NHL Power Rankings: Scalding Flames surge, Penguins also on the move

Jim Cerny

NHL Power Rankings: Scalding Flames surge, Penguins also on the move image

There are several teams on significant winning streaks, and that alters this week's NHL power rankings as a result.

The Flames and Avalanche make considerable jumps in the rankings, as do the Penguins and Bruins in the top 10.

On the other side of the coin, the Kings take a major fall backward this week.

Here is the complete breakdown of Sporting News' NHL power rankings for Week 13.

PREVIOUS POWER RANKINGS: Preseason | Week 1​ | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 
Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12

NHL Power Rankings 13.0

1. Tampa Bay Lightning

31-10-3, 65 pts (last week: 1)

First team to reach 30 wins, but just 2-2-1 last five games — a minor speed bump in midst of great season. Victor Hedman injury a blow, however.

2. Vegas Golden Knights

29-11-3, 61 pts (last week: 2)

Stood toe to toe with defending Western Conference champs Tuesday, but lost 1-0 decision to Predators. Next up: face the top team in the NHL, the Lightning, in Tampa on Thursday.

MORE: Marchessault makes most of chance in starring role with Vegas

3. Washington Capitals

28-14-3, 59 pts (last week: 3)

Caps have 18 wins on home ice, tied with Golden Knights for league lead. 

4. Nashville Predators

26-11-6, 58 pts (last week: 6)

Pekka Rinne is having an outstanding season in goal, and Juuse Saros filled in Tuesday with 43-save shutout over Vegas. Preds 3-0-1 last four.

5. Winnipeg Jets

26-13-7, 59 pts (last week: 5)

Lost two straight; and 10-10-6 road record is a concern.

6. Boston Bruins

24-10-8, 56 pts (last week: 8)

Tied with Lightning for fewest regulation losses with only ten. 

THE OLYMPIAN: Jordan Greenway breaks 98-year USA Hockey color barrier

7. St. Louis Blues

27-17-3, 57 pts (last week: 9)

Three of the top seven teams in the power rankings are from Central Division. How about Carter Hutton stepping in as Jake Allen tries to find his game, and posting a ridiculous 1.78 GAA and .942 save percentage in 17 appearances this season? 

8. San Jose Sharks

24-13-6, 54 pts (last week: 13)

Sharks find their footing with three-game win streak. Win over Kings jumps them over L.A. and into second place in Pacific.

9. Toronto Maple Leafs

25-17-4, 54 pts (last week: 10)

Power play is ninth best in the NHL, PK is ranked fourth. That's a winning combination come playoff time.

MORE: The evolution of Auston Matthews

10. Pittsburgh Penguins

24-19-3, 51 pts (last week: 16)

The schedule flipped to the second-half and the Penguins came alive. Four straight wins and Sidney Crosby is playing like Sidney Crosby again.

11. New Jersey Devils

23-12-8, 54 pts (last week: 11)

Snapped six-game winless skid with convincing road victory over Islanders Tuesday night as team captain Andy Greene fought for the first time in 11-season NHL career.

12. New York Rangers

23-17-5, 51 pts (last week: 7)

Tuesday's 5-1 win over Flyers was Rangers' most impressive victory in recent memory. Henrik Lundqvist continues brilliant play. Injuries starting to pile up for first time this season.

MIXED BAG: Metro, Central races turning into a bloodbath 

13. Calgary Flames

19-16-4, 42 pts (last week: 22)

Hit their bye week on a season-high seven-game winning streak. Johnny Gaudreau with points in all seven of those games.

 

14. Dallas Stars

26-17-3, 55 pts (last week: 14)

16 home wins tied for second most in Western Conference. Jason Spezza benched for one game, responds with two goals Tuesday night.

15. Columbus Blue Jackets

25-18-3, 53 pts (last week: 12)

Jack Johnson asks for trade, Blue Jackets still springing leaks and battling injuries, though remain in playoff spot in tough Metro.

16. Los Angeles Kings

24-15-5, 53 pts (last week: 4)

On a four-game losing streak and just 2-5-1 in last eight games

17. Colorado Avalanche

24-16-3, 51 pts (last week: 21)

They've won seven in a row and Nathan MacKinnon is a legitimate Hart Trophy candidate.

 

 

18. New York Islanders

23-19-4, 50 pts (last week: 18)

Powered by rookies Mat Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier, the high-flying Islanders won three in a row before 4-1 setback to Devils last night. Injured Josh Bailey resumes skating Wednesday.

19. Minnesota Wild

24-17-5, 53 pts (last week: 19)

Only one regulation loss in last seven games (4-1-2). Since returning from injury, Zach Parise only has one point (assist) in seven games.

20. Anaheim Ducks

20-16-9, 49 pts (last week: 15)

Rickard Rackell stepping up amidst plethora of injuries in Anaheim with team-high 15 goals and 32 points.

21. Philadelphia Flyers

20-16-8, 48 pts (last week: 23)

Four-game winning streak brought Flyers back into playoff picture. Thumped 5-1 by Rangers, though, on Tuesday.

22. Chicago Blackhawks

22-17-6, 50 pts (last week: 20)

Corey Crawford's vertigo problems could derail Chicago's playoff hopes.

23. Carolina Hurricanes

20-17-8, 48 pts (last week: 17)

Sebastian Aho concussion a big blow to 'Canes. Aho has team-high 16 goals and 37 points.

 

 

24. Edmonton Oilers

20-23-3, 43 pts (last week: 25)

Very quietly Connor McDavid has 37 assists and 52 points in 46 games.

25. Detroit Red Wings

18-19-7, 43 pts (last week: 24)

Dylan Larkin has only four even strength goals this season -- also has one on the power play and two more shorthanded.

26. Florida Panthers

18-19-6, 42 pts (last week: 26)

Three players -- Jonathan Huberdeau, Vincent Trochek and Aleksander Barkov -- with 40 or more points.

27. Montreal Canadiens

18-20-6, 42 pts (last week: 27)

Frightening concussion suffered by Phillip Danault, coupled with unspecified Andrew Shaw injury, puts struggling Habs further in a bind.

 

 

28. Ottawa Senators

15-18-9, 39 pts (last week: 29)

Craig Anderson, Matt Duchene and Mike Hoffman all come alive before bye week. Can they continue uptick in play upon return Thursday?

29. Vancouver Canucks

18-21-6, 42 pts (last week: 28)

Henrik Sedin has two goals in 45 games -- though he does have team-high 30 assists.

30. Buffalo Sabres

11-24-9, 31 pts (last week: 30)

Snapped five-game winless skid with solid 3-1 win over Blue Jackets before bye week. 

31. Arizona Coyotes

10-28-8, 28 pts (last week: 31)

Did they get nearly enough from Chicago in Anthony Duclair trade? Don't think so.

Jim Cerny