NHL Power Rankings: Bruins, Predators push for top spot, while Wild make their move

Jim Cerny

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NHL Power Rankings: Bruins, Predators push for top spot, while Wild make their move image

The same five teams remain intact in this week's NHL power rankings, but their order shifts with the Predators and Bruins both breathing down the necks of top-ranked Tampa Bay.

The Wild take a healthy jump in the rankings — as do the Panthers, though that's in the bottom half of the rankings. The Rangers? They continue to head in the opposite direction.

Here is the complete breakdown of Sporting News' NHL power rankings for Week 15.

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
Week 13 | Week 14

NHL Power Rankings 15.0

1. Tampa Bay Lightning

36-14-3, 75 pts (last week: 1)

In a bit of a win-one, lose-one stretch right now. Vegas, Boston, Winnipeg breathing down Lightning's necks.

2. Vegas Golden Knights

35-14-4, 74 pts (last week: 2)

Pittsburgh threw Marc-Andre Fleury quite the homecoming party Tuesday, though Pens ultimately handed Golden Knights a one-goal defeat in an exciting game.

3. Nashville Predators

32-12-7, 71 pts (last week: 4)

Preds have won three straight and 9 of 11 (9-1-1). Even when not at their best -- like Monday against the Isles -- they find a way to win.

4. Boston Bruins

32-11-8, 72 pts (last week: 5)

Wednesday is the one-year anniversary of Claude Julien being fired in Boston and Bruce Cassidy taking over. That one kind of worked out, eh?

MORE: Bruins overcome botched trades in blueprint back to NHL's best

5. Washington Capitals

31-17-5, 67 pts (last week: 3)

Still a Top-5 team, but red-hot Predators and Bruins deserve to pass Caps, and Jets are nipping at their heels, too.

6. Winnipeg Jets

32-13-9, 73 pts (last week: 6)

Best home record in the NHL (20-3-2), +33 goal differential overall and only 13 regulation losses overall -- third fewest in the league.

7. Toronto Maple Leafs

31-19-5, 67 pts (last week: 8)

Leafs Nation held its breath when Frederik Andersen departed Monday's game after taking a knee to the head. Breathing easier Tuesday when he was back on the ice.

8. St. Louis Blues

32-20-3, 67 pts (last week: 7)

Scored only four goals in losing two of last three after three-game win streak.

9. Pittsburgh Penguins

30-22-3, 63 pts (last week: 9)

Evgeni Malkin, January's First Star in the NHL and the First Star in the opening week of February, continues to be a monster. Currently riding a five-game point-scoring streak in which he has nine goals and four assists.

10. Dallas Stars

31-19-4, 66 pts (last week: 11)

There's a reason why Tyler Seguin is always smiling. This Stars team is real good, winning three straight and allowing three goals in that span is small example.

11. Minnesota Wild

29-19-5, 63 pts (last week: 15)

Impressive 18-4-4 on home ice, then went to St. Louis and dismantled Blues on the road, 6-2, Tuesday.

12. San Jose Sharks

28-17-8, 64 pts (last week: 10)

Limping along without the injured Joe Thornton.

TRADE TRACKER: Rumors, reported deals before the 2018 deadline

13. Colorado Avalanche

29-19-4, 62 pts (last week: 14)

Probably need to play better on road to stay in playoff spot, but Jared Bednar's crew continues to be pleasant surprise overall.

14. New Jersey Devils

27-17-8, 62 pts (last week: 17)

Stubbed their toe in losing to Senators on Tuesday, but righted ship before that with three-game win streak.

15. Calgary Flames

27-18-8, 62 pts (last week: 13)

Terrific 14-5-5 on the road, but just .500 or so at home. TJ Brodie on the block?

16. Philadelphia Flyers

25-19-9, 59 pts (last week: 16)

Brian Elliott injury hurt, literally and figuratively.

17. Columbus Blue Jackets

27-22-4, 57 pts (last week: 12)

Sixth-fewest goals scored in the NHL. Winless in last four (0-3-1) and just 2-6-1 in last nine.

MORE: In appreciation of Pierre-Luc Dubois, the Blue Jackets' unheralded rookie

18. Los Angeles Kings

28-19-5, 61 pts (last week: 20)

Defense, defense and more defense. Allowed second-fewest goals in the league.

19. Anaheim Ducks

26-19-10, 62 pts (last week: 18)

Ryan Miller holding down the fort in goal, but John Gibson's welcome return is imminent.

20. Chicago Blackhawks

24-21-8, 56 pts (last week: 22)

Corey Crawford close to return. 'Hawks need him for playoff push.

MORE: Blackhawks' Central survival depends on fixing defensive decline — soon

21. New York Islanders

26-22-6, 58 pts (last week: 21)

The league's third highest scoring team also surrenders the most goals. Punch-to-the-gut home-ice loss to Predators on Monday.

22. New York Rangers

25-23-5, 55 pts (last week: 19)

Freefalling Rangers lost three in a row and six of seven. Pavel Buchnevich, Jimmy Vesey and Marc Staal join list of walking wounded. Rick Nash on the trading block.

23. Florida Panthers

23-22-6, 52 pts (last week: 27)

Harry Sateri (!) sparks four-game win streak. The talent is there for this team, even if results have not.

24. Carolina Hurricanes

24-21-9, 57 pts (last week: 23)

Minus 20 goal differential ultimately keeps this team out of playoffs, right?

25. Edmonton Oilers

23-24-4, 50 pts (last week: 24)

Did you see Connor McDavid the other night?

26. Detroit Red Wings

21-23-8, 50 pts (last week: 25)

Scoring fourth-fewest goals per game in the NHL.

27. Montreal Canadiens

22-25-6, 50 pts (last week: 26)

A rousing weekend with back-to-back matinee victories.

28. Vancouver Canucks

21-26-6, 48 pts (last week: 28)

Travis Green provides tough love to young roster, benefits to come down the road.

29. Ottawa Senators

18-25-9, 45 pts (last week: 29)

Bounced back from loss to Habs with solid home-ice victory over good Devils team Tuesday.

 

30. Buffalo Sabres

14-29-10, 38 pts (last week: 30)

Ugly week, though Jack Eichel moved past 50 points (51) and is averaging nearly a point per game.

31. Arizona Coyotes

12-32-9, 33 pts (last week: 31)

The latest losing streak stands at four.

Jim Cerny