NHL Power Rankings: Capitals and Coyotes Are the Hottest Teams in the NHL

The Capitals are 9-1-0 in their last 10 games, first in their division and threatening to redeem themselves in the East. The Rangers and Blackhawks are going to move up in seeding.

Phoenix has solidified itself as a playoff team. They have won five straight. The New York Rangers have won four straight and the Hawks have the second-best record in the league. Nashville has won three straight. They want, and need, a strong playoff appearance this season.

The playoffs are beginning to take shape.

Buffalo has created some separation in the East, although the West is changing every day.

Anaheim and Calgary are one point away from a spot in the West, but the Flames look like they are the better team and more likely to be extending their season.

Nashville veteran Blake Geoffrion is making his family proud. He had his first hat trick in Buffalo.

Little Joe Pavelski has begun emulating teammate Jumbo Joe Thornton. The diminutive pivot is racking up assists like none other as the Sharks continue to win.

30. Edmonton Oilers

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EDMONTON, CANADA - DECEMBER 16: Jordan Eberle #14 of the Edmonton Oilers during the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 16, 2010 at Rexall Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Dale MacMillan/Getty Images)

The Oilers are bound to finish the year as the league's worst team yet again.

The question, however, in Edmonton is when, rather than if, the team will turn it around. This team has a great young core.

29. Colorado Avalanche

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ANAHEIM, CA - FEBRUARY 27: Matt Duchene #9 of the Colorado Avalanche receives high fives from the bench against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on February 27, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

This team is in free-fall and could end up last in the Northwest (and, therefore, the league) if it is not careful.

Unfortunately, the Avalanche needed to capitalize on their playoff appearance last season in order to fill their building going forward.

This season is certainly another step backwards.

28. Ottawa Senators

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OTTAWA, CANADA - MARCH 15: Jason Spezza #19 of the Ottawa Senators tries to send a pass to the front of the net while being tripped by Deryk Engelland #5 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during a game at Scotiabank Place on March 15, 2011 in Ottawa, Canada. (

The Senators will probably end up last in the East. Unfortunately, this team has a lot of veterans on the roster and will need a few years to purge and rebuild.

On the bright side, Jason Spezza is finally becoming the two-way pivot scouts always thought he would be.

27. New York Islanders

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UNIONDALE, NY - MARCH 05: Travis Hamonic #36 of the New York Islanders skates against the St. Louis Blues at the Nassau Coliseum on March 5, 2011 in Uniondale, New York. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Islanders' management has a predicament on their hands. Their team is struggling and their stadium is outdated.

However, to their credit, the Isles have had success salvaging the careers of Matt Moulson, Michael Grabner and Travis Hamonic.

It's time to turn highly drafted John Tavares and Kyle Okposo into superstars. This team needs to win.

26. Florida Panthers

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 02: Michael Frolik #67 of the Chicago Blackhawks participates in warm-ups before a game against the Calgary Flames at the United Center on March 2, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Flames 5-2. (Photo by Jonathan D

The Cats are in serious rebuild mode. Florida GM Dave Tallon has parted with big pieces in Chris Higgins, Dennis Wideman, Michael Frolik and Bryan McCabe.

Time will tell if he will reap the fruits of his labors.

25. Atlanta Thrashers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 12: Evander Kane #9 of the Atlanta Thrashers celebrates his goal against the Philadelphia Flyers with teammates Radek Dvorak #20 and Dustin Byfuglien #33 on March 12, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The

The Thrashers are seven points away from eighth-seeded Buffalo in the East, but their chances of a postseason berth are slim.

Evander Kane should become a superstar in this league, and Dustin Byfuglien has had a solid season.

There is a young core in Atlanta. The big question is if it can begin winning in time to resuscitate interest in the fading franchise.

24. St. Louis Blues

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COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 09: Chris Stewart #25 of the St. Louis Blues celebrates his third-period goal with teammate David Backes #42 while playing the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 9, 2011 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Ge

St. Louis needs to win next year. Their fanbase has been rejuvenated, but will lose interest if this team continues to falter.

Blues fans are waiting for this suffering to end.

23. Columbus Blue Jackets

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ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 7: Steve Mason #1 of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks to make a save against the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center on March 7, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Blues beat the Bluejackets 5-4 in a shoot out. (Photo by Dilip Vis

Columbus is by no means an abysmal team, but, like years before, they are not good enough to make a splash in the playoffs.

There are no strong signs that this team will eventually become a contender.

