There is officially a change at the top. The Dallas Stars are still looking strong, but the Washington Capitals have dominated, and they are now the #1 team in the Power Rankings heading into Christmas Break. As for the Montreal Canadiens and New York Rangers, they receive no love considering their long string of losses. How far did they fall?
NHL Power Rankings December 24, 2015
1. Washington Capitals: 52 points
Last week: 2
Dallas still leads the league in points, but the Capitals have been on another level. Braden Holtby was pulled against Tampa Bay, and Philipp Grubauer and the scorching offense still mounted a comeback. If that isn’t enough, Washington then ripped off six straight goals after trailing 3-1 to the Rangers. Grubauer dominated again with a 2-1 victory in Raleigh. It’s still early, but the Caps need to be considered a Stanley Cup threat at this point.
2. Dallas Stars: 54 points
Last week: 1
You could call it a demotion, but it is certainly not their fault. No team can score four to five goals every single game. They returned to their old ways with a 4-0 drubbing of Chicago. Antti Niemi may have clinched the #1 goalie position with the help of Kari Lehtonen, and Vernon Fiddler had two goals in a comeback victory over Minnesota.
3. St. Louis Blues: 46 points
Last week: 12
How do you choose which team is three when your previous #3 teams are falling? I did not think highly of the Blues this season, but they have won 5 of 7, including wins to Calgary, Boston, and Dallas. They seem to have trouble against the Flyers, but they do not have to play them for the rest of the regular season. Then again, they should worry more about getting out of the first round.
4. Chicago Blackhawks: 44 points
Last week: 7
Their only loss was against Dallas. The three consecutive wins against middling teams were more impressive than the loss was discouraging. It certainly helps to have Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews on a 2-1 together in overtime. What were the Sharks thinking?
5. New York Islanders: 43 points
Last week: 3
The southwestern road trip was sour, but the Islanders salvaged a win against the lowly Ducks. Ten players had a point against Anaheim, including two assists from John Tavares and Casey Cizikas. Kyle Okposo should return after the break.
6. Boston Bruins: 42 points
Last week: 10
They continue to look like a real playoff team. Pittsburgh may be weak, but Boston still looked impressive in a 2-0 and 6-2 win in a home-and-home series. MVP goes to Ryan Spooner, who tallied a point for both goals in the home win and four assists, including for all of Frank Vatrano’s three goals, in the road win.
7. Florida Panthers: 42 points
Last week: 15
They are on a sun-baked mission. They seemingly have a perfect combination of veterans and youngsters to create a championship-caliber team. The scariest part of their recent five-game winning streak is that Nick Bjugstad, perhaps the best of the younger players, is still hurt. Congratulations to Jaromir Jagr, who could easily be Aaron Ekblad’s or Aleksander Barkov’s father, for passing Marcel Dionne for the fourth most goals in NHL history. Good luck getting your teeth back, though.
8. Minnesota Wild: 42 points
Last week: 9
Beating New York and Montreal would have launched them to the top in October, but not now. They fell short against Nashville, and the defense crumbled against Dallas after they had a 2-0 lead. The lead evaporated quickly, and the Wild could not recover when Antti Niemi came into the game. Darcy Kuemper continues to impress, saving 24 of Montreal’s 25 shots on Tuesday for another win.
9. Los Angeles Kings: 40 points
Last week: 5
Jonathan Quick had 45 saves in a shutout win against Montreal, so he has the luxury of having the most impressive outing of this young season. Unfortunately, Montreal is falling, and LA lost their other four recent games, including one to the rival Sharks. Milan Lucic is looking like an LVP of late, with no points and a -5 +/- in the past two games.
10. New York Rangers: 44 points
Last week: 8
Good overtime win against Anaheim, but Anaheim is looking like a confidence booster for opponents. Their only four wins since November 30 have been against Carolina, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Anaheim. Not pretty. What is even uglier is the four, four, and five goals that Henrik Lundqvist gave up in three straight games, and only one of those games was for a complete game.
11. Detroit Red Wings: 41 points
Last Week: 6
Lose enough times and you will fall. Petr Mrazek has given up just 11 goals in his last five appearances, and benefitted from Jimmy Howard being pulled, so I guess he is currently winning the goalie tug-of-war. A dreaded stretch of nine road games in ten overall awaits after present trading.
12. Montreal Canadiens: 43 points
Last week: 4
Obviously they were going to fall, but how far? They still have control of first place in the Atlantic Division, but they are 2-9-1 in their last 12 games. The writing is on the wall. Forget Carey Price, because Brendan Gallagher NEEDS to return to revamp this sluggish offense. Tomas Plekanec has not scored since November 7, and Montreal is at risk of having fewer points than Boston heading into the Winter Classic.
13. Nashville Predators: 40 points
Last week: 14
The up-and-down season continues for Nashville. After three straight losses, they beat Minnesota and clobbered Montreal. Several forwards have underachieved this season, including Colin Wilson. Wilson, however, stepped up against the Habs, scoring just his second goal of the season and tallying his ninth and tenth assist. It was his first point since December 3.
14. New Jersey Devils: 39 points
Last week: 11
The offense was dragging before they reached Michigan, with just one goal in their last three games (0-2-1). They then beat Detroit 4-3. Andy Greene scored the lone goal for New Jersey in the Devils’ shootout loss to Boston, and it was Greene’s first point since November 22.
