NHL Power Rankings: Pittsburgh Penguins and Dallas Stars Are the Teams to Beat

Dallas and Pittsburgh are hot. They are riding six-game and nine-game win streaks, respectively.

Sidney Crosby has had a hat trick in two of his last four games.

Philly looks great on even strength but struggles on special teams.

The Rangers have started to play better, propelled by Marian Gaborik's solid play since returning from injury.

Atlanta should not be ignored. The Thrashers have won seven of their last eight.

Dany Heatley made his return to Ottawa, crushing his former team 4-0, but he did not score a goal.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins

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NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 29: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins defends against the New York Rangers during their game on November 29, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Last week: 4

Record: 18-8-2 (38 pts)

The Penguins continue to win. Their 7-2 victory in Columbus made it nine straight.

Sidney Crosby has had two hat tricks in four games and almost made it three against Columbus.

Pittsburgh's only weakness is its power play, which is converting at 17.9 percent (11th in NHL).

2. Detroit Red Wings

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SAN JOSE, CA - NOVEMBER 30: Henrik Zetterberg #40 celebrates with Pavel Datsyuk #13 and Jonathan Ericsson #52 of the Detroit Red Wings after Zetterberg scored a goal against the San Jose Sharks at HP Pavilion on November 30, 2010 in San Jose, California.

Last week: 1

Record: 17-4-3 (37 pts)

Detroit has played fewer games (24) than any team in the league and still has 37 points.

They are among the top 10 in all major categories, led by their league-best offense that is scoring 3.5 goals per game.

The Wings went 2-1 in California, beating the Sharks and Ducks before losing to the Kings.

3. Washington Capitals

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WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 26: Mike Knuble #22 and Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals warm up before the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Verizon Center on November 26, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Last week: 2

Record: 18-8-2 (38 pts)

The Caps are among the top 10 in all four major categories.

While they may be expected to play well offensively (fifth in NHL, fourth on the power play), they are 10th in the league with 2.6 goals against and are killing penalties at an 84.7-percent rate (eighth).

The team, however, has struggled against hot teams, dropping games in Dallas and against Atlanta after winning four straight.

4. Philadelphia Flyers

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UNIONDALE, NY - DECEMBER 05: Matt Carle #25 of the Philadelphia Flyers scores at 13:42 of the first period against the New York Islanders and is joined by Jeff Carter #17 (R) at the Nassau Coliseum on December 5, 2010 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Br

Last week: 3

Record: 17-7-4 (38 pts)

The Flyers have the third-best offense in the league and have only allowed 2.4 goals per game (2.4), but they have struggled on special teams.

Philadelphia has been inconsistent. After dropping games to Calgary and New Jersey and being shut out by Boston, the Flyers have won two in a row.

Next week's national contest in San Jose on Wednesday will give the team an indication of where they are.

5. Montreal Canadiens

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MONTREAL- DECEMBER 4: Ryane Clowe #29 of the San Jose Sharks digs for the loose puck in front of Carey Price #31 and Yannick Weber #68 of the Montreal Canadiens during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on December 4, 2010 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Pho

Last week: 5

Record: 17-8-2 (36 pts)

The Habs continue to play solid defense (second in NHL) and they have the best penalty kill (90 percent, first in NHL).

However, Montreal has surprised on the power play. Its 17.9-percent conversion rate is 12th in the league.

A loss to Edmonton at home is tough to swallow, but the Canadiens made up for it with multiple-goal victories in New Jersey and against San Jose.

6. Dallas Stars

Last week: 13

Record: 16-8-1 (33 pts)

Dallas has won six straight.

Despite rumors that Ranger coach John Tortorella is trying to woo Brad Richards to New York—the two won a Stanley Cup together with Tampa in 2004—the star forward will probably stay in Dallas as long as the Stars continue to win.

Games in Columbus and Chicago will test Dallas before it has a rematch with Carolina on Friday.

7. Vancouver Canucks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - DECEMBER 5: Carlo Colaiacovo #28 of the St Louis Blues connects with a punch on the back of the head of Keith Ballard #4 during fight in the first period in NHL action on December 05, 2010 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, Canada. (Ph

Last week: 7

Record: 14-8-3 (31 pts)

The Canucks are among the top 10 teams in all four major categories, including the best power play and third-best penalty kill.

They had multiple-goal wins four straight games before losing to St. Louis 3-2 in regulation.

8. Boston Bruins

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TORONTO, CANADA - DECEMBER 4: Phil Kessel #81 of the Toronto Maple Leafs digs for a rebound in front of Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins during game action at the Air Canada Centre December 4, 2010 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages / Ge

Last week: 17

Record: 14-8-3 (31 pts)

The B's have one of the best point differentials in the league (plus-22, tied with Detroit for third) but cannot find ways to win games.

