NHL Power Rankings: Tampa Enters New Era, Pacific Division Goes to the Playoffs

Tampa Bay is entering a new era.

There are plans for a $35 million renovation to the Ice Palace, and the team will wear new uniforms next year.

The Canucks are the best team in hockey. They're top-five in all four major categories.

Last week featured a goalie fight between Brent Johnson (Penguins) and Rick DiPietro (Islanders).

Unfortunately, it had nothing on Roy-Osgood.

If the playoffs started today, all five teams from the Pacific Division would be in the postseason.

The bottom four seeds are all teams from the West Coast.

A February 1 contest between the Blues and Avalanche was canceled due to a snowstorm.

Calgary and Minnesota are surging in the Northwest.

Time will tell if they are playoff teams or a flash in the pan.

30. Edmonton Oilers

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 25: Taylor Hall #4 of the Edmonton Oilers crashes into the net during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on January 25, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Oilers defeated the Coyotes 4-3. (Photo by Christian

Last week: 28

Record: 15-29-8 (38 pts)

Edmonton is dead last in the league in goals against, power play and penalty kill.

They have dropped four straight since beating Phoenix on January 25.

29. Ottawa Senators

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 20: Mike Fisher #12 of the Ottawa Senators skates against the Philadelphia Flyers on January 20, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Last week: 26

Record: 17-28-8 (42 pts)

The Sens have dropped nine straight.

They have not received a point since losing to Buffalo in OT on January 25.

28. New York Islanders

Last week: 29

Record: 17-28-7 (41 pts)

The Isles have won two of their last three.

Rick DiPietro got in a goalie fight against Pittsburgh—a decision he probably regrets...

27. New Jersey Devils

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NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 04: Mark Fayne #34 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his second period goal against the Florida Panthers with teammate Travis Zajac #19 at the Prudential Center on February 4, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Get

Last week: 30

Record: 19-30-4 (42 pts)

With all the offensive talent in New Jersey, the Devils should not be dead last in goals per game.

However, they've won three of four, so something is going right for this troubled franchise.

26. Toronto Maple Leafs

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 10: The Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate the game winning goal by Nikolai Kulemin #41 at 4:58 of the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center on January 10, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. The Leafs defeated

Last week: 25

Record: 21-26-5 (47 pts)

The Leafs did not capitalize on their surge in early January.

However, they picked up two wins before losing in Buffalo.

25. Buffalo Sabres

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SAN JOSE, CA - JANUARY 6: Jochen Hecht #55 of the Buffalo Sabres scores a goal against the San Jose Sharks and celebrates with his teammates in the first period during an NHL hockey game at the HP Pavilion on January 6, 2011 in San Jose, California. The

Last week: 21

Record: 24-22-5 (53 pts)

The Sabres have the 10th-best power play and are third in their division, but they have a long way to catch the Canadiens and Bruins.

They've won three of their last four.

24. St. Louis Blues

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JANUARY 20: Jimmy Howard #35 of the Detroit Red Wings makes a save against Brad Boyes #22 of the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center on January 20, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Red Wings beat the Blues 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by

Last week: 20

Record: 23-20-8 (54 pts)

St. Louis' once-promising season has gone sour.

This team needs to get hot now if they want to make the playoffs.

23. Florida Panthers

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 25: Tomas Vokoun #29 of the Florida Panthers is congratulated by Dennis Wideman #6 after defeating the New York Rangers 4-3 at Madison Square Garden on January 25, 2011 in New York City. The Panthers defeated the 4-3. (Photo by Chri

Last week: 23

Record: 23-23-6 (52 pts)

The Panthers have the fifth-best penalty kill in the league but are unable to win on a regular basis.

After playing six straight games on the road, they return to Sunrise for five contests.

22. Colorado Avalanche

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 18: Chris Stewart #25 of the Colorado Avalanche looks on during a break in the actionagainst the Vancouver Canucks at the Pepsi Center on January 18, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Canucks 4-3 in overtime. (Pho

Last week: 14

Record: 25-21-6 (56 pts)

The Avs need to fix their porous defense.

They have the fifth-best offense and seventh-best power play.

However, they are second to last in defense—giving up 3.3 goals per game.

As a result, they have dropped three straight home contests to Phoenix, Minnesota and Anaheim.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets

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DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 4: Anton Stralman #6 of the Columbus Blue Jackets holds Jiri Hudler #26 of the Detroit Red Wings in check in a game on February 4, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Blue Jackets defeated the Wings 3-0. (Photo by

Last week: 27

Record: 25-22-5 (55 pts)

The Jackets blanked the Wings in Detroit and appear to be headed in the right direction.

