NHL Power Rankings: B/R Experts' Week 9 Poll

The dropoff that some expected for the New York Rangers just isn't happening. A team that before the season looked on the wrong side of things in a cyclical sense continues to cycle upward. 

The Blueshirts, therefore, are our new No. 1 team in the power rankings. It is well-deserved too. The numbers continue to be very impressive, besides the won-loss record. The Rangers aren't squeaking by in most victories, not relying on just a hot goalie. Their 95 goals for and 65 goals against proves it: The Rangers are crushing it still.

There are some other hot teams, including the Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers and even the New York Islanders. All three moved up from last week. 

Our panel of voters for the 30 spots included yours truly, Carol Schram, Allan Mitchell and Lyle Richardson.

As always, let us hear it if you think we erred. The floor is yours.

30-26: Colorado Avalanche-Detroit Red Wings

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30. Colorado Avalanche (last week: 27)

It's all a hot mess again in Denver. The Colorado Avalanche went 0-4-1 on a just-concluded five-game homestand, falling to 30th overall in points. Now, the team's best defenseman, Erik Johnson, will be lost for six to eight weeks with a broken fibula.

First-year coach Jared Bednar criticized his team's lack of passion, among other things, but the top players responded with a collective yawn. After Bednar spoke up to the media, the Avs were outscored 6-2 in losses to Columbus and Dallas. Maybe Patrick Roy knew a thing or two when he bailed on this team with one year left on his contract.

29. Arizona Coyotes (last week: 29)

Poor Mike Smith. The guy makes 59 saves on Saturday night against Columbus, and all he got out of it was a lousy point. At least it was something. 

But seriously, the Coyotes continue to waste some fine goaltending of late from the veteran, who was spectacular in a 3-2 shootout loss at home Saturday. The Coyotes just can't seem to put anything together, and now they go on the road for a tough trip starting Tuesday in Columbus. 

28. Carolina Hurricanes (last week: 24)

The perpetually mediocre Carolina Hurricanes continue to underwhelm. They are usually in most games, but just don't have the depth or top firepower to win consistently. Exhibit A was Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Rangers. Carolina was right there in the third period to at least come out with a point, but it let in two late goals to Chris Kreider, and that was that.

Top forward Jordan Staal remains on injured reserve with concussion symptoms, exacerbating things in Raleigh.

27. Buffalo Sabres (last week: 28)

The return of Jack Eichel to the lineup last week brought immediate dividends to the Buffalo Sabres, with the sophomore forward scoring three goals his first two games. Even Evander Kane scored his first goal of the season Saturday.

Unfortunately, that was Buffalo's only goal in a loss to Boston. The Sabres continue to be challenged offensively, tied with Colorado for fewest goals in the league (49). But Eichel's return figures to help that number moving forward.

26. Detroit Red Wings (last week: 21)

Things looked promising for the Detroit Red Wings Saturday, as they jumped out to leads of 2-0 and 3-1 against the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. When it was over, it was 5-3 Penguins, and Detroit's record fell back to 11-11-3. The Red Wings are just 3-5-2 in their last 10.

Jimmy Howard's numbers continue to be impressive at least. Howard has a .940 save percentage and 1.82 goals-against average.

25-21: New York Islanders-Winnipeg Jets

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25. New York Islanders (last week: 30)

The New York Islanders took a three-game win streak into Sunday's home game against Detroit, which will see the return of Frans Nielsen against his former team. 

There is still a lot of ground to make up after the Isles' poor start, but things are finally looking up again at least. Goalie Jaroslav Halak has been a bit better, and so has John Tavares. Secondary scoring continues to be a problem, but if Halak can stay hot, it will make up for a lot of that.

24. Toronto Maple Leafs (last week: 20)

The Toronto Maple Leafs are certainly a better team than the last couple of editions, but if they want to make the playoffs they need to tighten up defensively. Toronto's 32.6 shots against per game is second-most in the league, better than only Arizona.

The good news is Toronto is averaging exactly 32.6 shots a game itself. It would also help if the Leafs could play better away from Air Canada Centre. They are just 2-6-4 on the road. The good news is, their next game is at home, against Minnesota.

23. Vancouver Canucks (last week: 25)

The Vancouver Canucks have been better of late, but it's still impossible to get too revved up about this team. They're pretty good at home, terrible on the road and, well, it all adds up to mediocrity.

Center Bo Horvat is quietly having a pretty good year, with eight goals and 16 points to lead the team. A former first-round pick of Vancouver in 2013, Horvat not only has been scoring some, his defensive numbers look a lot better than last year. Horvat was a minus-30 last season but entered Sunday just a minus-one.

22. Minnesota Wild (last week: 13)

Our panel was really down on the Minnesota Wild this week for some reason, despite the fact they were 4-3-3 in their previous 10 entering Sunday's late game against Edmonton and still in the top eight of the West. 

