NHL Power Rankings (Nov. 26): 'Hawks, 'Preds, Bruins Are Hot As An Oven

NOTE: All teams are listed with their current points in the standings (as of Thursday, November 26). The upper half (top 16) as well as the focus of my coverage, the Carolina Hurricanes, also have additional commentary and insight, which is completely original and reflects only the opinion of Mark Jones. Any comments, corrections, or questions are welcomed in the section at the conclusion of this article.

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Just when you thought that the NHL would finally settle into a trend, off go the firecrackers again.

Just when it looked like the standings were settling into order, the streaks began.

Currently, some of the most impressive are in the wins column, where teams like Chicago, Nashville, Boston, and New Jersey are going on winning runs as hot as your Thanksgiving oven.

The Blackhawks have now earned the full two points in eight straight contests, but Nashville is right behind with seven consecutive wins.

But, as always, there's also the lower part of the standings...which will be covered in the, err, lower part of this article.

1. Chicago Blackhawks (34 pts)

We knew the Hawks were good, but the past two weeks have been remarkable for this young squad. The eight-straight win streak just tells it all, and it's been enough to pull them into first place in the rankings.

2. San Jose Sharks (36 pts)

The Sharks are still looking like one of the NHL's elite teams for this season, but they just can't keep up with Chicago right now, as was seen Wednesday night.

San Jose's point production has also slowed down recently, a stat that appears to change based on how their upper lines' chemistry is going.

3. Washington Capitals (34 pts)

Ovechkin just can't manage to be silent, but the Caps win either way. He returned from injury to score a few times and then got kicked out again...but no one cares in Washington if they just keep on winning, which has worked recently as the Caps have 14 points in 10 games.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins (34 pts)

The Pens came over the bump on a slow first half of November to win three straight heading into Thanksgiving.

Marc-Andre Fleury is taking the role he had in their Cup run last season into his everyday regular-season play, giving Pittsburgh better support than in past years in the net.

5. Calgary Flames (31 pts)

The Flames are using their success on the road this season to give themselves a major boost in the standings. Calgary is a solid 6-2-2 in their L10, and it looks like the Sutter winning formula is getting the Flames into a successful routine.

6. New Jersey Devils (31 pts)

The Devils finally slowed down a bit, and they still haven't reached double-digit road wins after having three opportunities this week (New Jersey started 9-0-0 on the road, now 9-2-1).

However, the Devils are still a solid team in the conference standings every year, no matter who the coach.

7. Boston Bruins (28 pts)

The Bruins didn't look that good for seven weeks, but are finally starting to get back into it. They have just one loss in ten games and a four-game winning streak. Still, they are exactly even in team +/-, which is not a good trait to have in a top-fourth team.

8. Nashville Predators (29 pts)

The Preds have an incredible seven-game winning streak going, and it's brought the Predators well into contention after struggling near the bottom for much of the year. They had 15 points in  the first 15 games of the season before getting 14 points in seven games on their recent run.

9. Ottawa Senators (27 pts)

The Senators continue to remain hot despite untimely losses at several points, as Ottawa hasn't looked this good since the autumn of '07. Success at home has been key for the Sens, who have nine of 12 wins at the Scotiabank Center.

10. Philadelphia Flyers (27 pts)

Like the Senators above, the Flyers' success in Philly has been crucial to a top 10 ranking. If the Flyers finally turn the corner and go far into the postseason in 2010, it will be because of the lower-line support they are finally getting this season.

11. Colorado Avalanche (32 pts)

The Avalanche are fifth in the league in points but 11th in my rankings, which is the result of an excess of games played.

Anyhow, the Avs might not be able to hold on to a top-six conference playoff bid this season, but with young gems like Ryan O'Reilly lurking, they could turn into the NHL's next dynasty if they find a long-term solution at goalie.

12. Buffalo Sabres (26 pts)

The Sabres are below .500 in L10 and have cooled off very significantly in the past ten days, but Ryan Miller and Buffalo are still loaded with surprise potential.

I have a good feeling that the Sabres may return to the elite this season with a solid, 100-point effort in the standings by April.

13. Dallas Stars (29 pts)

First the Stars competed, now the Stars are winning. Turco is finding his groove in the net, and Dallas has gotten hold of an early-season playoff spot to hold on to.

14. Los Angeles Kings (30 pts)

The Kings just aren't going away any time soon, and the Western Conference better get used to a switch in the power of the greater Los Angeles area (from Anaheim to LA).

The Kings' power play, as well as their road success, are getting Los Angeles wins in close games they couldn't earn in 2008.

15. Columbus Blue Jackets (27 pts)

The Jackets have just 72 goals for while surrendering 84, but the difference between this and the struggling team we saw a couple years ago is that Columbus finally has a solid roster, and, in turn, has confidence.

Still, it could be a repeat of last year's spring unless Steve Mason returns to form, because he isn't allowing a very competent scoring attack enough time with the lead.

16. Detroit Red Wings (26 pts)

The Wings have dropped back-to-back contests and are a far cry from the dynasty we saw in the regular season last year, but you just know that Detroit is going to keep hanging around until they strike and, once again, rise to the top.

17. New York Rangers (27 pts)

18. Montreal Canadiens (25 pts)

19. Vancouver Canucks (24 pts)

20. Atlanta Thrashers (25 pts)

21. Phoenix Coyotes (27 pts)

22. Tampa Bay Lightning (25 pts)

23. Florida Panthers (24 pts)

24. Anaheim Ducks (21 pts)

25. St. Louis Blues (22 pts)

26. Edmonton Oilers (23 pts)

27. New York Islanders (25 pts)

28. Minnesota Wild (19 pts)

29. Carolina Hurricanes (15 pts)

After their best streak of the season (a 3-0-1 week), Carolina has once again dropped two straight on the road and are still looking from their first win away from the RBC Center.

However, Ward will be back in a week, Staal has returned, and the defense is finally starting to come together. Kostopoulus, Yelle, and Ruutu, all players who had nothing going for them in the first six weeks, have picked up plenty of points recently, and it looks like the 'Canes may have finally righted the ship a bit.

But it's still up for grabs if they deserve the 29th spot.

30. Toronto Maple Leafs (17 points)