This week, we’ll try something different with the NHL Power Rankings: we will give out more large, obtrusive graphics! In the past, only the top ten teams had that honor, but now, you get all 30. Only the top ten will get the blurb, though, because we here at Sports Fieend have lives (no, really).
With that said, there’s no change at the top: the Rangers are still #1. Why, you may ask, being that the Red Wings have more points? It’s simple: the Rangers and Red Wings are just as hot as one another, and though Detroit has one more point, the Rangers have three games in hand.
Let’s go:
NHL Power Rankings, Week 20, 2011-12 season
The Top 10
1
37-13-5 (79 pts)
For their latest trick, the Rangers dominated the defending Stanley Cup champs on their home ice. The Blueshirts are now 9 points clear of their closest competition in the Eastern Conference, and their captain, Ryan Callahan, has been a huge factor in their recent streak. Did we also mention they’ve given up the fewest goals in the NHL?
2
39-17-2 (80 pts)
21 straight wins at home for the Red Wings — if the Western Conference playoffs go through Hockeytown, look out.
3
35-15-6 (76 pts)
The Canucks have gotten points in twelve of their last thirteen games, which obviously helps. They do seem to prefer longer games, however: five of their last six were decided in shootouts.
4
34-15-7 (75 pts)
They might have made a case to slide up to #3, but they lost to the Blue Jackets. Yeah, those Blue Jackets. St. Louis is still very good, though.
5
33-18-6 (72 pts)
The Preds were starting to slip a little, but they got back on track with a needed win against the Blackhawks. On Friday, they face the Red Wings in what should be an excellent game and a possible playoff preview.
6
32-19-5 (69 pts)
The Penguins remain one of the hottest teams in hockey overall, but they’ve split their last six games. Evgeni Malkin has 32 goals now, notching two more in their comeback win over the Lightning. What should concern divisional opponents is that outside of the Flyers and Rangers, their upcoming schedule is very doable for the rest of the month.
7
34-18-2 (70 pts)
The Bruins are clearly losing their edge a little bit, having won just six of their last fourteen games. Getting shut out by the Rangers at the TD Garden was particularly bitter.
8
31-17-6 (68 pts)
The Sharks are embarking upon a nine-game road trip that will take them, amongst other places, to Detroit and Nashville. We’ll find out a little more about what they’re made of, but not a ton, as their opposition is largely easy.
9
32-20-4 (68 pts)
Since getting dumped by the Bruins, 6-1, on January 4, the Devils are 11-4-2.
10
31-18-7 (69 pts)
Philadelphia is sinking, and not just because they can’t beat the Rangers to save their lives: they’ve had a brutal stretch of games also including the Devils, Red Wings, and Predators