With the best defense in the league and a solid penalty kill (fifth), this team should be fine as long as it learns how to finish games.

Last week the Bruins beat Philly 3-0 and Tampa 8-1 before losing to Toronto in a shootout.

9. Tampa Bay Lightning

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 18: Ryan Malone #6 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center on November 18, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Lightning defeated the Flyers 8-7. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Gett

Last week: 6

Record: 15-9-3 (33 pts)

Defense has been a big weakness for the Bolts.

They are one of two teams with a negative point differential in the top half of the league...and they're minus-10. They're giving up 3.4 goals per game (29th in NHL).

Tampa is going to have to shore this up or it risks losing more games like its last outing in Boston, when it was humiliated 8-1.

10. New York Rangers

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 5: Marian Gaborik #10 of the New York Rangers skates prior to the game against the Ottawa Senators at Madison Square Garden on December 5, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

Last week: 8

Record: 16-12-1 (33 pts)

The Rangers have played better recently, led by Gaborik's hat trick against the Islanders.

A loss against the Senators doesn't look good, but they have a chance to get them back north of the border on Thursday.

11. Chicago Blackhawks

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks steps on to the ice during warm up before the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on November 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Ima

Last week: 9

Record: 15-12-2 (32 pts)

The Blackhawks need to step it up in their own end.

They have given up 2.9 goals per game (21st in NHL) and are killing penalties at a 79.4-percent rate (25th).

Still, the team has won four of its last five.

12. Atlanta Thrashers

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 27: Niclas Bergfors #18 of the Atlanta Thrashers skates against the New York Rangers on October 27, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Atlanta defeated the Rangers 6-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Last week: 11

Record: 14-10-3 (31 pts)

With the league's sixth-best offense and second-best power play (24.8 percent), the Thrashers need to be taken seriously.

The team has won seven of its last eight, including a win over Washington on Saturday.

13. Phoenix Coyotes

Last week: 15

Record: 13-7-6 (32 pts)

The Coyotes deserve some respect.

They remain second in the Pacific mostly due to the efforts of Ilya Bryzgalov, who has started 10 of the last 11 games for the 'Yotes.

14. Los Angeles Kings

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 02: Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrates his goal with the bench for a 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers at the Staples Center on December 2, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Last week: 16

Record: 15-10-0 (30 pts)

The Kings need help offensively. They are only scoring 2.6 goals per game (18th in NHL).

They have won two straight but need to stay hot because a week from now they depart on a five-game road trip.

15. Nashville Predators

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 04: Marcel Goc #9, Martin Erat #10, and Shea Weber #6 of the Nashville Predators celebrate a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes on December 4, 2010 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/

Last week: 21

Record: 12-8-5 (29 pts)

The Predators have played well defensively and are riding a three-game win streak.

Contests against the Thrashers and Red Wings on the road will test this club.

16. Colorado Avalanche

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 15: Goalie Peter Budaj #31 of the Colorado Avalanche collects the puck as he had 27 saves against the St. Louis Blues while Greg Mauldin #20 and Ryan O'Reilly #37 of the Avalanche look on at the Pepsi Center on November 15, 2010 in Denv

Last week: 12

Record: 13-10-3 (29 pts)

Despite having the NHL's second-best offense, the Avs cannot join the league's finest due to poor effort in their own end.

As a result of poor defense, the team has lost five of its last six.

17. San Jose Sharks

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OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 02: Ottawa Senators fans show their discontent with Dany Heatley #15 of the San Jose Sharks in his first game against his old team at Scotiabank Place on December 2, 2010 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Gett

Last week: 18

Record: 12-9-4 (28 pts)

The Sharks picked up a 4-0 victory in Dany Heatley's return to Ottawa.

However, former Ottawa 67 (OHL) winger Logan Couture stole the show. The 21-year-old scored two goals to lead all rookies.

San Jose can make a big statement next week with two games on national television in Detroit and Philadelphia.

18. St. Louis Blues

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NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Alexander Steen #20 of the St. Louis Blues takes a shot wide of the net past Shea Weber #6, Pekka Rinne #35, and Ryan Suter #20 of the Nashville Predators against on November 24, 2010 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, T

Last week: 14

Record: 13-9-4 (30 pts)

The Blues dropped five straight, including a loss to Edmonton, before picking up a win in Vancouver.

St. Louis needs to pick it up quickly or risk getting lost in the Central.

19. Columbus Blue Jackets

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BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 03: Anton Stralman #6 and Mathieu Garon #32 of the Columbus Blue Jackets defend against Tyler Myers #57 of the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on December 3, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Last week: 10

Record: 14-10-1 (29 pts)

After winning five straight, the Blue Jackets look like they have fallen back to earth.

They've dropped five in a row, including torturous losses in Buffalo (5-0) and against Pittsburgh (7-2).