15. Ottawa Senators: 40 points
Last week: 13
Ottawa is good, but after a wild run last season to make the playoffs, I am still looking for the Sens to take the next step. They only got one point in the Sunshine State, and they have a home-and-home against Boston after the break. Bobby Ryan carried the Senators in their win against San Jose, but was injured in the Florida road trip.
16. Tampa Bay Lightning: 37 points
Last week: 17
Injuries are still an issue, but the Tampa Bay is treading water. Well…sort of. They drowned against Washington, as the Caps made a huge comeback after Braden Holtby was pulled. At least they got a big win against Ottawa back at home. Steven Stamkos had three goals in those two games, his first goals in 11 games.
17. Philadelphia Flyers: 37 points
Last week: 19
Steve Mason had a great week. He went 2-0-1 and gave up just five goals. His most impressive performance was a 2-0 shutout, his second of the season, against Vancouver, which featured a stellar glove save to rob Alexander Edler from what appeared to be an open net goal. Applause!
18. Colorado Avalanche: 35 points
Last week: 23
Ironically, this “Avalanche” is rising. They won five straight games out of…pretty much nowhere, before things fell apart in a 7-4 home loss to Toronto. Jack Skille has caught fire lately, scoring four goals in his last five games, including two against Toronto.
19. Calgary Flames: 34 points
Last week: 20
Johnny Gaudreau got another hat-trick for Calgary on Tuesday (ho-hum), and Karri Ramo is playing like his job is on the line, with big wins against Dallas and Winnipeg. He is the only goalie living up to expectations in Calgary this season, but the Flames have been rumored to potentially get their hands on Jonathan Bernier. Is this a risk the potential playoff team is willing to take?
20. Vancouver Canucks: 35 points
Last week: 22
Getting shut out in Philadelphia was undesirable, but they have salvaged at least one point in their past three games. Jacob Markstrom has allowed just three goals in his last two games, and Ryan Miller’s leash may be getting shorter.
21. Winnipeg Jets: 32 points
Last week: 18
Beating the Rangers was supposed to help the Jets build an much needed run, but then they flunked against the Alberta teams. Bryan Little had two goals against NYR, but just the only goal against Edmonton. He needs more help. Connor Hellebuyck may need a couple more years to become a reliable playoff goalie, but the Michigander has earned the starter role.
22. Edmonton Oilers: 32 points
Last week: 16
They stopped the bleeding with a 3-1 win against Winnipeg, but the Oilers needs to learn how to win on the road to be respected. It has been the main reason why they have been so bad over the years, and they are 5-13-1 this season after three straight losses in New York, Chicago, and Colorado. Taylor Hall has already passed his goal total from last year, and he has four assists in his last two games, including one for each Edmonton goal against the Jets.
23. San Jose Sharks: 36 points
Last week: 27
Luckiest team in the NHL. Only they would lose six straight games, not have a Montreal- or New York-like start to the season, and still be second in the division. Joe Pavelski willed the Sharks to victory against the rival Kings, scoring two goals in the third period. He now has five goals in as many games.
24. Pittsburgh Penguins: 35 points
Last week: 21
Mike Sullivan got his first win…against Columbus. Things are just not right for Pittsburgh. Marc-Andre Fleury has finally hit a bump in the road, and now he is hurt. Sid is still nowhere to be found. Nick Bonino has been a bright spot, and he finally got rewarded on the stat sheet with two assists against the Jackets.
25. Carolina Hurricanes
Last week: 24
Carolina’s issues mirror those of Edmonton. They can’t score at home. No goals against Florida and just one against Washington, which took a “break” offensively with just two goals of their own. Cam Ward has excelled in the last three games, and Kris Versteeg has some sweet stick skills.
26. Arizona Coyotes: 34 points
Last week: 26
The 7-5 loss to Columbus was perhaps the biggest defensive disaster in Coyotes history. In comes Louis Domingue, and he may have locked up a starting gig. He shut out the Isles and saved 37 in a win to Toronto. It is unclear if he will be the answer in the desert yet, but he may be the Yotes’ light at the end of the tunnel.
27. Buffalo Sabres: 32 points
Last week: 25
Chad Johnson continues to impress, shutting out the Ducks and losing in a shootout to Chicago. The Sabres have a tough task ahead, with Boston, Washington (2), NY Islanders, Detroit, Florida, and Chicago up next on the schedule.
28. Toronto Maple Leafs: 31 points
Last week: 28
Ok. Maybe they are not THAT bad. Five goals (AND A JONATHAN BERNIER SHUTOUT!!!!!) against the Kings and seven goals against Colorado. Tyler Bozak had a hat trick in Denver, but Leo Komarov had five goals in as many days (three games). The entire offense has flourished lately.
29. Anaheim Ducks: 30 points
Last week: 29
Teams smile when they play the Ducks…except the Devils. Adam Henrique was interviewed in the NHL Network headquarters before the game against Anaheim, and he had a nice Christmas suit. Maybe he and the rest of the Devils should have focused more on beating a team they were supposed to beat. Ryan Getzlaf is still stuck at one empty net goal.
30. Columbus Blue Jackets: 29 points
Last week: 30
After wins against Arizona and Philly, I may have put this team somewhere other than 30 if they had beaten Pittsburgh and made them fall even further. Instead, they made their brutal offense look good. Ugh.