Brock Boeser is spectacular, but he is not the only Brock doing damage. Friday featured one of the most dramatic games of the season, as a 5-2 blowout in Brooklyn turned into a jaw-dropping end of regulation and overtime. Brock Nelson was right in the middle of the action, and he completed the hat trick on the overtime winner to sink the Red Wings. That win was highly needed, as the Islanders dropped in the NHL Power Rankings after nearly losing five straight games.
The Bruins continue to creep closer to the top, while four Canadian teams continue to bury their own graves.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning: 79 points
Previously 1 (75 points)
The Bruins and Maple Leafs are not giving the Lightning much room to breathe. After home wins against the Pacific Division, Tampa Bay is just one point ahead of Boston following consecutive road losses within the division. Their schedule lightens up for the remainder of February, so they will have to take advantage if they want to stay on top. Vincent LeCavalier had his number retired before Saturday’s win over the Kings, and Andrei Vasilevskiy had 44 saves to hold off a furious third-period rally.
2. Vegas Golden Knights: 78 points
Previously 2 (74 points)
Vegas has alternated wins and losses since the start of February, which is perspectively bad. Their home loss to Philadelphia was one of the few times they have looked uncompetitive all season, especially in T-Mobile Arena, but their lead in the Pacific Division is still comfortable at the moment. The Knights pulled Tuesday’s win out with a four-goal third period against the sinking Blackhawks, and Brad Hunt tied the game up with a power play goal for his first point since the All-Star break.
3. Boston Bruins: 78 points
Previously 4 (74 points)
Losing to Buffalo was not good, but that might be a fluke. It is just the second regulation loss in 26 games for the Bruins, which are now in the hunt for the Presidents Trophy. They take a Canadian road trip for the next five games starting with Vancouver on Saturday. Patrice Bergeron has points in four straight games after scoring two third period goals against Calgary on Tuesday, and he is starting to enter Hart Trophy conversations after passing the 50-point plateau.
4. Nashville Predators: 77 points
Previously 5 (72 points)
Nashville has points in all of their February games to get really close to passing Vegas. They have needed extra time in their last five games, and the last one had a miraculous finish. Blowing three-goal leads was a theme this week, and the Preds came back from a 3-0 hole to stun the Blues on Tuesday. Austin Watson scored two of those goals in regulation, and Filip Forsberg finished things off with the OT penalty shot.
5. Winnipeg Jets: 75 points
Previously 3 (73 points)
Winnipeg needed a near miracle to avoid a winless week and being on the brink of falling to third place in the Central Division. Then again, the Jets also got Mark Scheifele back from the IR this week, and he turned things up on Tuesday. He scored twice against Washington, including the game-tying, shorthanded goal with 14 seconds left in regulation. He then set up Tyler Myers for the overtime winner halfway through extra time.
6. Toronto Maple Leafs: 75 points
Previously 8 (69 points)
If we learned anything from their five-game home stand, it is that the Maple Leafs are not simply going to settle for third in the Atlantic Division. With the playoffs all but a certainty, the upstart Leafs are making a serious push for the top with five straight home wins and 10 victories in their last 12. The offense continues to sparkle, and there were two players with five points in a game this week. Mitch Marner had two goals and three assists in Saturday’s 6-3 win over Ottawa, while Nazem Kadri picked up the hat trick and two assists in another 6-3 win over Columbus. Add on the fact that Frederik Andersen had 54 saves on Wednesday, and it is clear that this was a perfect week in all facets.
7. Dallas Stars: 70 points
Previously 6 (66 points)
Dallas seemed primed for another jump in the Power Rankings, but that does not happen for teams that lose 6-0 to Vancouver on home ice. They previously had big wins at Chicago and at home against the equally dangerous Penguins. Jamie Benn was crucial in helping the Stars overcome an early hole against Pittsburgh in assisting on all three goals.
8. Pittsburgh Penguins: 68 points
Previously 9 (63 points)
Tell me if you heard this before, but Sidney Crosby is running through history again. In a nationally televised game in St. Louis, the Kid picked up his 400th goal on a sneaky play from a sharp angle. He sealed the win later on with 401. He took a back seat to Zach Aston-Reese on Tuesday, as the rookie picked up his first two NHL goals in his fifth game. As we have seen over and over, any line with Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and/or Phil Kessel on it is going to be dangerous.
9. Washington Capitals: 71 points
Previously 7 (67 points)
Washington has points in four straight games, but they left some crucial points on the table. They needed a huge comeback to preserve one point against Detroit, and they blew a third-period lead in Winnipeg. Both of those losses included very late, game-tying goals, including Nicklas Backstrom‘s tally with 16 seconds left on Sunday. He now has four goals in his last five games.
10. St. Louis Blues: 72 points
Previously 11 (67 points)
Just when the Blues had found some life in two dominant wins, they hit the heartbreak train on Tuesday. Beating Colorado and Winnipeg was huge for their quest for another playoff spot, but will blowing a 3-0 third period lead in Nashville end all of the momentum they had earlier in the week? Vince Dunn led the Blues’s outburst on Thursday with three assists, and it was his first three-point game of his NHL career.