There has been some criticism of late, by fans and even coach Bruce Boudreau, of Zach Parise's play. Injuries have limited him to 17 games so far, and he had only four goals and nine points in the first 16. He's a clutch player, though. He'll get it going.

21. Winnipeg Jets (last week: 26)

The Winnipeg Jets just continue to be a tough team to figure out. They've beaten some very good teams, including Chicago and St. Louis recently, but then they'll go lose to a team like Carolina and stall momentum. 

After a brief lull, rookie sensation Patrik Laine has his shot back. The Finn leads the team and all NHL rookies with 16 goals. The Jets continue to give up too many goals, though. Their 80 against is second-worst in the West.

20-16: Calgary Flames-New Jersey Devils

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20. Calgary Flames (last week: 23)

The Calgary Flames definitely have been better of late, and it's been a combination of things. Although the Flames don't overwhelm you with offense, they've got a lot of guys in low double-figure scoring to this point. Guys such as Michael Frolik and Sam Bennett are leading the way, and even rookie Matthew Tkachuk has been scoring some of late. And, in some great news for the club, Johnny Gaudreau returned to the lineup Sunday night after missing time with a broken finger.

Gaudreau scored a goal just 2:09 in the game against Anaheim, part of a lopsided Calgary win.

Chad Johnson has clearly supplanted Brian Elliott as the main guy in goal. Johnson's .930 save percentage is quite a bit better than Elliott's .885.

19. Florida Panthers (last week: 17)

Pretty much the whole hockey world wants to see the Panthers fail right now, after the ham-handed, undeserved firing of Gerard Gallant last week. Since Gallant was literally kicked to the curb, the Panthers are 1-1-1. Saturday saw Ottawa shut them out 2-0, interim coach Tom Rowe's first loss in regulation.

Aleksander Barkov (15 points in 25 games) needs to get in gear if Rowe and Panthers management wants people to forget about Gallant. Ditto Jaromir Jagr (four goals in 25 games).

18. Dallas Stars (last week: 19)

The Dallas Stars got a much-needed couple of things Saturday in Denver at the Pepsi Center against the Avs. Dallas got a win, first of all, and it got a shutout win, thanks to Kari Lehtonen's strong play. 

The Stars still have allowed the most goals in the West, with 85, but the win over the Avalanche didn't increase the number at least. Patrick Sharp will be out a while, the team said, with concussion symptoms. It makes it more incumbent on captain Jamie Benn to pick up his production. Benn had 20 points in his first 25 games. That's good, but not superstar production, the kind Benn is capable of.

17. Nashville Predators (last week: 14)

The Nashville Predators are 6-3-1 in the last 10 games, but they still fell three spots in our rankings. Nobody said life was fair with the Bleacher Report power rankings. 

Saturday's third-period collapse at home against the Devils didn't help matters. The Preds had a 4-1 lead but found a way to lose a 5-4 game in a shootout. P.K. Subban has been very good of late, though, and the offense is picking up after a very slow start. Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg (16 points apiece) have started to produce on a more regular basis.

16. New Jersey Devils (last week: 15)

Saturday's comeback win by the New Jersey Devils in Nashville certainly was a good pick-me-up for a team that otherwise has been struggling more of late.

The Devils are only 3-4-3 in the last 10, but the great news for them is Taylor Hall is back from injury. Hall has 15 points in his first 16 games as a Devil. Travis Zajac is quietly having an excellent season for the Devils too. He leads the team with 20 points in 24 games. Zajac had 42 points in 74 games last season, so he's having a nice rebound year.

15-11: Los Angeles Kings-Washington Capitals

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15. Los Angeles Kings (last week: 15)

Despite losing 5-4 in a shootout Sunday at home to Montreal, the Los Angeles Kings still qualify as one of the league's bigger success stories so far. With top goalie Jonathan Quick still out long-term, Peter Budaj has helped the Kings into a top-eight position. No, he wasn't great Sunday, but L.A. is still 6-2-2 in its last 10.

Jeff Carter has things going well right now. The veteran has goals in six of the last eight and leads the team with 11. He and the Kings are off now until Thursday, when they entertain Carolina at Staples Center.

14. Tampa Bay Lightning (last week: 9)

When Steven Stamkos went down with a knee injury, many were slightly dismissive of the effect it might have on the Lightning, and they had some reason for that. After all, the Bolts went to the Eastern Conference finals last season despite Stamkos missing all but one playoff game.

But that was then. The Lightning were 1-3-1 in their previous five entering Sunday's game with Carolina, then got shut out, losing 1-0 in overtime. The fact is, losing a player of Stamkos' caliber is going to matter eventually. Included have been some lopsided losses, including two to Columbus and former coach John Tortorella. The Bolts get a few needed days off now before playing a home date with Vancouver. Coach Jon Cooper figures to make good use of the practice time.

