NHL Power Rankings (Feb. 5): Streaks, Trades, & Olympics Stirring up the NHL

NHL Hockey doesn't get much more exciting than it is at the moment.

With blockbuster trades breaking into the news column left and right, incredibly lengthy winning and losing streaks across the board, and injuries and roster shuffles mixing up the Olympic Hockey picture, the NHL.com "Latest News" blurbs are getting a workout.

Also, the few games remaining before the Olympic Break could set the tone for the spring (although winter seems more evident than ever for most of us) and give us an idea of who's a contender, and who's just going to hover along the playoff bubble into April before getting quietly eliminated from the Cup picture.

The "Top Six" is beginning to be established in both conferences, and is compiled of some season-long dynasties as well as some teams that have just exploded since the new year. 

Such teams, like the Kings, Sens, and Caps, may be the most dangerous of anyone right now—but it's still crucial that they keep up these hot runs into the long 20-day break coming up in just over a week.

Also, big trades have really mixed up the Thrashers, Devils, Leafs, Flames, and Ducks' rosters already.  Some more big moves likely coming out of teams like Carolina, Pittsburgh, and Los Angeles could mix things up even more. So, we'll take a look at how the 30 NHL teams pan out...but don't be surprised if these rankings are completely turned on end at any moment!

1. Washington Capitals—84 pts

It's rare that you get a team hotter than this. Backstrom is on fire, the goal-tending is getting better by the day, and when you add in the magic of Ovechkin, and you get a team that's won 12 straight (and 15-1 since the naming of Ovy as captain).

The title "Stanley Cup Champs" is practically theirs already.

We still have over three months to go, so let's not get anyone taking anything for granted but, simply put, this team is dangerous —in bolded, underlined 72-pt font with all capital letters.

2. San Jose Sharks—83 pts.

The Sharks may have fallen somewhat off the press reel, but they're still 7-1-2 in their last ten games. However, San Jose has a few needs to address that could finally spell postseason success for them.

It looks like they are very close to finalizing a deal that could bring in some defensive depth from Carolina (namely Niclas Wallin), and a few other moves could really bring a hot streak to the Sharks.

3. Chicago Blackhawks—78 pts.

The Blackhawks have slipped off their earlier level with a much quieter second half of January, but this team has the players to go far on all levels.

One position that's been getting a lot of attention is the goal-tending spot, where some trade fanatics are claiming they could become active. However, I feel if anything happens here, we might have someone on the way out .

4. Los Angeles Kings—73 pts.

The speedy, youthful base of the Kings of years past is finally succeeding due to the addition of some older, much more experienced, veterans.

The mix of age has finally come together for LA, and their most recent eight game winning streak is yet another sign that Los Angeles is truly for real. The probable addition of 'Canes forward Ray Whitney could also stir up even more excitement for the Kings in southern California.

5. New Jersey Devils—72 pts.

They've definitely slowed down recently with only three wins out of their last 10 games, but the addition of Ilya Kovalchuk could really mix things up in Jersey. He's a great player, and they brokered a great deal to acquire him, but it's still a question how well he will pan out with a much differently built team from Atlanta in the Devils.

6. Phoenix Coyotes—73 pts.

The Coyotes have added yet another two-week, five-game hot streak to a very surprisingly successful season so far out in the Arizona desert, but I'm still not fully convinced this team is for real.

If they can pull off a few trade deadline moves and keep up a solid rate heading into April, I might finally start to jump on the small, but confident, Coyotes' bandwagon.

7. Ottawa Senators—70 pts.

Just when we thought the Senators were fading back out of glory in early January, they got Alfredsson back and exploded up the standings, racking off 11 consecutive victories to date and really establishing themselves as a solid contender. A move for another sturdy, successful goaltender (Christobal Huet, perhaps Scott Clemmenson, or a Caps goalie) could really put this team over the top.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins—71 pts.

We'll have to accept, for now, that the Penguins aren't looking like the odds are for them to repeat as champs. However, they definitely have plenty of hope and talent to make it there again, especially with the addition of a productive, experienced player to give the team a third scoring aspect (Ray Whitney, anybody?).

9. Vancouver Canucks—70 pts.

The Canucks have been overlooked for much of the year, but as they continue their incredible road trip sitting pretty on top of their division and, with a 7-3 record in their last 10 games, Vancouver is certainly not a team to be overlooked.

10. Buffalo Sabres—71 pts.

Buffalo might still be sitting at third place in the East, but I am beginning to have my doubts after a slow, losing-plagued January has concluded and carried over the results into February. The Sabres are safe for now, and still in the top 10...but I get the feeling that perhaps Ryan Miller isn't enough to carry this team all the way.

11. Colorado Avalanche—68 pts.

I'm getting 'iffy' vibes from the Avs, too, but you certainly can't say they're slumping at the moment. They've won six of 10 and continue to keep up a successful routine. However, with an inactive trading season seeming evident, this team might be lacking the jump they need come spring.

12. Detroit Red Wings—64 pts.

The Red Wings are certainly not the team we've seen in Detroit in years past, with just three wins in their last 10 matches and not much to show for the season as a whole in the standings, either.  They currently sit out of the playoff picture.

However, you can just never count out the Wings, and I believe they'll sneak into the postseason due to that assumption alone.

13. Nashville Predators—66 pts.

The Predators are still getting no press coverage, but they've been steadily handling the playoff bubble pressure fairly well and staying under the radar, yet ready to strike. A couple quieter moves could complete this team and get them looking solid for the postseason.