22. New Jersey Devils

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 18: Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the New Jersey Devils skates against the Washington Capitals at the Prudential Center on March 18, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. The Capitals shut out the Devils 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Devils have a puncher's chance at the playoffs this year. They are currently seven points out of eighth place. Odds are they won't make it.

Management in New Jersey will have to decide whether or not to stay with the trap in the long run. This team has a lot of offensive firepower that will be hampered by the defense-focused system.

21. Toronto Maple Leafs

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TORONTO, CANADA - MARCH 19 Luke Schenn #2, Keith Aulie #59 and Phil Kessel #81 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrate Keith Aulie goal against the Boston Bruins during game action at the Air Canada Centre March 19, 2011 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo

The Leafs have an outside chance at the playoffs this season. They are currently five points out of eighth.

Toronto isn't playing great hockey, but it has been scraping by and Phil Kessel is finally playing up to his billing.

20. Carolina Hurricanes

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BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 15: Tim Gleason #6, Jay Harrison #44 and Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes celebrate after defeating the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on March 15, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. Carolina won 1-0. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images

Buffalo is slowly pulling away from Carolina in the East, but it should be close to the finish.

The young Hurricanes would benefit from playoff experience, but will not be serious contenders until next season.

19. Minnesota Wild

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CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 16: Mikko Koivu #9 of the Minnesota Wild skates up the ice against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on February 16, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Wild 3-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Wild are in trouble. The fan interest in Minnesota is reeling and the team is in need of a franchise scorer.

A few weeks ago it looked like the playoffs were returning to St. Paul. After an 8-1 loss to Montreal at home, the team needs to look to the future.

18. Buffalo Sabres

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BUFFALO, NY - MARCH 15: Eric Staal #12 of the the Carolina Hurricanes jumps in front of Ryan Miller #30 of Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena on March 15, 2011 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

The Sabres are playing well offensively (seventh in offense, 10th on the power play) and appear to be cementing themselves as the last seed in the East.

However, this team will probably vie with Carolina (and possibly Toronto) down the stretch and cannot rest on its laurels.

In the future, this team will have to build off success by importing talent rather than sitting passively in the offseason.

17. Anaheim Ducks

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 16: Goalie Ray Emery #29 of the Anaheim Ducks skates on the ice in the game withthe St. Louis Blues at Honda Center on March 16, 2011 in Anaheim, California. Anaheim won 2-1. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

While the Ducks have Teemu Selanne, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf on their roster, this young team does not look prepared to sneak into the postseason this year.

The team's hot power play (fifth in NHL) is exceptional, but otherwise this team is not too special. They have a minus-five goal differential.

It is worth nothing, however, that Ray Emery has been a nice pickup for the team.

16. 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

Calgary's recent winning streak has ignited its intense fanbase. The playoffs are a serious possibility in Alberta. Hot teams have historically done well in the playoffs, but the Flames need to get there first.

Currently they are tied with Anaheim with 83 points, one point out of eighth in the West. Of the two teams, Calgary and its sixth-ranked offense have the best chance to play in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

15. Dallas Stars

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GLENDALE, AZ - MARCH 01: Alex Goligoski #33 of the Dallas Stars celebrates with teammates on the bench during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on March 1, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Stars defeated the Coyotes 3-2. (Photo

After a great start, the Stars look like they will end up as a low seed in the West. They are likely to have an early exit, but the playoff experience will be great for their young core.

14. New York Rangers

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PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 20: Ryan Callahan #24 of the New York Rangers celebrates his game winning goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on March 20, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Rangers defeated the Penguins 5-2. (Photo b

The Rangers are better than a seventh seed. Their plus-36 goal differential and top-10 defense indicates they are underachieving.

This is not a team that anyone in the East wants to face in the first round.

13. Chicago Blackhawks

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 14: Patrick Kane #88 of the Chicago Blackhawks celebrates the one hundredth goal of his career in the 2nd period with teammate Patrick Sharp #10 against the San Jose Sharks at the United Center on March 14, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

Like the Rangers, the Blackhawks are better than their current position (eighth). They have a plus-31 point differential and the second-best offense and power play in the league.

This team should establish a cushion between themselves and the bottom-feeders in the West sooner than later.

It is worth noting that Patrick Sharp, not Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews, leads the team with 34 goals.

12. Montreal Canadiens

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MONTREAL, CANADA - MARCH 8: James Wisniewski #20 of the Montreal Canadiens celebrates his second-period goal with teammates Tomas Plekanec #14 and David Desharnais #58 during the NHL game against the Boston Bruins at the Bell Centre on March 8, 2011 in M

The Habs obliterated Minnesota 8-1 and beat Tampa Bay in a shootout. They will vie for a higher seed, but odds are will they be a difficult sixth seed to play in the playoffs.

