NHL Power Rankings: Critical Month Lies Ahead as Kings Rise And Lightning And Senators Decline

Welcome back to The Hockey News’ NHL Power Rankings! Every Wednesday we will rank all 32 teams based on their weekly performance and we are now in November which means American Thanksgiving will come quickly upon us. By this point, it will become evident which NHL teams are in playoff contention. While never rule out anything – I still vividly remember the Blues’ miraculous run through March – but March remains an essential month. Can teams on the edge overcome their deficiencies quickly enough? With their strong roster in tow, Colorado Avalanche should easily dispel any doubts. The Bruins, who have already been shut out three times this season and can’t seem to find their groove, appear even worse off than they originally seemed. One notable team this week that showed significant progress was the Kings, who reversed previous losses against Sharks and Blackhawks by beating Knights and Wild. Now holding first spot in Pacific Division. The Senators, Kraken, and Bruins all are struggling, while only Winnipeg Jets (12-1-0; +32; last week: 1) have managed to outwit them so far. 1. Winnipeg Jets (12-1-0, -32). Ironically for such an aggressive name they don’t move very fast! According to NHL Edge, the Jets rank below 50th percentile for skating speed and speed bursts despite playing in an ever-faster league. They do, however, manage to convert an overwhelming percentage of shots taken and make solid plays every game; no matter their performance. The Jets continue their win streak. Over the next two weeks, all four Avalanche, Stars, Rangers, Lightning and Panthers teams will face their greatest test yet: 2. Carolina Hurricanes (9-2-0, +18). Last Week:3)The Hurricanes’ success this season can be attributed to Martin Necas and Andrei Svechnikov’s continued health, helping propel them into the top five of the standings despite losing key pieces through free agency. As has been the case over multiple seasons, they remain an elite possession team and should weather Frederik Andersen’s injury without significant loss in performance.3. Florida Panthers (9-3-1, +7) Last Week: 5 The Panthers have won five straight since Aleksander Barkov made his return, thanks to their Global Series sweep and Aleksander Barkov’s return, including winning all five home games during a five-game homestand where they’ve become one of NHL’s premier teams since last season. 4. Minnesota Wild (8-2-2, +9) Last Week:4)A 5-1 loss on Tuesday was the only setback, so don’t be shocked to see Minnesota continue climbing back up towards the top as their opponents include Sharks, Ducks, Blackhawks and Canadiens in their next four matches. Kirill Kaprizov continues his MVP bid and now leads all NHL even-strength scorers with 15 even-strength points, according to NHL Hockey Observer’s scoring charts.5. Washington Capitals (8-3-0; +13 last week: 6) have been one of the season’s biggest surprises. Kirill Kaprizov continues his MVP bid while tallying 15 even-strength points; Alex Ovechkin has made an outstanding start, unlike last season, and Connor McMichael is providing reliable scoring depth after experiencing difficulties during last year. Fearsome for Washington Capitals fans is their power play’s failure to gain any steam under Alex Ovechkin – ranking last with 10.8 percent success rate! 6. New York Rangers (8-2-1, +20.) Last Week:7)Expectations have become so high for the Rangers that even having posted third best points percentage may still be seen as underachieving. Mika Zibanejad had three assists against the Islanders on Thursday, yet his role and impact has significantly been limited this season.Related: NHL Rumor Roundup: Rangers And Blues Trade Rumors7. Dallas Stars (7-4-0, +8) Last Week: 2)The Stars have lost three straight after starting strongly against three teams likely not making playoffs and following an impressive two-game sweep in Finland, now sitting at 3-4-0 overall and 4-2-0 since January 25. Stars advantage: the Stars possess plenty of depth despite Tyler Seguin dipping in and out of their lineup; furthermore they face an easier schedule during December than most teams do.8. Vegas Golden Knights (8-3-1, +17.7) Last Week: 8The Knights may want Adin Hill as part of the lineup at this week’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament; unfortunately he has done little to merit such praise. Though with an overall winning record, Hill boasts only an.874 save percentage and 3.15 goals-against average, along with just one quality start in seven starts despite boasting winning records in each. Are the Toronto Maple Leafs (7-5-2, +4. Last Week: 10), led by Haydn Hill? Can Hill carry this team despite never starting more than 35 games per season and