NHL Power Rankings: The Blackhawks Tear Up the League, Canucks Remain on Top

Chicago is red hot. The Blackhawks have won eight in a row.

This team will make a serious run at defending their title should they keep it up.

Vancouver is still the most solid team in the NHL.

Philly is in a rut. The Flyers need to get their act together after being blown out by the Rangers.

Buffalo and Carolina will duke it out for the last spot in the East.

Toronto, yes Toronto, has an outside shot at that place as well.

Minnesota, Anaheim and Nashville are tied for ninth place in the West at 75 points.

The Preds have the best shot at the playoffs. They have a plus-11 point differential and play well at home.

It might be possible that the Blues-Avalanche trade made both teams worse in the short term.

Both teams have a combined four wins in their last 20 games.

30. Ottawa Senators

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OTTAWA, CANADA - MARCH 01: Adam McQuaid #54, Brad Marchand #63, Patrice Bergeron #37 and Nathan Horton #18 of the Boston Bruins celebrate a goal while Jason Spezza #19 of the Ottawa Senators skates away in a game at Scotiabank Place on March 1, 2011 in O

The Senators are far and away the worst team in the league.

After years of excitement surrounding this team, things have taken a turn for the worse in Canada's capital.

29. Edmonton Oilers

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COLUMBUS, OH - FEBRUARY 05: Rostislav Klesla #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates a first period goal with Linus Omark #23 and Theo Peckham #49 in front of Steve Mason #1 of the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on February 5, 2011 in Columbus,

Things in Edmonton aren't much better this season.

However, the Oilers have a strong foundation to build upon and a great fanbase that will support their team through thick and thin.

A three-game win streak is nice as well. Maybe they'll pull a late-season surge like the Devils.

28. Colorado Avalanche

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 23: Erik Johnson #6 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against the Edmonton Oilers at the Pepsi Center on February 23, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Oilers defeated the Avalanche 5-1. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

This team is a train wreck.

The Avalanche only have one win in their last 10 games and any hopes of filling their building next year after a few down years look slim.

27. St. Louis Blues

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CALGARY, AB - FEBRUARY 27: Cory Sarich #6 of the Calgary Flames takes out Chris Stewart #25 and Alex Pietrangelo #27 of the St. Louis Blues in the second period of NHL action on February 27, 2011 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (

Neither the Blues nor the Avalanche have benefited from their recent swap.

The Blues have dropped four straight, but at least they have three wins in their last 10.

26. Florida Panthers

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ATLANTA, GA - FEBRUARY 25: Goaltender Tomas Vokoun #29 and teammates of the Florida Panthers celebrate their 2-1 win in a shootout over the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena on February 25, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Florida is going out in an ugly fashion.

Once able to say that they hold a positive point differential in the offensively-focused East, the Cats now sit at minus-19 and only have two wins in their last 10 games.

25. New York Islanders

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UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 02: Matt Moulson #26 of the New York Islanders skates against Niklas Backstrom #32 of the Minnesota Wild at the Nassau Coliseum on March 2, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Wild 4-1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Get

The Islanders are 4-3-3 in their last 10.

Not bad enough to draw attention, but not good enough to generate late-season excitement either.

24. Atlanta Thrashers

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BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 23: Zach Bogosian #4 of the Atlanta Thrashers readies to enter the ice against the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on February 23, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. Buffalo won 4-1. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Thrashers are another team that could use some late-season excitement but they have been underwhelming lately.

Atlanta needs to play better in order to generate interest in the team's young core.

23. Toronto Maple Leafs

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PHILADELPHIA - MARCH 03: Keith Aulie #59 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates a goal by Clarke MacArthur #16 of The Philadelphia Flyers during their game on March 3, 2011 at The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty

The Leafs remain in the hunt.

They'll need a Chicago-like or New Jersey-like surge in order to catch Carolina and Buffalo, however.

They currently have 67 points. They need five more to catch No. 8-seed Buffalo.

22. Columbus Blue Jackets

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CALGARY, AB - MARCH 4: Rick Nash #51 of the Columbus Blue Jackets takes a goaltender interference penalty for flying over goalie Miikka Kiprusoff #34 of the Calgary Flames in the third period of NHL action on March 4, 2011 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in

At No. 12 in the West with 69 points, the playoffs are just out of reach for the Jackets.

Columbus would need a serious push in their last 18 games.

21. New Jersey Devils

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NEWARK, NJ - FEBRUARY 16: Brian Rolston #12 of the New Jersey Devils celebrates his goal at 34 seconds of the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Prudential Center on February 16, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Hurrica

It's probably too little, too late for the Devils.

