Think Auston Matthews is all that? Yes, he is, but who has really been the most impressive player on Toronto recently? For a team infested with rookies, it might be 25-year-old veteran Nazem Kadri. He has a six-game point streak, including five goals, and is a big reason why the Leafs have shot up to 12th in the NHL Power Rankings and third in the Atlantic Division.
Washington has moved up to the top spot with their outrageous offense, while the Islanders and Jets have essentially imploded.
1. Washington Capitals (64 points)
Previously 3 (59 points)
Braden Holtby was hot. Then the second period in Pittsburgh happened. The offense, however, is still white hot. Even with the Penguins scoring eight goals on Monday, the Caps have outscored opponents 27-11 in their last five games, and they stretched their now-extinct winning streak to nine. With help from Alex Ovechkin in his Ovi-Office, Matt Niskanen scored twice in Sunday’s shutout win against Philly, and his four goals have come in two different games, with the other being in the road victory in Brooklyn on December 13. Holtby now has shutouts in three of his last six starts, and Philipp Grubauer added another one on Sunday.
2. Columbus Blue Jackets (64 points)
Previously 1 (60 points)
Washington is not making life easy for the Blue Jackets, but Columbus did become the first team to reach 30 wins this season. Sergei Bobrovsky, who missed three games with an illness, returned to the crease on Tuesday and stopped 24 of 25 Carolina shots to preserve his league-leading 27th win of the season. No other goalie has more than 24.
3. Minnesota Wild (61 points)
Previously 6 (55 points)
The Minnesota Twins, who were the worst team in the MLB in 2016, could use some helpful hints from the Wild game on Tuesday. Two of their three goals came on baseball-like swings at the net from Jared Spurgeon and Erik Haula. Yet the Wild did something the Twins have familiarity with: lose. Nonetheless, the Wild are still tied with Chicago for the most points in the Western Conference.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (61 points)
Previously 2 (57 points)
You must have had a good week when you score 12 goals on the two division leaders in the Eastern Conference. Not exactly. They also allowed 18 goals this week, including a couple beatdowns in Ottawa and Detroit. That is why they trail both Columbus and Washington. Evgeni Malkin has a five-game point streak, including a hat trick in the second period on Monday to help the Pens end the Capitals’ nine-game winning streak.
5. Chicago Blackhawks (61 points)
Previously 4 (59 points)
Something is seriously wrong with the Blackhawks. They cannot seem to put a complete game together against the league-worst Avalanche. They were fortunate to get away with the win in a high-scoring game (Notice a theme with the Tuesday games). It was consolation for a dreadful week in which they were bombarded in Washington and lost a crucial home game against Minnesota. The Kane-Panarin-Anisimov line could get a makeover if the younger players continue to emerge. On Tuesday, Vinnie Hinostroza, a Chicago native and Blackhawk sixth-round pick in 2012, scored both the tying and winning goals. He found the back of the net for the first time in 2017. Marian Hossa also got his 600th assist on Tuesday.
6. Montreal Canadiens (60 points)
Previously 7 (58 points)
Suddenly Carey Price looks mediocre. He has had one good game since January 3, and that was in a 1-0 loss in Detroit on Monday. In his four other latest starts, he has allowed four goals on three occasions and seven goals in a brutal loss in Minnesota on Thursday. The Canadiens have been wildly inconsistent this season, and that could be a severe issue come April. At this point, one can assume the Canadiens will not blow this one.
7. New York Rangers (57 points)
Previously 5 (57 points)
Oh no. They were part the highest-scoring game on Tuesday, and it was ugly. Henrik Lundqvist, who has been one of the most inconsistent goalies of the season, allowed seven goals in two periods before Alain Vignault finally pulled him against the Stars. Then Magnus Hellberg came in and kept the Stars scoreless in the third period and almost helped the Rangers come all the back to force overtime. Hellberg probably won’t overtake the King this season, but Antti Raanta, who is currently out for a week with a lower body injury, and his 2.23 GAA could do just that when he returns. Besides, he did have the unbelievable five-game stretch in December. Lundqvist’s time in Manhattan could be running out if he cannot fix his confidence.
