Updated: March 21,2016, 5:35PM,EDT
By Joe McDonald (posted March 21,2016)
This is the week the Los Angeles Kings finally upended the Washington Capitals atop the Power Rankings. In fact, the hierarchy has changed big-time this week, with the Capitals dropping to second and the Pittsburgh Penguins moving up to third. There's been plenty of movement in the playoff structure in the last stretch of the 2015-16 season, and it will continue in the final couple of weeks.
| 2015-2016 Power Rankings: Week 24 | ||||
| RANK | TEAM / RECORD | TRENDING | COMMENTS | |
| 1 | 7 Last Week: 8 | The Kings extended their points streak to seven games (6-0-1), have won four in a row and have a four-point lead over the Ducks for first in the Pacific. Jonathan Quick is 5-0-1 in his past six starts, including three consecutive wins. Forward Anze Kopitar extended his points streak to five games with four goals and three assists. This team is a serious Cup contender. | ||
| 2 | 1 Last Week: 1 | Evgeny Kuznetsov registered three assists and teammate Daniel Winnik added two assists during Friday's 4-1 win over the Predators. However, the Caps dropped a 6-2 decision to the Penguins on Sunday, which is enough to drop them out of the top spot in the rankings. | ||
| 3 | 8 Last Week: 11 | The Penguins are 8-2-0 in their past 10 and are in the midst of a six-game winning streak, even without forward Evgeni Malkin, who is expected to miss six to eight weeks with an upper-body injury. The Pens are 5-0-0 since Malkin's injury. Captain Sidney Crosby has a 12-game points streak, with six goals and 14 assists for 20 points. | ||
| 4 | 1 Last Week: 3 | The Ducks moved to within four points of the Kings for the lead in the Pacific. Anaheim began a five-game Canadian road trip with a 3-2 overtime win over the Jets on Sunday. The Ducks will face the Canadiens on Tuesday, Maple Leafs on Thursday, Senators on Saturday and Oilers on Monday. | ||
| 5 | 1 Last Week: 4 | Brian Elliott returned to the lineup and made his first start Saturday since suffering an injury on Feb. 22, finishing with 19 saves en route to a 3-0 win over the Canucks. It was St. Louis' seventh win in its past nine games (7-2-0). | ||
| 6 |
--
Last Week: 6 | Tyler Seguin tore an Achilles tendon last week and will miss three to four weeks. He underwent surgery on Friday in hopes of returning in time for the playoffs. He has 33 goals and 73 points in 72 games. Dallas is 5-2-3 in its past 10 games. | ||
| 7 | 5 Last Week: 2 | The Blackhawks lost 3-2 in a shootout to the Wild on Sunday, Chicago's fifth loss in its past six games. It lost all four regular-season games to the Wild. The Blackhawks have nine regular-season games remaining and need to make up ground in the Central. | ||
| 8 | 9 Last Week: 17 | The surging Flyers are 8-2-1 in their past 11 games and three points back of the second wild-card spot in the East. | ||
| 9 | 4 Last Week: 5 | Ben Bishop made 32 saves en route to a 2-0 victory over the Coyotes on Saturday. It was his fifth shutout of the season, matching a single-season mark set in 2013-14. He also reached the 30-win plateau for the third consecutive season. | ||
| 10 | 1 Last Week: 11 | Joe Thornton scored the winning goal in a 4-1 win over the Rangers on Saturday. It was his 1,328th career point, passing Pierre Turgeon for 31st place in career points. Thornton has recorded at least one point in 37 of his past 42 games. James Reimer posted a 25-save shutout against the Coyotes on Sunday, and the Sharks have four wins in their past five games. | ||
| 11 | 2 Last Week: 13 | The Preds have one regulation loss in their past 17 games (11-1-5) and hold the first wild-card spot in the West. | ||
| 12 | 2 Last Week: 10 | Henrik Lundqvist allowed four goals on 47 shots and was replaced by Antti Raanta at 9:05 of the third period during Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Sharks. New York is 4-4-2 in its past 10. | ||
| 13 | 1 Last Week: 12 | Forward Nick Bjugstad extended his points streak to five games with three goals and three assists for six points. The Panthers play the Rangers on Monday, Bruins on Thursday and Lightning on Saturday. Maybe actor Kevin Spacey will follow the team the remainder of the season for good luck. | ||
