If the Canadiens went .500 the rest of the way, picking up 66 points in their 66 remaining games, they would still end up with 93 points, which likely isn't good enough to make the playoffs, but it's close. Their 10-point lead atop the Atlantic Division is pretty darn impressive.
| 2015-2016 Power Rankings: Week 5 | ||||
| RANK | TEAM / RECORD | TRENDING | COMMENTS | |
| 1 |
--
Last Week: 1 | The Habs keep rolling -- they're first in goals per game (3.69) and second in goals against per game (1.81), which is a pretty solid recipe for success. You want to talk balanced scoring? Nine players are in double digits in points. | ||
| 2 | 6 Last Week: 8 | Five straight wins for a Rangers club that has kicked it into another gear after winning earlier in the season despite not playing their best hockey. Backup goalie Antti Raanta is a perfect 3-0-0 with a .976 save percentage. | ||
| 3 | 1 Last Week: 4 | While watching that Stars power play on Sunday afternoon -- Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Patrick Sharp, Jason Spezza and John Klingberg (four righties, by the way) -- I couldn't help but wonder how they don't score every single time they're on the ice as a unit. Man, they're fun to watch. | ||
| 4 | 1 Last Week: 3 | On the same weekend Sergei Fedorov was enjoying the Hall of Fame induction festivities, former teammate Alexander Ovechkin tied him for the most goals ever scored by a Russian-born player in the NHL. Congrats to the Great 8, who one day will obviously join his countryman in the Hall. | ||
| 5 | 3 Last Week: 2 | Jeff Carter leads the Kings with 15 points (7-8) in 14 games, a great start for the veteran forward hoping to earn himself a spot on Team Canada for the World Cup of Hockey. | ||
| 6 | 1 Last Week: 5 | Tremendous comeback win at Chicago followed by an impressive win in Nashville. Jake Allen has taken hold of the No. 1 job in net while the Blues keep finding ways to win despite injuries. | ||
| 7 |
--
Last Week: 7 | Four of the Preds' top eight scorers are defensemen, with Roman Josi tied for the team lead at 10 points (3-7). While it's good that their defense is contributing points, it also tells you that they need bigger things from a number of top forwards. | ||
| 8 | 2 Last Week: 6 | Zach Parise's loss to a knee injury will test a Wild team that's off to a very good offensive start this season, averaging 2.92 goals per game. | ||
| 9 |
--
Last Week: 9 | Holy man, the chemistry between Patrick Kane and rookie Russian winger Artemi Panarin has been fun to watch, eh? | ||
| 10 | 4 Last Week: 14 | The Penguins are winning games in the oddest of ways, given their arsenal up front with their offense ranked just 25th (2.21 goals per game). But they're third in goals against per game at 2.00. That's terrific, it's just not what anyone would have imagined as the way they'd be winning. | ||
| 11 | 1 Last Week: 10 | The Jets have lost three of four games as they head out on a tough four-game road trek through Minnesota, Dallas, Nashville and St. Louis. Well, that's life in the Central Division, right? | ||
| 12 | 7 Last Week: 19 | After starting the year with four losses (0-3-1), the Devils have gone 8-2-0. They're one of the league's early surprises, to be sure. | ||
| 13 | 2 Last Week: 11 | After a 6-2-1 start, the Isles have dropped five of their past six games, scoring just five goals in their past four games. Now comes a three-game trek through San Jose, L.A. and Anaheim. | ||
| 14 | 1 Last Week: 13 | You know something isn't right when the talent-laden Lightning are 23rd in the league at 2.38 goals per game. | ||
| 15 | 10 Last Week: 25 | The Ducks won one game in October but find themselves just two points out of a playoff spot thanks to a very inviting Pacific Division. Anaheim has managed three wins in a row as the team begins to pick up the pieces. | ||
| 16 | 4 Last Week: 20 | Three straight games went into extra time for the Senators, who have needed OT in seven of their 14 games, winning three in a shootout and one in overtime while losing two in a shootout and one in overtime. And we know how Erik Karlsson feels about that situation. | ||
| 17 | 2 Last Week: 15 | The Canucks have dropped the first two games of their seven-game road trip. Next up? Tuesday at Columbus, where the Canucks will see their old pal, coach John Tortorella. | ||
| 18 |
--
