Current NHL Power Rankings: Predators rule

By Pierre LeBrun (posted Jan. 12,2015)



 

Well, it stands to reason that if the Nashville Predators cleaned up in the midseason awards, then we should underline their greatness in this week's Power Rankings.

2014-2015 Power Rankings: Week 14
RANK	TEAM / RECORD	TRENDING	COMMENTS
1	Nashville 28-9-4	2 Last Week: 3	So much to like about the Predators, and they lead my favorite statistic: 5-on-5 goals for/against ratio, at 1.53.
2	Chicago 28-13-2	1 Last Week: 1	The Blackhawks seem to be getting bored, three wins and three losses so far in January. They know the real hockey doesn't start until April.
3	Anaheim 27-10-6	1 Last Week: 2	The Ducks are an amazing 21-0-6 in one-goal games. And it was a wonderful night Sunday, with Teemu Selanne's No. 8 going up to the rafters.
4	New York 28-13-1	1 Last Week: 5	Oooohhh baby, nothing like a game at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday night with bragging rights on the line.
5	New York 24-11-4	3 Last Week: 8	Well, when you win 13 of your past 14 games, you move up the Power Rankings! That was an impressive three-game sweep in California. This team is absolutely cooking.
6	Tampa Bay 27-12-4	1 Last Week: 7	This squad is just so much fun to watch. The Bolts can beat you in so many different ways. They are winners of seven of their past eight.
7	Pittsburgh 25-10-6	1 Last Week: 6	Really entertaining game Saturday night in Montreal as the Penguins prevailed in overtime. David Perron is a great fit.
8	St. Louis 26-13-3	1 Last Week: 9	So, apparently the Blues jumped into a time machine and think it's the 1980s or something. They've scored 27 goals in five January games.
9	Montreal 26-12-3	5 Last Week: 4	Losses to fellow contenders the Penguins and Lighting last week simmer down a Canadiens team that had been red-hot before that.
10	Washington 22-11-8	3 Last Week: 13	If it weren't for the Rangers, more people might be noticing that the Capitals are on fire as well. Barry Trotz is selling and the Caps players are buying. This is as structured a Caps team as I've seen in a long time.
11	Detroit 22-11-9	-- Last Week: 11	Oh, boy, the loss of Jimmy Howard could be have a big impact. Let's see how the Red Wings respond.
12	Florida 20-11-9	6 Last Week: 18	The young Panthers swept through Western Canada and opened some eyes in doing so. Love this team.
13	Vancouver 23-14-3	3 Last Week: 10	Back-to-back home losses to the Panthers and Flames, and suddenly goals are hard to come by for the Canucks.
14	Boston 22-15-6	5 Last Week: 19	Three wins in a row helps calm things down. Tough week ahead with the Lightning and Rangers visiting.
15	Winnipeg 21-14-8	1 Last Week: 14	Trying their best to hang in, the Jets picked up three out of four points in Southern California this weekend.
16	Los Angeles 19-13-10	4 Last Week: 12	The Kings are still seeking consistency and will have to do it without Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson.
17	San Jose 22-16-5	1 Last Week: 16	Is there a more unpredictable team in the league than the Sharks?
18	Calgary 22-18-3	2 Last Week: 20	Got to admire Bob Hartley's squad for the way it's trying to hang in the playoff race. So much character on this team.
19	Colorado 18-16-8	5 Last Week: 24	Speaking of the playoff race, suddenly the Avs are back into one, just four points out, winners of five of their past six games.
20	Dallas 18-16-7	5 Last Week: 15	Four straight losses for a team that can't afford too many missteps.
21	Toronto 22-17-3	1 Last Week: 22	A trip to California couldn't come at a better time for a Maple Leafs squad that needs to get out of town.
22	Minnesota 18-18-5	1 Last Week: 21	Easily the biggest disappointment this season when you factor in expectations.
23	Columbus 18-19-3	6 Last Week: 17	All those wins since Dec. 1 and almost nothing to show for it in the standings. That's why you just can't dig that kind of hole early in the season. The injuries were just too much.
24	Ottawa 17-16-8	1 Last Week: 23	You wonder how a power play with Erik Karlsson on it could struggle.
25	Philadelphia 16-19-7	-- Last Week: 25	I know the blue line needs help but I keep thinking these guys should be better.
26	Arizona 16-21-4	-- Last Week: 26	Time to start the fire sale.
27	New Jersey 15-21-8	-- Last Week: 27	Time to go all-in for the draft.
28	Carolina 13-24-5	-- Last Week: 28	I know it's a tough year but I like Bill Peters as a coach on this team.
29	Edmonton 10-24-9	1 Last Week: 30	Hey, the Oilers beat the Blackhawks last week!
30	Buffalo 14-26-3	1 Last Week: 29	Losers in 11 of their past 12 games, the Sabres refocused on the prize that matters: Connor McDavid.
Biggest Jump: 6 Biggest Drop: 6