| 14 | 5 Last Week: 9 | On Saturday, the Islanders dropped their third consecutive game; they are 1-3-2 in their past six. Thomas Greiss made 33 saves in a 3-0 loss to the Stars. The Islanders have scored three goals during their three-game slide. | ||
| 15 | 8 Last Week: 7 | The Bruins had been playing well since the trade deadline, going 5-0-2, but they went 0-3 on their recent California road trip, losing to the Sharks, Ducks and Kings. | ||
| 16 | 2 Last Week: 18 | The Avs have six wins in their past eight games. With a 3-2 victory over the Oilers on Sunday night, they are one point ahead of the Wild for the second wild-card spot in the West. | ||
| 17 | 1 Last Week: 16 | The Red Wings are holding on to the second wild-card spot in the East. Detroit beat the Panthers 5-3 on Saturday. Pavel Datsyuk scored twice, including the game winner. Detroit plays the Lightning, Canadiens and Penguins this week. | ||
| 18 | 3 Last Week: 15 | With a big 3-2 shootout victory over the Blackhawks on Sunday, the Wild remain one point behind the Avalanche for the second wild-card spot in the West. They won all four regular-season games against the Blackhawks and are 11-6-1 under interim coach John Torchetti. | ||
| 19 | 3 Last Week: 22 | Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Curtis Lazar and Alex Chiasson each scored short-handed goals to lead the Senators to a 5-0 win over the Canadiens on Saturday. Andrew Hammond finished with 30 saves to record his first shutout of the season. | ||
| 20 | 1 Last Week: 21 | Forward Adam Henrique scored his 26th goal of the season during Saturday's 6-3 loss to the Blue Jackets, surpassing his career high of 25 set in 2013-14. | ||
| 21 | 1 Last Week: 20 | The Hurricanes are 3-3-4 in their past 10. They play the Sabres, Blue Jackets and Islanders this week. | ||
| 22 | 3 Last Week: 19 | Oliver Bjorkstrand scored the first two goals of his NHL career to help the Blue Jackets to a 6-3 win over the Devils on Saturday. His second goal proved to be the game winner, at 1:23 of the third period. | ||
| 23 | 3 Last Week: 26 | The Coyotes suffered back-to-back shutout losses over the weekend, losing 2-0 to the Lightning on Saturday before dropping a 3-0 decision to the Sharks on Sunday. | ||
| 24 | 3 Last Week: 27 | Sean Monahan scored twice to lead the Flames to a 4-1 win over the Canadiens on Sunday. Defenseman Dougie Hamilton registered three assists in the win. Michael Frolik had a pair of three-point games last week. | ||
| 25 | 1 Last Week: 24 | Rookie Jack Eichel missed his first game of the season during Saturday's 4-1 loss to the Maple Leafs because of the flu. He has 22 goals and 49 points in 72 games. | ||
| 26 | 2 Last Week: 28 | The Oilers were eliminated from the playoffs with a 3-2 loss to the Avalanche on Sunday. Edmonton went 2-3-0 during its recent five-game homestand. | ||
| 27 | 2 Last Week: 25 | The Canadiens have lost four of their past five to drop below .500 for the first time this season. | ||
| 28 | 5 Last Week: 23 | The Jets have lost nine of their past 12 and 15 of their past 19 at home. | ||
| 29 | 1 Last Week: 30 | William Nylander and Milan Michalek each posted a goal and assist to help the Maple Leafs to a 4-1 win over the Sabres on Saturday. Nylander recorded the first multipoint game of his NHL career. | ||
| 30 | 1 Last Week: 29 | The Canucks are on a four-game losing skid and have scored only three goals during that span while being shut out twice. | ||
Patrick Schwanke
Can't
stop scratching my eyes...ESPN, Main Page, NHL, Kings ranked #1, holy
crap. ESPN is stupid in general and horrible on the NHL specifically.
Shocked they got one right. Hope the presidents cup trophy keeps you
warm during the playoffs caps fans wink emoticon
Andy Bee ·
Kings beat 4 good teams in 6 nights, including 2 on the road against CHI and DAL. That's a pretty good week
Patrick Schwanke
Andy
Bee yes, I got to watch most of the games. Great string of games.