Last Week: 18 | Pretty cool scene Friday after the skate in Toronto when Wings GM Ken Holland had legendary coach Scotty Bowman meet current coach Jeff Blashill. Bowman said they had actually met briefly once before but this is the first time they got to talk for real. I'm guessing one guy did the talking and the other guy did the listening. | ||
| 19 | 2 Last Week: 17 | The Sharks host the Islanders on Tuesday before heading out on a six-game Eastern road trip that brings them to Detroit, Buffalo, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Columbus. | ||
| 20 | 8 Last Week: 12 | A nice win Sunday in Brooklyn to help ease the pain of a tough week during which the Bruins lost to the Stars, Capitals and Canadiens. | ||
| 21 | 5 Last Week: 16 | Five straight losses, and the team hasn't scored more than two goals in game since Oct. 27. What gives? | ||
| 22 | 1 Last Week: 21 | Ryan O'Reilly is off to a terrific start, leading the Sabres with 13 points (4-9) in 14 games. | ||
| 23 | 1 Last Week: 22 | Someone please tell Jakub Voracek that the season has started. Zero goals and just five assists in 14 games for last season's 81-point man. | ||
| 24 | 1 Last Week: 23 | I don't know if there's enough talent on this team to surprise this season but head coach Bill Peters is a rising star in my books. Look at how his teams play. Of course, he's from the Mike Babcock school, so that's no surprise. | ||
| 25 | 1 Last Week: 24 | Rookie Max Domi has 11 points (5-6) in 13 games. With Connor McDavid out long term, Domi is now vying for the Calder with Jack Eichel, Artemi Panarin, Colton Parayko, Dylan Larkin, Nikolaj Ehlers and Sam Bennett. | ||
| 26 | 1 Last Week: 27 | Do back-to-back wins for the first time this season mean the Flames are beginning to right the ship? | ||
| 27 | 1 Last Week: 26 | Very few people picked the Oilers to make the playoffs, but I do think most expected them to get out of the cellar. Yes, the Connor McDavid injury is devastating, but the Oil can be better. | ||
| 28 | 2 Last Week: 30 | A rival GM this week predicted that the Blue Jackets would get back in the race by season's end. Not sure I see it, but stranger things have happened, and this team in particular has been a second-half team before. | ||
| 29 | 1 Last Week: 28 | It's incredibly early to write anybody off, but I just don't see how the Avs can dig out of their hole in the NHL's toughest division. | ||
| 30 | 1 Last Week: 29 | Back-to-back OT losses over the weekend for a Maple Leafs team that leads the league in moral victories. Seriously, they keep themselves in most games, but they can only do so much with the mediocre talent level. | ||
Steve Uhrinak
Waaaaaaaaay too early for any of this to mean anything
Scott Dingmon
I
agree with you Steve. There will be trades and injuries that will
change everything. Plus they have only played hockey for a month. The
first time the Kings won the cup they got into the play-offs in the last
week of the season.
Daniel Sokolow
The only reason this means anything at all is because there were earlier weeks that meant even less.
Steve Uhrinak
At
least the bottom two are a lock and should be battling for the
crappiest record the rest of the way. What a couple of steamers
Anthony Paray ·
This
is how insane the Central is: Chicago, the #9 team, is the second-worst
team in the division. One of those top teams (StL/Nash/Min/Dal/Wpg/Chi)
is not making the playoffs, and it's foolish to assume it'll be the
Hawks. (As a Wild fan, I'm sure we'd all like it if the Hawks miss, but
never count those guys out)
Sonny Oropilla
This
could be the year though especially that Saad and Sharp are gone not to
mention Oduya and Richards.. Remember Oduya was a big bodied who
stablize Hawks' defense.. The leadership of Sharp is overshadowed by
Kaner, Toews, and Keith.. Saad meanwhile had the grit and tenacity that
he brings in the playoffs.. Those are gone and IMO, I think the top 3 in
the central will be DAL, STL, and either NSH, WPG or MIN..
Btw when I went to Vegas before the season started I did place a $50 bet on DAL to win the cup with 35-1 odds.. If my Kings wont make the playoffs I will be rooting for DAL.. 
David Tambeaux ·
Works at Center for Vein Restoration
Sonny
Oropilla Johnny Oduya may be built like Adonis under the jersey, but
calling a 5'9 guy weighing less than 200lb big bodied is nonsense.
