NHL Power Rankings: Week 25

Well the power rankings are back after an extended absence on my part and the Olympics. Nonetheless there has been some movement along the board. As we approach the stretch run a clearer picture of the playoffs is coming into view.

1. (1) Capitals-Their comeback in Chicago was amazing enough erasing a three goal deficit. What made it even better was they did it without Alexander Ovechkin for over two periods.
2. (4) Canucks-I have been high on the Canucks all year. All they do is win and win consistently. They are showing no signs of fading down the stretch and if they could play a little better on the road the sky is the limit.
3. (3) Blackhawks-They still are one of the premiere teams in the league, there is no doubt about that. However, one has to wonder when they fail to protect a three goal lead in the third period at home against an Ovechkin-less Capitals.
4. (2) Sharks-Right now they are the lost team in that first tier. If they can tune their game up a bit and get back to their mid-season form they will head in as the favorites to represent the West in the Stanley Cup.
5. (7) Coyotes-They are just on the edge of the elite. If they put together another strong week they will certainly make a strong case for themselves. They will ride their 5 game win streak into Tampa, Florida, and Dallas while hosting Chicago. If they can come out with two or three wins in the brutal week, assuming one is Chicago, they will deserve the right to be among the elite.
6. (5) Penguins-It was a very scary moment in Tampa as Crosby and Malkin went down. Crosby was fine, but if Malkin is out for extended time the Pens could find themselves in a tough spot.
7. (6) Kings-Recent loses to Chicago and Nashville are not gonna help this team. That is the level of competition they will face in the playoffs. They get another crack at Chicago this week.
8. (15) Predators-They were buried as a playoff fringe team a month ago. Now they have revitalized hopes with strong wins in Anaheim and Los Angeles.
9. (12) Avalanche-The propoensity to streakiness comes with the territory of a young team. However, you would like to see a little more consistency from them to stay in the top 10.
10. (8) Sabres-They truly are lucky that Ottowa is still on Olympic break. They do need to make a move now to secure the division while Ottowa struggles to regain form.
11. (9) Devils-One day they play like a top 5 team against the Penguins, the next they lay an egg verse the Islanders. This team plays down the competition to often to stay in the top 10.
12. (13) Red Wings-The Wings have been there before and they look more and more like a team priming to make a run.
13. (14) Flames-The only team hotter the Flames right now is the Canucks. Unlucky for them that they ran into the Canucks Sunday night.
14. (22) Canadiens-The Habs have shot up from the cellar to make a nice run. Surely this play won't continue forever but if they can maintain a couple more weeks of high play the playoffs are theirs' to lose.
15. (11) Flyers-As a Bruins fan I can admit that no team considering itself a contender should ever be so soundly beaten 5-1 at home against a Savard-less Bruins. That was simply inexcusable.
16. (10) Senators-I think someone needs to call Ottawa and let them know the Olympics are over.
17. (28) Rangers-They really needed that win over Philly this weekend. There abysmal play in January hurt them but they are a run away from making this even more interesting.
18. (16) Wild-They are doing what mediocre teams do: win the ones against bad teams and lose to the big dogs.
19. (26) Bruins-Thursday is a big day for the Bruins. They absolutely have to send a message to Cooke. If they don't they mine as well tell the league that they are gonna continue to play like pushovers. Their star player in Savard looks to be out for the season and if they NHL is not going to do anything the Bruins should.
20. (19) Blues-Any hope of a St. Louis run looks to be far out of the question.
21. (17) Stars-There are too many questions on the blue line for this team to handle. Unless they get some firepower this off-season expect another year like this one.
22. (20) Ducks-They dominate January and February and then play like this in March. That is if you call this playing.
23. (21) Lightning-They are second in their division, that is pretty good. Except that Atlanta, Florida, and Carolina are in the division too.
24. (24) Thrashers-Maybe the Kovalchuk trade gave this team some hope. I think they figured out by now all they did was hurt their draft pick as they are going no where anytime soon.
25. (23) Hurricanes-Why would you start winning a few games now?
26. (18) Panthers-Beating San Jose is not gonna salvage their season any time soon.
27. (25) Blue Jackets-Hey at least they beat Anaheim. That is if you overlook the 6-0 and 5-1 stinkers to LA and St. Louis.
28. (27) Islanders-When are goalie tryouts?
29. (29) Maple Leafs-At least there is hope with a high draft pick. Scratch that, they dealt that pick for the rights to Kessel. Looks to be doing them quite good right now.
30. (30) Oilers-There is only one question surrounding the Oilers now. Who will they select with the number one overall pick.