We're in the home stretch of the NHL season, and both conference playoff races are heating up as the standings change on a daily basis. The Eastern Conference has seven teams separated by just seven points in the No's 4 through 10 spots, while everybody except Phoenix and Colorado is still competing for a playoff spot in the West.
- 1. Devils (Last Week's Ranking: 2)
The Devils suffered a rather humiliating defeat at home to the Islanders on Saturday, but they rebounded with back-to-back wins over Calgary and Phoenix. With Martin Brodeur back in the lineup this team could be a force in the Eastern Conference - 2. Red Wings (Last Week: 1)
The Red Wings fall from the top spot after getting blown out, 8-2, by Columbus on Saturday, and then blowing a 4-2 lead against Calgary on Thursday. Despite their struggles this week and the question mark in goal, the Red Wings still hold the No. 1 seed out West. - 3. Bruins (Last Week: 6)
After their worst stretch of the season, the Bruins showed some signs of returning to the form they've shown most of the year, picking up wins against the Blackhawks and Senators. They're still sitting comfortably at the top of the Eastern Conference. - 4. Capitals (Last Week: 5)
Washington finally snapped its four-game losing streak with a 2-1 win in Nashville on Tuesday night. The Capitals managed to pick up five of a possible six points this week, moving up one spot in the rankings. - 6. Flames (Last Week: 4)
Calgary suffered a three-game losing streak to open the week, including a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Carolina, followed by a surprising 5-2 loss in Atlanta. The Flames ended the week on a high note with an impressive come-from-behind win in Detroit. - 7. Flyers (Last Week: 7)
The Flyers hold steady at the No. 7 spot thanks to impressive wins over Nashville and Buffalo. Philadelphia hosts the Rangers on Saturday before starting a four-game road trip against the Rangers, Red Wings, Sabres, and Penguins. - 8. Penguins (Last Week: 12)
The Penguins continue to climb the rankings as they play their best hockey of the season under interim head coach Dan Bylsma. With their new aggressive play in the offensive zone, the Penguins have managed to overcome third period deficits of two and three goals to keep pace in the highly competitive Eastern Conference. - 9. Blackhawks (Last Week: 8)
Chicago drops a spot by losing two of three this week. Losing to Boston is forgivable, getting blown out by a struggling Avalanche team is tough to swallow. The Blackhawks have a six-point edge over Vancouver for the final home ice spot in the opening round. - 10. Hurricanes (Last Week: 17)
The Hurricanes make a huge jump in the standings thanks to an impressive hot streak that saw them light the lamp with a machine-like efficiency. Carolina has gained points in five of its past six games, and its recent run was highlighted by a nine-goal outburst in Tampa Bay this past Saturday. - 11. Blue Jackets (Last Week: 16)
Love this Blue Jackets team. They've won three in a row over Detroit, Boston and Pittsburgh, which is as impressive as it gets as Columbus looks to clinch its first ever playoff berth. Steve Mason continues to play like a veteran, while Rick Nash picked up his second hat trick of the season in Detroit. He became the first player in over 60 years to pick up an entirely unassisted hat trick. - 12. Canadiens (Last Week: 10)
Guy Carbonneau paid the price for Montreal's disappointing season, while the Canadiens are 1-1 under interim coach Bob Gainey. Some people are having trouble pointing the finger at the coach, as the Canadiens are no longer a lock to qualify for the postseason. - 13. Rangers (Last Week: 13)
The Rangers win three of four this week, with their only loss coming with Henrik Lundqvist out of the lineup. Sean Avery netted his first goal as a Ranger in their 4-2 win over Nashville on Thursday. Despite their strong play this past week, the Rangers briefly found themselves outside of the top eight in the East. - 14. Canucks (Last Week: 9)
Vancouver takes a bit of a tumble in the rankings thanks to back-to-back losses to Anaheim and Los Angeles, teams the Canucks are in direct competition with for playoff spots. They're still holding steady in the top six, but it's a tight race and wins against your division rivals are a must at this point. - 15. Panthers (Last Week: 11)
Florida ends the week on a down note with two straight losses on the road, including a 4-3 come-from-ahead loss in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The Panthers held a 3-1 lead heading into the third period, before getting dominated by a relentless Pittsburgh forecheck. Tomas Vokoun managed to steal a point for them and get the game to overtime, but if they miss playoffs, losses like this will sting. - 16. Oilers (Last Week: 20)
