For third week in a row, we have a new No. 1 on top of the Super 16.
The New York Rangers moved to the front of the pack on the strength of a 3-0-1 week. In three games without captain and second-leading scorer Ryan Callahan, the Rangers went 2-0-1. They have earned at least a point in seven of their last eight games and beat the defending Stanley Cup-champion Boston Bruins on Sunday 4-3. It was their third win in as many tries against them this season.
There are teams rising at the bottom of this week's power rankings, too, clearly sniffing a playoff spot and pulling out all the stops to get there.
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Super 16: NHL Power Rankings
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Super 16: NHL Power Rankings
Rangers roll to top spot in NHL.com Power Rankings
Monday, 03.05.2012 / 10:10 AM / Super 16: NHL Power Rankings
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
Red-hot Canucks now atop Power Rankings
Sunday, 02.26.2012 / 10:49 PM / Super 16: NHL Power Rankings
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
Clearly feeling the pressure of being the top team in the Super 16, the Detroit Red Wings stumbled badly last week. They lost all three of their games and dropped two at Joe Louis Arena after winning 23 straight there, a clear sign that the honor that is being the top team in the NHL.com power rankings can be a burden.
Or maybe the Red Wings were without Pavel Datsyuk due to knee surgery and they were long overdue to drop a game or two at home.
Either way, as we move past the three-quarter point of the season, the Red Wings are no longer on top. That spot now belongs to the Vancouver Canucks, who ended that 23-game win streak and have earned points in 16 of their last 17 games.
Or maybe the Red Wings were without Pavel Datsyuk due to knee surgery and they were long overdue to drop a game or two at home.
Either way, as we move past the three-quarter point of the season, the Red Wings are no longer on top. That spot now belongs to the Vancouver Canucks, who ended that 23-game win streak and have earned points in 16 of their last 17 games.
Rangers still No. 1, but here come the Blues
Sunday, 02.12.2012 / 11:01 PM / Super 16: NHL Power Rankings
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
There's little doubt the Rangers and Red Wings deserve the top two spots in the Super 16. But there are four teams -- two on the rise, two looking shaky -- that are making the most noise.
On the positive side of things, the St. Louis Blues and Phoenix Coyotes are surging during the dog days of the calendar. The Blues have won four straight and five of six, beating upper-echelon teams the Devils and Sharks this week. The Coyotes were though to be potential sellers at the trade deadline, but they have won five straight to move into eighth place in the Western Conference standings, the ones that matter.
On the flip side, the Blackhawks and Flyers are in the midst of rough patches. The Blackhawks are 0-7-1 in their last eight games and have two tough road games against the Predators and Rangers this week. The Flyers have survived -- heck, flourished -- despite their defensive shortcomings this season caused largely by the loss of Chris Pronger, but they have foundered of late.
On the positive side of things, the St. Louis Blues and Phoenix Coyotes are surging during the dog days of the calendar. The Blues have won four straight and five of six, beating upper-echelon teams the Devils and Sharks this week. The Coyotes were though to be potential sellers at the trade deadline, but they have won five straight to move into eighth place in the Western Conference standings, the ones that matter.
On the flip side, the Blackhawks and Flyers are in the midst of rough patches. The Blackhawks are 0-7-1 in their last eight games and have two tough road games against the Predators and Rangers this week. The Flyers have survived -- heck, flourished -- despite their defensive shortcomings this season caused largely by the loss of Chris Pronger, but they have foundered of late.
Rangers still No. 1 in Power Rankings
Monday, 02.06.2012 / 3:00 AM / Super 16: NHL Power Rankings
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
The first few games back from the All-Star break are usually a struggle to regain the consistency they had before the layoff, but most of the teams at the top of the Super 16 didn't break stride.
The Rangers secured the No. 1 spot with their 5-2 win against the Flyers, who had a strong victory against the Nashville Predators at home this week but dropped two straight to the Rangers and New Jersey Devils in subsequent games.
