NHL Power Rankings

The NHL is through 16 weeks of the regular season. The Colorado Avalanche have a strong lead in the league, but the Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes continue their strong play. The Vancouver Canucks increase their likelihood of having the best odds in the upcoming draft, and the Dallas Stars have found themselves in a tough situation. The Stars were one of the best teams in the league but have struggled of late. Now is the time for the front office to acquire help and get Dallas back on track. Here are the NHL team power rankings heading into Week 17.

32. Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver is going nowhere fast. The front office is looking to the future and hoping to land the top pick in the upcoming draft. The Canucks rank 29^th in goals scored and 32^nd in goals allowed per game.

31. St. Louis Blues

The Blues’ offense is one of the league’s worst. They rank 32^nd in goals scored per game. St. Louis is headed for a fire sale at the trade deadline. Now is the time to stockpile draft assets for the future.

30. Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg has yet to right the ship, and most of its issues start on the away ice. The Jets are one of the league’s worst in away games. The team’s goalies rank 18^th in goals allowed per game, but the offense ranks 22^nd in goals scored per game.

29. Calgary Flames

Calgary’s goaltending is the main reason for the team’s success. The Flames’ goaltenders rank 11th in goals allowed per game. Offense has been an ongoing issue, and Calgary ranks 31^st in goals scored per game.

28. New York Rangers

Goaltender Igor Shesterkin was injured, and the team started its downward spiral. Shesterkin led one of the league’s best goaltending units, but the team ranks 21^st in goals allowed per game. The offense hasn’t helped, ranked 27^th in goals scored per game.

27. Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Bedard missed time from December 13^th to January 8^th. Since returning on January 9^th, the team has won three of eight games. The young Chicago team needs additional players to step up.

26. Nashville Predators

Nashville has played well over the past 10 games. However, goaltending remains an issue. The team ranks 29^th in goals allowed per game compared to 23^rd in goals scored per game.

25. San Jose Sharks

If San Jose can fix its goaltending woes, the team can go on a run. Center Macklin Celebrini is single-handedly keeping the Sharks in play for a Wild Card spot. The team’s goaltenders rank 30^th in goals allowed per game.

24. Columbus Blue Jackets

Columbus has gained ground over its last 10 games but continues to struggle away from home ice. The Blue Jackets rank 19^th in goals scored and 25^th in goals allowed per game. There is a chance they sneak into a Wild Card spot.

23. Seattle Kraken

The Kraken have hit a rough stretch and have dropped valuable points. The team’s issues arise from the league’s 25^th–ranked offense. Seattle’s goaltenders rank 12^th in goals allowed per game.

22. Los Angeles Kings

The Kings are in a rut and struggle on home ice. Winning at home will increase the likelihood of the team finding itself in the playoffs. Los Angeles’ goaltenders rank 4^th in goals allowed per game, but the offense ranks 30^th in goals scored per game.

21. Ottawa Senators

The Senators play in the league’s only division where each team has reached at least 50 points. This doesn’t help Ottawa’s chances of making a playoff push. The team ranks 12^th in goals scored and 28^th in goals allowed per game.

20. New Jersey Devils

The Devils are treading water, and their goaltenders have kept them in contention for wins. New Jersey’s goaltenders rank 15^th in goals allowed per game. The team’s offense must improve, as it ranks 28^th in goals scored per game.

19. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs are trying to go on a run, but road losses are preventing success. Toronto’s offense is producing and ranks 8^th in goals scored per game. However, goaltending is an issue, and the team ranks 26^th in goals allowed per game.

18. Philadelphia Flyers

Philadelphia is hanging around, but the team is average. The Flyers rank 20^th in goals scored and goals allowed per game. The front office must acquire offensive help.

17. Washington Capitals

Washington is struggling, but this isn’t uncommon. In recent seasons, the Capitals have repeated such play before going on a hot streak. The team ranks 13^th in goals scored and 10^th in goals allowed per game.

16. Utah Mammoth

Utah has secured valuable points over the last 10 games and ranks 4^th in the Central Division. The team’s goaltenders have played well, ranking 5^th in goals allowed per game. The Mammoth are a team to watch as the season enters crunch time.

15. Anaheim Ducks

Anaheim is gaining ground and sits three points behind first in the Pacific Division. The glaring issue is goaltending. The Ducks’ goaltenders rank 31^st in goals allowed per game.

14. Florida Panthers

Matthew Tkachuk has returned, and Florida is ready to go on a run. Tkachuk’s return will help the Panthers’ offense, which ranks 21^st in goals scored per game. However, the team’s goaltending must improve as they rank 23^rd in goals allowed per game.

13. New York Islanders

The Islanders have remained consistent through 16 weeks of the regular season. The team’s goaltending has played well and ranks 5^th in goals allowed per game. New York can use a boost on offense.

12. Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers are keeping pace with Vegas. Edmonton has started its push for the top spot in the Pacific Division. The Oilers’ goaltending has improved and now ranks 22^nd in goals allowed per game.

11. Vegas Golden Knights

The Golden Knights are doing their best to hold the top spot in the Pacific Division. The team has done well over the last 10 games. Vegas ranks 4^th in goals scored and 14^th in goals allowed per game.

10. Boston Bruins

Boston’s gained traction over its last 10 games. Unfortunately, the four teams ahead of them continue to play well. The Bruins rank 9^th in goals scored and 19^th in goals allowed per game.

9. Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens are making life difficult for the rest of the Atlantic Division. They have played consistent hockey for 16 weeks. The team’s glaring issue is goaltending.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh’s hot stretch has them six points behind Carolina for the Metropolitan Division lead. After righting the ship, the Penguins rank 10^th in goals scored and 9^th in goals allowed per game. The front office will add key pieces at the trade deadline.

7. Buffalo Sabres

Over the past two months, Buffalo has been on a tear. The team sits 3^rd in the Atlantic Division. The Sabres rank 7^th in goals scored and 15^th in goals allowed per game.

6. Dallas Stars

The Stars have struggled over the last 10 games. The front office must make moves as the trade deadline approaches. The team’s goaltending ranks 3^rd in goals allowed per game compared to 11^th in goals scored per game. Trade deadline acquisitions can help improve the league’s 16^th–ranked penalty kill unit.

5. Minnesota Wild

Minnesota trails Colorado in the Central Division but continues to play great hockey. The team ranks 16^th in goals scored and 8^th in goals allowed per game. The Wild will make the division a close race as the regular season plays out.

4. Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay is one of the league’s hottest teams. The Lightning are doing their best to overtake Detroit for the Atlantic Division lead. The Lightning rank 2^nd in goals scored and goals allowed per game.

3. Detroit Red Wings

Detroit has done its best to keep its lead in the Atlantic Division. The Lightning have been hot, but the Red Wings are doing their best to increase production. Detroit ranks 17^th in goals scored and 13^th in goals allowed per game.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina continues to lead the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh is catching up, but the team shows no signs of slowing down. The Hurricanes rank 3^rd in goals scored and 7^th in goals allowed per game.

1. Colorado Avalanche

Throughout 16 weeks, no team is close to Colorado. The Avalanche are the league’s best team and rightfully so. Colorado ranks 1^st in goals scored and goals allowed per game.    

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