The bad news is the Oilers dropped a pair of games this past week. The good news is they did so in overtime so they at least picked up a pair of "Bettman points" to keep pace out West. Dustin Penner is in the doghouse once again, but Patrick O'Sullivan managed to pick up his first goal as a member of the Oilers. - 17. Wild (Last Week: 19)
Minnesota picks up four of six points this week to move within one point of the top eight. Marian Gaborik hopes to be back by the end of the month, which should give the Wild a boost ... as long as he's on the ice, that is. - 18. Stars (Last Week: 18)
It's been an up-and-down season for the Stars, as they had a strong second-half resurgence after a dismal start. They've slowed down the past two weeks, but still hold the No. 8 spot in the West. - 19. Sabres (Last Week: 18)
Patrick Lalime has held down the fort in net for Buffalo in the absence of Ryan Miller, while the Sabres continue to fight for a playoff spot. After dropping games in Ottawa and Philadelphia, Buffalo managed to score a big 3-1 win against Florida on Thursday. - 20. Predators (Last Week: 15)
After dropping three in a row this past week, Nashville gets ready to leave on a four-game road trip that could make or break its season. The Predators travel to Phoenix, Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Jose this week, as they enter play on the outside of the Western Conference playoff picture. - 21. Blues (Last Week: 23)
Despite being decimated by injuries all season, the St. Louis Blues are still right in the thick of the playoff race, just two points back of the No. 8 spot. The Blues certainly helped their cause this past week with a pair of wins, while they've won six of their past eight. Where would this team be with Erik Johnson, Paul Kariya, Eric Brewer and Andy McDonald all season? Great young team. - 22. Ducks (Last Week: 21)
The Ducks held onto their assets at the trade deadline in an effort to make the playoffs, but they've lost two of three since, as four teams separate them from the eighth and final playoff spot. - 23. Kings (Last Week: 24)
The Kings still have playoff hopes thanks to their current three-game winning streak, but it's going to be a tall mountain to climb as they need to leap over five teams to crack the top eight. Despite that, they're still only five points back of Dallas. - 24. Maple Leafs (Last Week: 22)
The Leafs have scored only 10 goals in six games during the month of March, losing four. Toronto has been using the two-headed monster of Martin Gerber and Curtis Joseph in net, while 12 of their final 13 games are against playoff teams or teams fighting for playoff spots. There is still some time for them to get into the John Tavares/Victor Hedman race. - 25. Senators (Last Week: 25)
Ottawa holds steady in the No. 25 spot after a four-game winning streak, including a 2-1 win over rival Toronto that was almost ruined by Jason Spezza's illegal stick, even if they aren't exactly sure of the rule. - 26. Thrashers (Last Week: 28)
Atlanta ownership came out this past week and claimed it was committed to keeping star forward Ilya Kovalchuk. That's certainly good news for Thrashers fans, as if the fact they haven't quit on the season, winning four in a row, including two shutouts from goaltender Kari Lehtonen. - 27. Avalanche (Last Week: 27)
Colorado snapped a six-game losing streak with an impressive 5-1 win in Chicago on Sunday, and managed to pick up a 2-1 shootout win in Minnesota on Thursday. Unfortunately, those are the Avalanche's only two wins over their past seven games, as they occupy the basement of the Western Conference. - 28. Coyotes (Last Week: 26)
Scottie Upshall has been a solid pickup for the Coyotes, scoring three goals in five games since going to Phoenix in the Daniel Carcillo trade. Unfortunately, his new teammates aren't offering much assistance as Phoenix has dropped four in a row. - 29. Islanders (Last Week: 30)
You have to give the Islanders credit for not giving up on the season, winning five of their past seven, including an impressive 7-3 dismantling of New Jersey on Saturday. New York has some young talent with Kyle Okposo and Josh Bailey, and a legitimate all-star in defenseman Mark Streit. The cupboard isn't totally bare on the Island, and it's going to get re-stocked this offseason with two first-round draft picks, including a likely top-two selection. - 30. Lightning (Last Week: 28)
The Lightning take over the basement in the power rankings, dropping two spots, thanks to their current stretch where they've lost 15 of 20. On Saturday, they watched Carolina's Eric Staal light the lamp four times (and pick up two assists) in an embarrassing 9-3 loss at home.