The Devils, meanwhile, went 4-0 out of the break, with three wins against some of the East's top teams -- the Rangers, Flyers and Penguins.
The Blackhawks are struggling, but they had such a strong start that a mid-season hiccup shouldn't damage their place in the standings if they can right the ship quickly.
How is everyone else doing in this week's power rankings? Let's take a look.
The Rangers secured the No. 1 spot with their 5-2 win against the Flyers, who had a strong victory against the Nashville Predators at home this week but dropped two straight to the Rangers and New Jersey Devils in subsequent games.
The Devils, meanwhile, went 4-0 out of the break, with three wins against some of the East's top teams -- the Rangers, Flyers and Penguins.
The Blackhawks are struggling, but they had such a strong start that a mid-season hiccup shouldn't damage their place in the standings if they can right the ship quickly.
How is everyone else doing in this week's power rankings? Let's take a look.
Predators rise, Blues and Hawks slide prior to break
Monday, 01.30.2012 / 9:00 AM / Super 16: NHL Power Rankings
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
There's not a lot that's changed since last week's Super 16, with most teams only playing one game before the All-Star break. But there's been enough new information to shake things up a little bit as most of the League takes a rest.
The Blues came up virtually empty in two tough matchups against the Red Wings and Penguins, while the Predators completed a clean sweep of the Blackhawks before heading off for the holiday. Both teams saw their positions take big swings.
The Blues came up virtually empty in two tough matchups against the Red Wings and Penguins, while the Predators completed a clean sweep of the Blackhawks before heading off for the holiday. Both teams saw their positions take big swings.
Super 16: Plenty of contenders for top-ranked team
Monday, 01.16.2012 / 10:40 AM / Super 16: NHL Power Rankings
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
Two weeks ago, it was pretty clear that the Boston Bruins were the best team in the NHL.
Last week, the difference between the Bruins, Rangers and Canucks was negligible.
As the hockey world rolls out of bed Monday morning, there is no shortage of teams that can make a strong case for being the League's best.
The Rangers, last week's top team, dropped two games over the past four days. The Bruins let a third-period lead slip away in Carolina on Saturday. The Canucks have dropped two of four since their stirring win in Boston last week, including a rough loss at home to Anaheim on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks have righted the ship after a three-game slide, but have lost twice to the Red Wings in the past week. And what about those Red Wings? They've played well lately, but they seemingly took the night off in a 5-1 loss on Long Island on Tuesday.
Last week, the difference between the Bruins, Rangers and Canucks was negligible.
As the hockey world rolls out of bed Monday morning, there is no shortage of teams that can make a strong case for being the League's best.
The Rangers, last week's top team, dropped two games over the past four days. The Bruins let a third-period lead slip away in Carolina on Saturday. The Canucks have dropped two of four since their stirring win in Boston last week, including a rough loss at home to Anaheim on Sunday night.
Meanwhile, the Blackhawks have righted the ship after a three-game slide, but have lost twice to the Red Wings in the past week. And what about those Red Wings? They've played well lately, but they seemingly took the night off in a 5-1 loss on Long Island on Tuesday.
Super 16: Recent run allows Rangers to unseat B's
Monday, 01.09.2012 / 9:25 AM / Super 16: NHL Power Rankings
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
It's taken nearly two months, but the Boston Bruins have been knocked out of the top spot of the Super 16.
Perhaps "knocked out" is too strong a term. It's more like they were narrowly passed or displaced by the slimmest of margins. But the play of the New York Rangers of late has earned them top billing in this week's power rankings.
Comparing the Bruins and Rangers isn't easy because they've yet to play a game against each other this season. That'll change on Jan. 21 when the NHL's goliaths meet at TD Garden for a heavyweight showdown at 1 p.m. on NHL Network-US. The Bruins have the jaw-dropping goal-differential (plus-68) and the League's best offense and defense, giving them a strong case to be considered the NHL's best team.
Perhaps "knocked out" is too strong a term. It's more like they were narrowly passed or displaced by the slimmest of margins. But the play of the New York Rangers of late has earned them top billing in this week's power rankings.
