NHL Power Rankings: Boston Number One As Gap Closes

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

It has been a while since we have done one of these Power Rankings. There has been so much going on in the NHL world as the trade deadline approaches. In addition, the NHL hit the pause button to go to Florida for the All-Star as teams also took their mandatory bye weeks. One thing that is clear is that while the Boston Bruins are still the best team, the gap is closing as the Carolina Hurricanes are coming up strong on them. It is still the Bruins versus the field on who wins the Stanley Cup.

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. Even with their little losing streak of three games, the Bruins still look so strong. There are so many ups and downs in a season. Pavel Zacha continues to be an excellent fit for Boston. The only thing that can stop the Bruins is the Bruins themselves.

2. Carolina Hurricanes (Previous Ranking 2) 

How about those Carolina Hurricanes? They have been one of the best teams since December. Before their break, they had won seven in a row. Over their past 10, they are 8-1-1 winning five straight on the road. It will be interesting to see who they add at the deadline to put their offence over the top.

3. New Jersey Devils (Previous Ranking 3) 

The Devils continue to show this team is for real. The Devils continue to find different ways to win hockey games. All-Star Jack Hughes, who is currently out of the lineup, is making a strong case that he is more of an MVP now than Taylor Hall was back in 2018. New Jersey is buyers at the deadline, but where they add is the real question. Tim Meier anyone?

4. 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.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs (Previous Ranking 5) 

Goaltending is becoming a concern for the Maple Leafs as many thought it would at the beginning of the season. Ilya Samsonov is the guy with Matt Murray out of the lineup. That is a major concern. The Maple Leafs will have some cap space to use with Jake Muzzin potentially going on LTIR, and with Auston Matthews coming back the Leafs offence should click even more.

6. New York Rangers ( Previous Ranking 10) 

The Rangers find themselves in a good spot in the Metro Division and the playoff picture. They are starting to put things together again having won five in a row. The addition of Vladimir Tarasenko has added a different dynamic to this lineup. Three balanced lines with the Kid Line of Filip Chytil, Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere driving the offence.

7. Edmonton Oilers (Previous Ranking 14) 

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, the Oilers have gone 7-1-2 over their last. The difference lately has been goaltending.

8. Dallas Stars (Previous Ranking 7) 

The Stars continue to hold on to the top spot in the Central as things start to get tight at the top of the leaderboard. Dallas will be looking to add to their lineup to bolster their offence. Their home and road splits have been great, but they are missing that extra punch.

9. Seattle Kraken (Previous Ranking 4) 

The Seattle Kraken are not going away folks. Hate to say it. However, Seattle recently has hit the skids. Their current road trip was not great recording one win over five games, with their offence missing Andre Burakovsky desperately.

10. Winnipeg Jets (Previous Ranking 11) 

The Jets are not going anywhere anytime soon. Right behind the Stars, the Jets have been one of the top teams in 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.

11. Colorado Avalanche (Previous Ranking 21) 

And just like that the Colorado Avalanche are back in playoff contention. 6-2-2 over their last 10 games and getting healthier. They still have some injury concerns. Alexandar Georgiev needs to be better for the Avalanche. Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen can only do so much. If Gabriel Landeskog does go on LTIR, the Avalanche will be a player in the trade market. They will still be one even if he comes back.

12. Vegas Golden Knights (Previous Ranking 13) 

Here come the Vegas Golden Knights. Even without Mark Stone in the lineup, the Golden Knights are scoring with a well-balanced attack. Jack Eichel is starting to find his form again, the key will be what the Golden Knights do with the found money they have on the cap.

13. Los Angeles Kings (Previous Ranking 12) 

The Kings are still hovering in the Pacific Division. They continued to be tied to Jakob Chychrun. He would be a great addition to that defence. Their offence is starting to click once again. Goaltending has been good with Phoenix Copley, do they look to upgrade that position as well?

14. Florida Panthers (Previous Ranking 18) 

Here come the Florida Panthers climbing up the standings and threatening a wild card spot. Despite the loss in St. Louis, the Panthers had been firing on all cylinders led by Matthew Tkachuk. Sergei Bobrovsky is finding his form again too. that will be key for the Panthers if they want to get into the playoffs.

