NHL Power Rankings: Blackhawks, Sharks and Bruins Turn It Up Down the Stretch

Chicago, San Jose and Boston all are getting hot at the right time.

For the Sharks and Blackhawks it is vital that they remain hot in order to stay in the Western Conference playoff picture.

Newcomers Dustin Penner (Kings), Thomas Kaberle (Bruins), Eric Brewer (Lightning) and Mike Fisher (Predators) will have big impacts on their teams and the playoff picture.

Dallas and Calgary retained superstars Brad Richards and Jarome Iginla respectively, but they are in jeopardy of sitting on the outside looking in when the season ends.

Anaheim and Phoenix remain in contention in the West. I'm not sure how...

Matt Calvert is an emerging superstar in Columbus. He had his first hat trick on Friday.

30. Edmonton Oilers

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COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 05: Dustin Penner #27 of the Edmonton Oilers skates with the puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on February 5, 2011 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

The Oil have dealt Dustin Penner and are preparing for the future.

With Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall and Linus Omark, good times are closer than they may appear to an outsider.

29. Ottawa Senators

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BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 25: Erik Condra #38, Jason Spezza #19 and Matt Carkner #39 of the Ottawa Senators celebrate Spezza's goal in the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on February 25, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewa

The Senators spent the last few weeks of February shedding salary and preparing for the future.

Thankfully for the Ottawa faithful, captain Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza remain on the roster.

28. New York Islanders

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UNIONDALE, NY - FEBRUARY 21: Michael Grabner #40 and Kyle Okposo #21 of the New York Islanders talk while waiting for a faceoff during an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers at the Nassau Coliseum on February 21, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (P

The Islanders are wrapping it up for the season, but they have hope in the future.

Kyle Okposo, Matt Moulson, Michael Grabner and John Tavares will be superstars in their prime.

27. Colorado Avalanche

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Erik Johnson #6 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on February 26, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

The Avalanche came apart at the wrong time and have sputtered down the stretch.

However, the Erik Johnson trade should eventually work out for them in the future.

The former first-overall selection will be playing with a vengaence and I expect him to reach his full potential in Denver.

26. Florida Panthers

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SUNRISE, FL - JANUARY 5: Bryan McCabe #24 of the Florida Panthers discusses a call with referee Frederick L'Ecuyer #17 and referee Marc Joannette #25 in the third period against the Atlanta Thrashers on January 5, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunris

The Panthers are years away from contending.

Dealing Bryan McCabe is probably the right move at this time. They need to get younger and cheaper in order to build on the foundation they laid this year.

25. Atlanta Thrashers

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ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 25: Blake Wheeler #26 of the Atlanta Thrashers reacts with teammates after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers at Philips Arena on February 25, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Thrash's ugly second half kept a reeling franchise from establishing a serious change in their new era.

Their trade for Blake Wheeler, however, should help the team in the future.

Once a highly-regarded prospect, Wheeler should thrive with more ice time in Georgia.

24. Toronto Maple Leafs

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ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 27: Phil Kessel #81 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his goal against the Atlanta Thrashers with Mike Komisarek #9, Brett Lebda #23, Tyler Bozak #42 and Joffrey Lupul #19 at Philips Arena on February 27, 2011 in Atlanta, Georg

It's sad.

A team this beloved should win for their fans.

23. New Jersey Devils

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NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Brandon Sutter #16 of the Carolina Hurricanes and Jason Arnott #25 of the New Jersey Devils battle for the puck at the Prudential Center on February 16, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Devils' late push is nice for their diehard fans, but this team will have to wait for next season to make an impact.

Their recent deal that sent Jason Arnott to the Capitals indicates that they are well aware of that.

22. St. Louis Blues

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 14: Chris Stewart #25 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Calgary Flames at the Pepsi Center on February 14, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Flames defeated the Avalanche 9-1. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

It's back to the drawing board for the Blues.

A once-promising core has been blown up.

Chris Stewart will need to produce and Kevin Shattenkirk will need to develop quickly or else this team will begin to lose the interest that has been built up recently in St. Louis.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets

Matt Culvert may turn out to be a superstar.

His hat trick on Friday is a serious indication that he wants more playing time in Ohio.