Comparing the Bruins and Rangers isn't easy because they've yet to play a game against each other this season. That'll change on Jan. 21 when the NHL's goliaths meet at TD Garden for a heavyweight showdown at 1 p.m. on NHL Network-US. The Bruins have the jaw-dropping goal-differential (plus-68) and the League's best offense and defense, giving them a strong case to be considered the NHL's best team.
Super 16: Bruins still at top, welcome new company
Sunday, 12.25.2011 / 1:30 PM / Super 16: NHL Power Rankings
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
For the seventh week in a row, the Boston Bruins rest comfortably atop the Super 16.
The Bruins are 20-2-1 since their 3-7 October. The only reason they've lost those three games in nearly two months has been because of fantastic performances from opposing goalies.
On Nov. 25, the Red Wings won 3-2 in a shootout on the back of Jimmy Howard's 41 saves. In the Bruins' back-to-back losses on Dec. 6 and 8, the Jets' Ondrej Pavelec made 39 saves in a 2-1 victory and the Panthers' Jose Theodore made 40 saves in a 2-0 victory.
The rest of this week's Super 16 is pretty similar to last week's, with only the Calgary Flames making their first appearance in the power rankings this season on the heels of perhaps the most impressive 3-0 week of the season.
The Bruins are 20-2-1 since their 3-7 October. The only reason they've lost those three games in nearly two months has been because of fantastic performances from opposing goalies.
On Nov. 25, the Red Wings won 3-2 in a shootout on the back of Jimmy Howard's 41 saves. In the Bruins' back-to-back losses on Dec. 6 and 8, the Jets' Ondrej Pavelec made 39 saves in a 2-1 victory and the Panthers' Jose Theodore made 40 saves in a 2-0 victory.
The rest of this week's Super 16 is pretty similar to last week's, with only the Calgary Flames making their first appearance in the power rankings this season on the heels of perhaps the most impressive 3-0 week of the season.
Rangers, Flyers on pace for prolific Classic matchup
Monday, 12.05.2011 / 12:22 PM / Super 16: NHL Power Rankings
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
If the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers maintain their current form, the 2012 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic could be more special and historic than any of the outdoor games that have preceded it.
Giving or taking a fraction of a point, the Rangers are on pace to arrive at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia with 52 points in 36 games, while the Flyers are on pace for 48 points in 36 games. It could be the best Winter Classic matchup in terms of point totals of the two teams in the game's five-year history:
Giving or taking a fraction of a point, the Rangers are on pace to arrive at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia with 52 points in 36 games, while the Flyers are on pace for 48 points in 36 games. It could be the best Winter Classic matchup in terms of point totals of the two teams in the game's five-year history:
Super 16: Schneider leads Canucks' Rankings rise
Monday, 11.28.2011 / 9:43 AM / Super 16: NHL Power Rankings
Dave Lozo - NHL.com Staff Writer
The good news for the Vancouver Canucks is they no longer are emitting signs of a Stanley Cup Final hangover, winning seven of nine after a 6-7-1 start to the season. They've climbed to seventh place in the Western Conference and are just two points behind the Minnesota Wild for first in the Northwest Division.
The bad news is the Canucks could have a headache -- perhaps one a lot of teams would like to have -- that's not a symptom of a hangover.
A goaltender controversy is brewing in British Columbia, with backup Cory Schneider making five consecutive starts. The first two were necessary, with starter Roberto Luongo out with an upper-body injury, but Schneider has been in net for the final three starts after Luongo declared himself 100-percent healthy Wednesday.
The bad news is the Canucks could have a headache -- perhaps one a lot of teams would like to have -- that's not a symptom of a hangover.
A goaltender controversy is brewing in British Columbia, with backup Cory Schneider making five consecutive starts. The first two were necessary, with starter Roberto Luongo out with an upper-body injury, but Schneider has been in net for the final three starts after Luongo declared himself 100-percent healthy Wednesday.
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