However, if this team heads south, they could quickly find themselves in a bad spot.

14. Dallas Stars—61 pts.

The Stars aren't in the playoff picture yet, but they obviously have the capabilities to get there. Seeing that 17 of their 25 total victories have come at home, perhaps some road success down the stretch could give this team the jump they need to sneak into the postseason.

15. Anaheim Ducks—61 pts.

After a very slow start to the season, the Ducks have actually gone 17-11-1 since the second week of December.  They've also have recorded 12 points in their last 10 games to pull them within a game-and-a-half of their first appearance of the year in the Western Conference's top eight.

16. Calgary Flames—64 pts.

Hopefully, a recent huge mix-up can bring the spark back to this Flames team because, not only are they losing often by huge deficits, there's just no energy left in Calgary.

If trades aren't working, it could be a long spring for the entire coaching staff trying to work this severely under-performing team back into contention.

17. Tampa Bay Lightning—59 pts.

The Lightning might call this year a "bridge season"—their time to jump from the cellar into the middle of the pack.

I think, however, that Tampa Bay has the potential to forget the bridge idea and become a serious playoff team with this kind of talent. Watch out for the Bolts, Eastern Conference.

18. Florida Panthers—57 pts.

The Panthers have begun to creep up on the NHL with a 6-3-1 record in their last 10—the latest installment in a very solid start to 2010 for Florida.

However, something tells me that this inexperienced, star-lacking Cats squad might have to make a couple of big moves if they want to make the jump this season.

19. Philadelphia Flyers—59 pts.

The Flyers are fifth in the league in their team +/- ratio, but pure bad luck and untimely collapses has kept this team on the bubble all year. They currently sit at seventh and are only two points into a playoff position.

However, if they can sort out their goalie inconsistencies, Philadelphia might be able to make a move following the Olympic break.

20. Montreal Canadiens—60 pts.

One day, they're up. The next day, they're down. Who can figure out these Canadiens? Obviously, not me. But, for now, I'll say they have a shot at some success in the upcoming months, despite definitely needing to get some work done to get into the position they'd like to have.

21. Minnesota Wild—60 pts.

Despite ever-rising fan support due to 11-straight home victories, Minnesota is pretty insecure at this point in the standings. They're below .500 in their last 10 games, but still simply two games out of a tie for eighth place. A few deadline moves to balance out their roster could give this team the all-around game they need to sneak into the latter half of April.

22. St. Louis Blues—59 pts.

Well, at least the Blues are unique, something a lot of lower-half Western teams aren't feeling right now. But really? Only nine wins in almost 30 games played in St. Louis? No wonder the Blues are still on the outside looking in after all these games.

23. New York Rangers—57 pts.

The Rangers just aren't the Rangers this season. They are a collection of different players in a group called the "Rangers" they obviously don't want to be in. Hopefully, the recent shake-up might bring in some chemistry.  But right now, New York just isn't working as a team!

24. Atlanta Thrashers—56 pts.

Well, you can officially pronounce the Atlanta Thrashers as the easier-to-type (and say) Atlanta Trashers again, at least for this season.

The inevitable, yet unsurvivable, trade of Kovalchuk has occurred and, like expected, Atlanta has opted to take a few risks to try to get success tomorrow, not today. It's too bad, because they were finally looking decent for once.

25. Columbus Blue Jackets—55 pts.

There isn't much hope left for this year, but they do have a fairly solid and balanced young player core to build on for the future. The only problem? In which city will they be building on these young stars?! Columbus, or elsewhere?

26. Boston Bruins—56 pts.

It might be a week-old article, but B/R's own Ryan Pickard did a great job summing up the Boston Bruins' current position: "Missing: the Boston Bruins offense. If found, please bring back to Boston."

You can read the full article below:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/336948-missing-boston-bruins-offense-if-found-please-bring-back-to-boston

27. New York Islanders—54 pts.

A recent six-game losing streak might be just what the doctor ordered for the New York Islanders, who have been over-performing all year long. Although their playoff hopes may be fading fast, there is plenty of potential in this teams' roster for the future.

28. Carolina Hurricanes—45 pts.

After a hot, four-game winning streak, the cold air of Alberta chilled the 'Canes quite a bit, as the struggling Oilers and Flames overpowered Carolina by a combined score of 8-3.

On the other hand, there's still plenty of "going-ons" in Raleigh.  The rumors of trades sending Niclas Wallin to San Jose and Ray Whitney to Pittsburgh or Los Angeles are stirring up nearly as much excitement as the naming of Tim Gleason as an injury replacement to the Olympic team or the recent success that is finally, and deservedly, visiting the Hurricanes.

29. Toronto Maple Leafs—47 pts.

Dead for 2010? Yes.

Dead for next season? Likely.

But are they really a team that needs to strip down and get a new, made-over roster?

No, because they already did that.  No matter how long it takes, only bad chemistry will keep this current group from eventually piling up the victories.

30. Edmonton Oilers—42 pts.

The Oilers managed to end their franchise-worst 13 game losing streak with a 2-1 week, but Edmonton still needs a lot of new things.  This includes: (1) an arena with a functional lighting system (it looks like a dark ghost ride at the fair in Rexall Place), (2) a new roster, and (3) a goaltender that actually knows how to play the position.

A little overly-ambitious, don't you think? Or, could we use the word hopeless ? Perhaps...

Mark Jones is currently Bleacher Report's featured columnist for the Carolina Hurricanes. In his 17 months so far with the site, he has written over 150 articles and received over 100,000 total reads.

Visit his profile to read more.