NHL Power Rankings
Posted March 04, 2013 02:48 PM EST
No one regulation loss is going to lead anybody to question the Chicago Blackhawks' dominance, even if it would have been to the Columbus Blue Jackets. That game on Friday went to OT and Sunday’s game in Detroit went into a shootout --- both games won by the ‘Hawks --- as Chicago’s record season-opening points streak hit 22 games.
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FOX SPORTS NHL POWER RANKINGS
| RK | Team | RECORD | CHANGE | HIGH/LOW | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Blackhawks |
19-0 -0 | - | 1/7 |
Chicago has yet to disappoint, although it came close before a comeback OT victory to Columbus. Counting last season, the ‘Hawks (28 consecutive games with at least a point) are inching toward the 1979-80 Flyers’ record (35 games).
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| 2 |
Ducks |
15-3 -0 | - | 2/17 |
It wasn’t perfect (a regulation loss to the Kings and a shootout loss to Coyotes), but the Ducks netted seven of a possible 10 points in span when they played five games in seven days.
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| 3 |
Bruins |
14-3 -0 | 3 | 3/6 |
A rare fight involving Zdeno Chara robbed the Bruins of their captain and best defenseman via a 17-minute penalty that included an instigator. The Canadiens scored twice in the third period minus Chara’s presence, resulting in a 4-3 Bruins loss to end a s
A rare fight involving Zdeno Chara robbed the Bruins of their captain and best defenseman via a 17-minute penalty that included an instigator. The Canadiens scored twice in the third period minus Chara’s presence, resulting in a 4-3 Bruins loss to end a six-game win streak Sunday.
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| 4 |
Canadiens |
14-4 -0 | 1 | 3/26 |
There was no sulking for the Habs after ending up on the losing end of a wild 7-6 OT game against the Pens. Heck, the Canadiens’ regulation unbeaten streak was still intact. The Habs ran it to 11 with a victory over the Bruins on Sunday.
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| 5 |
Penguins |
14-8 -0 | 1 | 1/8 |
Evgeni Malkin, who has been out since Feb. 22 as he recovers from a concussion, is progressing. But the Pens still have enough firepower to score seven goals off one of the league’s best in Montreal goalie Carey Price on Sunday. It almost masked the losse
Evgeni Malkin, who has been out since Feb. 22 as he recovers from a concussion, is progressing. But the Pens still have enough firepower to score seven goals off one of the league’s best in Montreal goalie Carey Price on Sunday. It almost masked the losses to Florida and Carolina earlier in the week.
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| 6 |
Canucks |
11-6 -0 | 3 | 3/17 |
Ryan Kessler’s return lasted all of two weeks. After finally coming back from shoulder surgery, Kessler is now out an extended period with a broken foot suffered last Tuesday. It’ll be interesting to see if the Canucks can thrive again without him.
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| 7 |
Senators |
12-7 -0 | - | 7/14 |
The Sens have dropped three in a row and remain near the lower third in the league on the road (3-6-2). Also continuing the team’s injury woes, sidelined goalie Craig Anderson (ankle) has been “day-to-day” for nearly two weeks.
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| 8 |
Hurricanes |
12-8 -0 | 9 | 8/27 |
Carolina has won three in a row, but it comes with a couple asterisks. First, two of those wins were against pitiful Florida. (Props to the ‘Canes for a quality win against the Pens on Thursday.) The other is that they play in the Southeast.
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| 9 |
Maple Leafs |
13-9 -0 | 4 | 8/30 |
Sure, the Habs’ turnaround should get lots of ink. But what about the Leafs? After changing general managers days before the start of the season, Toronto --- yes, I’ll say it – could be a playoff team.
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| 10 |
Sharks |
10-6 -0 | 1 | 2/17 |
Scoring (and just plain winning) shouldn’t be this difficult, although the Sharks get a a bit of pass with three key players (Brent Burns, Tommy Wingels and Martin Havlat) ailing.
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| 11 |
Devils |
10-6 -0 | 2 | 2/23 |
New Jersey has lost four in a row minus veteran goalie Martin Bordeur, the last by way of a shootout to the lowly Sabres on Saturday. His ailing back can’t get better soon enough.
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| 12 |
Kings |
10-7 -0 | 6 | 3/25 |
Outside Saturday’s setback to Vancouver that halted a five-game winning streak, the defending champs had been on a run not seen since hoisting the Cup last June. No, LA wouldn’t be in the playoffs if the season ended Sunday. But there’s plenty of time.
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| 13 |
Stars |
11-9 -0 | 2 | 12/27 |
It was a bold move giving up Michael Ryder for Erik Cole in a trade with Montreal. Still, it’s hard not to like what the veteran brings to a team – even an occasional goal like he provided against the Blues on Sunday.
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| 14 |
Wild |
11-8 -0 | 7 | 5/23 |
Minnesota got some redemption for Oilers forward Taylor Hall’s illegal hit that injured Cal Clutterbuck with a victory Sunday. Hall (hamstring) didn’t play, but now that rematch is behind them, the Wild can continue what has been a solid run of late.
