NHL Power Rankings: Boston Bruins Continue To Top The Charts

Welcome back to another edition of NHL Power Rankings here at Full Press Hockey for this season. 

The NHL is back in the flow of the season following their holiday break as they head towards the All-Star Break in Florida. Initial rosters have been released by the NHL, but it is up to the fans to decide on the rest of the rosters. While that happens the season continues to tick away as the Boston Bruins remain the dominant team on the ice and in the standings. The Bruins could remain in first place in the NHL Power Rankings for the rest of the season. Outside of the Bruins, there were some changes in the Power Rankings this week.

Time to dive into the NHL Power Rankings and find out where these teams stand after a couple of weeks off.

NHL Power Rankings

1. Boston Bruins (Previous Ranking 1) 

The Boston Bruins are the most complete team in the NHL right now and remain number one on the NHL Power Rankings. Shocker. There is no stopping this team. Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman are the best goalie duo in the league. Pavel Zacha has been an excellent fit for Boston and was rewarded with a new contract. The only thing that can stop the Bruins is the Bruins themselves.

2. Carolina Hurricanes (Previous Ranking 4) 

How about those Carolina Hurricanes? Yes, they went into a little bit of a lull however they are still one of the better teams in the league. It was a solid week for them despite the two losses. It will be interesting to see how they manage three goalies moving forward and what other additions they make.

3. New Jersey Devils (Previous Ranking 7) 

The Devils are starting to find their mojo again with five straight wins. They sweep their California road trip and Western and Eastern Canada road trips. Jack Hughes is showing why he is an All-Star as he continues to lead this team offensively. The Devils are never out of any game with the heart and resiliency they show every game.

4. Seattle Kraken (Previous Ranking 5) 

The Seattle Kraken are not going away folks. Hate to say it. They won eight in a row including seven straight on the road. Though they have lost two in a row the schedule makers did them no favours. The Kraken have a balanced attack with solid goaltending each night.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous Ranking 4) 

Goaltending is becoming a concern for the Maple Leafs as many thought it would at the beginning of the season. Ilya Samsonov and Matt Murray have not been great lately, they will need to improve for the Maple Leafs come playoff time when they most likely face the Tampa Bay Lightning.

6. Tampa Bay Lightning (Previous Ranking 6) 

We know what this Lightning team is all about. Survive the regular season before the playoffs come in April. As long as they stay healthy the Lightning will be a threat to win the Cup again this year. The question will be what additions they make to help them improve their club come playoff time.

7. Dallas Stars (Previous Ranking 3) 

The Stars continue to play well getting contributions from everyone in their lineup. Everyone is playing a role that benefits the team as a whole. Getting Roope Hintz back in the lineup will help them as they are missing a crucial piece to their offence as they look to add at the deadline.

8. Washington Capitals (Previous Ranking 8) 

And just like that the Washington Capitals are back in the playoff picture. Who would have thought that at the beginning of the year? Charlie Lindgren is a big reason why the Capitals are in this position. It is no longer about scoring goals for Alex Ovechkin anymore. And now with Tom Wilson and Nicklas Backstrom back, this high-powered team just got better.

9. Minnesota Wild (Previous Ranking 9) 

The Wild are closing in on the Jets and Stars in the Central Division, but still have holes to fill in their lineup. Keeping a young piece like Matt Boldy for another seven years along with Kirill Kaprizov gives the Wild the core they need moving forward to remain successful.

10. New York Rangers ( Previous Ranking 6) 

The Rangers find themselves in a good spot in the Metro Division and the playoff picture. They are starting to put things together again. While they want to make moves, they continue to want to build internally with players like Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere. Vincent Trocheck has been excellent for the Rangers as well. It will be interesting to see what they do.

11. Winnipeg Jets (Previous Ranking 12) 

The Jets are not going anywhere anytime soon. Tied with the Stars with the same amount of points, the Jets have been at the top of the Central. Rick Bowness has done a great job this year, but hats off to Connor Hellebuyck for keeping this team near the top of the standings along with the offensive output.

12. Los Angeles Kings (Previous Ranking 11) 

The Kings did not have a bad week, so their drop is because of other teams playing better. However, this is still a very good hockey team. The Devils ended their three-game winning streak, but the good news for them is that Kevin Fiala is scoring goals on a consistent basis.

13. Vegas Golden Knights (Previous Ranking 13) 

There are some questions surrounding this Vegas Golden Knights team as they have lost two in a row. It appears it is the Logan Thompson and Laurent Brossoit show going forward. Not having Mark Stone in the lineup does not help.

14. Edmonton Oilers (Previous Ranking 18) 

Here come the Oilers making that run many expected they would go on. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are producing again. Zach Hyman is playing great as well and with Evander Kane back, they should take off even more. The difference lately has been goaltending.