Chicago was not in a dissimilar position early last year. I would wait
until March to decide where the Dallas Stars or Jets are relative to the
Hawks. Lots of season to go, and any team with KL and AN in goal is
suspect.
David Tambeaux ·
Works at Center for Vein Restoration
In fact the Blackhawks were exactly 8-6-1 afer 15 games last year. Would be very remiss to count them out.
Sonny Oropilla
David
Tambeaux I didn't know Oduya is only 5' 9 it seems so big on the
ice..my bad..lol.. Re KL and AN as long as they dont let 4 goals a game I
think DAL will be alright with their high powered scoring team..
David Tambeaux ·
Works at Center for Vein Restoration
Sonny
Oropilla And Tyler Seguin staying out of the ER. Don't get me wrong
about Oduya, the guy was the most ripped player on the Hawks, but other
than Seabrook, they are not imposing on the backline. Hjalmmerson is a
stalwart but not going to check you out of the building like a lot of
teams D Men and Keith is a little guy, just with ridiculous talent and
crazy motor.
Steve Elder ·
David
Tambeaux agreed David, KL and AN are a combined 12-3 in
2015-2016............clearly they are suspect.........heck, they suck
bigtime.
Erik Kinsley ·
Sonny
Oropilla BUT they added Artem Anisimov, Trevor Daley and Ryan Garbutt
along with bringing along some very good young talent. IMHO still the
team to beat!
John Michael Ruesch
Erik
Kinsley Let's not act like adding Daley and Garbutt has really been a
good thing. Daley has been downright awful this year, constantly out of
position. And Garbutt is a less skilled Shaw.
Kevin Nestra ·
Works at Music City Tents & Events
well dallas hasnt played nashville yet, so we'll just leave it at that.
David Tambeaux ·
Works at Center for Vein Restoration
Erik Kinsley Yep. Last year after 15 games they had the exact same record. 8-6-1. They will be just fine.
Mike Missle ·
The Bruins drop 8 spots after losing to 1, 3, and 4..and they beat 13, 14, and 21 as they should..go figure..
James Cook ·
What
in the hell does Dallas have to do to be #2? They have two guys with
atleast 9 goals and one of them leads the league in total points...2nd
in scoring and 2nd in power plays....WTH
Anthony Buzzin ·
Simple.
Rangers are 1st in Defense (GA) and 5th in scoring (GF). Stars are
17th in defense. Rangers won 5 in a row, Stars won 3 in a row. Stop
whining.
Sean O'Connor ·
John
Gushue Yet Tampa made it to the finals with the top offense in the
regular season last year and a middle of the pack defense (19th in GA).
Granted, Chicago won the cup on the league's second best GA and middle
of the pack GS (17th) and Montreal was in a similar setup and got
bounced by the Lightning. Stat ranks are not the be all and end all of
great teams, only indicators.
Besides, no one is arguing that the Habs don't deserve the top spot so far. They absolutely do. Condon has done a marvelous job filling in for the most decorated goalie in recent history. Not to mention they haven't really needed him to perform as admirably as he has when they average 3.7 goals per game. If they can keep up that production, a scary team turns downright frightening when Price returns at 100%.  
Brandon Paul
Switch #2 and #3, then it would be right
Alex Weber ·
Why?
Power rankings are about who the hottest teams are. Rangers have won 5
straight, Stars have won 4 of 5. They're both playing really well, you
could easily just put them both as 2a and 2b.
Klondike Wilson ·
I'll take rangers any day vs stars
Mike Moore ·
Klondike Wilson we love playing the Leastern Conference. We have 5 teams in our division as good as anyone.
Brandon Paul
Klondike
Wilson I would take the Rangers too, the Texas Rangers bahaha. They're
both good teams, i'm just a homer and want them to be higher than anyone
New York team
Alabaster Jones ·
Mike Moore "We," huh?
Joshua Azenberg ·
Mike Moore You realize the Rangers are 5-1 against the West and have always played well agains the west.
Alex Weber ·
Mike
Moore The Central is definitely the toughest division with half of the
top 10 teams being in it... But I wouldn't necessessarily say all 5
teams are as good as or better than all the top teams outside of the
division. To me the Habs, Stars, Rangers and maybe Caps are in a tier of
their own right now.
Then after that, the other 4 Central teams dominate the second tier, and then its another step down to the rest of the league.
