The St. Louis Blues were already considered legitimate Stanley Cup contenders heading in to this season, but the recent offensive explosion that has come from a trio of young stars has forced the oddsmakers to take note. Vladimir Tarasenko, Jaden Schwartz, and Jori Lehtera have become the Blues most dangerous offensive trio and that has led to St. Louis climbing the NHL power rankings once again this week.
1. Chicago Blackhawks
Championship Odds: +700
It was only a matter of time before an offense that features Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and Marian Hossa started scoring more consistently and we saw that from the Blackhawks this past week. Kris Versteeg moved to the top line along with Toews and Kane while the other three lines were moved around after Patrick Sharp went down with an injury. The Blackhawks have enough scoring power even without Sharp that they weren’t going to worry about a lack of scoring early on but what has stood out is their improvements in their own end. Chicago’s average of 1.9 goals allowed per game ranks second in the NHL and is a big reason why they are at No. 1 in the NHL power rankings.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins
Championship Odds: +800
Pittsburgh’s defensive play or lack thereof was exposed in a brutal loss to the New York Rangers on Tuesday but one game isn’t going to change much for the league’s highest scoring team. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have led the way for an offense that has averaged a league-best 3.9 goals per game and as long as that tandem stays healthy the Penguins will be at or near the top of the NHL power rankings.
3. Boston Bruins
Championship Odds: +900
The Bruins won five of their next six games after they lost their captain and best defenseman in Zdeno Chara and there is little reason to expect this team to slow down once they get healthy. Boston is also waiting on the healthy return of second line center David Krejci and the fact that this team has continued to find ways to win games without key players is very impressive. Patrice Bergeron is one of the league’s quietest superstars and he has raised his level of play again next to Brad Marchand and Reilly Smith on the Bruins top line.
T-4. Los Angeles Kings
Championship Odds: +1000
The line of Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli, and Tanner Pearson hasn’t slowed down and Saturday’s dominant win over the Vancouver Canucks was another reminder of just how good the Kings are. Los Angeles has continued to win games despite Anze Kopitar, Marian Gaborik, and Slava Voynov all missing time and it’s no secret they are one of the deepest teams in the league. Jonathan Quick has continued to provide dominant goal-tending and the Kings will only get better as they get healthy again.
T-4. St. Louis Blues
Championship Odds: +1000
Lehtera, Schwartz, and Tarasenko have combined for 21 goals already this season and many of them have made the highlight reels. The play of the Blues young stars has helped take some of the pressure off of veterans David Backes and Alex Steen while St. Louis hasn’t missed a beat at the defensive end of the ice. Brian Elliott has been very consistent as the Blues starting goalie but it might only be a matter of time before Jake Allen steals the No. 1 job. There aren’t many teams that can compete with the balance that St. Louis has played with this season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQVnIKUd-6k
T-4. Tampa Bay Lightning
Championship Odds: +1000
Tampa Bay is another team that has benefited tremendously from the play of their young stars as Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, and Nikita Kucherov have all played at a high level. That has take some of the pressure off of one of the league’s most dominant snipers in Steven Stamkos who continues to show why he is one of the league’s biggest superstars. Ben Bishop is one of the league’s most underrated goalies and he’s among the biggest reason why the Lightning have been able to overcome the absence of injured defenceman Victor Hedman without missing a beat.
7. Anaheim Ducks
Championship Odds: +1200
The Ducks have overcome injuries to remain among the top teams in the West although Corey Perry’s absence has exposed their lack of scoring depth up front. Anaheim has continued to win games thank to its strong defensive play and the performance of rookie netminder Frederik Andersen but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they attempted to address their lack of scoring through a trade. Even with Perry out of the lineup head coach Bruce Boudreau hasn’t moved Danny Heatley from the fourth line and it’s safe to stay his addition hasn’t had the impact management thought it would when they signed him.
8. Montreal Canadiens
Championship Odds: +1400
Montreal has found its offensive touch again after a goal drought that cost the team during its western road trip and the reinsertion of rookie Jiri Sekac on the third line has been a big part of it. Sekac has three points in his last two games and even when he isn’t scoring he is creating chances and keeping the puck out of the Canadiens end, which is crucial for a team that doesn’t score many goals. The top two lines have to find a way to be more consistent if Montreal is going to contend. Carey Price continues to perform at an elite level and had given the Canadiens a chance to win in every game he has started.
T-9. Minnesota Wild
Championship Odds: +1600
The loss of Zach Parise on the top line has devastated the Minnesota offense as Thomas Vanek’s promotion to the top line has done little to make up for Parise’s loss. Rookie goalie Darcy Kuemper hasn’t played at the elite level that he was at to start the season and the Wild have to be excited that veteran Josh Harding is close to returning. Minnesota has done an excellent job in front of Kuemper but the lack of scoring has made them that much more vulnerable when they do give up goals.
T-9. San Jose Sharks
Championship Odds: +1600
It’s hard to explain how a team with as much talent as the Sharks loses to teams like the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers but the reality is that they have been far too inconsistent at both ends of the ice. Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, and Logan Couture continue to produce at a high level but they haven’t gotten much support from the bottom two lines and they have been exposed in situations where everyone expects them to win. San Jose continues to find ways to leave points on the table and that will really hurt them when they miss out on home advantage in the playoffs once again this year.
T-9. Vancouver Canucks
Championship Odds: +1600
Ryan Miller leads the NHL with 11 wins while the Sedin brothers have finally found the perfect compliment on the first line with sniper Radim Vrbata. Nick Bonino has done well to offset the loss of Ryan Kesler and the approach that head coach Willie Desjardins has taken with his team has resulted in a more motivated group. There is still concern about Vancouver’s scoring depth but as long as Miller and the top line stays healthy the Canucks will have a fighting chance in most games.
T-12. New York Islanders +2000
T-12. New York Rangers +2000
14. Nashville Predators +2800
T-15. Detroit Red Wings +3300
T-15. Philadelphia Flyers +3300
T-15. Toronto Maple Leafs +3300
T-15. Washington Capitals +3300
