Wanna know what the “Puck” is going on in the NHL? Here are the Power Rankings for this week!
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)
2 more wins and 1 loss for the Jets, with a combined 14 goals across those 3 games. For now, Winnipeg stays at the top.
2. 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)
Washington won both of their games this past week. At this point, it’s more of a 1A, 1B situation with the Jets and Capitals at the top of the NHL.
3. 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)
2 wins and a loss this past week for the Hurricanes, though they were all relatively soft matchups. Carolina ranks 4th in the league in goals per game but are still trying to improve things defensively.
4. 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 a spot. 2 wins and 2 losses for the Wild. Minnesota has allowed the 2nd least amount of goals per game in the league.
5. 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)
Up a spot. The Golden Knights had notable wins this past week against the Jets and the Wild but lost to the Oilers, who have been surging.
6. 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)
Up 3 spots. The Devils won their games against the Rangers and Kraken but lost to the Avalanche. They have the best power play percentage in the league and are strong both offensively and defensively.
7. 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)
Down 3 spots despite winning 3 of their past 4 games. Toronto’s offense still sits in the bottom half of the league in goals per game despite the return of Matthews. Fortunately, their defense has been holding down the fort.
8. Dallas Stars
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)
The Stars beat the Blues in an overtime win but lost 4-1 vs. the Predators. This is the only game Nashville has won in their past 10, which is not a great omen for Dallas.
9. Tampa Bay Lightning
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 19: Nikita Kucherov #86 of the Tampa Bay Lightning celebrates his third-period empty-net goal against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on March 19, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Candice Ward/Getty Images)
Up 3 spots. The Lightning beat both the Sharks (8-1!) and Canucks. They are second in the league in goals scored per game.
10. Los Angeles Kings
MONTREAL, CANADA – OCTOBER 17: A closeup view of the Los Angeles Kings crest during the first period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on October 17, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Los Angeles Kings defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Up a spot. The Kings won 2 and lost 1. They have now allowed the least amount of goals against per game in the NHL, and their offense has been very solid.
11. Colorado Avalanche
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 08: Nathan MacKinnon #29 of the Colorado Avalanche skates during the first period of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on February 08, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Back up 2 spots. The Avs won 2 games and lost 1 this past week. Colorado is looking better overall, with new goalie Scott Wedgewood performing well so far.
12. Edmonton Oilers
EDMONTON, AB – MAY 14: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates a goal against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period in Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on May 14, 2022 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
Up 2 spots. Make that 5 straight wins now for the Oilers, who are finally looking like the team many predicted they’d be coming into the season. All 3 matchups this past week were against very good teams, too. If they keep it up, they will continue to rise in the ranks rapidly.
13. 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)
Down 3 spots. The Panthers beat Seattle in a game that went to shootouts and then lost to the Canucks and Flames. Though they are in the top 10 in goals scored per game, they rank in the bottom 10 in goals against per game.
14. 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 matchups this past week, one of which was against the Blackhawks. Ouch.
15. Vancouver Canucks
MONTREAL, CANADA – NOVEMBER 12: A detailed view of the Vancouver Canucks logo during the third period against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on November 12, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Vancouver Canucks defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-2. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
The Canucks lost to the Blues and Bruins but did beat the Panthers 4-0. Thatcher Demko is back and looks pretty rusty, but if he can return to form soon, that will help the Canucks greatly.
16. Ottawa Senators
RALEIGH, NC – APRIL 04: Ottawa Senators logo prior to the second period the game against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena on April 04, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Getty Images)***
Up 2 spots. The Senators won all 3 games, one of which was a 3-0 victory against the formidable Hurricanes. Ullmark has caught fire over the last 7 games and is finally looking like his old self in net, which is working wonders for Ottawa.
17. Calgary Flames
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – FEBRUARY 6: Nazem Kadri #91 of the Calgary Flames skates against the Boston Bruins during the second period at the TD Garden on February 6, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Rich Gagnon/Getty Images)
Down a spot. Calgary lost 1 and won 2, including an impressive 3-0 victory against Florida. That was Dustin Wolf’s second shutout this season, and he has been a big reason why the Flames are ranked this high. It certainly isn’t because of their offense, which ranks 7th worst in goals scored per game.