11. Philadelphia Flyers: 66 points
Previously 18 (59 points)
Crazy question that could be a reality. Could the Flyers actually win the Metropolitan Division? They have points in six straight games and are just five points behind Washington for first place. If the offense has anything to say about an unexpected rally, home ice advantage in the first round might not be far fetched. In Philly’s first home game since the hometown Eagles won the Super Bowl, Shayne Gostisbehere led the offensive charge with three assists. He already has 10 assists in February.
12. San Jose Sharks: 68 points
Previously 12 (64 points)
San Jose probably could have done better against the desert teams, but some dramatics in Anaheim (and against Edmonton) is a big reason why the Sharks remain in second in the crowded Pacific division. They begin a Central Division road trip this week, which is never easy. Joe Pavelski paced the Sharks with two goals against Vegas and Edmonton, and Joakim Ryan picked up his first two NHL goals on Saturday, including the go-ahead goal with 147 seconds left in regulation.
13. Minnesota Wild: 68 points
Previously 16 (63 points)
Minnesota started the week off with a bad loss to Arizona, but they recovered with two low-scoring wins to keep the second wild card spot. They begin the Gotham road trip this week. Despite a lopsided shots deficit, the Wild got a huge night from Devan Dubnyk. He made 44 saves to pick up his fourth shutout of the season in Saturday’s win over Chicago. He also made 32 and 36 saves in the other two games.
14. New Jersey Devils: 64 points
Previously 11 (62 points)
New Jersey would love to have Cory Schneider back sometime soon. Keith Kinkaid‘s GAA is well over 3.25 in a replacement role, and the wild card race is starting to get packed. The highly improved offense can only hold on for so long. Kinkaid made 31 saves in Tuesday’s win in Philadelphia, but it was Taylor Hall‘s late goal, and his second of the game, that forced extra time and help the Devils end a four-game losing streak.
15. Calgary Flames: 66 points
Previously 15 (62 points)
The Flames have alternated wins and losses on their eastern swing, and they will end the trip with a visit to Music City. It gets no easier at home, as Calgary has to face a hot Panthers team and the same Bruins that came alive in the third period on Tuesday. Matthew Tkachuk came up big late in Sunday’s victory over the Islanders, scoring both third period goals and sinking the game-winner with just over a minute left. That late goal also helped him reach the 20-goal plateau for the first time.
16. Anaheim Ducks: 65 points
Previously 17 (62 points)
The Ducks took care of business against an inferior Oilers squad, but the rest of the week left something to be desired. After the Sharks came up big late, the Ducks no longer have to take on the in-state rivals for the rest of the regular season, but they will need to make some adjustments on their current road trip if they want to keep their chances of seeing them in the playoffs alive. John Gibson allowed two goals in all three of Anaheim’s games this week, including 37 saves in the shootout loss to San Jose.
17. Colorado Avalanche: 66 points
Previously 13 (62 points)
Despite not having Nathan MacKinnon, the Avalanche are still very much alive in the playoff race. They had some issues on their road trip, but they came out with two tight wins against non-contenders. A huge rush of Canadian teams are up next, and the Hart Trophy candidate should likely return to action at some point. Semyon Varlamov had a much-needed night in Wednesday’s win over Montreal, making 44 saves for his second shutout of the season.
18. Carolina Hurricanes: 63 points
Previously 20 (57 points)
The Hurricanes finished their home stand with three straight wins, but the last of those wins was miles ahead of the others. They got to Jonathan Quick early and often and piled up seven goals to put an exclamation point on their rush to the middle of the wild card race. Four straight divisional games could seriously help or hurt their playoff picture. Justin Faulk picked up his first NHL hat trick early in the second period to start the rout.
19. Los Angeles Kings: 65 points
Previously 14 (63 points)
Lots of things happened this week, and not much of it was good. Dustin Brown was suspended for kneeing, and Jonathan Quick continues to scuffle. The defense may have picked up some relief following a horrific outing on Tuesday, as the Kings traded Marian Gaborik and Nick Shore to Ottawa for Dion Phaneuf and Nate Thompson. It may be time to ride the hot hand in between the pipes because LA’s playoff hopes are far from a certainty at this point.
20. Columbus Blue Jackets: 62 points
Previously 19 (58 points)
Columbus is having some trouble through a huge part of their schedule, but they salvaged two wins in a heavy week. Their lone home game was a 6-1 blowout win against the visiting Devils, and they play them again on Tuesday along with three games against the Pennsylvania teams. Six different players scored for the balanced offense in Saturday’s win, and Pierre-Luc Dubois scored the first goal of the game to continue what would be his first three-game goal streak of his NHL career.
21. New York Islanders: 60 points
Previously 19 (58 points)
It was their only win of the week, but it was certainly one of the biggest wins of the season. After falling behind 5-2 to Detroit in the third period, the Islanders got a gift thanks to Tyler Bertuzzi. They got four power play goals following Bertuzzi’s deliberate injury penalty, and they would eventually pull off the shocking win in overtime. Brock Nelson looked like the Brock out west in picking up the hat trick, and all of his goals came after the second period. Not to be overlooked, Mathew Barzal continued to make SuperBoes work for the Calder Trophy in picking up five assists for the game, and that included setting up Nelson’s OT winner.
