Season | Team | Dec. 25 record | NHL rank |
2013-14 | Los Angeles Kings | 25-9-4 | 4th |
2011-12 | Los Angeles Kings | 16-14-5 | 20th |
2010-11 | Boston Bruins | 18-11-4 | 15th |
2009-10 | Chicago Blackhawks | 24-9-3 | 4th |
2008-09 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 18-12-4 | 12th |
2007-08 | Detroit Red Wings | 26-7-3 | 1st |
2006-07 | Anaheim Ducks | 27-5-6 | 1st |
2005-06 | Carolina Hurricanes | 23-9-2 | 5th |
2003-04 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 14-11-5-1 | 17th |
2002-03 | New Jersey Devils | 18-9-2-3 | 7th |
2001-02 | Detroit Red Wings | 26-8-2-1 | 1st |
2000-01 | Colorado Avalanche | 23-7-5-0 | 1st |
1999-00 | New Jersey Devils | 19-10-3-2 | 6th |
1998-99 | Dallas Stars | 20-5-6 | 1st |
1997-98 | Detroit Red Wings | 22-9-7 | 2nd |
Will the recent run continue, or could a team like the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks or Pittsburgh Penguins reverse the trend?
DISCLAIMER: While the Super 16 is NHL.com's weekly power rankings, it focuses more on the "power" than the "rankings" when determining the order. It's not always going to look like the League standings and likely will take more of a long view than a short one. If two teams are close the tiebreaker almost always is this: If the two teams started a seven-game series right now, who would prevail? Stop by to see where your favorite team ranks, but stay for the information. All rankings, records and statistics are through the games played Wednesday night.
1. Chicago Blackhawks (23-10-2)
The Blackhawks are one of the most offensively-inclined teams in the NHL and have used three goaltenders at least seven times this season, yet Chicago currently leads the League in goals against per game.2. Tampa Bay Lightning (21-11-4)
Steven Stamkos is back and having a great season, but Tyler Johnson is having a monster month, and now leads the Lightning with 37 points.3. Pittsburgh Penguins (22-7-5)
The Penguins have needed replacements, and then replacements for the replacements. The injuries keep mounting, and yet despite missing up to half the opening-night roster, Pittsburgh has lost once in regulation since Dec. 4.
4. Nashville Predators (22-9-2)
The Predators lead the League in goal differential at even strength. They’ve scored the third-most (73) and yielded the fewest (44) at evens.5. New York Islanders (23-11-0)
Jaroslav Halak has a .919 save percentage and a 2.24 goals against average. He’s got a chance to set the franchise record for both. That was a pretty good signing.6. Anaheim Ducks (23-8-5)
How can the Ducks go about playing their younger defensemen more? Cam Fowler, Sami Vatanen, Josh Manson and Hampus Lindholm have been positive possession players while Francois Beauchemin, Clayton Stone, Mark Fistric, and Eric Brewer are all below the team average.7. St. Louis Blues (21-10-3)
While the Blackhawks didn’t miss a beat without Corey Crawford, the Blues really miss Brian Elliott. Jake Allen (.903 save percentage) and Martin Brodeur (.892) haven’t been good enough.8. San Jose Sharks (19-11-5)
The Sharks played well during a four-game losing streak last month that left them at 10-10-4, and the clamoring for drastic change in San Jose was back. The Sharks have continued to play well, and a 9-1-1 stretch later and it might be time to think about adding instead of subtracting to the roster.9. Los Angeles Kings (17-11-7)
The Kings have climbed to third in Corsi for percentage at even strength, though they are tied for ninth when the game is tied or within one goal and just 19th in Fenwick for percentage in those situations.10. Detroit Red Wings (18-8-9)
The Red Wings recently did not win for six consecutive games. During that span, they allowed nine goals and and still procured four points. If that's the worst "slump" of the season, Detroit is going to earn an invitation to the tournament at the end of the season with ease.11. Montreal Canadiens (22-11-2)
P.A. Parenteau has had a positive Corsi for percentage relative to his team’s mean for six seasons now. That’s a span of four clubs. Teams should stop undervaluing him, probably.12. Boston Bruins (18-14-3)
David Krejci is back. Zdeno Chara has had some time to get back into his best shape/game form. It’s time for the Bruins to start turning puck possession into points.13. New York Rangers (18-10-4)
Only seven players in team history have scored at least 45 goals in a season (Mike Gartner did it twice), but Rick Nash has a pretty chance to get considering he’s on pace for 58.14. Winnipeg Jets (18-10-7)
The Jets continue to play well despite missing their top three defensemen. Well, three of their top four. Their best defensemen is Dustin Byfuglien, and him playing the position and helping the group continue to play well is no coincidence.15. Washington Capitals (17-11-6)
Braden Holtby's adjusted save percentage since Nov. 1 is .922, and he's been a top-7 or top-8 goaltender the past month. Justin Peters' adjusted save percentage since Nov. 1 is .827, and it might be time for Philip Grubauer to get chances to spell Holtby.16. Florida Panthers (15-9-8)
Filip Forsberg and Johnny Gaudreau are having great rookie seasons, but Aaron Ekblad could be en route to one of the best seasons by a teenaged defenseman in a long time. He deserves to be right there with the other two in the Calder Trophy discussion.