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| 15 |
Blues |
11-8 -0 | 7 | 1/18 |
Over the weekend, forward Alexander Steen (upper-body injury) joined teammates Jamie Langenbrunner (out for season with hip injury), Andy McDonald (knee) and Vladimir Tarasenko (concussion) on the IR. That won’t help continuity on a team that’s sputtered
Over the weekend, forward Alexander Steen (upper-body injury) joined teammates Jamie Langenbrunner (out for season with hip injury), Andy McDonald (knee) and Vladimir Tarasenko (concussion) on the IR. That won’t help continuity on a team that’s sputtered recently.
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| 16 |
Red Wings |
10-8 -0 | 6 | 9/18 |
Detroit is scoring. It’s mostly against Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo on Sunday (eight goals). The Wings also scored four off Preds goalie Pekka Rinne on Saturday.
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| 17 |
Coyotes |
10-8 -0 | 3 | 11/25 |
Phoenix became one of the rare teams to beat the Ducks, even if it wasn’t in regulation, Sunday. The true test is whether the Coyotes --- who face the Ducks on Monday and again on Wednesday --- can match that effort.
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| 18 |
Flyers |
11-11 -0 | 2 | 8/27 |
Flyers winger Harry Zolnierczyk was rightfully suspended four games for his brutal hit that concussed Mike Lundin. That ill-advised center-ice hit, and also rightfully so, obscured that Flyers have worked their way into playoff contention.
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| 19 |
Predators |
9-8 -0 | 7 | 10/27 |
The Preds have scored more than a goal just once their prior five games (a 5-4 OT victory over Dallas on Feb. 25).
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| 20 |
Rangers |
10-8 -0 | 1 | 2/20 |
The hit Rangers forward Brad Richards absorbed from Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta was brutal and illegal. Richards wasn’t seriously injured on the play and stayed in the game. The better news was that the Rangers --- ranked 26th in the league on the power
The hit Rangers forward Brad Richards absorbed from Sabres winger Patrick Kaleta was brutal and illegal. Richards wasn’t seriously injured on the play and stayed in the game. The better news was that the Rangers --- ranked 26th in the league on the power play --- scored two power-play goals to spark a 3-2 shootout victory over Buffalo on Sunday.
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| 21 |
Avalanche |
8-8 -0 | 2 | 20/29 |
Credit the Flames for making the Avs more formidable. Calgary signed holdout forward Ryan O'Reilly to an offer sheet, one that the Avs matched. O'Reilly back in the lineup and that’s not a bad thing, unless he keeps scoring on his own net like he did in h
Credit the Flames for making the Avs more formidable. Calgary signed holdout forward Ryan O'Reilly to an offer sheet, one that the Avs matched. O'Reilly back in the lineup and that’s not a bad thing, unless he keeps scoring on his own net like he did in his debut over the weekend.
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| 22 |
Capitals |
8-11 -0 | 2 | 9/27 |
The Caps spoiled what would have been a solid late February run with maybe their most listless performance of the season, a 4-1 loss to the Flyers on Wednesday. Yes, it was their second game in as many nights, but that doesn’t fully explain away that type
The Caps spoiled what would have been a solid late February run with maybe their most listless performance of the season, a 4-1 loss to the Flyers on Wednesday. Yes, it was their second game in as many nights, but that doesn’t fully explain away that type of effort.
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| 23 |
Lightning |
9-11 -0 | 7 | 7/29 |
Losers of four in a row to enter the week, the Lightning have two more games on their current four-game trip (Pens on Monday; Devils on Tuesday). The Bolts have fallen fast, and there road woes (Tampa Bay has the 28th-worst road record) won’t help.
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| 24 |
Flames |
8-8 -0 | 2 | 21/30 |
Calgary has lost two of the past three games, along with Ryan O'Reilly. (The Flames signed the forward to an offer sheet that was matched by the Avs). But that one victory was a quality one over the Canucks on Sunday.
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| 25 |
Jets |
10-10 -0 | - | 12/28 |
That thud was the Jets’ three-game winning streak coming to an end against the Caps on Saturday. It was the first time the Jets have been shut out this year, so they have that going for them.
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| 26 |
Oilers |
8-9 -0 | - | 17/28 |
Is Mike Brown really what the Oilers needed? This team is way more than one enforcer away from a playoff run, but Edmonton added some toughness from the Maple Leafs in the deal.
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| 27 |
Islanders |
9-11 -0 | - | 12/30 |
The Isles' winless streak at home was halted at four games with Sunday’s shootout win over the Sens. The Islanders still have the worst home record in the league with three wins in 12 games.
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| 28 |
Sabres |
9-12 -0 | 2 | 18/30 |
Buffalo had its longest winning streak of the season (three games) snapped by the Rangers in a shootout on Sunday. If forward Patrick Kaleta doesn’t board Brad Richards that run could still be going.
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| 29 |
Blue Jackets |
6-12 -0 | - | 13/30 |
Columbus gave the Blackhawks plenty of trouble leading and, surprisingly, looked like the better team for stretches. The Blue Jackets fell in OT on Friday, but they have gotten points in three games in a row. Progress.
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| 30 |
Panthers |
6-11 -0 | 2 | 19/30 |
It bears repeating: The Panthers won the Southeast last season. No. It really happened. Honest.
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