He and the rest of his team, however, are going to have to wait another season before they can try and win the franchise's first playoff series.

20. Buffalo Sabres

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BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 26: Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save on Johan Franzen #93 of the Detroit Red Wings at HSBC Arena on February 26, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

After a rough start, the Sabres are in contention for a playoff spot in the East.

Currently they are two points away from the eighth seed.

19. Anaheim Ducks

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ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 25: (L-R) Cam Fowler #4, Ryan Getzlaf #15 and Bobby Ryan #9 of the Anaheim Ducks celebrate Ryan's goal, as goaltender Jose Theodore #60 of the Minnesota Wild collects the puck in the second period at Honda Center on February 25, 20

With 71 points, the Ducks are one-point away from Pacific Division rival Dallas, which is currently in a three-way tie for the final seed in the postseason.

If they continue to hang around, this team could bring the playoffs back to Anaheim.

18. Carolina Hurricanes

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NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Eric Staal #12 of the Carolina Hurricanes skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on February 16, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Seed: Eighth in East (67 points)

The Hurricanes have what it takes to remain in the playoff picture, but Buffalo has played well lately.

If Carolina qualifies for the postseason, the Hurricanes have a reputation of upsetting top seeds and will be given a fleeting chance in the first round.

17. Minnesota Wild

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ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 25: (L-R) Antti Miettinen #20, Brent Burns #8 and Pierre-Marc Bouchard #96 of the Minnesota Wild celebrate Bouchard's game winning goal in overtime against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on February 25, 2011 in Anaheim, Californ

Seed: Tied for eighth in the West (72 points)

The Wild have a chance to make the playoffs this year.

Without a superstar and with no cap space to make moves before the trade deadline, the Wild will be fighting an uphill battle.

16. Dallas Stars

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 05: Brad Richards #91 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 5, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Flyers defeated the Stars 3-1. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Seed: Tied for eighth in the West (72 points) and currently hold the tiebreaker

The Stars managed to hold onto Brad Richards, but they are 3-6-1 in their last 10.

This team is slowly slipping out of the playoff picture in the West.

15. Calgary Flames

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CALGARY,CANADA - FEBRUARY 22: Jarome Iginla #12 of the Calgary Flames stops as ice sprays up while facing the Boston Bruins during their NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome, February 22,2011 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Image

Seed: Seventh in West

The Flames are gingerly holding onto a playoff seed in the West, but they retained veteran captain Jarome Iginla.

They have six wins in their last 10 games, but they may be cooling off and will be on the bubble for the remainder of the season.

14. New York Rangers

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 01: Marc Staal #18 (R) of the New York Rangers and Marian Gaborik #10 (L) congratulate teammate Artem Anisimov #42 (C) after his goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Madison Square Garden on February 1, 2011 in New York City.

Seed: Seventh in East

The Rangers certainly cannot rest on their laurels.

However, with a plus-22 point differential and a five-point cushion protecting them against ninth-seeded Buffalo, the Blueshirts are in the driver's seat heading down the stretch.

Bryan McCabe was an astute pickup. The veteran defenseman should help navigate New York through the playoffs.

13. Nashville Predators

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NASHVILLE, TN - FEBRUARY 12: Ryan Suter #20, Mike Fisher #12, Shea Weber #6, and Sergei Kostitsyn #74 of the Nashville Predators celebrate after a goal against the Colorado Avalanche on February 12, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

Seed: Tied for Eighth in West (72 points)

The once-steady Predators are skating on thin ice.

Nashville is 4-5-1 in the last 10 games, but has a plus-10 point differential and has the potential to leapfrog Minnesota, Dallas and Calgary in the West.

12. Montreal Canadiens

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 22: Goalie Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens is congratulated by Hal Gill #75 after defeating the Vancouver Canucks in NHL action on February 22, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by

Seed: Sixth in East (73 points)

The Canadiens should be a playoff team after 82 games, but they cannot lose momentum late in the season.

Montreal is 3-5-2 in their last 10 and only three points ahead of the Rangers.

11. Phoenix Coyotes

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PHILADELPHIA - FEBRUARY 22: Shane Doan #19 of the Phoenix Coyotes is congradulated by teamate Lauri Korpikoski #28 after scoring the game winning goal in overtime against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 22, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelp

Seed: Fourth in the West (76 points)

I would be surprised if the Coyotes hold on to the fourth seed in the Western Conference.