The reeling Blue Jackets need to turn things around quickly.

20. Anaheim Ducks

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ANAHEIM, CA - DECEMBER 01: (L-R) Mike Santorelli #13 of the Florida Panthers shoots the puck, as Toni Lydman #32, goaltender Jonas Hiller #1 and Lubomir Visnovsky #17 of the Anaheim Ducks defend the net during the third period at the Honda Center on Dec

Last week: 19

Record: 13-13-3 (29 pts)

Anaheim is the most inconsistent team in hockey.

In November they won six straight, lost six straight and then won two more.

This month they started with a win but have been shut out in their last two contests.

Nobody knows what is going on with this team.

21. Minnesota Wild

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UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 25: Pierre-Marc Bouchard #96 and Antti Miettinen #20 of the Minnesota Wild skate during warmups prior to their game against the New York Islanders on March 25, 2009 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Benne

Last week: 20

Record: 11-11-4 (26 pts)

The Wild are going through a major slump.

They've dropped seven of eight. They have to play three more games before coming home.

22. Carolina Hurricanes

Last week: 22

Record: 11-12-3 (25 pts)

The Hurricanes only have three wins in their last 11 games and have four more games away from Raleigh before facing Anaheim on the 18th.

This is a bad time to be going through a slump.

Too bad they face red-hot Dallas and St. Louis next week.

23. Edmonton Oilers

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GLENDALE, AZ - NOVEMBER 23: Ales Hemsky #83 of the Edmonton Oilers centers the puck during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on November 23, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Oilers 5-0. (Photo by Christian

Last week: 29

Record: 10-12-4 (24 pts)

Edmonton has won four straight, including a 5-0 showing in Toronto, and it plays its next five games in Alberta.

This young team is poised to gain a little respectability after a tough start to the season.

24. Buffalo Sabres

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OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 04: Chris Kelly #22 of the Ottawa Senators dekes between Patrick Kaleta #36 and Tyler Ennis #63 of the Buffalo Sabres in a game at Scotiabank Place on December 4, 2010 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty I

Last week: 24

Record: 11-13-3 (25 pts)

Buffalo has won two in a row, shutting out its opponents in both wins.

Big game against division rival Boston on Versus next Tuesday. The Sabres would love to cool the hot Bruins.

25. Ottawa Senators

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OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 02: Linesman Steve Barton (59) picks up a selection of discarded Dany Heatley Ottawa Senators jerseys that were thrown onto the ice in discontent in a game between the San Jose Sharks and the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place on D

Last week: 23

Record: 12-14-2 (26 pts)

The Sens dropped three straight, including back-to-back shutouts, before beating New York 3-1 at MSG last week.

This team appears to be missing All-Star winger Dany Heatley, who made his first appearance in Ottawa last week, beating the Senators 4-0.

26. Calgary Flames

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PITTSBURGH - NOVEMBER 27: Tim Jackman #15 of the Calgary Flames and Deryk Engelland #5 of the Pittsburgh Penguins mix it up at Consol Energy Center on November 27, 2010 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Last week: 27

Record: 11-14-2 (24 pts)

Calgary is all over the board, shutting out Minnesota and losing to Vancouver 7-2 in the same week.

It has a tough week ahead. The Bolts and Kings are up next.

27. Florida Panthers

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

ANAHEIM, CA - DECEMBER 01: Goaltender Jonas Hiller #1 of the Anaheim Ducks makes a save on a deflection by Steve Bernier (L) #26 of the Florida Panthers during the third period at the Honda Center on December 1, 2010 in Anaheim, California. The Ducks def

Last week: 25

Record: 11-14-0 (22 pts)

The Panthers' power play scores eight percent of the time.

That's putrid.

Decent defense keeps this team from sinking to the bottom of the league.

28. Toronto Maple Leafs

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TORONTO, CANADA - NOVEMBER 30: Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning steps out of the penalty box as Nikolai Kulemin #41 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a second period goal during game action November 30, 2010 at the Air Canada Centre in To

Last week: 28

Record: 9-12-4 (22 pts)

The Leafs were shut out twice and dropped four before winning against Boston on Saturday.

Three games on national television may provide a wake-up call for the dormant Leafs.

29. New Jersey Devils

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NEWARK, NJ - NOVEMBER 24: Patrik Elias #26 of the New Jersey Devils skates during a hockey game against the Calgary Flames at the Prudential Center on November 24, 2010 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

Last week: 26

Record: 8-16-2 (18 pts)

After a short spurt of greatness, the Devils have returned to the bottom of the league.

This team is too talented to have the worst offense in the league and get harassed every night...

30. New York Islanders

Last week: 30

Record: 5-15-5 (15 pts)

The Islanders have yet to win a game in December and have a minus-30 goal differential, tied with the Devils for worst in the NHL.

They get Boston and Atlanta next week.