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NHL

NHL Power Rankings

Posted Nov 21, 2008 12:00PM By Ted Starkey (RSS feed)

Filed Under: NHL Power Rankings

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While temperatures are dropping as Thanksgiving approaches, that doesn't mean some NHL teams aren't heating up this month with some strong play.

People expected the Penguins to be a contender this year, and after a lukewarm start to the season, Pittsburgh has been almost unbeatable in November. The Pens only have suffered a shootout loss to Minnesota in nine games this month, picking up 15 of a possible 16 months since Halloween.

More unexpectedly, Boston has matched Pittsburgh's feat, only dropping a shootout loss to the Rangers this month to burn equally hot with a 7-0-1 month and take charge in the tough Northeast Division.

Out west, the defending champion Detroit Red Wings the other club not to suffer a regulation loss this month (with a 6-0-1 mark) to remain the class of the NHL. With the Sharks, Pens and Bruins all playing well, there are a number of teams that can stake a claim for the top of the power rankings as the season reaches the quarter mark.

Get the pre-Thanksgiving version of the rankings below the jump.

  • 1. Red Wings (Last Week: 1)
    Detroit stays at No. 1 with its continued strong play, as the Winged Wheel roll to its fourth straight win with a home-and-home sweep of the Oilers. The Red Wings have picked up a point in each of their last seven games, and a crisp 13-2-3 overall start to their title defense.
  • 2. Sharks (Last Week: 2)
    The Sharks earn a pair of wins at Chicago and Nashville in a relatively quiet week, but still the team has a commanding 11-point lead in the Pacific Division. Saturday, San Jose returns home to get a rare visit from Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals at the Shark Tank.
  • 3. Penguins (Last Week: 5)
    Pittsburgh has been red-hot in November, dropping only an shootout loss in eight games to move within three points of the Atlantic Division leading Rangers. The Pens also pick up plenty of points for style for bringing back their powder blue jerseys as the squad's new third jersey.
  • 4. Bruins (Last Week: 10)
    Only a third-period meltdown at Madison Square Garden has the Bruins from recording a perfect month, as Boston has 15 points in eight games. The B's move into first in the Northeast with their wins over the Leafs and Sabres heading into Saturday's showdown in Montreal.
  • 5. Capitals (Last Week: 3)
    Despite injuries to Alexander Semin, Sergei Fedorov and Mike Green, the Capitals continue their strong play. Thanks to a torrid pace from Alexander Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, Washington earns three points in a home-and-home with Jersey and splits two in California.
  • 6. Rangers (Last Week: 6)
    After wins over the Bruins and Senators, the Rangers hit a bump in the road against the Canucks. New York also has to be concerned about the health of Scott Gomez, who is skating despite reportedly suffering a stress fracture in his ankle.
  • 7. Blackhawks (Last Week: 11)
    Chicago earns a pair of road wins in Phoenix and Dallas, and has only suffered one regulation loss - a one-goal setback to San Jose - in eight games in November. Now, if only they can see if they can get that goaltending situation straightened out and add a bit more pop up front.
  • 8. Canadiens (Last Week: 4)
    The Habs struggle to a 2-2 week and fall out of the Northeast Division lead behind surging Boston, but a big night at Bell Center is on tap for Saturday. Montreal honors Patrick Roy when they host the Bruins in what should be a memorable night for the Canadiens franchise.
  • 9. Wild (Last Week: 9)
    Niklas Backstrom has had a tremendous November, recording a 1.72 GAA and a .942 save percentage, recording a 5-3-0 record for the month. Now, fans will see if Minnesota decides to move Marian Gaborik soon to try to give the team a boost.
  • 10. Ducks (Last Week: 8)
    The Ducks are in danger of ceding the Pacific Division title to the Sharks by Christmas, as the team goes 1-2 and is falling further behind first-place San Jose. Jonas Hiller gets lit up by the Caps in a rare start, and the Ducks will need to pick up their game to get back in the chase.
  • 11. Sabres (Last Week: 7)
    Buffalo has a week to forget, going 0-3 against the Blue Jackets, Penguins and Bruins and allowing 18 goals to boot. The Sabres will hope to get some home success with a four-game homestand starting Friday against the Flyers, and unveil their retro jerseys on Wednesday.
  • 12. Flames (Last Week: 13)
    A home-and-home sweep of the Avalanche is just what the doctor ordered for Calgary, including outshooting Colorado by a margin of 84-41 in the two wins. With the victories, the Flames are tied for second place in the Northwest, just three points off the pace.
  • 13. Canucks (Last Week: 15)
    Vancouver goes 2-1 on an Eastern road swing, losing to the Islanders, but then dominating the Rangers and then taking a win in Minnesota. An intriguing matchup is on tap for Saturday, when Roberto Luongo, arguably the best goalie in the league, takes on the Penguins in Pittsburgh.
