Weekly Power Rankings: Jan 4-10
Traditional power rankings have become boring, biased and predictable, often serving as a simple reflection of the league standings rather than a detailed look into who is actually playing the best hockey at any given time. I want to hit the reset button on ranking teams, so I’ve decided to kick off a new weekly league ranking format that will look only at the past seven days of action in the NHL. In order to determine rankings, I’ve used a mix of team record, goal-share, expected-goal share, special teams, and goaltending.
Here are the power rankings on January 11.
Toronto Maple Leafs (22-15-7)
Does anyone want to trade Auston Matthews anymore? Three dominant wins this week, only allowing two goals. Incredible goaltending, great finishing at even strength. Will the Leafs continue their hot streak all the way back into playoff contention?
Detroit Red Wings (27-15-4)
Detroit beat up on Canada this past week with multi-goal wins against each of Ottawa, Vancouver and Montreal. Patrick Kane hit 500 career goals, John Gibson is on fire and they’re getting offense from every part of their line up.
New York Islanders (25-15-5)
A 2-0-1 week highlighted by a merciless 9-0 beatdown to the New Jersey Devils. New York didn’t play fantastic hockey this week (37% xGF at even strength, outscored on special teams), but they were finishing their chances and backed up by a great week from Ilya Sorokin.
Utah Mammoth (22-20-3)
Utah had an easy schedule, but played great hockey and went 3-0-0 nonetheless. They had average special teams, but every other part of their game shone. Clayton Keller, what a player.
Buffalo Sabres (24-15-4)
Buffalo continues their uncharacteristic climb in the standings kicking off another mini 3-game win streak after their 10-game streak was snapped to Columbus. Their penalty kill took over going 8/9 along with two shorthanded goals!
Tampa Bay Lightning (27-13-3)
The Atlantic Division contenders were spurred forward by 6 points across 2 wins from superstar Nikita Kucherov. How long will his multi-point-game streak last?
Carolina Hurricanes (28-14-3)
The only 4-0-0 team in the league this week. Their perfect record was powered by exceptionally strong even strength play. Carolina outscored opponents 14-6 and this was complimented by a 62% expected goals rate.
San Jose Sharks (23-18-3)
Our final undefeated team this week, San Jose was powered once again by the genius of Macklin Celebrini and a 47% powerplay. They have some red flags, and seem to be getting very lucky, but there is no denying the Sharks are must-watch TV.
Chicago Blackhawks (19-19-7)
The return of Connor Bedard clearly lifted spirits for the young Blackhawks. 39% on the powerplay and 100% on the penalty-kill is a great recipe to win hockey games. Unfortunately, their 5v5 play held them back in their loss to the Capitals.
Vegas Golden Knights (20-11-12)
Big week from Mark Stone with 4 goals, 2 assists and a fight. The Knights keep leading the Pacific Division despite the carousel in net. Their average goaltending was propped up by strong 5v5 play and 3 goals on the powerplay.
Montréal Canadiens (25-14-6)
A strong all-around week for the playoff hopefuls highlighted by a hat-trick from new joiner Alexandre Texier. The young Habs went 3-1-0 this week, cruising until they got shutout by the Red Wings on HNIC.
Edmonton Oilers (22-16-7)
It seems that the Oilers have finally found a third line with Howard-Roslovic-Savoie. Their 5-on-5 play was strong this week and their rank is boosted by their typically strong powerplay. Happy 1,000 points Leon!
Seattle Kraken (20-15-8)
The Kraken were on cruise control until they lost back-to-back contests against Minnesota and Carolina, both contending teams. However, it seems that Seattle has shaken out of it’s early season slump and are now climbing the standings in the indifferent Pacific.
Colorado Avalanche (33-4-7)
2 regulation losses in a row? Never thought I’d see it. Either way, the Avs are right back on track with an 8-2 trouncing of the Sens right before shutting out the Blue Jackets on Saturday night.
Washington Capitals (23-16-6)
Justin Sourdif came out of nowhere with his first career hat-trick against the Ducks. The Caps went 2-1-0, but their powerplay stunk, going 0-for-7 with a shortie against. Otherwise, their goalies played well and they outscored opposition 10-5 at even strength.
Boston Bruins (24-19-2)
Pastrnak and Khusnutdinov, take a bow. 16 total points this week, including 11 against the Rangers in a 10-2 blowout. Sheesh. Biggest thing holding back the Bruins this week was a 50% penalty kill, gotta get that cleaned up soon. I hope all is well with Morgan Geekie and family.