15. Buffalo Sabres (Previous Ranking 14) 

Tage Thompson has put the Buffalo Sabres on his back. Buffalo has not looked great lately. However, they are still in the mix in the East. The Sabres just can’t let the losing continue.

16. Pittsburgh Penguins (Previous Ranking 16) 

The Penguins are still in the mix in the Eastern Conference. Right now there are six teams in the Metro fighting for five spots with teams from the Atlantic closing the gap. Goaltending and defence has to improve for Pittsburgh to make any run this year.

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17. Calgary Flames (Previous Ranking 19) 

Consistency is the name of the game for the Calgary Flames. They are starting to put wins together, but they are leaving too many points on the table to lesser teams in the standings. Not sure we have seen the real Calgary Flames just yet.

18. Florida Panthers (Previous Ranking 21) 

Here come the Florida Panthers climbing up the standings and threatening a wild card spot. The Panthers have points in six of eight games, not to mention winning five of seven. Paul Maurice made some lineup changes that have made an impact on the team.

19. St. Louis Blues (Previous Ranking 17) 

The Blues are such a strange team. They are so hard to figure out. Too many inconsistencies in their game. St. Louis is finding out what life is like without Ryan O’Reilly and Vladimir Tarasenko. And right now they are flourishing especially Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas.

20. Philadelphia Flyers (Previous Ranking 22) 

Well, John Tortorella since the end of December and the start of the New Year has this Flyers team playing as he wants them to. Winner of seven of their last eight games. Averaging four goals a game, the Flyers are rolling. Philadelphia might not make the playoffs but are becoming a tough team to play against.

21. Colorado Avalanche (Previous Ranking 19) 

Time is starting to slip away for the defending Stanley Cup champions. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen can only do so much. The injury bug has really hurt the Avalanche’s chances to repeat. Even with all that Colorado is right in the thick of things for the playoffs.

22. Nashville Predators (Previous Ranking 20) 

Nashville has won two in a row after losing three straight. Juuse Saros is a big reason why Nashville continues to fight in the West. How much longer can they survive both goaltenders stopping 40-plus shots a night without scoring more goals?

23. New York Islanders (Previous Ranking 23) 

The crowd for Lou Lamoriello’s head is starting to become louder and louder. There was much more expected from the Islanders this season, but Lamoriello is falling into the same traps he did during his tenure in New Jersey.

24. Detroit Red Wings (Previous Ranking 24) 

Detroit is hanging on in the Eastern Conference as they plug away to make a return trip to the playoffs. The Red Wings may still be a year or two away from getting back to the dance. Especially with such a loaded division. There are so many teams they still have to pass especially with the Metro teams they are playing.

25. Ottawa Senators (Previous Ranking 25) 

Not the greatest of weeks for the Senators. They picked up one win against the lowly Coyotes. Ottawa is still a year or two away from truly competing, but they expected better this season.

26. Vancouver Canucks (Previous Ranking 26) 

What else can you say about Vancouver that has not already been written? This team is a complete mess. Brock Boeser and Bo Horvat are both likely gone. Jim Rutherford has come out and said this team needs major surgery and maybe he should not have come back. This team needed to start from scratch. Re-signing J.T. Miller when his trade value was at his highest probably was not the best idea and now they are paying for it.

27. Montreal Canadiens (Previous Ranking 27) 

The Canadiens are being hit by the injury bug and it shows with their play on the ice. No surprise the Canadiens are who we thought they were. At least they are moving toward a Cole Caufield extension.

28. San Jose Sharks (Previous Ranking 28) 

The Sharks picked up a win before dropping three straight decisions to playoff contenders. San Jose shows at times they can win hockey games, but general

29. Columbus Blue Jackets (Previous Ranking 31) 

There are different levels of bad, Columbus is in the mix with the likes of Arizona, Anaheim and Chicago. Things continue to go bad to worse in Columbus. Like the other teams listed below, the Blue Jackets are looking toward trying to move Vladislav Gavrikov.

30. Arizona Coyotes (Previous Ranking 30) 

Hey, the Coyotes won a game finally after a nine-game losing streak. Like the other bottom feeders, this team is looking to the draft and what assets they can unload at the trade deadline.

31. Chicago Blackhawks (Previous Ranking 32) 

Chicago is doing some winning recently and stealing away some valuable points from contenders fighting for playoff contention. They are still a bad team but everyone is waiting for the shoe to drop in Chicago.

32. Anaheim Ducks (Previous Ranking 31) 

Let’s face facts the Anaheim Ducks are not a good team. Anaheim or Chicago could be tied for 32nd each week. The defensive coverage is so poor. With John Klingberg submitting his list of where he likes to be traded, it will be interesting to see where he goes.

 

That does it for this edition of NHL Power Rankings… Stay Tuned more another edition of NHL Power Rankings next week. 

Hope everyone has a great holiday season.