Doughty finally should get the Norris and I know I am biased but I
really think Kopitar should be seriously considered for the Hart Trophy
or at least the Selke, so good on both ends. But screw those trophies,
we'll take another cup smile emoticon
 
David Lee
Andy
Bee Good week, but If you think the wins over Chic and Dall right now
are impressive...they arent....Kings Playing well, but lets not get too
excited....Chicago is in a tail spin and Dallas..well they are
Dallas...No D or Goaltending to speak of...was an easy mark for a team
Like LA.
Jakob Lagerstedt ·
I
doubt you'll find a single Caps team that will tell you Caps are better
than the Kings right now. Kings are by far the best team in the league
right now, it's not even close.
  
Andrew Moelis ·
David
Lee - They were on the road, as well. Kings also beat Washington,
Bruins, and Rangers in the last week or so. And mind you, they didn't
just beat Chicago and Dallas, they smoked them. Beating ANY team 5-0 is
not easy. And even if Chicago isn't playing at full steam... Chi at
75% of their best is still one of the top 5 or 10 teams in the league.
As for Dallas, they haven't had a defense or goalie all year, and yet somehow are doing well. So I'll take that. 
Mike Gallo ·
Andy Bee Beating Chicago and Dallas on back to back nights- what other team did that this season?? Impressive.
Bertin Sénéchal ·
Patrick
Schwanke The problem for Doughty is that Karlsson's posting again an
incredible offensive season. Doughty has my vote but I'm not sure that
he will get it.
Jory Rube ·
"However,
the Caps lost 6-2 to the Penguins on Sunday, which is enough to drop
them out of top spot in the Rankings." Might be one of the dumbest
things I've heard in awhile. Having 1 bad loss doesn't erase the fact
that they are smoking the rest of the league in points.
Bryan Monroe ·
1
bad loss? What about the other 3 losses in the last 10 games? Compared
to the kings just having beaten 4 of the top teams in the league
(Stars, Blackhawks, Rangers and Bruins) in 6 nights. This is the right
1-2 match up for this week and could very well be the Stanley Cup Finals
match up this year.
Jory Rube ·
Bryan Monroe Then it should be called a "who's hot right now" list. Either way, Caps have the 1st seed already locked up.
Ken McElvaney ·
The
Kings are the hottest team in the league right now with wins over
Washington, Chicago (a 5-0 win at UC, mind you), Dallas, Boston, and the
Rangers. They look to be in top form right now, which is a scary
thought for everyone else.
James Hallemann ·
I don't think you understand the idea behind power rankings. It's about now, this week.
Jory Rube ·
Ken
McElvaney I agree, but it's hard to look past a seasons work...they
beat the Caps in OT during a Washington West Coast trip. Would be an
awesome Stanley Cup with these 2 teams.
Matt Pace
Yeah,
I guess the Caps just aren't allowed to lose. 107 points, first team to
clinch playoff birth and have been basically hot all year. But yeah,
must be all about this week where they lost a few games. Must be the
reason the flyers moved up 9 spots into 8th here when they don't even
have a playoff spot yet. Whatever Pierre is smoking, I would like some
as well... Jory Rube, keep doing your thing man, haters gonna hate...
 
BL Woods ·
James
Hallemann: Not disagreeing with you at all. But hopefully providing
some context. I would say the rankings should reflect which team you
wouldn't want to face if the playoffs started today.
Chad Talotta ·
Jory
Rube Power rankings basically are "who is hot." the best overall body
of work can be found by looking at the standings. What is the point in
power rankings if they match the standings? It is meant to be the best
team as of today. They must not think much of the Caps. They completely
skipped over them on the list. Where is #2?
Andrew Moelis ·
Matt Pace - Bceause part of the rationale behind the rankings is recent performance.
First, I'm not even certain the Caps would be favored over LA in a 7 game series. Second, they went from first to second. I'm not sure what the argument is about, here. Yes, they have more points than LA. But since the new year they haven't been blowing the doors off LA, and LA just absolutely took it to about the toughest slate of possible opponents they could have. I wouldn't object to Washington being in the 1 spot, but there's no crime in being 2nd for a week. 