However, they have certainly generated interest late in the season.

They are 9-1-0 in their last 10.

That's more than a lot of other fleeting franchises can say.

20. Buffalo Sabres

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BUFFALO, NY - FEBRUARY 26: Ryan Miller #30 of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save between Justin Abdelkader #8 and Todd Bertuzzi #44 of the Detroit Red Wings at HSBC Arena on February 26, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

Seed: Eighth in East (72 points)

Buffalo lost a critical game to Carolina in overtime but has recent wins over the Rangers and Flyers.

This team will have a serious shot at the playoffs.

I expect the Rangers to hold on to a spot and Carolina and Buffalo to vie for final placement.

19. Carolina Hurricanes

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 04: Bryan Bickell #29 and Dave Bolland #36 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrate Bickell's 1st period goal next to Jamie McBain #4 and Eric Staal #12 of the Carolina Hurricanes at the United Center on March 4, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

The Hurricanes picked up a big win over Buffalo at home but they need to be careful not to slip late in the season.

Carolina plays significantly better at home (18-10-3) than away (13-16-6) and must take advantage of having 10 of their last 16 games in Raleigh.

18. Minnesota Wild

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ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 25: Andrew Brunett #15 and John Madden #11 of the Minnesota Wild celebrate Madden's first period goal against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on February 25, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Minnesota is currently in a three-way tie with Anaheim and Nashville at 75 points.

They are on the outside looking in but could potentially sneak into the last spot and bring the Stanley Cup playoffs back to St. Paul.

17. Anaheim Ducks

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TORONTO, CANADA - JANUARY 20: Jean-Sebastien Giguere #35 of the Toronto Maple Leafs makes a huge save on Teemu Selanne #8 of the Anaheim Ducks during game action at the Air Canada Centre January 20, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/G

By nature of being in a three-way tie at 75 points, the Ducks are in contention.

However, their minus-11 goal differential is quite heinous.

On the other hand, they are great at home this season (20-11-2) and have won nine of their last 16 at the Pond.

They'll need to get a few road wins, though...

16. Dallas Stars

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DALLAS, TX - FEBRUARY 13: Goaltender Steve Mason #1 of the Columbus Blue Jackets gives up a goal against Brad Richards #91 in front of Steve Ott #29 of the Dallas Stars on February 13, 2011 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Seed: Seventh in West (77 points)

The Stars picked up a nice win in San Jose.

However, they are 4-5-1 in their last 10 and they have a minus-three goal differential.

This team is in serious jeopardy of losing a treasured playoff spot in the West.

A postseason berth would be huge for this franchise.

15. Phoenix Coyotes

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 05: Shane Doan #19 of the Phoenix Coyotes celebrates with goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov #30 after defeating the Detroit Red Wings in the NHL game at Jobing.com Arena on March 5, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Red Wi

Seed: Sixth in West (78 points)

The Coyotes may be sitting pretty now, but things can change in the blink of an eye in the West.

A second playoff berth in a row would be huge for this franchise.

It is not far-fetched, but there are a lot of talented teams lurking beneath them.

14. Nashville Predators

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 3: Goalie Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators is congratulated by Patric Hornqvist #27 after defeating the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 in NHL action on March 03, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Pho

There is going to be outrage among fans in Minnesota and Anaheim, but of the teams in a three-way tie for first, the Predators have the best chance to make the playoffs.

They are a strong defensive club that plays well at home (15-7-7) and has a plus-11 point differential.

This team deserves to be in the playoffs.

13. Philadelphia Flyers

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PHILADELPHIA - FEBRUARY 22: Jeff Carter #17 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates the Phoenix Coyotes on February 22, 2011 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Coyotes defeated the Flyers 3-2 in OT. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

Seed: First in East (86 points)

It may always be sunny in Philadelphia, but this team has its head stuck where the sun don't shine.

The Flyers need to pull it out soon or risk blowing an entire season full of work on a bad loss to New York.

They've lost four in a row.

12. New York Rangers

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NEW YORK - MARCH 06: Henrik Lundqvist #30 of the New York Rangers looks on as Danny Briere #48 of the Philadelphia Flyers falls in front of the puck during their game on March 6, 2011 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. (Photo by Al Bel

Seed: Seventh in East (74 points)

The Blueshirts may appear in danger in the East.

However, a plus-29 point differential indicates this team will be around in the postseason.

They need to play better at MSG. They are 14-15-3 in New York.