22. New York Rangers: 59 points
Previously 22 (55 points)
They are still last in the Metropolitan Division, but wins over Calgary and Winnipeg still puts them in striking distance. They take on their crosstown rivals and Philly with a chance to jump their competition in the standings. Henrik Lundqvist had a big night in upsetting the Jets in their building, making 37 saves and blanking the Jets after the first 66 seconds of the game.
23. Chicago Blackhawks: 56 points
Previously 23 (56 points)
The wheels have come off for Chicago. The wild card contenders are 10 points ahead of the winless-in-February Hawks, and it does not look like the Anthony Duclair trade is going to change fortunes in 2018. Will there be any sells before the end of the month? Alex DeBrincat continued to roll for a team that is stuck at the station. He scored in both Southwest cities this week and has four of the team’s 12 goals for the month. He is third among rookies for goals this season (21).
24. Florida Panthers: 56 points
Previously 24 (52 points)
Their extended Canadian road trip has been spectacular so far. The offense has been unconscious in wins over Vancouver and Edmonton, and Roberto Luongo is back in action for the Panthers. Can they keep the offense going with three tougher opponents on this week’s agenda? Vincent Trocheck carried the Panthers to a high-scoring win on Monday, picking up the hat trick in the third period alone. That also included his eighth and ninth power play goals.
25. Detroit Red Wings: 55 points
Previously 26 (50 points)
Losing the way they did on Friday did the Wings no favors in their attempt to get back into the playoff picture, but they redeemed themselves with tight wins against playoff contenders. They nearly blew their second straight three-goal lead in DC, but Tomas Tatar made sure the Wings got the second point with his second goal of the game in the extra frame. He now has three game-winning goals for the season.
26. Edmonton Oilers: 50 points
Previously 25 (50 points)
Whatever happened to getting a boost from Connor McDavid‘s four-goal night? The Oilers have lost four straight since the captain took things over against the best team in the NHL, including all three games on the California road trip. They have allowed 13 goals in their last two games to offenses that are not known to run up the score. Zack Kassian scored two breakaway goals in Edmonton’s loss to San Jose, and he should be mentioned in trade talks for Eastern Conference teams looking for an enforcer, such as Boston.
27. Montreal Canadiens: 51 points
Previously 27 (50 points)
Besides picking up Logan Shaw, there has not much action for a team that is quickly falling out of the playoff race. Visiting Vegas and going back to Philly is certainly not what they wanted to see after losing three straight this week. Shaw has scored half of his four goals in February after taking advantage of a defensive lapse in the City of Brotherly Love on Thursday.
28. Vancouver Canucks: 50 points
Previously 28 (48 points)
Vancouver is in a battle for sixth place with the Oilers in the Pacific Division. Thanks to a 6-0 stunner in Dallas, the two teams are now tied. Reid Boucher, who had a hat trick in my lone trip to Hartford over Christmas break, showed some of that offensive prowess on Sunday with two goals, including a sharp-angle shot that barely crossed the line early in the game. It was his first points in the NHL this season.
29. Ottawa Senators: 47 points
Previously 29 (45 points)
No team has been more active in the trade market this season than Ottawa. After trading for Matt Duchene in November, they have sold Dion Phaneuf, Nate Thompson, and Chris DiDomenico to LA and Chicago. The expectation is that teams will continue to ask about Mike Hoffman and Erik Karlsson for the rest of February. Hoffman stunned the Predators on Thursday with a full-length OT goal, and it was his 100th NHL goal to boot.
30. Buffalo Sabres: 44 points
Previously 30 (38 points)
Buffalo did a good job at playing spoiler this week. They edged the Islanders, Bruins, and Lightning (without Andrei Vasilevskiy) to get closer to Ottawa in the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. A win in the Canadian capital could put them in position to move into 15th out east. Unfortunately, they will be without Jack Eichel for at least a month after being knocked out of Saturday’s game. Ryan O’Reilly has a goal and two assists in each his last two games and is on pace to have the second best season of his career.
31. Arizona Coyotes: 40 points
Previously 31 (33 points)
We have seen this script before. Arizona throws themselves out of the playoff picture by November and then makes a run to inevitably ruin their draft position. They won three of four and put together a rare domination in Monday’s win over Chicago. Alex Goligoski has points in five straight games and goals in his last three, and he capped the run off with the game-winning goal in San Jose on Tuesday.
BOLD PREDICTIONS:
Last week:
Toronto scores at least four goals in a period against Ottawa on Saturday. Oooooo they were so close to pulling that off in the first period, but Craig Anderson was pulled.
Wayne Simmonds scores three times this week. He only scored once, but the Flyers continue to roll.
Johnny Gaudreau picks up four points in a game this week. He had points in every game, but they were not in bunches.
This week:
Carolina scores six on the porous Islanders defense on Friday.
Toronto beats the Red Wings in at least six rounds of a shootout on Sunday.
Jonathan Toews picks up three assists against Ottawa on Wednesday.
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