with Ilya Samsonov still nursing an injury?9. Toronto Maple Leafs (7-5-2)How would you spell Stolarz? V-E-Z-I-N-A. Stolarz ranks first with 8.78 goals saved above average and fourth among goalies at 5-on-5 with his save percentage of.958; yet, Toronto still haven’t experienced a sustained winning streak due to their goalie’s outstanding play. 10. New Jersey Devils (8-5-2, +11). Last Week: 13)The Devils had an outstanding road trip through Western Canada, winning both of their games with no scoreboard damage at both stops. Jacob Markstrom improved significantly following an unsuccessful performance during mid-October; Luke Hughes and Brett Pesce returned as regular roster members, as well as strong special team performances that position them for success going forward. Next week is set to be tough as they face Panthers (twice), Lightning, Hurricanes and Capitals in succession. 11. Los Angeles Kings (8-3-3, +6, last week 18)In hindsight their ranking was far too low but have had an unpredictable campaign thus far. Starting off poorly at 1-1-2, including an exciting 8-7 overtime loss against San Jose Sharks and Blackhawks but then scoring wins against Knights and Wild, things quickly improved with wins against Sharks, Blackhawks, Knights, Wild… Quinton Byfield may not have his breakout year but they seem to have found something working well between Warren Foegele, Alex Laferriere… 12. Vancouver Canucks (6-6-3, +1. Last Week 11). Since their embarrassing 6-0 defeat against Arizona on January 18, this team has won two straight by an 8-3 margin. Of course, these were easy games for Vancouver but now is an excellent chance for them to build some steam ahead of a six-game homestand scheduled in October and November. Quinn Hughes reached 300 career assists for defensemen third fastest behind Bobby Orr (346 games) and Brian Leetch (368 games). 13. Colorado Avalanche (7-3-0, -8. Last Week: 13)It just keeps on happening! Cale Makar suffered an injury early in Artturi Lehkonen’s season debut against Colorado and did not return – one player the Avs cannot afford to do without given their limited depth on defense compared with what’s found up front. They appear to be closer than ever before to discovering who might serve as Justus Annunen as their starting goaltender in the near future.14. Tampa Bay Lightning (7-6-0, +5, Last week: 9), have suffered three consecutive defeats without Brayden Point on the roster – something many observers were not surprised about. Andrei Vasilevskiy, who turned 30 in July, has seen his save percentage decline steadily over his two seasons since turning professional. We predicted an end for both Lightning and Bruins a while ago… Could this season really mark their fall from grace? 15). Edmonton Oilers (6-6-1, -10.5) Last Week: 22)The good news is Connor McDavid might return sooner than anticipated, while their goaltending issues still are not any closer to being resolved. Calgary Flames (5-5-1, -1.60). Their special teams have struggled, though there have been signs of life from their power play. Relate: Edmonton Oilers Leon Draisaitl Shows He isn’t Just Byproduct of Connor McDavid16 Last Week: 16)The Flames have shown great fight, yet lack talent to match it. Their wins come at the expense of losses; fortunately a four-game winning streak gives them enough protection from elimination in their playoff race for now. Since that point, they’re just 3-5-1 with only one regulation win since then.17. St Louis Blues (7-6-0; last week 17)Joel Hofer had initially challenged for starting duty earlier in the season – something he certainly accomplished. Jordan Binnington remains their go-to goaltender, giving them at least a shot most nights to win even with injuries to key players like Robert Thomas. They recently managed to capture two consecutive victories against Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Lightning which can only be described as impressive feats of resilience by Jordan Binnington alone. Now, Philip Broberg and potentially Dylan Holloway may both miss time due to injury. 18) Buffalo Sabres (7-7-1, -2. Last Week: 20)The Sabres have shown tremendous inconsistency lately – winning three games before losing three over just the past few weeks! As it a result, I find this encouraging since they only managed three straight wins twice last season, including Feb 21-25 (19).19 Ottawa Senators (6-6-0, +5, Last Week 14): There has to be something that breaks. They’ve gone 5-1-0 at home but 1-5-0 away so something must change soon! At first glance, their positive goal differential indicates they’re an impressive team; however, to reach postseason glory they will need to become more consistent and string together more wins. At least their home schedule should give them confidence. Twenty. Columbus Blue Jackets (5-5-2, even. Last Week: 15)We can forgive their overtime defeat against San Jose as it wasn’t their doing, but losses to both Winnipeg Jets and Washington Capitals by combined 13-4 scores showed just how far behind they really are from becoming one of NHL’s elite clubs. 