Their 7-0 stomping of the arch-rival Flyers at home will help fans ignore that record.

11. Los Angeles Kings

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 26: (L-R) Anze Kopitar #11, Drew Doughty #8 and Michal Handzus #26 of the Los Angeles Kings celebrate Doughty's second period goal against the Colorado Avalanche at Staples Center on February 26, 2011 in Los Angeles, California

Seed: Eighth in West (76 points)

Like the Rangers, the Kings are close to the playoff border but should be confident that they will be around once half the league is sent home.

They have a plus-21 point differential and are 6-3-1 in their last 10.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 03: Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins stops a shot as Martin St. Louis #26 of the Tampa Bay Lightning runs into him in the second period on March 3, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Seed: Fifth in East (81 points)

Relinquishing the Southeast is a no-no for this rebuilding franchise.

This team needs to keep the momentum rolling as they enter a new era and can't afford to have a serious losing streak right now.

9. Calgary Flames

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CALGARY, AB - MARCH 4: Jarome Iginla #12 of the Calgary Flames celebrates his goal with teammates Mark Giordano #5 and Alex Tanguay #40 against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the first period of NHL action on March 4, 2011 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Ca

Seed: Fifth in West (79 points)

Nobody thought this team would be here at this time of year except for a couple thousand hooligans in Alberta.

A major reason why this team is searing their way into the Western playoff picture is their 21-11-3 record in the hostile Saddledome.

8. 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 (79 points)

The Habs have won four straight and have a plus-nine point differential.

This team probably will not grab a top seed but it will be very dangerous in the playoffs, especially at home where they are 20-8-6.

7. Pittsburgh Pengins

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PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 23: Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Kris Letang #58 during the NHL game against the San Jose Sharks at Consol Energy Center on February 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Sharks defeated th

Seed: Fourth in East (84 points)

The Penguins have not played great hockey lately.

They are 3-3-4 in their last 10.

Fortunately, they have quite a buffer in the East. They are tied with second-seeded Boston with 84 points and are only two points away from the Atlantic-leading Flyers.

6. San Jose Sharks

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PITTSBURGH, PA - FEBRUARY 23: (L-R) Joe Pavelski #8, Dan Boyle #22 and Torrey Mitchell #17 of the San Jose Sharks talk during the NHL game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on February 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Shar

Seed: Third in West (82 points)

While the rest of the Pacific spins its wheels near the playoff border, the Sharks are securing themselves atop their division.

This team is playing well at the right time.

5. Washington Capitals

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SUNRISE, FL - MARCH 6: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals is congratulated after scoring a first period goal against the Florida Panthers on March 6, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Seed: Third in East (82 points)

With their recent four-game win streak, the Caps have caught the slipping Lightning.

This should be a dogfight to the end.

4. Boston Bruins

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - FEBRUARY 26: Alexandre Burrows #14 of the Vancouver Canucks jumps out of the way of a shot as the puck sails over the head of goalie Tim Thomas #30 of the Boston Bruins during the third period in NHL action on February 26, 2011 at Roge

Seed: Second in East (84 points)

The Bruins are a solid club but need to perform better in front of their fans.

They are 22-7-4 away from the Garden but only 16-12-4 at home.

Either way, this team is a bona fide contender.

3. Detroit Red Wings

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SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 3: Tomas Holmstrom #96 of the Detroit Red Wings scores a goal and celebrates with teammate Henrik Zetterberg #40 against the San Jose Sharks in the first period of an NHL hockey game at the HP Pavilion on March 3, 2011 in San Jose, Ca

Seed: Second in West (86 points)

The Wings' body of work speaks for itself.

However, they need to stay strong down the stretch.

They are 5-3-2 in their last 10.

2. Chicago Blackhawks

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 04: Dave Bolland #36 of the Chicago Blackhawks tries to clear the puck after a save by Corey Crawford #50 as teammate Brent Seabrook #7 and Cory Stillman #61 of the Carolina Hurricanes fall into the net at the United Center on March 4,

Seed: Fourth in West (80 points)

Damn this team is hot.

Catching the Wings in the Central is not out of the picture; however, it may be a stretch.

Eight in a row is exactly what this team needed.

1. Vancouver Canucks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 3: Patric Hornqvist #27 of the Nashville Predators slides the puck past goalie Roberto Luongo #1 of the Vancouver Canucks during the third period in NHL action on March 03, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Can

Seed: First in West (93 points)

This team is solid. Their plus-61 point differential is absurd.

I'm calling it: President's Trophy winner.

Then eliminated in the first round.

I'm sorry Vancouver...