However, they have work to do if they want to make the playoffs this season.

20. Atlanta Thrashers

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DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 15: Dustin Byfuglien #33 of the Atlanta Thrashers at American Airlines Center on January 15, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Last week: 22

Record: 24-21-10 (58 pts)

The Thrashers and Hurricanes are tied for third in the Southeast.

However, the 'Canes got the best of the Thrash in their latest contest—a 4-3 OT loss in Raleigh.

19. Carolina Hurricanes

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TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 28: Erik Cole #26 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates away from the check of Dion Phaneuf #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs in a game on December 28, 2010 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto,Ontario. The Hurricanes defeated the Leafs 4-3

Last week: 17

Record: 26-21-6 (58 pts)

The Hurricanes have rallied in the second half of the season.

Carolina has the eighth-best offense in the league but have slumped lately.

They were blanked by Toronto before their overtime win against Atlanta.

18. Chicago Blackhawks

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 25: (L-R) Jonathan Toews #19, Troy Brouwer #22, Duncan Keith #2 and Brian Campbell #51 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrate Brouwers 1st period goal againstof the Minnesota Wild at the United Center on January 25, 2011 in Chicago, Ill

Last week: 11

Record: 27-21-4 (58 pts)

The Blackhawks have the league's fourth-best offense, best power play and a plus-20 point differential.

However, they've dropped three of their last four and are currently out of the playoff picture.

17. Calgary Flames

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 22: Mikka Kiprusoff #34 of the Calgary Flames during a game against the New York Rangers on November 22, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Lou Capozzola/Getty Images)

Last week: 24

Record: 26-21-7 (59 pts)

Calgary won six straight before losing to LA in OT.

Mikka Kiprusoff's play has been key to their recent success.

After giving up four goals in a 7-4 win over Dallas, the goaltender has kept opponents to three goals or less in six straight contests—including the team's 4-3 shootout loss to the Kings.

16. Minnesota Wild

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 25: Niklas Backstrom #32 of the Minnesota Wild drinks water during a break in the action against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on January 25, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Wild defeated the Blackhawks 4-2. (Photo by Jo

Last week: 19

Record: 27-20-5 (59 pts)

Even with their impotent offense, Minnesota has managed to tow in six of their last eight.

During that time, Niklas Backstrom has done his fair share of work.

He's blanked three teams in his last eight games.

15. Phoenix Coyotes

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 15: (L-R) Martin Hanzal #11, Ray Whitney #13, Radim Vrbata #17, Oliver Ekman-Larsson #23 and Adrian Aucoin #33 of the Phoenix Coyotes celebrate after scoring against the Anaheim Ducks during the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on Janu

Last week: 18

Record: 26-19-9 (61 pts)

The Desert Dogs remain in the hunt but appear to be slipping.

They blew a three-goal lead to San Jose and lost 6-0 to Vancouver before blanking Minnesota.

14. New York Rangers

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 12: Ryan Callahan #24 of the New York Rangers celebrates his third period goal against the Washington Capitals with teammates Brandon Dubinsky #17 and Michael Sauer #38 on December 12, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York Cit

Last week: 9

Record: 29-22-4 (62 pts)

The Rangers have been playing some stingy D lately.

New York is seventh in goals against and eighth on the power play.

However, the team needs some offense to get out of their current four-game rut.

13. Anaheim Ducks

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MONTREAL, CANADA - JANUARY 22: Cam Fowler #4 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrates his first period goal with teammates Bobby Ryan #9 and Corey Perry #10 during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on January 22, 2011 in Montreal, Que

Last week: 16

Record: 29-21-4 (62 pts)

Give the Ducks credit.

They have the third-best power play in the league and their superstars show up every day.

Corey Perry had the only three goals in a contest against Colorado,

Former Calgary Flame Curtis McElhinney got the shutout.

12. Dallas Stars

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RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 29: Loui Eriksson #21 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Carolina Hurricanes at the RBC Center on November 29, 2010 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Stars defeated the Hurricanes 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Last week: 8

Record: 30-18-5 (65 pts)

Dallas' grip on the Pacific is slipping.

The Stars have lost three straight and are only three points ahead of the Sharks for the division lead.