Pittsburgh Penguins (21-13-19)
It’s good to see Stuart Skinner beginning to settle in in his new threads. Also, I loved seeing Malkin blow up some Calgary Flame after they scored on Saturday, even if Calgary scored on the ensuing PP and won the game. I have to say, it’s weird to see the Penguins so close to a wildcard spot at this point in the season given their expectations. Well done to Crosby and the gang.
Los Angeles Kings (19-15-10)
Putting up a win in Edmonton in front of a national audience must feel good for the Kings. Across 4 games this week, the Kings played great at even strength, but lost the special teams battle. They’ll need to improve their PP if they want to get past the Oilers when it really counts this year.
Florida Panthers (23-18-3)
Despite handing the Avs their 3rd regulation loss of the season, it was a rather rough week for the defending (but very injured) two time Stanley Cup champs. Hopefully we see Matt Tkachuk back soon as this team badly needs help in scoring more goals.
Winnipeg Jets (17-22-5)
The Jets finally pulled out of their 11-game losing streak with back-to-back wins against the Kings and Devils. They continue to be a one line team with Scheifele and Connor (and sometimes Villardi) leading the way offensively. However, the most important thing they need to get back on track is for Hellebuyck to rediscover his game. If he’s an average goalie, the Jets aren’t going anywhere.
Minnesota Wild (26-11-9)
The Wild have looked uninspired over their past few games, but they’ve built up enough buffer to afford a stretch like this. With talents like Hughes and Kaprizov, they need to be doing better than 2-11 on the powerplay (plus a SHG against).
Dallas Stars (26-10-9)
The wheels have fallen off a bit for the Stars lately. This week, they fell into a lot of penalty trouble, going down a man 18 times in 4 games, allowing 7 goals against. Oettinger also hasn’t looked like himself lately, going 0-1-1 on the week with a .791 sv%.
Nashville Predators (20-20-4)
Playing against McDavid, Schaefer and Bedard in the same week isn’t fun, and the Preds are looking a bit worse for wear today. Despite great goaltending, they were dominated at 5v5 this week, getting outscored 6-2. I wonder if they’ll start selling off assets soon.
Philadelphia Flyers (22-13-8)
Special teams were a bane for the Flyers this week. Their PP went 2-for-13, with a SHG against and their PK went 5-for-7. You can’t get outscored when you’re getting that good of a whistle. On the bright side, Christian Dvorak is breaking in his new contract with 3 points in 3 games.
Calgary Flames (19-22-4)
The boo birds were out for Jonathan Huberdeau this week. He’s making $10.5 on the cap until 2031! Despite a strong win against the Pens on HNIC, The Flames were doused the rest of the week, while getting outscored 13-3.
Columbus Blue Jackets (18-19-7)
Game nights are long for Blue Jackets faithful right now. Anemic powerplay, awful penalty kill and below average goaltending. The only bright side is they seem to be playing in a bit of bad luck at even strength right now, so we may see some regression in scoring rates in the near future.
Anaheim Ducks (21-21-3)
What happened Anaheim? I had you as sleepers to make the playoffs at the start of the year and you were making me look good until the bottom fell out in December. This week, none of their goalies could make a save and young stars Cutter Gauthier and Leo Carlsson have continued to be quiet after massive starts to the year.
New York Rangers (20-20-6)
Ten goals. TEN GOALS. When the Original Six Boston Bruins break a franchise goal scoring record, you know you’ve done something wrong. Shame on the Rangers. How did JT Miller and Vincent Trochek make the US Olympic roster?
St. Louis Blues (17-21-8)
Tidy work locking up Philip Broberg to a 6-year extension at reasonable money, but bad luck seeing him hurt the game after he signed! St. Louis is going nowhere this year, and they need to sell assets like Jordan Kyrou as soon as possible. God I hope Canada doesn’t start Binnington at the Olympics…
Ottawa Senators (20-19-5)
This week, Steve Staios and company learned first hand why social media is bad for society. Back-to-back losses after the team addressed the rumours, including an 8-2 drubbing to Colorado have the Sens absolutely reeling. Is the drama over? Or will the Sens keep the tire fire going into next week?
New Jersey Devils (22-21-2)
If you’re below Ottawa on this list, you’ve had a BAD week. 0-3-0, outscored 16-2, and you’re in the news for getting blasted by the agent for your bench warming $9M defenseman. Big changes look like they’re on the horizon for the Devils. As I’m writing this, you’ve already lost your first game of the next week.
Vancouver Canucks (16-23-5)
The Canucks are right at home in the basement this week. Demko can’t stay healthy, their special teams are putrid, and they’re ranked dead last in the entire league. It’s hard to see a way out from here, I don’t envy Allvin or Rutherford. I think you need a new owner.