  • 14. Hurricanes (Last Week: 12)
    The Hurricanes snap a three-game losing streak with wins over Tampa Bay and Montreal, as the team looks to get some more consistency from Cam Ward and from some of their struggling forwards to put the heat on Washington in the Southeast Division race.
  • 15. Devils (Last Week: 14)
    New Jersey splits a home-and-home with the Capitals, then opens a busy weekend early with a 3-1 win over the Panthers. The Devils still hope they can get Brian Rolston back in the lineup to spark an offense that is needed to help fill in with Martin Brodeur's absence.
  • 16. Flyers (Last Week: 17)
    After a pair of wins over Montreal and Atlanta last weekend - not coming without a bit of controversy after Alexei Kovalev's hit on Simon Gagne - the Flyers embark on a very busy week, playing six games in eight days, starting off with a tough start in Buffalo Friday night.
  • 17. Oilers (Last Week: 16)
    The Oilers fall back to the .500 mark with a 1-3 week, including a pair of defeats at the hands of the Red Wings. Now, Edmonton will try to lick its wounds and be off a couple days until they resume play Wednesday night in Los Angeles.
  • 18. Predators (Last Week: 21)
    Nashville has a perfect three-game stint in the Golden State, but can't carry the good karma back home, as they are dealt a setback by the Sharks in Nashville. Now, the Preds head to the Southeast for another pair of games before returning home Tuesday to take on the Blues.
  • 19. Stars (Last Week: 18)
    The Stars are having real issues with consistency, and it threatens to end its season before it even gets to the halfway mark. Dallas has just two wins this month, and is in danger of falling well behind the pace to entertain thoughts of a playoff spot as they sit in last place in the Pacific.
  • 20. Senators (Last Week: 19)
    Has the bottom fallen out in Ottawa? The Senators' losing streak hits six games with a pair of shootout losses, meaning the team's only picked up a pair of points since its last victory on Nov. 6. To add insult to injury, the Sens are now behind the hated Leafs in the Northeast standings.
  • 21. Avalanche (Last Week: 20)
    Without Joe Sakic, the Avalanche are dominated in a home-and-home by the Flames, and now rumors begin to bubble Colorado might try to acquire another netminder to replace Peter Budaj if the team continues to flounder much longer.
  • 22. Coyotes (Last Week: 22)
    After their three-game win streak, the Coyotes go cold, scoring just four goals in three games to the Wild, Blackhawks and Stars to fall back below the .500 mark on the year. Ilya Bryzgalov has been good with a 2.21 GAA and .928 save percentage this month, but needs more support.
  • 23. Blue Jackets (Last Week: 23)
    Columbus goes on the road to grab three points with an impressive dismantling of Buffalo and a shootout loss to the Wild, then come home to Nationwide and promptly gets pounded by the Oilers to keep the Jackets at the .500 mark on the year.
  • 24. Thrashers (Last Week: 24)
    After reaching the .500 mark with a win over Carolina, the Thrashers lose a pair of tight games to the Flyers and Penguins to drop back to two games under. Atlanta will try to get back towards the mark with games against the Jackets, Leafs and Capitals.
  • 25. Blues (Last Week: 26)
    The Blues end their six-game skid with a win in Chicago, but then they return home to fall to the Habs at home. Now, they get a home game against the Ducks Friday before starting another road trip this weekend.
  • 26. Kings (Last Week: 28)
    The Kings' four-game win streak ends with a pair of losses to the Ducks and Predators, but Los Angeles takes a win over a depleted Capitals squad to climb back to the .500 mark for the year with a decent performance.
  • 27. Maple Leafs (Last Week: 25)
    Toronto drops a pair of games to the Bruins and Canucks, and while the city is transfixed on if they can land former Ducks GM Brian Burke, the Leafs now are 3-5-1 so far in November as they look to follow up a decent October and try and remain in the playoff hunt.
  • 28. Islanders (Last Week: 30)
    The Islanders enjoy a three-game win streak and head into a three-game road trip with some momentum. However, fans are beginning to worry about the long-term future of the club as the team pushes the local authorities to approve the new arena project.
  • 29. Panthers (Last Week: 29)
    The 'Cats are trying to get back on track after their cold start to November set them behind the curve, with just two of nine games this month played in Sunrise. After one more road contest in Boston, Florida finally gets a three-game homestand next week to try and grab some points.
  • 30. Lightning (Last Week: 27)
    A coaching change does little to spark the Lightning, as Tampa Bay's losing streak hits five games with Rick Tocchet behind the bench for a pair of losses in the extra session. The 'Ning are 2-5-2 this month, and apparently further away from contention than ownership thought.
Check out last week's rankings here.

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