8. Anaheim Ducks (59 points)
Previously 9 (52 points)
It was not a perfect week, but it was enough to push Anaheim up to the top of the Pacific Division. With Colorado (twice) and Winnipeg on the schedule for the remainder of January, things are looking up for the defending division champions. After allowing just four goals in his three starts this week, John Gibson now has a 1.36 GAA and a 95.7 save percentage in January. As if the goaltending was not good enough, Jonathan Bernier contributed a shutout of his own in Glendale on Saturday.
9. San Jose Sharks (56 points)
Previously 8 (52 points)
What an amazing season series between San Jose and Los Angeles! Three of the first four games between the two teams were hotly contested, and Wednesday was another nail biter at the Staples Center. It capped off a solid week that started off poorly when St. Louis shut the Sharks at home on Saturday. Timo Meier, San Jose’s first-round pick in 2015, recorded is first career multi-point game on Monday. His second career goal came on a breakaway after Joel Ward, who had a shorthanded goal earlier in the game, took a ferocious hit on the pass to Meier.
10. Edmonton Oilers (57 points)
Previously 10 (49 points)
Sorry, James Reimer, but Connor McDavid‘s overtime goal went in. Keep you glove out of the net next time. Earlier in that game. McDavid assisted a Zack Kassian goal to give him 100 career points, and the Oilers have now won four straight games to keep pace in the Pacific Division.
11. St. Louis Blues (51 points)
Previously 11 (47 points)
Suddenly, that California trip is looking simple. St. Louis fell flat in LA, but they cruised in San Jose before using the Patrik Berglund force to defeat Anaheim in OT. But actually, though. Berglund scored both of St. Louis’s goals in that game, and 10 of his 11 goals have come since Dec 15, including six in January. Just because he is 28, does not mean he cannot have a rebirth in St. Louis.
12. Toronto Maple Leafs (50 points)
Previously 17 (44 points)
The Maple Leafs have basically become the Cinderella team of the the Eastern Conference. They were the WORST team in the NHL last year, but a roster that contains six rookies have led Toronto into a deadlock with Ottawa for third place in points, and each of them have played six fewer games than the 52-point Bruins. So they are basically second in the division. Yet Nazem Kadri, the troubled 25-year-old center, might be the hottest player on the team. He has a six-game point streak, including two bruising goals in Ottawa, and now has 18 goals for the year. He is on pace to rush past 30 goals for the first time in his career.
13. Ottawa Senators (50 points)
Previously 13 (46 points)
Watch it, Toronto. The other Ontario team in hot on your heels. Remember when Auston Matthews had four goals in his NHL debut? The Sens actually won that game, and with the Leafs beating Ottawa on Saturday, this Saturday’s battle in Toronto could be crucial. With the two teams tied, it is possible to have a tiebreaker scenario between one of the lesser-known rivals in the NHL. It could be very heated come April. The Senators also went off on Tuesday, scoring six times on the Blues, and Mike Hoffman had two more goals to give him four in as many games and a four-game point streak.
14. Calgary Flames (51 points)
Previously 15 (48 points)
The offsides review was Calgary’s worst enemy, for they lost two goals against Florida on two cloooose plays. Nevertheless, they went hot, again, on the power play to dispatch the Panthers for their only victory of the week. They regained a little separation in the wild card race. Mikael Backlund continues to roll this season, for he had two more goals in a 13-second span on Tuesday (Calgary had five goals of their own on that offense-happy day). He is the first Flame to surpass 30 points this season.
15. Philadelphia Flyers (50 points)
Previously 14 (48 points)
Got to wonder what is wrong. The Flyers struggled to get past Vancouver on Thursday, and the wheels really fell off in Boston and Washington. Expect more Michal Neuvirth and less Steve Mason, who has just one win since Philly’s 10-game winning streak. Sean Couturier had his first multi-point game since Opening Night in the win over the Canucks.