Guillermo Vázquez
The
Caps have been the number 1 team in these rankings for most of the
season. It's not about "who's hot right now". Frankly, with McDonald's
rankings I don't really know what it's about. But independent of what he
thinks, I agree with Bryan Monroe. The Caps can be smoking the league
in points, thats why theyre 1st in the standings but they've slowed down
a bit the last few weeks. The Kings are on a roll, destroying good
teams, they have the best defense in the league and just like the
Blackhawks, the Kings have equity from past seasons, which means that
when they're good, theyre the real deal. The Caps deserve credit for
being good all season but they dont have the same credibility as LAK or
CHI.
And the Caps are number TWO. From Caps fans indigation you'd think theyd been dropped to 20th.
Bryan Monroe ·
Jory
Rube It's called the Power Rankings -- who has the most power right
now. Who are you afraid to play your next game against. Washington has
had an incredible season, but they aren't the most powerful team in the
NHL right now. We can all go look at the standings to see who has the
most points and best Last 10 record, but this list is interesting
because it balances recent wins with who they actually played, who's
injured, and 100 other factors that goes into making a powerful team.
Doug Pippen
I'm not sure how the Red Wings can be 9 spots behind Philly while Philly is behind the Wings in the Wild Card standings.
Sure, I can understand putting the Flyers a spot or two ahead of the Wings based on recent play, but not 9 spots -- especially considering the Wings looked pretty good this weekend. 
Alex Bieri ·
Especially
considering the last two Wings games were two Road wins including a
huge come from behind W against a division rival. Whatever, lots of
hockey left but Wings look a hell of a lot better then they did 6 days
ago.
Chris Hardtke
There's
no reason a team on the outside of the playoff bubble looking in should
be ranked the 8th best team in the League with 11-12 games to go (even
with an impressive record over the last two weeks).
Kevin Nestra ·
Works at Music City Tents & Events
David
Lee more they should be lower than the teams 9-15, literally. not just
them two but the panthers, rangers n the bruins who i hate but oh well.
GP
 
Paul Marsico ·
Oh look, the Caps are coming back down to Earth and the Kings are getting stupidly hot right around when they should.
Kings and Hawks have been alternating cups. Here comes another. Lets talk 2017. Let's talk Blackhawks hockey. Let's talk how much better and less predictable the game is now................... 
Chris Meder ·
Dumb
people are funny... if you watch hockey you would know that is just
coincidence and you are using a VERY small sample... you are also from
Jersey so anything you say is just silly
Josh Recker ·
The
pens were number 14 last week, not number 11. Why would I care?
Because that means the biggest jump goes to the Penguins, and NOT THE
FLYERS.
Ungaba Intrepid ·
Dang, great point! ESPN cares so little about hockey they can't even get simple stuff like this correct. Pitiful.
Scooter Robins ·
This
entire "Weekly Rankings" list is a massive joke. You have the Flyers
jumping 9 spots in one week and the Bruins dropping 8. All it shows the
subjective opinion of one person. It is certainly nothing to get upset
over. And this is coming from a Caps fan.
Doug Pippen
The
Bs lost three in a row this week, so considering that "recent record,
especially over the past week" is one of the main criteria for these
rankings, it makes sense that the Bs should drop.
I agree that Philly's rise makes less sense, considering they are 9 spots ahead of the Red Wings, who are ahead of the Flyers in the standings, and both have played equally well as of late (with the Red Wings surging a bit toward the end of the week).
BL Woods ·
Doug
Pippen: I think you're overlooking Scooter's point. I think he
conceeds the Flyers should rise and the Bruins should fall. However,
he's arguing that there shouldn't be any wild fluctuations in the
rankings.
BL Woods ·
Chi-town
homers dismiss media bias. Realize that Boston was dropped eight slots
for losing three straight on the road to bona-fide playoff contenders.
So why is Chicago is rated #7 after losing their last three home
games...while losing five out of their last six games...not to mention
being on the wrong side of a blowout/shutout against the Kings (again at
home).
Justin Schaffter ·
Hawks play this way every year leading up to the playoffs. I'm not worried about it until we got knocked out of the playoffs.
Andrew Moelis ·
Justin
Schaffter - Trust me, they don't. They play VERY well leading up the
playoffs. You want a team that usually dogs it through the regular
season, look at LA
Sergio Bonilla
Justin
Schaffter Having watched all but 3 games this season, this isn't their
typical lackadaisical play leading up to the playoffs. This is about the
level of play they've exhibited all year from their defensive zone.