13. Philadelphia Flyers (last week: 22)

Things are going well again for coach Dave Hakstol and his Philadelphia Flyers. Wayne Simmonds, Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek have been terrific of late, all three with 22 points each entering Sunday's game with Nashville.

The defense and goaltending? Yeah, they need to be better still. But right now, the Flyers are finding ways to win the high-scoring games instead of lose them. 

12. Anaheim Ducks (last week: 16)

The Anaheim Ducks continue to play pretty well, good enough for a top-eight spot in the West. They had a three-game win streak snapped Saturday night in overtime in Edmonton but got a point at least with a late third-period tying goal. They did get blown out Sunday night in Calgary, however.

Ryan Getzlaf had just two goals in his first 22 games. The good news: he had 19 assists, so his 21 points led the team. Obviously, though, a few more goals from the captain wouldn't hurt.

11. Washington Capitals (last week: 5)

A rough weekend convinced our panel to drop the Washington Capitals down a few notches, the first time they've been out of the top 10 in quite a while. 

The Islanders shut out the Caps 3-0 at home Thursday, then the Caps dropped a 2-1 shootout decision to Tampa Bay on Saturday. So, obviously, offense has been a problem of late. Young forward Evgeny Kuznetsov, a 77-point scorer last season, just hasn't been able to duplicate things so far. He's got only three goals and nine points in 23 games, a major dropoff. He and the Caps get a chance to turn things around Monday night against Buffalo.

10. Boston Bruins

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Record: 14-10-1, 29 points

Last week: 18

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The Boston Bruins take a two-game winning streak into Monday's home contest against Florida. The Bruins got a good, tough 2-1 road win Saturday against the Sabres, the kind of strong defensive hockey coach Claude Julien likes.

Julien has had to deal with a few injuries of late, including an illness that kept Patrice Bergeron out a bit. He returned Saturday, but then Boston lost winger Matt Beleskey to a lower-body injury. It's unknown just how long he'll be out.

Captain Zdeno Chara, out the past six games with an injury, could return against the Panthers.

By the numbers

The Bruins need to get their power play more proficient. They are just 23rd in the league, at 14.3 percent. A return of Chara, with his booming slap shot, certainly wouldn't hurt. The other half of the special teams, penalty killing, has been fine. Boston is third in the league, at 85.3 percent.

9. Chicago Blackhawks

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Record: 16-8-3, 35 points

Last week: 4

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Things have gotten a little tougher of late for the Chicago Blackhawks, as injuries to some top players have struck. Jonathan Toews currently is out with a bad back, and now starting goalie Corey Crawford is expected to miss two to three weeks after undergoing an emergency appendectomy Saturday.

For now, it's up to backup Scott Darling to keep Chicago at the top of the Western Conference. The first two games didn't go so well, as Chicago lost games to Philadelphia and Winnipeg, though Darling wasn't the problem.

By the numbers

The 2-1 loss Sunday night to Winnipeg was just the second of the season in regulation at the United Center (10-2-2). Dating to last season, the Blackhawks are 36-13-6 at home.

8. Ottawa Senators

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Record: 15-8-2, 32 points

Last week: 6

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The Ottawa Senators have a fine record despite a very mediocre goals for/against ratio. Right now, that ratio is even, 59 goals for and 59 goals against. 

The Sens, though, are winning with opportunistic offense and great goaltending. Starter Craig Anderson remains on leave to attend to his wife, who is battling cancer. Newcomer Mike Condon is doing the job in relief, including a 2-0 win Saturday over Florida.

Condon, acquired Nov. 2 from Pittsburgh, is 3-1-1 as a Senator. 

By the numbers

The Senators have a tough week coming up. They'll play four games, all on the road. Monday night they get the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins, and then it's off to the West Coast for games against the three California teams. We'll find out more of what this team is made of when it's over.

7. Edmonton Oilers

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Record: 14-10-3, 31 points

Last week: 11

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After a bit of a dip, the Oilers are back to playing good hockey again. Sophomore sensation Connor McDavid has been leading the way, entering Sunday's home game against Minnesota on a seven-game point streak.

McDavid is the NHL's points leader, and he's only 19. Unquestionably, he's the the best young talent in the league. He's averaging a little more than 21 minutes a game. Maybe the most surprising thing about McDavid's otherwise superb season: He went his first 26 games without a power-play goal. He did have nine assists on the PP, though.

By the numbers

One reason why the Oilers have become a winner is their penalty killing. They were in the bottom half of the league last season, at 81.1 percent. Entering Sunday, they were fifth in the league, at 85.3.