15. Washington Capitals (Previous Ranking 8) 

The Washington Capitals are still holding on to one of the two final wild card spots in the East. Dylan Strome and Sonny Milano received contract extensions. It will be interesting to see what they do. Hopefully, for them, Alex Ovechkin is not out of the lineup too long. We wish him the best.

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 have to improve for Pittsburgh to make any run this year. Casey DeSmith has stepped up in the absence of Tristan Jarry, it will be interesting to see what they do.

Around Full Press Coverage

---

NHL: Vladimir Tarasenko Traded to the Rangers

NHL Rumors: NHL Rumors: New Jersey Devils Trade Targets

NHL: NHL Insights: Playoff Format, All-Star Weekend, and More

NFL: Best Bets For 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie Of The Year

Full Press Bets: Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored

PODCAST: Full Press Hockey Weekly Ep 38: NHL Season Preview: Golden Knights, Maple Leafs, Johnny Gaudreau

---

17. Buffalo Sabres (Previous Ranking 15) 

Losses in three straight games have the Sabres falling out of the playoff picture in the East. It is good to see them in contention, but they are still a year away.

18. Calgary Flames (Previous Ranking 17) 

The Flames need to start getting their act together. This team is built differently than last year, but goaltending has to improve especially from Jacob Markstrom.

19. Minnesota Wild (Previous Ranking 9) 

The Wild are right there with the Flames for the Wild Card position. Minnesota will look to add at the deadline, but the cap will be an issue for them. Too many three-point games to increase the gap between them and Calgary.

20. New York Islanders (Previous Ranking 23)

Islanders added Bo Horvat, that is a great addition, but they need more. Losing to Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa is not going to get it done and they are not a playoff team.

21. Nashville Predators (Previous Ranking 22) 

It is the Juuse Saros show in Nashville. Unless this team goes on a run, the Predators are not making the playoffs. And even with a run, it will be tough.

22. St. Louis Blues (Previous Ranking 19) 

St. Louis has won two games in a row after the Tarasenko trade. Ryan O’Reilly‘s name is still out there, but it will be interesting if he stays or re-signs in St. Louis. The Blues are a borderline playoff team at best.

23. Detroit Red Wings (Previous Ranking 24) 

Detroit is still sticking around in the East. Wins in three straight contests have the Red Wings right in the thick of things. Still, too many teams to jump. All eyes are on Dylan Larkin and that extension.

24. Ottawa Senators (Previous Ranking 25) 

The future is bright for the Senators with Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk leading the way. These kids bring so much energy each night. They are just having fun playing hockey.

25. Philadelphia Flyers (Previous Ranking 20) 

The Flyers have let it be known finally of their plan to either rebuild or retool. Carter Hart is having a bounce-back year, but it is still not enough, they are a bad hockey team.

26. Vancouver Canucks (Previous Ranking 26) 

Who is next on the Canucks to be moved? Bo Horvat was the first. We now wait on other players. It feels like Brock Boeser is next, but we will see if anyone gets held out of the lineup.

27. Montreal Canadiens (Previous Ranking 27) 

The Canadiens are a young team and you can see it. Though they have strung some wins together lately. Jake Allen is playing well between the pipes and this offence is coming alive. They have some trade chips that could move for the right offers.

28. San Jose Sharks (Previous Ranking 28) 

Cue the trade talk for the Sharks. Names like Erik Karlsson, who is having a remarkable season, and Timo Meier continue to dominate the rumour mill. The Sharks rebuild is on. Meier is more likely than Karlsson at the deadline, but it will be up to Mike Greier to see what package is best.

29. Columbus Blue Jackets (Previous Ranking 31) 

Vladislav Gavrikov is being held out because of trade reasons, the Blue Jackets will look to get a good package for him, but the question is who besides Gavrikov moves.

30. Arizona Coyotes (Previous Ranking 30) 

Let the process begin for the Coyotes, Chychrun is the first to sit out because of trade-related reasons, the question is who is next.

31. Chicago Blackhawks (Previous Ranking 31) 

Even with Chicago winning some games recently, all eyes are on Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. A decision is coming soon on what their futures hold.

32. Anaheim Ducks (Previous Ranking 32) 

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. Let’s see who else gets traded from Anaheim.

 

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