NHL Power Ranking
(1-3 to 1-9)
By: Brandon Saffel
1. Seattle Kraken
The Seattle Kraken have came into 2023 on a roll!
Over the last week the Kraken have went 4-0 defeating teams such as the Oilers, Maple Leafs, Senators and the Canadiens and securing 8 crucial points in the western conference playoff race. The Kraken have scored 22 goals and only allowed 7, averaging about 5 goals per game during this stretch. Matty Beniers has been the leading goal scorer for the Kraken over the week with a tally in each of the 4 games that were mentioned above. Martin Jones has been solid in the net as well, going 4-0 during the stretch of games through eastern Canada and Edmonton as well. The special teams play for the Kraken was the softer side of things for the team. In the 4 games for Seattle, they went 3 for 12 on the power play (25%) and were 3-13 on the Penalty Kill (77%). Seattle continues the road trip with stops in Buffalo (1-10), Boston (1-12) and Chicago (1-14) before they head home to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
2. Nashville Predators
Outside of the Seattle Kraken, the Predators have been one of the hottest teams in at least the Western Conference. Nashville has gone 4-0 and added 8 points to their points total since Jan 3rd with big wins over the Hurricanes and Capitals. The Predators are another western conference team who has dominated their Eastern Canadian road trip. Filip Forsberg and Mattias Ekholm led the Predators in scoring with Ekholm scoring in 3 of the 4 games. Scoring 17 goals (4 goals per game) and only allowing 8 goals (2 per game), going 3-14 on the Power Play (21%) and 1-16 on the penalty kill (94%). The biggest reason for the Preds play lately has been goalie Juuse Saros who stopped 64 of 67 in a win over the Hurricanes and then stopped 38 shots in a win over the Senators. The Predators head to Toronto tomorrow then to Montreal before returning how to take on the Sabres.
3. Winnipeg Jets
Another central division made the list this week as the Winnipeg Jets have been playing some quality hockey over the last week or so, going 3-0 and securing 6 points to continue their playoff push. Pullin off wins against some high grade opponents like the Calgary Flames and Tampa Bay Lighting. The Jets, scoring 14 goals in those games (4.5 goals per game), while allowing 8 goals (2.67 goals per game). Winnipeg went 2-10 on the Power Play and 1-9 on the Penalty Kill during the 3 games. Kyle Connor and Pierre-Luc Dubois were the leading point scorers for the Jets during this stretch as well. Veznia Trophy Front-Runner Connor Hellebuyck was 2-0 in the 2 games he was the starter in, but the goalie tandem for the Jets went 3-0, allowing 8 goals on 101 shots. The Jets hit the ice tonight in Detroit as they take on the Red Wings.
4. Boston Bruins
Boston has, by far, been the best team in the NHL this year. After a big Winter Classic win over the Penguins, the Bruins headed to the west coast, going 3-0 with wins over the Sharks, Kings, & Ducks, wrapping up 6 points. During this 3 game span, the Bruins scored 16 scored and only allowed 5 goals, even though the Bruins went 3-0 in this stretch, its hard to have them higher then 4 due to the teams they played in this stretch as well. David Pastrnak was the leading scorer for the Bruins with a total of 7 goals including a hat trick in a 7-1 victory over the Ducks. Boston went 3-5 on the Power Play and 0-7 on the Penalty Kill. Swayman and Ullmark combined for a 3-0-0 record, allowing 5 goals on 88 shots over the 3 game span. Boston will head home to take on the red hot Seattle Kraken.
5. Los Angeles Kings
The Kings are going to surprise some of you on this list but they have went 3-1-0 in their last 4 games with wins against the Stars, Golden Knights and Oilers with their one loss to the team ranked above them in this weeks ranking. The Kings scored 16 goals (4 per game) while allowing 11 (2.75 goals per game). Kevin Fiala was the leading scorer for the Kings with 6 goals over the 4 games. Phoenix Copley was the superstar for the Kings (Blues fans know the name) going 3-1-0 in 4 games with a 90% save percentage and only allowing 11 goals on 103 shots. The Kings went 5-12 on the Power Play (42%) and 1-13 on the Penalty Kill. Los Angeles stays on home ice as the Sharks come to town.
Honorable Mentions
St. Louis Blues, New York Rangers
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