Scott Dingmon
Brandon
Paul You are foolish. The Rangers can score and play defense. That is
why the Rangers are ahead of the Stars. All the Stars do i try to out
score the other team. Defense wins Championship. If Dallas can fix their
defense they will be the team to beat.
Steve Elder ·
Scott Dingmon pay attention before reciting last years' stats.....stars' goal-against average is down over 1 gpg from last year
Anthony Buzzin ·
Mike Moore Thats why Rangers are like 26-5 in last 30 vs West? Not 1 team in West compares to Habs or Rangers.
Erik Kinsley ·
Alex
Weber Funny...didn't hear the Kings in that list...not sure how the
Central "DOMINATES" them. KIngs just beat Minnesota, Nashville, and St.
Louis last week...but I digress.
Erik Kinsley ·
Anthony Buzzin You have to beat the best to be the best...Beat the Kings and Blackhawks and then we can chat!
Mark Rohrmann ·
Not according to these rankings you don't. All your teams fall in line behind the Leastern Conference leaders.
Shawn Schultz ·
I
know that any Power Rankings holds no water or really no importance
whatsoever but STILL is GREAT seeing our Stars in the top 5 though. Benn
way too long. We are Sharp and no longer Kling-ing to life...Cheesy but
I tried it #INNILLWETRUST
Anthony Ralph ·
To me, the Habs, Rangers and Stars are the clear top 3. Decent dropoff after that IMO
Alex Weber ·
Anthony
Ralph I'd put the Caps up there too. I know the Rangers smoked them
(I'm a Rangers fan), but aside from that game they've looked really
good.
Anthony Ralph ·
Alex
Weber, I'd put Washington in at 4 as well, but I'm not sold on their
defense, and Holtby looked very shaky against us last week. To me they
are a bit behind the top 3 at the moment
Sonny Oropilla
Yup
I like the look of your team this is why I did place a $50 bet back in
July a 35-1 odds for your Stars to win the cup.. If Kings dont make the
playoffs Stars will be the team I will root for..
Adam Letschin ·
Not
sure what game you were watching Alex.. The Rangers took advantage of
some rare miscues from the Caps but the Rangers didn't outplay
Washington by any means.
Erik Kinsley ·
Sonny Oropilla Blasphemy
Alex Weber ·
Adam
Letschin I was watching the game that ended 5-2. A three goal win is
being outplayed, it doesn't matter how it comes. I'll give you the
second period of that game if you want.
Adam Letschin ·
It
was a 5-2 loss and the Rangers did a great job of capitalizing on
mistakes but the ice was tilted in Washingtons favor most of the game
and they dominated the possession game. All I am saying is being a Caps
fan I didn't see a Ranger team that was dominant.. We will see how the
next meeting goes, they are the most well balanced teams in the Metro
for sure.
Joseph Gantner
Adam Letschin Besides the Rangers having the Caps number the Rangers have a stronger team.
Bret Campbell ·
If
Power Rankings are about the power of NHL teams in a given week,
everything below the top five simply does not represent that.
Rocky Stone ·
Just
imagine what the Blues can do once they get Statsny and Schwartz back.
If they can get Allen to truly become a #1 (he has so far), the Blues
might actually get somewhere in the playoffs. Goaltending has been a
major hiccup for the Blues in the post-season.
Rocky Stone ·
Sonny Oropilla Yep, not much luck against LA. Kings are the worst match-up possible, for the Blues, even when LA is playing bad.
Paul Childers ·
end up losing in the playoffs again like the last 10 years?
William John Telek ·
The Pens won 9 of 10 (now 11) and are nowhere near the top. If it's about hottest team, why are they 10?
Todd Riccardo ·
Hey Mike Moore the Rangers are 6-1 against your conference
Bob Doerner ·
I'm
thinking the Devils should be up a few more notches, maybe switch them
with the Hawks, afterall they beat them up pretty good the other night.
Jason Christodoro ·
Hey bobo head remember when the Rangers lost 2 in a row and went from 1 to 19?? Dumbest thing I've ever seen.. Now there 2 lol
Anthony Munoz ·
Works at The Dow Chemical Company
Great rankings. Let's go Stars. In Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin we trust.
Anaheim has a 4 game win streak not 3. And they started to beat teams above them in the division.
Of course they were beating teams above them they were dead last. But let's just see where they end up by end of the season
|
No comments:
Post a Comment