However, Dave Tippett's squad is 7-2-1 in their last 10 despite their minus-two point differential.

This team, like the Ducks, continues to hang around in the wild, wild West.

10. Washington Capitals

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 22: Jason Arnott #25 of the New Jersey Devils at American Airlines Center on February 22, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Seed: Fifth in the East (76 points)

Jason Arnott has to be happy to be on a contending team and the Capitals needed a true No. 2 center.

Time will tell if he can make a difference on a team that is in need of help after a tough finish last season.

9. Los Angeles Kings

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EDMONTON, CANADA - JANUARY 18: Dustin Penner #27 of the Edmonton Oilers during the game against the Minnesota Wild on January 18, 2011 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

Seed: Fifth in the West (74 points)

The Kings are in the playoff picture and should remain there.

Los Angeles is 7-1-2 in their last 10 and newly-acquired Dustin Penner is a missing piece this team needs to get out of the first round this year.

8. Chicago Blackhawks

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 27: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks is congratulated by teammates including (L-R) Tomas Kopecky #82, Patrick Kane #88, Troy Brouwer #22 and Bryan Bickell #29 after scoring the winning goal in a shootout against the Phoe

Seed: Sixth in West (74 points)

Following a five-game win streak, the Blackhawks are in the playoff picture.

They belong in the postseason and have a chance to improve their seeding in the jam-packed West.

They are only two points away from Phoenix for the four seed.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins

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MONTREAL, CANADA - JANUARY 12: Chris Kunitz #14 of the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrates his third period goal with team mates (L-R) Alex Goligoski #3, Kris Letang #58 and Jordan Staal #11 during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centr

Seed: Fourth in East (80 points)

The Penguins continue to win without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Time will tell if they can sustain it.

6. San Jose Sharks

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PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 23: (L-R) Devin Setoguchi #16, Kyle Wellwood #20, Patrick Marleau #12 and Torrey Mitchell #17 of the San Jose Sharks during the NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on February 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh,

Seed: Third in West (78 points)

The Sharks have gotten hot at the right time.

Expect them to continue to win and hold on to the Pacific Division title.

5. Boston Bruins

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CALGARY,CANADA - FEBRUARY 22: Tomas Kaberle #12 of the Boston Bruins skates against the Calgary Flames during their NHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome, February 22,2011 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

Seed: Third in the East (79 points)

Thomas Kaberle is a big pickup for the Bruins. He may be the missing piece for this title contender.

The Bruins have won five-straight and will put pressure on Tampa and Philly in the East.

4. Tampa Bay Lightning

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SUNRISE, FL - FEBRUARY 8: Eric Brewer #4 of the St. Louis Blues waits for a face off against the Florida Panthers on February 8, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Blues defeated the Panthers 2-1. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

Seed: Second in East (81 points)

Eric Brewer was a big pickup for the Lightning, which need help along the blueline.

This team has won three-straight and is headed in the right direction down the stretch.

3. Vancouver Canucks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 22: Goalie Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks tries to cover up the loose puck while teammate Aaron Rome #29 ties up Jeff Halpern #15 of the Montreal Canadiens during the first period in NHL action on February 22, 2011

Seed: First in West (87 pts)

The Canucks are 5-5-0 in their last 10.

No need for panic, this team should get the top seed in the Western Conference and contend for the President's Trophy.

However, they should not get complacent in the increasingly competitive West.

2. Detroit Red Wings

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DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 4: Derick Brassard #16 of the Columbus Blue Jackets squeezes between Jimmy Howard #35 and Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings on February 4, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty

Seed: Second in West (82 pts)

The Wings are only four points ahead of the Sharks and have the red-hot Blackhawks in their division.

However, I expect them to finish strong and remain the second seed.

They are 7-3-0 in their last 10.

1. Philadelphia Flyers

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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 20: Jeff Carter #17 of the Philadelpia Flyers clears the puck against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on February 20, 2011 in New York City. The Flyers defeated the Flyers 4-2. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Seed: First in East (86 points)

Simply put: the Flyers are a damn good hockey team no matter where they go.

They are 20-8-3 at home, 20-8-3 away.