Burnside's Power Rankings: Stars jumping up board as hot streak continues

So, what did we learn this week? Guess Carey Price is important to the Montreal Canadiens after all. How ugly is it in Philadelphia? Or Ottawa? And, all of a sudden, things getting interesting in the Central Division with a team from Texas hitting its stride.
These and other important issues are brought to bear in the latest edition of the Terrific 10 and the Frigid Five.
Previous rankings:Preseason | Week 1 | Week 2| Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8

1. Winnipeg Jets (4)The Jets have overtaken the slumping St. Louis for the top spot in the Central Division, thanks to a nice 5-1-1 stretch. The Jets' offense is cooking -- fifth in the league in goals per game and second on the power play, and they've scored 21 times in their last four games. Best team in the NHL? Discuss among yourselves.
2. Nashville Predators (3)The Predators continue to roll along with a 6-1-1 record in their last eight, and have closed the gap on the Jets and St. Louis for first place in the division and the conference. They boast the third-ranked power play in the league and the seventh-ranked penalty kill.
3. Los Angeles Kings (-) The Kings return to the Terrific 10 (and, of lesser importance, to the top spot in the Pacific Division) thanks to an impressive five-game winning streak. L.A. leads the league in goals allowed per game and are an impressive 10-3-1 on the road, including four straight on trip that concluded with win in Chicago on Sunday.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets (6) The Blue Jackets are 8-2-0 in their last 10, and despite a little wobble against Washington on Saturday, might be the hardest team to play against in the East. They lead the conference in goals allowed per game, although their power play continues to languish at 31st overall. How does that happen?
5. Tampa Bay Lightning (7)The Lightning have shown some humanity as they've gone 3-4-0 in their last seven. They're still the cream of the Eastern Conference, though, and own the league's top winning percentage and the top point and goal producer (Nikita Kucherov, who is tied in goals with Alexander Ovechkin) and the league's top goaltender in Andrei Vasilevskiy.
6. New York Islanders (8)Top-rated offense in the NHL has the Islanders in the thick of the playoff hunt in the league's best division, the Metropolitan. One regulation loss at home (8-1-2), but only .500 on the road.
7. New Jersey Devils (5)The Devils still boast the second-highest winning percentage in the Eastern Conference. Love the addition of Sami Vatanen, with former playoff hero Adam Henrique going to Anaheim.
8. Dallas Stars (-) Just the second appearance in the top 10 for the Stars, but they're deserving, thanks to a five-game win streak, including sweeping Chicago in a home-and-home and then crushing Colorado on the road Sunday night. They have won seven of eight.
9. Pittsburgh Penguins (-)The two-time defending Stanley Cup champs make their first visit to the Terrific 10 since the preseason. The Pens are still figuring things out, especially in goal, and have to find a resolution to the issue of what to do with good-guy Ian Cole, but have won five in a row.
10. Montreal Canadiens (-)The Habs have been regular visitors to the Frigid Five this season, but they deserve a spot in the Terrific 10 based on the fact that all it took was the return of the game's best goalie to make things right. Carey Price has allowed six goals in five games -- all wins -- since he returned to action, and the Habs are in a playoff spot. Go figure.

Frigid Five

27. Colorado Avalanche (-)The Avs seem to be sinking to their own level with just four wins in their last 10, including getting pounded at home Sunday by a tired Dallas team. Only Edmonton and Arizona have fewer points in the West.
28. Ottawa Senators (-)The Senators are in a pretty significant swoon after getting blasted by Winnipeg on Sunday. Now 2-7-1 in their last 10, and giving up a ton -- as in five goals allowed in four of their last six games. They rank 26th in goals allowed per game.
29. Detroit Red Wings (-)The Red Wings were embarrassed 10-1 by Montreal, and if they hadn't been in the midst of another embarrassing winless streak (seven games and counting), maybe you'd shrug it off. But this is who the Red Wings are now. Tough times for a storied franchise.
30. Philadelphia Flyers (27)The Flyers haven't won since Nov. 9 and are winless in their last 10. Ron Hextall has preached patience since taking over as general manager, but you have to wonder if his patience is wearing thing with head coach Dave Hakstol.
31. Buffalo Sabres (31)It's cause for celebration when the Sabres score a single goal -- let alone actually win a game. Their minus-38 goal differential is the worst in the league, making you pine for when the Sabres were actually tryingto lose.
This story was not subject to approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club. You can follow Scott on Twitter at @OvertimeScottB, and listen to his Burnside Chats podcast here.