The NHL power rankings stay the same at the top as the Tampa Bay Lightning are still the favorites. They continue to be the cream of the crop in the league, sitting atop the Eastern Conference and holding the most points in the NHL. They’ve been effective at both ends of the ice as they’re one of the highest-scoring teams on offense and one of the best defensive teams. That last point is what’s really changed for this team as they used to be all-offense, no defense.
In the West, the St. Louis Blues continue to set the pace while the Los Angeles Kings, Winnipeg Jets and Las Vegas Knights are hot on their trail. Here’s a look at this week’s NHL power rankings.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning
Last Week: 1
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +650
The Lightning (13-2-2) have an eight-point lead in the Atlantic Division as they lost to the New York Rangers in overtime at home, then beat Columbus in a shootout, also at home, and then they won in San Jose and Los Angeles. They’ll finish their road trip in Anaheim, and then it is back home to host Dallas, the New York Islanders and Chicago. Steven Stamkos (four goals, five assists) and Nikita Kucherov (four goals, six assists) have combined for 19 points over their last five games.
2. St. Louis Blues
Last Week: 5
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +850
The Blues (13-3-1) have an eight-point lead atop the Central Division after losing at home to Philadelphia, but they also won at home over Toronto and Arizona in a shootout, as well as winning in New Jersey. This week, the Blues host the New York Islanders, and then they head out to visit Calgary and Edmonton. Vladimir Tarasenko is starting to heat up as he has three goals and five assists in his last five games.
3. Toronto Maple Leafs
Last Week: 3
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +1000
The Maple Leafs (10-7-0) are second in the Atlantic Division as they lost in Los Angeles and St. Louis, but they won at home over Vegas in a shootout and they also beat Minnesota. They have a home-and-home with Boston, and they’ll also host New Jersey. This will be a broken record this season, but the Maple Leafs will be judged by their defense. In their two losses, they allowed 11 goals; in their two wins, they allowed four goals.
4. Pittsburgh Penguins
Last Week: 2
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +1000
The Penguins (9-6-2) are second in the Metropolitan Division as they lost in Calgary in overtime and in Vancouver, but they won at home over Arizona. They Penguins head to Washington and Nashville, as well as Ottawa, and then they host Buffalo. The Penguins scored three goals in each of their wins, but combined for three goals in their two losses. This sounds easy to say, but the Penguins have to score goals to get wins.
5. Los Angeles Kings
Last Week: 6
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +1200
The Kings (11-3-2) have a five-point lead in the Pacific Division as they won at home over Toronto, but they lost to Nashville in overtime and Tampa Bay, both at home, and they also lost in Anaheim. They will stay at home to host San Jose, Vancouver and Boston this week. Anze Kopitar had a goal and six assists over his last five games, although he is also a -4 in plus/minus.
6. Columbus Blue Jackets
Last Week: 4
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +1350
The Blue Jackets (9-6-1) are third in the Metropolitan Division after they won in Florida, then lost in Tampa Bay in a shootout and in New York against the Rangers, and then they lost at home to Nashville. The Blue Jackets will host Carolina, and then head out to Detroit and Montreal, and then back home to host the Rangers. The Blue Jackets allowed 12 goals in in their three losses, but they’re still 10th in the league in goals allowed.
7. Nashville Predators
Last Week: —
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +1800
The Predators (8-5-2) are third in the Central Division as they won in Anaheim, Los Angeles in overtime and Columbus, and then they’ll host Pittsburgh and Washington, then visit Minnesota. Pekka Rinne has been playing well lately, allowing 11 goals in his last five starts, posting a .936 save percentage. Rinne has to play this well as the Predators are 23rd in the NHL in goals allowed and they have to start giving their star goalie some more help at the offensive end of the ice.
8. New Jersey Devils
Last Week: 8
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +2000
The Devils (9-4-2) are tops in the Metropolitan Division after losing in Edmonton and Calgary in a shooutout, and they also lost at home to St. Louis and the Oilers in overtime. The Devils are eighth in the NHL on goals scored, but last week, they scored 10 goals in four games. They were also outshot in three of their four games, and in the game in which they had the edge in shots, it was only by two shots. This seems to be a regression to the mean for the Devils, but they can’t afford to fall much farther.
9. Washington Capitals
Last Week: 7
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +2000
The Capitals (8-7-1) are seventh in the Metropolitan Division after won at home over the New York Islanders and Arizona in overtime, and in Boston, but they lost in Buffalo. They’ll host Pittsburgh and Edmonton this week, along with visits to Nashville and Colorado. Braden Holtby is trying his best to keep the Capitals in every game as he is 4-1 in his last five starts with 14 goals allowed and a save percentage of .912. The Capitals have to be the biggest disappointment of the season so far, but you have to think that they’ll turn it around at some point.
10. Winnipeg Jets
Last Week: —
NHL Stanley Cup Odds: +2200
The Jets (8-3-3) are second in the Central Division as they swept a home-and-home with Dallas, but they lost in overtime at home against Montreal. They’ll head out on the road to Vegas and Arizona next, then the Jets will host Arizona and Philadelphia. Connor Hellebuyck has been fantastic between the pipes for the Jets, going 4-0-1 in his last five starts, allowing 10 goals with a save percentage of .940.
The 2017-18 odds to win the Stanley Cup have been posted. Click here to get the latest lines from BetDSI, including moneylines, totals, props and futures!
