NHL Power Rankings: Lightning Strikes, Sharks Attack, and the Penguins Stay Hot
The Lightning have won six of seven and have joined the NHL elite despite their poor defensive efforts.
San Jose and Chicago are not far behind. After rough starts to their season, both teams have won four in a row and are looking to contend in the West.
The Pens continue to roll. They've won three-straight and have the best goal differential in the league (plus-33).
The Avalanche are sliding. Their second-worst defense (3.2 goals per game) is catching up with them.
Vancouver has obtained points in all but one contest in December.
In contrast, the Devils have only one win this month.
1. Pittsburgh Penguins
1 of 30
Last week: 5
Record: 24-11-2 (50 pts)
Guided by the league's best penalty kill and top-five play on both ends of the ice, the Penguins had a three-game win streak before dropping a stinker in Ottawa.
On Thursday, fans in Pittsburgh saw the Pens clip the Caps in OT before facing them on Heinz Field.
The Penguins have only lost three games in December, but will receive a challenge early in the week when they face Atlanta on Tuesday.
2. Philadelphia Flyers
2 of 30
Last week: 1
Record: 22-8-5 (49 pts)
The Flyers continue to struggle on special teams, but, like their Pennsylvanian brethren, have a top-five offense and defense.
Another similarity to the Penguins: after a win streak this team lost to a cellar dweller.
Philly had an impressive five-game streak—with wins over Toronto, Boston, Pittsburgh, Montreal, and the Rangers—before being shutout by the Panthers.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning
3 of 30
Last week: 12
Record: 21-10-5 (47 pts)
The Bolts are the only team with a negative goal differential (minus-4) in the NHL's top-10, but have won six of their last seven.
An embarrassing loss at the Islanders should not be alarming, but the team needs to address their porous defense.
Otherwise the team can be happy with their top-10 offense, and their vivacious special teams.
Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis are two, three in the league in points and Stamkos only needs two goals to tie Crosby's league-high 29.
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4. Detroit Red Wings
4 of 30
Last week: 4
Record: 22-9-4 (48 pts)
The Wings have the league's third-best offense, but have struggled defensively and on special teams.
As a result they dropped three of their last four before rolling Minnesota 4-1 in St. Paul.
5. Vancouver Canucks
5 of 30
Last week: 6
Record: 21-8-5 (47 pts)
The Canucks own the league's best powerplay, second-best offense, and a top-10 defense and penalty kill.
Vancouver has only dropped three games in December.
Their losses: St. Louis, Tampa Bay (OT), and at Detroit (OT).
This team is a force in the West.
6. Washington Capitals
6 of 30
Last week: 13
Record: 21-12-5 (47 pts)
After dropping eight-straight, the Capitals have landed on their feet.
They've won three of four, with their only loss coming in a shootout to Pittsburgh in DC.
The Capitals only have one game, a home game in Montreal, before they play in the Winter Classic on New Year's.
7. Dallas Stars
7 of 30
Last week: 3
Record: 21-11-4 (46 pts)
The Stars had a good week going with wins over Detroit and Montreal before losing to Calgary in a shootout.
Then they were shutout by the Coyotes...
The Stars have a tough week ahead: Nashville, Detroit, Vancouver, and St. Louis are next.
8. San Jose Sharks
8 of 30
Last week: 15
Record: 19-11-5 (43 pts)
After losses to Dallas and in Nashville, the Sharks have won four in a row.
They've got a big game against Los Angeles in NorCal on Monday.
A win against the Kings verifies them as the team to beat in California.
9. Chicago Blackhawks
9 of 30
Last week: 14
Record: 20-14-3 (43 pts)
Behind the second-best powerplay and a top-10 offense, the Hawks have a four-game win streak going.
After a loss to Colorado, the team won four-straight at home.
However, they have to travel to St. Louis on Tuesday before playing San Jose, another hot team, on Thursday.
If they beat the Blues, their contest against the Sharks will be under the microscope in the NHL community.
10. Los Angeles Kings
10 of 30
Last week: 9
Record: 21-12-1 (43 pts)
Going to six rounds of a shootout with the Oil isn't anything to be proud of, but otherwise the Kings can be happy with their three-game win streak.
They routed Anaheim 4-1 in the STAPLES Center and have a chance to establish themselves as the alpha dog in California with a contest against San Jose on Monday.
11. New York Rangers
11 of 30
Last week: 8
Record: 20-14-2 (42 pts)
The Rangers were able to humiliate the Caps and Pens, but have dropped two against the rival Flyers and the Lightning.
Games against the lowly Islanders and Devils should allow the Rangers to recover before they travel to Tampa on Sunday for a rematch on Sunday following the Winter Classic.
12. Atlanta Thrashers
12 of 30
Last week: 7
Record: 19-13-6 (44 pts)
The Thrashers are still a legitimate team in the East, but are unable to beat top-caliber teams.
Their recent three-game losing streak came against St. Louis, Boston, and Tampa Bay.
All three teams have the potential to play in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs.
13. Colorado Avalanche
13 of 30
Last week: 2
Record: 19-12-4 (42 pts)
Colorado may have the league's best offense and fourth-best powerplay, but they're going to need to play defense to have any consistency.
After their six-game win streak they've dropped two in Denver against Los Angeles and Minnesota.
Their rivalry with Detroit will be reignited when they face the Wings in the Pepsi Center on Monday.