Steven Conrad ·
In
every cup run the hawks have won since 2010, the Hawks have gone on 3
and 4 game losing streaks in the month of March. The Hawks are a
different animal come playoff time. Everyone knows that! Plus they got
nine more games remaining so Q can start blending up his lines with all
the new acquisitions. I Think they are slowly coming out of their funk
soon. Huge game tomorrow! Stars and Hawks should be a good one.
Steven Conrad ·
Sergio Bonilla Agreed,
Looks like another 4 man rotation in the playoffs. Seabrook-Keith, Hammer-TVR. TVR did play 27 minutes last night, which tells me Roszival, who is slow, will be put in to eat up 8-10 minutes of clock.
BL Woods ·
Steven
Conrad: My original post was to comment on media bias. It wasn't a
comment on the team per se. But responding to your first post in this
thread, teams like the Hawks and Kings have a coach and core set of guys
who've "been there" and certainly won't panic. Last year, Q was
masterful at keeping the ship afloat until the Hawks got Kane back
onboard. As a Kings fan, my concern every year at this time is with the
youngsters and recent acquisitions...will they have enough time to
develop team chemistry and championship level mettle? I don't intend to
be inciteful here, but right now the Kings look like they've gelled
pretty well since the trade deadline. It's certainly not too late as
you've pointed out, but the Hawks have some work to do.
Eric Hampton ·
Everyone
talking about how hot the Kings are.. Umm the Penguins are actually the
hottest team right now winning 6 straight all against metro division
opponents went from the second wild card to 2nd place in the division
within a 2 week span.. I hope they can remain flying under the radar
with all the Caps and Kings talk but the Pens easily look like the best
team the past week and a half if we are doing this on a week by week
basis
Doug Pippen
The
Pens have been the hottest team for the past 2 weeks, especially this
past week -- but the weeks prior to that they were mostly alternating
wins and losses.
I think 6-game winning streak and the 8-2 record in the past 10 is the reason for their big jump, but they still shouldn't be ahead of the Kings or Caps. Having said that, the Pens DO have one of the top (if not THE top, but I'm not sure) records in the NHL since January 1. Too bad they were playing such mediocre hockey prior to that. 
Dan Werthner ·
Works at Self-Employed
definitley, some big games in that stretch, and some biggies to come hopefully geno is ready to go come playoffs
Doug Pippen
Dean
Marriott -- I don't know about that. The changes that have been made
to the Pens to add the team speed (Carl Hagelin, Trevor Daley, plus
their AHL youngsters) have really changed the entire look of that team,
and helped their existing stars thrive (Crosby is on fire, climbing up
in the scoring race).
Like I said above, prior to the team makeover, they were in fact mediocre. But the new speed and new systems has made them one of the hottest team since the beginning of calendar year 2016.
Dean Marriott ·
Doug
Pippen Rush teams like Pittsburgh would wilt in the Western Conference.
Only Washington in the East has any chance aganist the heavy teams out
West. Kings will win 3rd cup in 5 years to surpass Chicago as eras best.
Dean Marriott ·
Doug
Pippen My bad Doug, however Pittsburgh is 3-8 vs West top 5 teams. I
don't see how Penguins could hould hold up in a 7 game series with the
big boys.
Doug Pippen
Dean
Marriott -- With that team playing much better than they were prior to
the beginning of the calendar year, I think they may be able to
compete.
They just dominated two teams in Washington and Philly who tried to intimidate the Penguins with physicality, with the Pens' stout defense holding both of those teams to 18 shots and 17 shots, respectively. The Penguins basically just shrugged off the Caps attempts at being physical. One of the Pens' speedy younsters (Bryan Rust) also happens to be one tough SOB. Trevor Daley and Justin Schultz were in the west long enough to help the team understand how to play against West defenses (although Schultz is an offensive Dman).
Dean Marriott ·
David Lee We will see. I'm certainly not discounting the Ducks chances. Still not sold on the Ducks blue line and goalies.
Dean Marriott ·
Doug Pippen Sid has certainly stepped up. Are the Pens better off trading Malkin for some blue line help or a little grit?
George Hart ·
Dean
Marriott You are kidding about trading Malking right? He was easily
their best player when Sid struggled the first half of the season. Gino
is able to take over a game when he is in his "zone". Rule of thumb is
you don't trade superstars for a package of average to good players.
If they traded him it would have to be for another superstar AND a high
draft pick.