16. Boston Bruins (52 points)
Previously 12 (49 points)
So Claude Julien watched his team get shut out by the Islanders at home on Monday and blow a 4-1 lead to Detroit on Wednesday. They are still in second in the Atlantic Division, but they have played six more games than Ottawa and Toronto. That means the Bruins are realistically out of a playoff spot again. I bet you Julien is the next one to get fired, and it might be very soon. Brad Marchand had an incredible game on Saturday, with two goals and three assists against the Flyers. He added two more assists on Wednesday to reach the Top 5 in total points in the NHL.
17. Los Angeles Kings (48 points)
Previously 16 (44 points)
As Los Angeles prepares to host the All-Star Game, the Kings now hit the road with their playoff situation very hazy. They are still the owner of the second wild card spot, but Vancouver is tied with them, and three other teams could pass the Kings before the break. Losing to San Jose for the third time this season did not do the Kings any good. Jeff Carter, a deserved all-star, scored his third overtime goal and eighth game-winning goal of the season over Winnipeg on Saturday. He is now tied with Marian Hossa for most game-winning goals this season, and the Kings are 9-1 in games decided in overtime.
18. Carolina Hurricanes (49 points)
Previously 18 (45 points)
Carolina has become very familiar with Columbus this month, and after topping them last week, the Jackets got their redemption on Tuesday. Their power play has been dreadful, failing to score in their last 12 chances and six games. On the other hand, their penalty kill has been excellent. They have stopped the last 12 chances over the past six games, and they are now first in penalty kill percentage (89.1%). No wonder they are just one point behind Philadelphia for the second wild card. Alex Nedeljkovic made his NHL debut on Tuesday. After replacing Cam Ward in goal, he stopped all of Columbus’s 17 shots after entering the game.
19. Florida Panthers (48 points)
Previously 19 (46 points)
They are not doing very well out west, but they did beat Columbus. That is always a plus. Vincent Trocheck, meanwhile, is proving his worth as an all-star. He has six goals during his six-game point streak, but he could have used some help in Calgary. He scored both Florida goals, and the defense let up in the second period.
20. Tampa Bay Lightning (47 points)
Previously 22 (42 points)
They played in California this week, and they certainly played like it. Little offense, plenty of defense. Of course, it would have been nice if Ben Bishop did not argue with the referees in Anaheim. That is how Ryan Getzlaf scored the only regulation goal for the Ducks on Tuesday. Add on a power play goal from Rickard Rakell in overtime, and Bishop literally cost the floundering Lightning the game.
21. Nashville Predators (47 points)
Previously 24 (41 points)
Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros are both doing great to begin 2017. This week, Saros held the Bruins to just one goal on 36 shots. Meanwhile, Rinne has allowed just three goals in his last two starts, but he was the hard luck loser in Vancouver on Tuesday. Nashville has been very active in the transaction pool lately. They recently traded for Cody McLeod, who scored on his former team in his first game as a Pred, and picked up Brad Hunt and Derek Grant off waivers. With all of the players with NHL experience in the AHL at the moment, this team is one of the deepest clubs for the second half of the season.
22. New Jersey Devils (47 points)
Previously 27 (40 points)
Sometimes one cannot predict things. The Devils salvaging seven points on their northwestern road trip is one of them. Their only blemish was losing in overtime in Rogers Place. Just like that, the Devils are right back in the playoff mix. Amazingly, the offensively challenged Devils surpassed two goals just once this week, but Kyle Palmeiri got a goal and an assist in wins in both Calgary and Minnesota.
23. Vancouver Canucks (47 points)
Previously 23 (44 points)
GASP! Someone bucked the trend on Tuesday! While other teams put up six and seven goals, the Canucks scored just once on Tuesday and shut out Nashville in the process. Ryan Miller had 30 saves for his second shutout in January (and the season), and Henrik Sedin scored the lone goal to record career point number 999.
24. Detroit Red Wings (46 points)
Previously 25 (40 points)
What a huge win for the Wings! They have ripped of three straight wins against three tough teams. Their offense showed up against Pittsburgh and Boston, while the defense shined against Montreal. They are now four points behind the Flyers in the playoff picture, and not all hope is lost for that playoff streak. Gustav Nyquist was the offensive MVP for Detroit this week. He had three goals and three assists, and the third goal knotted the game up against the Bruins.
