NHL Power Rankings

Team

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Breakdown

New York Rangers

They are the best team in the league right now. Peter Laviolette is a true difference-maker. Where it will matter is in the playoffs. The Rangers need to prove they can go the distance. My preseason analysis gave the Rangers a two-year window to win under Laviolette, and it has to happen this year or next. Anything less would be tragic. A 1st round matchup with the Lightning could cause that.

Dallas Stars

Dallas was our pre-season pick to win the President’s trophy with the Hurricanes. The Rangers lead the way with 104 points with Dallas at 103 and Carolina at 101.

Carolina Hurricanes

A 15-3-2 record against the West, and eight losses on the road in the West in the first two months is what’s costing the Hurricanes the division right now. This team is as good as anybody. Not winning the division might work out better for them if they get a first-round matchup with Philly or Washington.

Colorado Avalanche

This team is exciting to watch and I’d rather watch them and Nathan MacKinnon over the Oilers. They will have a tough matchup in the first round if they can’t win the division.

Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver should have an edge over Nashville in the first round winning their last four matchups and eight of twelve overall. I don’t see them making a push for the top spot in the West. The Canucks will need Thatcher Demko to be ready and fully healthy for the playoffs to get past Nashville, though.

Nashville Predators

I am hoping Demko doesn’t return for the first-round playoffs. I firmly believe to be the bet you need to beat the best but with Nashville’s struggles with the Canucks I wouldn’t mind seeing it. It happened to them against Colorado two seasons ago with Juuse Saros. If Nashville gets out of the first round they will be a legitimate contender and we will be taking them to win it all.

Boston Bruins

A first-round matchup with Tampa Bay should spell an early exit.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay will be the Preds of the East and a sleeper for a Cup run… again.

Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers are the Leafs and both should be gone by the second round.

Florida Panthers

The Panthers are slipping losing six of their last eight. Their playoff spot is safe but two remaining games with the Leafs in the regular season can be a preview of their first round matchup.

Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg needs to get it together fast if they want to stand any chance against Colorado in the first round.

Toronto Maple Leafs

A first-round matchup against Florida is why people hate this new playoff format. Two potential 100-point teams will be facing a first round against against one another.

Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas has reclaimed their division spot but are set to face the Oilers in the first round.

Los Angeles Kings

As expected, the Kings lost their division spot and have fallen to the wild card. They should hold onto that spot, but a matchup against Dallas or Colorado will lead to a quick first-round exit.

Washington Capitals

The three-way race for the final two spots in the division is between the Capitals, who have now moved into the third sport of the division, the Flyers, and the Wings. The Caps have a very unfavorable schedule to end the season with their last game against the Flyers.