Dean Marriott ·
how
has that worked out? Penguins routinely pushed around in playoffs. If
any team is in need of getting tougher it's Pittsburgh. Malkin for a
stud dman like Webber you would not do that?
BL Woods ·
Dean
Marriott: Last year around this time, Gretsky said that if the Hawks
won the Cup in 2015 (three championshipships in six years), they should
be considered the equivalent of a modern day dynasty. To your point, a
team acheiving the same in less time would be a greater accomplishment.
GKG!
Scott Thomas ·
Dean
Marriott Maybe you haven't noticed but the Metro is 118-74-21 vs the
West and 59-39-6 vs the "powerful" Central. Last I checked a couple
days ago the top 4 central teams were 12-15-6 vs the 5 Metro teams in
playoff contention. The days of the "AHL metro division" as Western
conference fans liked to put it a couple years ago are long gone.
Dean Marriott ·
Scott Thomas Even though the Pacific is top heavy, no division can top the 3 California teams.
Gregory Fidler ·
I
complain a lot when these rankings suck. So I will do the opposite and
give them praise when they get it right. I'm a Rangers fan and agree
100% with this. NYR did not earn the right to be in the top ten this
week. Kings, Caps and Pens are the best in the league right now. Well
done.
Sonny Oropilla
No
other teams deserved the number 1 ranking this week than my team.. They
are on a mission this year to bring the cup back to LA..
GO KINGS!
Gregory Fidler ·
Was
at the Kings/Blackhawks game last Monday and I am a Rangers fan and
watched that game this week too. Kings are insane right now. My pick to
win it all again for sure.
 
Mark Johnson ·
The
Kings are hitting playoff stride right now, which bodes well. Also,
they understand how close they are to #1 in the conference and home ice
throughout the Western Conference. It would be great to see them get
there. Games in hand and just beating 5 big time opponents gives them a
great shot. However, the Caps have been great all year and with Willy
they have a good chance to win it all.
 
Jessica Block
There
are 2 seasons in the NHL. Regular AND playoffs. These rankings are
meaningless, but it's always fun to watch the arguments. I think the
top spot is correct right now. LA just defeated Washington, Chicago,
Dallas, Rangers and Boston (with a loss to New jersey). I'd say that's
pretty impressive. Here's hoping the Leafs can lose 10 in a row and
with some luck, win the lottery (albiet last year was the REAL lottery).
Guillermo Vázquez
The
team that's been 1st or tied for 1st in the West all year long, is
number 6 every week in McDonald's rankings. You'd think after being tops
in the West since the start of the season he'd slide them into 2nd or
3rd ... or even 4th. But every week he finds 5 teams ahead of them,
despite the Stars not just routinely beating but blowing out CHI,
playing in hockey's toughest division and leading it all season long. If
Dallas wins the Cup, McDonald will have them 6th at season's end.
Andrew Moelis ·
The
difference between Chicago and Dallas is that Chicago has won 3 Cups in
the last 6 years and Dallas has been routinely mediocre. Since a lot
of this is akin to a playoff preview, that is why Chicago is
consistently getting more respect than Dallas.
Besides, in a 7 game series, who do you pick? Maybe I'd take Dallas over Pittsburgh. But the Stars would their doors blown off by any of the other four teams ahead of them
Guillermo Vázquez
Andrew
Moelis I dont dispute that. Congrats to Chicago and its franchise
revival. But that doesnt mean Dallas should be ranked 6th every week.
Having won cups gives you cred, which should help shoot you up the
rankings faster when you're on a hot streak than teams with little cred.
But the Stars "hot streak" has been ... the entire season, as theyve
led the West and Central the entire season. Past credit or not, to be no
better than 5th week after week is idiotic.
The Kings are the best in the league, they can "blow" anyone's doors off. The Blues would give Dallas trouble. Against anyone else it would be a great series. 
Tim Krause ·
Andrew Moelis As a Stars fan the only Team above them that I would truly worry about is the Kings.
Dean Marriott ·
Andrew
Moelis I would worry more about LA than Chicago this year. Lack of
depth especially the Center position will finally catch up to the Black
Hawks this year.