21. Boston Bruins (7-7-1, -12.5) Last Week: 21)None of this season’s supposed contenders have looked worse than the Bruins; no amount of line juggling seems capable of rejuvenating them. They have been blanked three times this year — most recently against rival Leafs after consecutive shutout wins! Last season, they did not experience consecutive losses until Nov 24 to Nov 2722.21. Detroit Red Wings (5-5-1, -6. Last Week: 23)Although winning three in a row before losing three straight and pulling out an upset win against Buffalo even while outshot, another week passed with no decisive results for this group of stars.22. Their performances can vary, though I believe Cam Talbot may have taken over goalkeeping duties temporarily with Alex Lyon struggling in recent games. Related Article: Detroit Red Wings Have An Issue In Defense Corps That Must Change23. New York Islanders (5-6-2, -8.20 points). Last Week: 27)The Islanders have struggled mightily this season when it comes to winning in regulation, even with two elite goaltending tandems on hand and key injuries taking their toll. Not even Pierre Engvall’s contributions from their forward line can salvage them! 24 Pittsburgh Penguins (7-7-2,-13; Last Week 30) The Penguins appeared poised for victory against the Isles before defensive gaffe after defensive gaffe and questionable decisions debilitated their chances. What levers could they possibly pull to overcome their struggles in scoring and defense, without breaking the bank in short-term fixes?25. Nashville Predators (4-7-1, -12. Last Week: 24)Despite their three-game win streak, any optimism was dashed as they went 1-2-1 over their next four. Their offense continues to struggle mightily; most recently they suffered an embarrassing 3-0 shutout loss against Sacramento on Monday where only 16 shots on net were registered by them! Utah Hockey Club (5-5-3, -8. Last Week: 25) have seen their success fade with just two regulation wins since starting off their campaign with three in a row at the beginning. While their games were entertaining to watch even while losing, now the Seattle Kraken (5-8-1, -5.03) have lost much more than entertaining audiences. Last Week: 19)The Kraken have struggled mightily at scoring during their four-game losing streak; two outright shutout losses can only mean they have found it more difficult than expected to put points up against Senators or Bruins opponents who do not offer up much scoring opportunity themselves. After their three-game win streak ended on January 28th and ranking 24th overall since joining the NHL (goals per game), interest among San Jose Sharks fans may continue to wane.28. San Jose Sharks (4-8-2, -17 points). Last Week: 32)After an historically dismal start, the Sharks made like Alexander Ovechkin and pledged that this season wouldn’t be like all previous ones: despite all victories being decided by one goal margins or less, every point counts equally and shouldn’t be dissected into individual parts.29 Chicago Blackhawks (5-7-1, -4. Last Week: 31) They have won three of four, which was an encouraging step after Connor Bedard became visibly disgruntled that they weren’t winning games. And just look at this lineup?! 30. Anaheim Ducks (4-6-2, -11. Last Week: 26) Perhaps my prediction that Lukas Dostal looked superhuman when helping lead his Ducks past the Isles was premature; since then they’ve lost three straight and Dostal has allowed nine goals on 66 shots (.864 SP) over his two most recent starts (21-30.32.).31. Montreal Canadiens (4-7-2, 18 points. Last Week 28.) The Canadiens have suffered some bad injury luck this season; as evidenced by four consecutive losses either due to blowout victories or late game collapses. Martin St-Louis appears safe with Montreal after exercising their two-year option on his contract in April; but pressure remains for him to demonstrate improvement for Montreal to retain him for at least another season. Related Article: Are Montreal Making Any Progress Under Martin St-Louis?32. Philadelphia Flyers (4-8-1, -15 points). Last Week: 29) Samuel Ersson has won three consecutive games and without him the Flyers may as well give up given their ineffective keeper depth. John Tortorella may not have many problems squeezing more out of this team, yet you might wonder whether John can squeeze any more from them. Stay informed with all the latest hockey news by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here and share your opinion below the article or at our forum by commenting!