18. Seattle Kraken
OTTAWA, CANADA – DECEMBER 02: Detailed view of the Seattle Kraken logo on Joey Daccord #35 of the Seattle Kraken jersey during the second period against the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on December 02, 2023 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images)
The Kraken won 1 and lost 2 this past week, but both their losses were against teams ranked much higher in the standings. They have been performing pretty well lately.
19. Utah Hockey Club
KEARNS, UTAH – OCTOBER 07: A close-up of the Utah Hockey Club logo on practice jersey at Utah’s Olympic Oval on October 07, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Utah beat the Avs and Sharks and lost in shootouts to the Wild. They are showing they can give even the best teams a run for their money and could rise in the ranks if this continues.
20. St. Louis Blues
Up 3 spots. They lost 2 and won 1 this past week, all 3 being very close games. St. Louis continues to perform better under coach Montgomery.
21. Boston Bruins
MONTREAL, QC – MARCH 21: A detailed view of the Boston Bruins’ logo is seen during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on March 21, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The Boston Bruins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
The Bruins beat the Canucks 5-1 but got their butts kicked by the Jets and the Kraken.
22. Philadelphia Flyers
MONTREAL, QC – DECEMBER 16: A detailed view of the Philadelphia Flyers’ logo seen on a jersey during overtime against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on December 16, 2021 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 in a shootout. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Down a spot. The Flyers beat the Blue Jackets and Red Wings but lost to the Wild. Pretty much what you’d expect.
23. Pittsburgh Penguins
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – FEBRUARY 15: Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates with the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period at the United Center on February 15, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Penguins lost 2 and won 1. They are still having trouble defensively despite their offense going off here and there.
24. Buffalo Sabres
BUFFALO, NY – JANUARY 14: A general view of the Buffalo Sabres logo on a jersey during the game against the Washington Capitals at KeyBank Center on January 14 , 2021 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Kevin Hoffman/Getty Images)
Down a spot. The Sabres lost all 4 of their games this past week, though 3 were against good teams.
25. Columbus Blue Jackets
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 07: A general view of the Columbus Blue Jackets jersey logo worn by Elvis Merzlikins #90 during the second period of the NHL preseason game against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena on October 7, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
The Blue Jackets decided to copy the Sabres and lost all 4 of their games this past week, too. Cute but not the best idea.
26. New York Islanders
MONTREAL, CANADA – FEBRUARY 11: A closeup view of the New York Islanders’ logo during the second period against the Montreal Canadiens at Centre Bell on February 11, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the New York Islanders 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
The Islanders lost to the Kings, beat Chicago, but then lost to Chicago. 1 step forward, 2 steps back.
27. Detroit Red Wings
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 27: Patrick Kane #88 of the Detroit Red Wings controls the puck in front of Nicolas Aube-Kubel #96 of the Washington Capitals during the first period at Little Caesars Arena on February 27, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Up 2 spots. The Red Wings beat Buffalo and Toronto but lost to Philly. The victory against Toronto was their most recent game and hopefully is a sign of better days ahead for Detroit.
28. Anaheim Ducks
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 22: The new logo of the Anahaim Ducks is presented at the unveiling of the new Anaheim Ducks logo and jersey at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim on June 22, 2006 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)
The Ducks lost 3 of their 4 matchups, one of which was a disappointing 4-3 defeat against Montreal.
29. Nashville Predators
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MAY 03: Juuse Saros #74 of the Nashville Predators tends goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period in Game Six of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on May 03, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
Down a spot. They finally won a game, and against Dallas, no less! Unfortunately, it seems like more of an aberration than anything else right now.
30. San Jose Sharks
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 04: The logo on the San Jose Sharks on a jersey during their game against the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center on October 04, 2019 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The Sharks lost 2 of their past 3, but all 3 were close games and relatively difficult matchups.
31. Montreal Canadiens
MONTREAL, CANADA – OCTOBER 14: A close-up view of the Montreal Canadiens logo on a jersey during the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Bell Centre on October 14, 2024 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Montreal Canadiens 6-3. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
Montreal lost 2 of their 3 games this week, including a 9-2 loss to Pittsburgh. Rough.
32. Chicago Blackhawks
NEWARK, NJ – JANUARY 05: Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (98) skates during a game between the Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils on January 05, 2024 at Prudential Center in the Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Icon Sportswire)
The Blackhawks won 2 of their 4 games but remain in last place until they string together more victories.