Michael Weiss ·
Andrew Moelis you can't consider past SEASONS in power rankings! Come on man. Find a better reason
Chris Muller ·
it's
kind of funny how people call other bandwagon fans. I'm a kings fan for
over 20 years now. it's been a while but look up these stats for the
past 15 years. Google nhl attendance. 2000-2009 or 2010 Blackhawk fans
were near last I'm home attendance. once hawks started to win they
became number 1 and always near the top. look at the same stats for the
kings and they always had top 8-20 middle of the pack in attendance
records. so even though kings had bad years attendance was always in the
middle compared to Blackhawk fans being near dead last. go figure look
at the stats and tell me who the real bandwagon fans are
Chris Muller ·
Google
nhl attendance look year by year I just did chi always near the bottom
kings #11 or 12 Blackhawk were number 29 couple times just about dead
last look it up your self.
Jamie Garland ·
Whatever
this guy is smoking, id like to have some. The Caps are up by almost 20
points and are 11 better on wins than the Kings. Sure theyre the best
in the West but the Caps are still a better team overall.
  
Glenn Rylands Jr. ·
The
power rankings are about the current hottest team. With the Kings it
is pretty much a visual thing. You watch their games and you just know
that right now no one wants to play them.
Mike Gallo ·
Hail
to the KINGS.. NOBODY wants to play them in the playoffs. 6-0-1 in
their last 7 games. All this without Gaborik. Looch was a huge pick up
for the KINGS...
BL Woods ·
Yes,
lucky Luc has been playing great this month. If my memory is correct,
Kopitar has more points since Thanksgiving than any other player.
Satomi Derrick Suzuki ·
The
Sharks still have the best record in the NHL in 2016, and just recently
beat Washington, Boston, and NYR, yet they are still 10th. I think all
the California teams should at least be in the top 7.
BL Woods ·
Kings
fan and I agree. With that said, Boston got bounced eight notches for
losing all three games on their recent California road trip. With that
kind of a power ranking nose-dive you woulda thought the Bruins lost to
three cellar dwellers. Slap in the face to the Bruins and all three west
coast teams.
Satomi Derrick Suzuki ·
BL
Woods yeah, I failed to notice that. The Bruins actually played the
Sharks the best out of those three teams I mentioned. The Bruins are a
darn good team.
 
Brandon Pineda ·
William
Reid salty much? The ducks and kings might as well be a coin toss for
whose better. Their stats, especially when it comes to defensive metrics
are nearly identical and they play the same type of game. The Sharks
are a tough team to beat for sure, and would be a really rough draw for
anyone in the playoffs, however I don't see them making out of the first
round because they will match up against one of the two SoCal teams,
which are just better all the way around. An analyst the other day was
talking about Chicago only being 5 points away of both first and a wild
card spot. Could you imagine them dropping to a wild card spot and the
first round match ups could be any combination of Chicago, Kings, Ducks,
and Sharks? Talk about a bracket of death. The rest of the league would
breathe a little easier knowing those teams would eliminate each other
instead of rampaging through their brackets.
Satomi Derrick Suzuki ·
Brandon
Pineda As a Sharks fan, the idea of facing Anaheim or L.A. In the first
round is going to be rough, considering this may be one of the deepest
and skilled Sharks teams in a while. The Sharks can score with the best
of them, but the Ducks and L.A. are outstanding defensively, as you
mentioned. That doesn't bode well in the playoffs for the Sharks. The
Jones/Reimer combo could be work out well, but they need Vlasic back no
the blue line (along with other playing well in front of them). In an
ideal world, I would love to battle out a series win against Anaheim,
and hope that Nashville can somehow take out L.A. Regarding the Hawks
dropping into a wild card spot, that would horrify me if I were a Kings
fan. Could you imagine two first round matchup between arguably the four
most dangerous teams in the West?
BL Woods ·
Brandon
Pineda : Wow, no disrepect to the Preds or Blues, but a interdivisional
series like the Kings/Hawks or Ducks/Hawks in the first round...scary!
The rest of the playoffs would seem anti-climactic after the "Finals"
were played in the first round. A Sharks/Hawks series would be a very
interesting watch too, especially if the Hawks have home ice
(considering the Sharks uncanny ability to win on the road this year).
Scott Tucker ·
The
Stars just pulled 7 out of 10 points during a home stand against 5 of
the toughest teams in the league. The only game they looked bad in was
the loss to LA. Their defense has actually improved sinced the Demers
injury in that Johns has come up and done a fantastic job. Lehtonen has
firmed up as well. As to the ranking? I won't argue with 6 but I'll say
right now that, with 9 games left, I think that they will win the
division and go into the playoffs slotted number 1 out of the west.