6. San Jose Sharks

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Record: 15-9-1, 31 points

Last week: 10

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The San Jose Sharks are getting it all together again. Their victory over Montreal over the weekend was their sixth win in seven games, and 10th straight over the Habs at home (8-0-2).

Goalie Martin Jones has been a big reason for San Jose's success. Jones is 8-2-1 in his last 11 starts, and he should get the start in the Sharks' next game, Wednesday at home against Ottawa. Brent Burns (22 points in 25 games, plus-three) is playing like he wants to win his first Norris Trophy.

By the numbers

One player not getting it done is forward Mikkel Boedker. Signed to a four-year, $16 million contract over the summer, the former Coyote and Avalanche had just two goals and four points in 25 games and has seen his ice time cut down from coach Peter DeBoer.

5. St. Louis Blues

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Record: 14-7-4, 32 points

Last week: 7

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The Blues had a six-game home winning streak snapped Saturday by Winnipeg, but the Blues got a point from the overtime loss at least. Overall, the Blues are having a good old time on home ice, with a 9-0-3 mark in the last 12.

Vladimir Tarasenko is having an all-star season. The Russian forward had 27 points (13 goals) in his first 25 games. The semi-amazing part of the Blues' overall record: They've allowed more goals (70) than they've scored (69). 

By the numbers

Veteran center Paul Stastny played his 700th career game last week. He's still only 30 too. 

Stastny started strong statistically, but his point production has fallen off some. He's got 13 points in 25 games, and his days as a big scorer seem over. He's settled into more of a strong faceoff guy who possesses the puck a lot, who plays a responsible defensive game. The Blues wouldn't mind a bit more offense, though.

4. Columbus Blue Jackets

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Record: 14-5-4, 34 points

Last week: 8

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It's all going right for the Columbus Blue Jackets right now. The Jackets have won three in a row, including a shootout win in Arizona the other night in which they put 60 shots on net. According to Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch, the Jackets have outshot opponents 309-200 in the last eight games.

The team's power play has been, yes, overpowering. The Blue Jackets are No. 1 in the league, at 23.8 percent, and they've drawn raves for their quick puck movement. At the other end, goalie Sergei Bobrovsky has been terrific after a couple of tough, injury-riddled seasons.

By the numbers

A win Monday night over Arizona would be the 500th in the history of the franchise. The team's all-time record is 499-570-33-117.

3. Montreal Canadiens

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Record: 17-6-2, 36 points

Last week: 1

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The Montreal Canadiens got a much-needed win Sunday in Los Angeles, winning 5-4 in a shootout. That upped the team's record to 4-5-1 in the last 10.

Alexander Radulov scored a pretty backhand goal, continuing what has been a strong season after spending the last several years playing in the Kontinental Hockey League. The 30-year-old forward has 21 points in his first 23 games, which is a lot better than some predicted after so many years away from the NHL.

The question now is: Should Montreal try to extend him several more seasons? He only signed a one-year deal, after all. Right now, getting him re-signed would seem like very good business.

By the numbers

Max Pacioretty scored two goals in the win over the Kings, and the Habs certainly hope that is the start of something bigger. Pacioretty had just five goals coming into the game. When he has things going offensively, things just go easier for Montreal.

2. Pittsburgh Penguins

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Record: 15-7-3, 33 points

Last week: 3

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The Pittsburgh Penguins stormed back from two two-goal deficits to beat Detroit Saturday, finishing a fine weekend that included a lopsided win over Dallas as well.

The only other game of the week was a 5-3 loss to the Islanders. Sidney Crosby entered Sunday tied for the NHL goal lead (16) despite missing several games earlier in the season because of concussion symptoms. One thing that has helped of late is more scoring from the defense. Justin Schultz, for instance, has a three-game point streak, and Pittsburgh is 5-1-1 when it gets a goal from a defenseman.

By the numbers

Big third periods have been a big reason for the Penguins' success. The Penguins have a whopping 32-16 scoring edge in third periods, the best differential in the league.

1. New York Rangers

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Record: 17-8-1, 35 points

Last week: 2

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The Rangers regain the top spot in our rankings, despite a relatively light schedule of late. They got a 4-2 victory over the Hurricanes Saturday, two nights after losing a 4-3 decision to Buffalo.

The Rangers continue to score goals despite the recent loss of forward Mika Zibanejad, who likely will be out another few weeks after suffering a broken leg. The Rangers have 14 players with 10 or more points, a remarkable number in this day and age. Their 95 goals leads the league.

That sure has made life easier for goalie Henrik Lundqvist. For a change, Lundqvist hasn't had to be the best player for the Rangers every night. 

By the numbers

The Rangers have been quite the bounce-back team for a while now. According to the team's website, they are 24-5-1 in games following a loss of any kind (regulation, overtime or shootout) since Dec. 22, 2015.