Latest NHL Images
Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Karri Ramo stands in his crease during the second period against the Toronto Maple Leafs in their NHL hockey game in Toronto, March 12, 2009. REUTERS/Fred Thornhill (CANADA SPORT ICE HOCKEY IMAGE OF THE DAY TOP PICTURE)
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EDMONTON, AB - MARCH 12: Marty Reasoner #19 of the Atlanta Thrashers fights for the puck with Kyle Brodziak #51 of the Edmonton Oilers in front of Thrashers' goaltender Johan Hedberg #1 at Rexall Place on March 12, 2009 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Thrashers beat the Oilers 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marty Reasoner;Kyle Brodziak;Johan Hedberg
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EDMONTON, AB - MARCH 12: Johan Hedberg #1 of the Atlanta Thrashers fails to stop the puck as Marc-Antoine Pouliot #78 of the Edmonton Oilers watches for a second period goal at Rexall Place on March 12, 2009 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Thrashers beat the Oilers 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Johan Hedberg;Marc-Antoine Pouliot
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EDMONTON, AB - MARCH 12: A young fan shows pride in his team with a Rexall noisemaker supporting the Edmonton Oilers during a game against the Atlanta Thrashers at Rexall Place on March 12, 2009 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Thrashers beat the Oilers 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)
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EDMONTON, AB - MARCH 12: Marty Reasoner #19 of the Atlanta Thrashers puts the ouck through the legs of Dwayne Roloson #35 of the Edmonton Oilers to score the overtime winner at Rexall Place on March 12, 2009 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Thrashers beat the Oilers 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Marty Reasoner;Dwayne Roloson
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EDMONTON, AB - MARCH 12: Eric Perrin #11 of the Atlanta Thrashers is upended by Fernando Pisani #34 of the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place on March 12, 2009 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The Thrashers beat the Oilers 4-3 in overtime. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Eric Perrin;Fernando Pisani
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Atlanta Thrashers center Marty Reasoner (19) scores the game winner against the Edmonton Oilers during overtime of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta on Thursday, March 12, 2009. Atlanta beat Edmonton 4-3 in the overtime. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jimmy Jeong)
AP
Atlanta Thrashers center Marty Reasoner (19) scores the game winner against Edmonton Oilers goalie Dwayne Roloson (35) during overtime of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta on Thursday, March 12, 2009. Atlanta beat Edmonton 4-3 in the overtime. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jimmy Jeong)
AP
Atlanta Thrashers center Marty Reasoner (19) scores the game winner against Edmonton Oilers goalie Dwayne Roloson (35) during overtime of an NHL hockey game in Edmonton, Alberta on Thursday, March 12, 2009. Atlanta beat Edmonton 4-3 in the overtime. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jimmy Jeong)
AP
DENVER - MARCH 12: Ben Guite #28 of the Colorado Avalanche skates against Martin Skoula #41 of the Minnesota Wild at the Pepsi Center on March 12, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Colorado beat Minnesota 2-1 in an overtime shootout. (Photo by Michael Martin/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ben Guite;Martin Skoula
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