25. Dallas Stars (46 points)
Previously 21 (42 points)
On two occasions this week, we saw the Dallas of last season. They cruised past Detroit on Thursday, and they really battled in New York on Tuesday. They scored SEVEN times in the first two periods, but shoddy goaltending from Antti Niemi forced Kari Lehtonen to come in and make three saves in the final five seconds to defeat the Rangers. Cody Eakin, who knocked Henrik Lundqvist out in the last meeting between the two teams last year, got the Gordie Howe hat trick on Tuesday. He also got smacked in the face with his helmet, and Chris Kreider was inevitably fined for that action.
26. Winnipeg Jets (46 points)
Previously 19 (41 points)
The Islanders struggled to make the three-goalie strategy work, and they eventually gave up. Now the Jets are doing the same thing after calling up Ondrej Pavelec. Considering the defensive free fall they had during their four-game losing streak, it is not like they could get much worse. On the bright side, Winnipeg is only two points behind LA in the wild-card race, and one of the goalies can easily be sent back to the AHL after the all-star break if need be. Pavelec, by the way, fared well against Arizona on Wednesday, allowing three goals while the offense went off on Mike Smith. Winning his first start of the season is always a confidence boost.
27. Buffalo Sabres (43 points)
Previously 26 (41 points)
For a team that is still in rebuilding mode, missing the playoffs would not be as hurtful as it would be for the Islanders. Yet the Sabres should be doing a little better than the Isles considering the chaos in Brooklyn. Instead, Robin Lehner was pulled in Toronto has looked none too pleased at Dan Bylsma. Not good, and maybe Anders Nilsson‘s revival is almost complete, too. Rookie William Carrier has three goals in his last five games after just one in his first 25, and the last one was on a shaft hack on Tuesday that nearly mirrored Jarred Spurgeon’s goal on the same day.
28. New York Islanders (42 points)
Previously 28 (38 points)
Case closed. The Islanders did the inevitable on Tuesday, firing Jack Capuano following a disappointing first half of the season. He is only the second Islanders coach to reach triple digits in wins during his tenure (Al Arbour was the other one, and he coached the Isles to their four Stanley Cups). The timing is interesting considering their shutout win in Boston on Monday, but it was bound to happen for a team that was supposed to contend for the playoffs. Thomas Greiss got his first shutout of the season in Capuano’s final game, and John Tavares has five goals, and one hat trick, in road games in Florida and Carolina.
29. Arizona Coyotes (32 points)
Previously 29 (30 points)
Arizona can enjoy not having 27 points, but they still have to fight Colorado for the worst offense and defense. They got a complete game against Winnipeg on Friday, but Anaheim and Edmonton steamrolled them, defensively. Then they went to Winnipeg and got another beatdown from a team that was desperate for a win. Brendan Perlini is looking like the most valuable player in Zona. In their lone two wins in January, Perlini has three goals, but has remained silent, like the rest of the team, in their losses.
30. Colorado Avalanche (27 points)
Previously 30 (27 points)
They are keeping their division rivals on their toes in January, but the writing is on the wall. Cody McLeod is the most recent casualty in Colorado. He was traded to Nashville and went on to score in Denver the very next day. Gabriel Landeskog, who scored on a nasty, negative-angle shot on Saturday, could be next. The Avalanche are trying to figure out what they need, but with the worst offense, defense, and second-worst power play, what don’t they need? They also need to do a better job at keeping the wave of Blackhawk fans out of their arena. The Pepsi Center sounded embarrassing on Tuesday.
Bold Predictions:
Last week:
Detroit scores five goals for the first time since December 17 on Thursday against Dallas. Instead, they allowed Dallas to score five times. They scored six on Pittsburgh, however.
Connor McDavid collects at least four points against Calgary on Saturday. Nothing on rivalry night, but the Oilers won in the shootout.
Tuukka Rask shuts out the Isles on Monday. And the Bruins were shut out themselves. Rask was actually pulled after the second period.
This week:
Jakub Voracek scores twice on the Islanders on Sunday.
Vancouver and Chicago go into extra rounds in a shootout on Sunday.
Casey Cizikas gets the overtime winner against Columbus on Tuesday.