

In 12 games for the Kings, he has five goals and two assists. There was something left in the tank after all.

By the numbers

This might be the end of the line for Marian Gaborik. He just hasn't been very good all year, with 10 goals and 19 points in 51 games and a minus-five. Let's keep the word "might" in play still, because Gaborik was supposed to have been on the downside when he was acquired a couple years ago by the Kings and then had a great playoff that helped win a Stanley Cup. 

3. Dallas Stars

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Record: 33-15-5, 73 points

Last week: 5

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After getting a much-needed comeback win at Colorado Thursday night, the Stars came home and got whupped by the Blackhawks. They've been mediocre for the last month or so and are starting to have to look over their shoulder at St. Louis for the second spot in the Central.

Jason Spezza is out with an upper-body injury, and according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com), there's no word on when he'll return to the lineup. That won't help matters.

By the numbers

Dallas has been too careless with the puck of late. It had 14 official giveaways in Saturday's loss, which captain Jamie Benn called "embarrassing," per Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News. The Stars, though, maintain an excellent Corsi-for percentage number, at 53.7. That's second only to the Kings.

2. Washington Capitals

Nick Wass/Associated Press

Record: 38-9-4, 80 points

Last week: 1

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The Caps came out of the All-Star break and got smacked 5-2 by Florida but rebounded with three straight 3-2 wins over the Islanders, Devils and Flyers. Finding ways to win those 3-2 kinds of games figures to be important come playoff time, when scores typically decrease. 

The Eastern Conference crown seems like a formality at this point for the Caps.

By the numbers

The Caps power play is suffering through something of a dip, zero for its last 17 after Sunday's game. With John Carlson at one of the points and Alex Ovechkin roving back and forth from high to low, that shouldn't last too much longer. 

At 24.2 percent, the Caps remain the league leaders on the power play.

1. Chicago Blackhawks

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Last week: 2

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The Blackhawks had to play without captain Jonathan Toews in Colorado after the All-Star break, per NHL rules for missing the All-Star Game with illness. So, 24-year-old rookie sensation Artemi Panarin stepped up to score the winning goal against the Avs. 

Toews returned a game later in Phoenix and scored twice, including his league-leading sixth game-winner in overtime. Then the Hawks went into Dallas and smoked the Stars, 5-1. 

So, they're getting better as the season goes on. Not a good sign for those hoping to unseat the defending Stanley Cup champs.

By the numbers

If Toews and Patrick Kane both score a goal in a game, forget it. It's almost certainly going to be a Hawks win. According to Comcast SportsNet's Christopher Kamka (via Chicago Sun-Times), the Blackhawks are 60-6-4 in the last 70 games in which Chicago's dynamic duo have scored, including 6-0 in the playoffs.

Statistics from NHL.com, Hockeydb.com and Puckalytics.com were used to compile this list.