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NHL: Top 10 Teams Right Now

Staff

Published

3 days ago

There has been some significant movement in the top 10 this week, but the Jets do remain in the number one spot despite their recent struggles.

1. Winnipeg Jets

DALLAS, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 29: Connor Hellebuyck #37 of the Winnipeg Jets warms up before the game against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center on February 29, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

It really speaks to how incredible the start of the year was for the Jets that they are still in 1st place. That said, they have lost 2 of their last 3 games, and 5 of their 6 total losses this year have come in their past 8 games. If they do not regain some of their prior momentum, they could lose their grip on the top spot.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – MARCH 09: Martin Necas #88 of the Carolina Hurricanes scores a first period powerplay goal against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center on March 09, 2024 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Hurricanes have overtaken the Stars for 2nd. They won 2 of their last 3 games, one of which was against the Stars themselves, and the other was against the Rangers, who are also a top-10 team. Though the Carolina defense could stand to improve, it is still top 10 in goals allowed per game, and their offense is currently 3rd in goals per game.

3. Washington Capitals

VANCOUVER, CANADA – MARCH 16: Alex Ovechkin #8 of the Washington Capitals skates during the first period of their NHL game against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on March 16, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Cain/Getty Images)

Up 7 spots!!! The Capitals won all 4 of their games this past week. After losing Ovechkin, to say the rest of the team has stepped it up would be an understatement. The Capitals are 1st in goals per game by a wide margin and are performing well across the board. To respond this well in the face of adversity says a lot. There is little doubt in my mind that they will make the playoffs and go far this year.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

TORONTO, CANADA – MARCH 02: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the New York Rangers at Scotiabank Arena on March 02, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images)

The Leafs only had 2 games this past week, and both were against good teams. They lost to the Panthers but beat the Lightning. They were playing very well even without Auston Matthews, and Matthews just returned in the game against Tampa Bay and got 2 apples.

5. Dallas Stars (13-6)

DALLAS, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 26: Logan Stankoven #11 of the Dallas Stars warms up before the game against the New York Islanders at American Airlines Center on February 26, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Down 3 spots! Dallas has lost 2 of their 3 games this past week. Their defense has been slipping of late, as they went from allowing the least amount of goals per game last week to allowing the 5th least now.

6. Minnesota Wild

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 07: Kirill Kaprizov #97 of the Minnesota Wild looks on during the first period against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center on February 07, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Up 2 spots! The Wild have won 3 of their last 4 games, and their loss was against the top-ranked Winnipeg Jets. One area of their game that needs improvement is their penalty kill percentage, which is currently the 6th worst in the NHL.

7. Florida Panthers

SUNRISE, FL – MARCH 16: Aleksander Barkov #16 of the Florida Panthers skates prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Amerant Bank Arena on March 16, 2024 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

The Panthers won 3 of their last 4 games, notably beating Carolina and Toronto. They would be ranked higher if not for a defense that is allowing the 8th most goals per game.

8. New York Rangers

DENVER, COLORADO – MARCH 28: Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers tends goal against the Colorado Avalanche during the second period at Ball Arena on March 28, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Down 2 spots. The Rangers lost 3 of their 4 games this past week, 2 of which were against opponents ranked significantly lower.

9. Vegas Golden Knights

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 27: Jack Eichel #9 of the Vegas Golden Knights celebrates his second-period short-handed goal against the Dallas Stars in Game Three of the First Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena on April 27, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Golden Knights won half of their games this past week. They have scored the 6th most goals per game in the league, but their defense is underperforming.

10. New Jersey Devils

WASHINGTON, DC – APRIL 13: General view of the New Jersey Devils jersey logo during the second period of the game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on April 13, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

The Devils won 2 of their 4 games this past week. This is a sneaky good team that could easily be ranked higher.

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