11. Nashville Predators

Nothing is certain in the West, but the Preds, who are sixth right now in the conference, are hot (winners of three straight) and consistent (plus-18 goal differential).

Defense usually translates into wins in the playoffs, and Nashville has the league's second-best defense and sixth-best penalty kill.

This team needs to, and should, get out of the first round this year.

As for the offense, well, fans need look no farther than Blake Geoffrion—another great young player in the Music City.

10. Los Angeles Kings

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 03: Willie Mitchell #33, Anze Kopitar #11 and Dustin Brown #23 of the Los Angeles Kings line up in position for a defensive zone faceoff late in the third period of their NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Staples Center on M

Like the Preds, the Kings play great defense (sixth in NHL) and are good on the penalty kill (fourth). They also really need a first-round win.

Both teams should advance.

9. Phoenix Coyotes

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GLENDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 14: Head coach Dave Tippett of the Phoenix Coyotes during the NHL game against the Washington Capitals at Jobing.com Arena on February 14, 2011 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Capitals 3-2. (Photo by Christian Pet

It's brutal to put this team the title slide, but only the ninth spot in the power rankings.

However, this team is not a convincing No. 4 seed. They have the ninth-ranked offense, but not much else to show for their efforts.

This team is a playoff team, however, and Dave Tippett should get a Jack Adams nomination.

8. Tampa Bay Lightning

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 02: Goalie Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Tampa Bay Lightning makes a save during an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 2, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

The Bolts have had the Southeast Division wrestled from their grip, but remain five points away from Washington for the No. 4 spot.

Tampa Bay is a top-10 team in each category except for defense (23rd in NHL) and are the only team with a negative goal differential (minus-3) in the Eastern playoff picture.

A division title is not out of the picture, and the team should be entertaining fans in March for the first time since 2007.

7. Boston Bruins

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NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 17: Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins celebrates after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators on March 17, 2011 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)

With a plus-38 goal differential, the Bruins are tied with the Flyers for the best mark in the East.

The No. 3 team in the East is a complete one, with a fifth-ranked offense and defense, and should be competitive in the playoffs.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins

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PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 13: Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins makes a save against the Edmonton Oilers on March 13, 2011 at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Sid the Kid may be concussed, but this team continues to win.

They've done it with defense. They have the fourth-best defense and the best penalty kill.

Pittsburgh, currently fourth in the East, may have trouble in the playoffs if Crosby does not return (or is not the same) and they have no go-to scorer, but the Pens have played well without their superstar.

5. Detroit Red Wings

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DETROIT, MI - MARCH 9: Dustin Penner #25 of the Los Angeles Kings tries to get free from Nicklas Lidstrom #5 of the Detroit Red Wings to deflect a shot in a game on March 9, 2011 at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty

The Red Wings are playing good hockey and are consistently in the upper echelon of NHL teams, but could be bumped to the third seed by the Sharks, who are looming with 92 points.

This could make for a big difference in the ultra-competitive Western Conference.

4. San Jose Sharks

Joe Pavelski has been red-hot for the Sharks. He has had multiple points in four straight games.

The Sharks are in position to be serious contenders in the West, as they are in third place.

What if Little Joe didn't keep coming up big?

3. Philadelphia Flyers

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 12: Claude Giroux #28 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates against the Atlanta Thrashers on March 12, 2011 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

It's a close battle for the top spot in the East, and Philly is in jeopardy of relinquishing their lead.

Washington and Boston could catch this team unless the Flyers start winning soon.

2. Washington Capitals

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NEWARK, NJ - MARCH 18: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals congratulates Jeff Schultz #55 of the Washington Capitals on his goal at 5:10 of the first period against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on March 18, 2011 in Newark, New Je

Adversity has plagued this team this year, but Washington has come out strong. The Caps are 9-1-0 in their last 10 and are second in the East.

Like the Sharks, this team might be better off facing some adversity this season. They are serious contenders in the East.

1. Vancouver Canucks

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VANCOUVER, CANADA - MARCH 14: Goalie Roberto Luongo #1of the Vancouver Canucks looses sight of the puck as it flys by the net during the first period in NHL action against the Minnesota Wild on March 14, 2011 at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia

The Canucks are the team to beat in the NHL. They have the league's best offense, defense and power play.

Vancouver's second-best penalty kill is the only "weakness" for this club.