14. Montreal Canadiens
14 of 30
Last week: 11
Record: 20-14-2 (42 pts)
As a result of their defense (second in NHL) and penalty kill (second in NHL), the Canadiens remain at the apex of the Northeast Division, but the Bruins are closing in.
The Habs have dropped three of their last four on their recent seven-game win streak, including a putrid effort against the lowly Islanders (L, 4-1).
Their most recent loss may send them into a tailspin.
They must face Washington and Tampa Bay on the road next week.
15. St. Louis Blues
15 of 30
Last week: 17
Record: 18-12-5 (41 pts)
Wins over Atlanta, Detroit, and Nashville may be what this team needs to get back on track.
If they can beat Chicago at home and Phoenix on Versus next week they may establish the swagger they need to get back into the playoff race.
16. Boston Bruins
16 of 30
Last week: 16
Record: 18-11-4 (40 pts)
With the league's best defense and third-best penalty kill, fans in Massachusetts have to be wondering why this team is not able to turn it up and catch the Habs.
A 4-1 win over Atlanta has to be reassuring, but the team has still dropped three of their last five.
The B's start a five-game road trip against Florida on Monday.
17. Nashville Predators
17 of 30
Last week: 10
Record: 17-12-6 (40 pts)
The Preds followed up their five-game win streak by losing four in a row.
During their current losing streak they've been outscored 14-3.
Nashville is going to need to win more consistently in order to remain relevant in the laborious Central Division.
18. Minnesota Wild
18 of 30
Last week: 23
Record: 16-14-4 (36 pts)
The Wild outscored their opponents 10-3 on their most recent three-game win streak, but were routed 4-1 by Detroit on Sunday.
Minnesota has a matchup with Columbus, who also joined the league in 2000, on Versus Monday before having to face San Jose and Nashville.
19. Anaheim Ducks
19 of 30
Last week: 20
Record: 18-17-4 (40 pts)
The Ducks have lost four of six on the road, but were able to blank the Bruins.
They travel to Glendale Tuesday before they start a six-game homestand.
20. Phoenix Coyotes
20 of 30
Last week: 19
Record: 16-11-7 (39 pts)
The Coyotes finished up their recent six-game road stand by blanking the Stars, but their only other win came in a shootout with the Islanders.
They've got a rough week ahead. They play the Ducks and Kings before facing St. Louis on Versus on Friday.
21. Columbus Blue Jackets
21 of 30
Last week: 21
Record: 17-15-3 (37 pts)
Columbus has won a single contest in their last seven games.
Next week they play Minnesota on Versus, in Toronto, and against Ottawa before departing on a four-game road trip.
22. Carolina Hurricanes
22 of 30
Last week: 18
Record: 15-15-4 (34 pts)
The 'Canes have lost three-straight, including a 5-1 romp by the Lightning in Florida.
Next week they get Toronto, Ottawa, and New Jersey.
All three are winnable for Carolina.
23. Ottawa Senators
23 of 30
Last week: 22
Record: 16-17-4 (36 pts)
Wins over Nashville and Pittsburgh are encouraging for this club; however, they still haven't proven they can string wins together.
Next week they've got Carolina, Columbus, and Toronto.
They've got the right teams slated to get a win streak going.
24. Florida Panthers
24 of 30
Last week: 27
Record: 16-17-0 (32 pts)
The Panthers have a top-10 defense and penalty kill, have not lost in overtime, and emerged victorious in three of their last four.
They routed Buffalo 6-2, produced a shutout in Philadelphia (5-0), and got Buffalo again in Western New York (4-3).
Tomas Vokoun is a major reason why this team is rolling. Too bad for South Floridians he's reportedly on the trading block.
25. New York Islanders
25 of 30
Last week: 29
Record: 9-18-6 (24 pts)
The Islanders are on a three-game win streak.
They've outscored their opponents—Tampa Bay, New Jersey, and Montreal—11-3.
Maybe things are turning around on the Island.
26. Calgary Flames
26 of 30
Last week: 24
Record: 15-18-3 (33 pts)
A win over Dallas in Alberta is impressive, but the Flames have not proven they can beat upper-echelon teams.
Next week they get Buffalo, Colorado, and Edmonton.
27. Buffalo Sabres
27 of 30
Last week: 25
Record: 14-17-4 (32 pts)
The Sabres have dropped three of four, including two losses to Florida.
This team has quite a hill to climb in order to get back into the playoff race.
28. Edmonton Oilers
28 of 30
Last week: 26
Record: 12-16-6 (30 pts)
The Oilers took Los Angeles into a shootout and routed Columbus, but have dropped five of their six five.
Fortunately they get the next five in Edmonton.
Jordan Eberle has been impressive. He's got nine goals and 22 points this year.
29. Toronto Maple Leafs
29 of 30
Last week: 28
Record: 13-17-4 (30 pts)
The Leafs were outscored 15-6 in their last three contests against Calgary, Vancouver, Atlanta before defeating the Devils 4-1 in Newark.
Next week they get Carolina, Columbus, and Ottawa.
On the bright side: Mikhail Grabovski is on a four-game goal streak and has goals in seven of his last eight games.
30. New Jersey Devils
30 of 30
Last week: 30
Record: 9-24-2 (20 pts)
The Devils have won one game in December. They've only got two more to add to that total.
It'll be tough, they've got the Rangers and Thrashers next week.
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