NHL Power Rankings
(12-26 to 1-2)
By Brandon Saffel
1. Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now. Winner of 12 straight games (3-0-0 since Dec 26th) and no sights on stopping anytime soon. Over the last week, the Canes have scored 12 (scoring at least 4 in each game) and have only allowed 4 goals to opposing teams. The power play is 4 for 12 (33.3%) while the PK is 12 for 12, which adds to their current recipe of success. Goalie Antti Raanta has pitched 2 shutouts and only allowed 4 goals over the last 3 games for the Hurricanes as well. The defense is one of the components for the 12 game winning streak for the Canes, allowing only 71 shots over the last 3 game. The Hurricanes travels to New York to take on a streaking Rangers teams.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning have been one of the most consistent teams in recent NHL history and continue to show why they have been a Stanley Cup contender. Tampa is 3-0-0 over the last week with wins over the Canadiens, Rangers and Coyotes. In the 3 games, the Lighting have been 3 for 5 on the powerplay and are 9 for 9 on the penalty kill over the last 3 games. Similar to the Hurricanes, the Lightning defense and special teams have been a big part of their success over the last week. Vasilevskiy has seem to found his game again, allowing 5 goals over 3 games including stopping 45 of 46 against the Rangers. The Lightning head out on a Central Division tour for the next 3 games starting tomorrow night in Chicago.
3. Dallas Stars
The best team in the Western Conference has been on a steady pace this season and have shown why they are a Stanley Cup contender when the playoffs roll around. The Stars are 3-0-0 over the last week with wins over Predators, Wild and Sharks. Jake Oettinger and Jason Robertson have been the heart and soul of the Stars this season but veterans Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Joe Pavelski have stepped up over the last week with a combined 6 goals between them in 3 games. Dallas averaged 4 goals per game and only allowed 5 total in the last week. The Stars special teams came out to play this week as well going 5 for 12 on the power play and 9 for 9 on the penalty kill. Dallas hits the road to take on the Kings of Los Angeles tomorrow night.
4. Washington Capitals
Are the Capitals a Stanley Cup Contender or will it be another Round 1 exit?
Since Dec 26th, the Capitals are 2-0-1. Washington handled the Rangers and Canadiens fairly easily but lost a tough game to a red hot Ottawa Senators team, who are 3-1-0 in their last 4. Scoring a league leading 16 goals over the last week, the Capitals offense showed up while the defense allowed 6 goals in the same span of games. Kuemper and Lindgreen has been a solid force for the Capitals in the last 3 games, with Kuemper pitching 1 shutout in the 2 games he started. Alex Ovechkin continues his high scoring pace with 4 goals in those 3 games as he inches closer to history. The Capitals finish a homestand tomorrow night as the Sabres visit the nations capital.
5. Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators. Yes, the Ottawa Senators made this weeks power rankings. Another Eastern Conference team that has found a grove since Dec 26th. Winners of 3 of 4 including 2 big wins against the Boston Bruins and the Washington Capitals. They may have allowed 10 goals over the 4 games but have managed to score 12 goals to get those wins over two top teams in the East. Alex DeBrincat and Tim Stutzle lead the teams in goals in the last week. Goalie Cam Talbot has been a solid identify for the Senators as of late. Talbot has been 2-1 including stopping 49 of 51 of the Bruins shots on goals on the 27th. The Senators have gone 2 for 8 in the powerplay (25%) and are 11 for 11 on the penalty kill. Clearly their goalie play and offense has kept them in the game over the last week. Lets see if they can keep up their play. Ottawa continues their homestand as they will take on the Blue Jackets.
Jan 2nd, 2023- Variety Sports Network
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