Chad Talotta ·
Not exactly the boldest of predictions either, seeing as how they are already the top seed as of now
Andrew Moelis ·
I really don't think the Islanders qualify as one of the toughest teams in the league. 6 seems about right for Dallas.
Scott Tucker ·
Chad
Talotta Yeah, well, I guess I was really responding to all the Hawk and
Caps fans that posted after the Stars had that awful January, that we
were going to fold. We didn't. Right, Hawks fans?
Dan Schardan ·
Gonna
have to disagree despite my profile pic, the Blues are the best regular
season west team it's what we do. So 1st place is where we will finish,
however It's the second season that worries me!!!!!!!!!!!!!LETS GO
BLUES!!!!!!!!!!!!
BL Woods ·
Dan
Schardan: Blues have been solid this year. And have beaten the Kings a
couple of times this year short-handed. But they just seem to be
solid...not really outstanding for any length of time or any any
specific regard. If you think they're that great, convince me
otherwise.
Dan Schardan ·
BL
Woods not trying to convince you just wait and see. The Blues will
finish 1st in the west because winning in the regular season is common
for us. Having the best record in the west going into the playoffs will
be no suprise. Kinda expected really. Getting past the 1st round in the
playoffs now thats another matter lol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!LETS GO
BLUES!!!!!!!!!!
Matt Thomas ·
Pens
don't have what it takes. Skilled but soft. Caps are the new Canucks.
Great regular season team only to die early in the playoffs. Anaheim, LA
and Chicago are the best bets to raise the Cup.
Jeff Johnsen ·
Finally.
Finally!! ESPN gets it right that the KINGS are red hot right now. I
am a Kings Fan and have been one since the Great One #99 was brought in
from Edmonton. I have watched all of the King's games the last several
years and have attended home games. The LA Kings are a culture and
since Coach Sutter has come in, that culture is based upon "hard work"
and "system". It is no surprise that the KINGS are the best defensive
team (goals against) in the NHL. They are a machine. Sutter, in his
"old school" manner, has lifted this team to new heights. CONGRATS
KINGS!!
 
Greg Johnson
The
Kings probably deserve to be in the top spot. But they certainly
didn't get there by beating their local rival, the Ducks. In fact, they
have only beaten the Ducks once in regulation this season....and last
season. I'm thinking the Kings should try to avoid the Ducks in a first
round matchup. That's probably why they're turning it on at a time of
year when they usually don't care about the games at all. They know
they don't want to face Anaheim until they have to.
David Hall
Nearly
every game for the last couple of seasons has been decided by one goal
and we all know who won their only playoff series. The Kings don't fear
the ducks, but duck fans fear the Kings apparently.
Greg Johnson
David
Hall I'm hoping we meet in the first round. The key to a good playoff
run is being able to rest in the early rounds. If that's how you define
fear then I guess we're a scared bunch.
Dean Marriott ·
It's not April yet. The Ducks are the best in the regular season, but we all know what happens in April.
Harpreet Singh ·
The ducks generally have a good record against the kings the last few years. Where has that gotten them in playoffs?
John Tash
Hey
Greg, check the 2013-2014 regular season record between the ducks and
kings. Ducks won 4 out of 5 games. What happened in the playoffs? Thats
right, ducks choked in a game 7 at home. They did however redeem
themselves the following season against the blackhawks, oh wait.
Greg Johnson
John
Tash Check the 2001-2010 record while you're at it. It's just as
relevant. We got an actual shut-down center and you guys ducked out of
the playoffs last season. This season is a different animal.
David Hall
David Lee I think you mean 3rd in 6 years. When the Kings win again this yesr then that will be 3 in 5 years.
Kevin Nestra ·
Works at Music City Tents & Events
gonna be a great game of two of the hottest teams in the west tonight. GP!!
Michael Weiss ·
I'm
not buying the Panthers at 13. Way too low and there is no reason to
take the caps out of 1. Obviously he is trolling for comments.
Matt Dupont
Fantastic
list, I thought the Caps were gonna have to lose 10-0 to the Canucks to
lose top spot. A couple rankings still have them at 1 with Kings at 2.
Kudos.
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