The All-Star break represented a key point in the NHL season as the focus now shifts to the final stretch of the year and most importantly the NHL trade deadline just a few weeks away. The top contenders will look to create even more separation by adding key pieces before the deadline and after another shakeup in the power rankings it’s clear that the top five is far from set to open the month of February. Here is a look at the NHL top five power rankings for this week.
1. Washington Capitals (34-11-6)
Last Week: 1
Stanley Cup Odds: +700
The Capitals followed up a tough 3-2 loss against the New York Islanders with a 5-3 win over the Boston Bruins to hold their ground at the top of the NHL power rankings once again this week. Washington has scored goals in bunches with Evgeni Kuznetsov, Justin Williams and Marcus Johansson stepping up and contributing some outstanding secondary scoring numbers behind the top line of Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie. The Capitals have established themselves as the clear frontrunners in the Presidents trophy race and it will be interesting to see what they do at the deadline as they attempt to go all-in for a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup.
2. Minnesota Wild (33-12-5)
Last Week: 3
Stanley Cup Odds: +700
Minnesota followed up an impressive win over the Edmonton Oilers with an uncharacteristically sloppy loss to the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night but still hold on to the No. 2 spot in these rankings. The Wild have been just as good on the road as at home for the most part this season and like the Capitals they are getting strong contribution from all four lines. Devan Dubnyk has been outstanding with an NHL-best 1.96 goals against average and .933 save percentage this season and as long as he continues to perform at an elite level it’s impossible to overlook Minnesota in the Western Conference.
3. Columbus Blue Jackets (33-12-4)
Last Week: 2
Stanley Cup Odds: +800
Columbus had a message for the rest of the NHL coming out of the All-Star break as they thumped the New York Rangers 6-4 in a game where they chased Henrik Lundqvist. The Blue Jackets have a tough schedule the rest of the way playing in the loaded Metropolitan division but they rank third in the NHL in goals per game and fifth in goals allowed per game so they should be able to weather the storm and keep the pressure on Washington at the top of the standings. The biggest question mark for Columbus is the status of Sergei Bobrovsky as they need their No. 1 to remain healthy and playing at a high level to compete with the best in the NHL.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (31-13-5)
Last Week: 5
Stanley Cup Odds: +800
The Penguins are another team that needs their No. 1 netminder to perform at an elite level and right now that means Matt Murray taking the reigns. Murray has made seven straight starts for Pittsburgh and he has posted a 5-2-0 record over that span while allowing two or fewer goals in four of those contests. Evgeni Malkin is once again sidelined with a lower body injury so the Penguins’ depth will be tested this week. Pittsburgh will be among the teams going all-in at this year’s trade deadline so it will be interesting to see who they are able to pick up.
5. Montreal Canadiens (30-14-7)
Last Week: –
Stanley Cup Odds: +750
The fact that the Canadiens have managed to build a nine-point cushion for the best record in the Atlantic division – despite all of the injuries they are dealing with – is extremely impressive. After all, Montreal just recently welcomed back Alex Galchenyuk, Andrei Markov, David Desharnais and Andrew Shaw from injuries after each of those four players missed extended time. The Canadiens could be in the market for a top-six forward (they typically are at the trade deadline every year) with their No. 2 center spot still the biggest question mark. With Carey Price, Shea Weber and a healthy top-nine forward group, it’s clear that Montreal has what it takes to contend for a Stanley Cup this season. They look like they are built for the playoffs.
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