11. Nashville Predators

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 20: Goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators warms up prior to facing the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center on January 20, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

Last week: 10

Record: 28-18-7 (63 pts)

Fourth in goals against, third in penalty kill, the Preds continue to lock down on the team's toughest offenses.

They blanked the Wings in Tennessee to curtail a four-game losing streak on Saturday.

10. Los Angeles Kings

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 22: Ryan Smyth #94, Justin Williams #14, Alec Martinez #53, Willie Mitchell #33 and Matt Greene #2 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrate after Williams scored a first period goal against goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov #30 of the Phoenix Co

Last week: 15

Record: 29-22-2 (60 pts)

The Kings are last in their division but still have a hold on a playoff spot.

They have won five of their last six contests.

However, they only play five games in SoCal in February, starting on the 24th.

9. Montreal Canadiens

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MONTREAL, CANADA - FEBRUARY 5: Members of the Montreal Canadiens celebrate their victory over the New York Rangers during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on February 5, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Rangers 2-0. (Photo by

Last week: 12

Record: 30-19-5 (65 pts)

The Habs continue to play conservative hockey and currently hold on to a playoff spot in the East.

Hockey aficionados in Montreal need not worry. This is a team that is built to win in the postseason, regardless of where they are seeded.

8. Detroit Red Wings

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 26: Johan Franzen #93 of the Detroit Red Wings watches the replay of his goal on the big screen in a game against the New Jersey Devils on January 26, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings defeated the Devils 3

Last week: 3

Record: 31-15-6 (68 pts)

The Wings were blanked by two division opponents, Columbus and Nashville, and only have five points on the Preds for the Central Division lead.

Things could get interesting in that division down the stretch.

7. San Jose Sharks

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GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 17: Joe Pavelski #8 and Dan Boyle #22 of the San Jose Sharks talk during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on January 17, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Sharks defeated the Coyotes 4-2. (Photo by Christ

Last week: 13

Record: 28-19-6 (62 pts)

The Sharks have returned to form and now are one of the hottest teams in the NHL.

They've won seven of their last eight.

Unfortunately, they only have two more home games left in February. They'll have to keep winning on the road.

6. Washington Capitals

Last week: 7

Record: 29-15-10 (68 pts)

Losing Mike Green is going to hurt the Caps as they vie with the Lighting for the division title.

Fortunately, the team was able to blank Pittsburgh without their superstar defenseman.

5. Boston Bruins

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 13: Gregory Campbell #11 of the Boston Bruins is congratulated by teammates Zdeno Chara #33 and Patrice Bergeron #37 after Campbell scored an empty net goal in the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers on January 13, 2011 at th

Last week: 5

Record: 30-16-7 (67 pts)

Everything except the power play is clicking for the B's.

They're sixth in offense, first in defense and fifth on the penalty kill.

They had won three straight before being blanked by the red-hot Sharks.

4. Pittsburgh Penguins

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NEWARK, NJ - JANUARY 20: Jordan Staal #11 of the Pittsburgh Penguins turns during a break in action in an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on January 20, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Im

Last week: 4

Record: 34-16-4 (72 pts)

The Penguins had their five-game win streak snapped in Washington on Sunday.

Even with the loss, the Pens remain one of the hottest teams in hockey, even without Sidney Crosby.

3. Philadelphia Flyers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 05: Jeff Carter #17 of the Philadelphia Flyers celebrates his goal against the Dallas Stars on February 5, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Stars 3-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Get

Last week: 1

Record: 35-13-5 (75 pts)

The Flyers have the league's best offense and a top-10 defense but need to improve their special teams.

However, a 4-0 loss in Tampa may indicate something about how the East will shake out.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

Last week: 6

Record: 33-16-5 (71 pts)

By committing $35 million in renovations to the St. Pete Times Forum and announcing a uniform change midseason, the Lighting are sending a clear message:

They're serious about winning.

For information on arena renovations: http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=551400&navid=DL|TBL|home

The new jerseys can be seen here: http://lightning.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=551150&navid=DL|TBL|home

1. Vancouver Canucks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - JANUARY 4: Mikael Samuelsson #26 of the Vancouver Canucks celebrates with Henrik Sedin #33 and Daniel Sedin #22 after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period in NHL action on February 04, 2011 at Rogers Arena in

Last week: 2

Record: 34-10-9 (77 pts)

No question, the Canucks are the best team in hockey right now.

They're top-five in all categories:

Offense - second

Defense - third

Power play - second

Penalty kill - fourth