NEW YORK — Each week, the hosts of the Locked On NHL podcasts place their votes for the latest power rankings.
Here are this week’s results with each team’s record (as of Jan. 25) and a note if they’ve risen or fallen compared to last week.
ATLANTIC DIVISION
There was no movement up or down in the Atlantic this week, with each team occupying the same spot they did last week.
What’s worth noting, though, is the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers planting themselves right in the thick of the wild card race. Buffalo, in fact, sits 8th in the East in point percentage heading into Thursday’s action.
1. Boston Bruins
Record: 38-5-4Rank last week: 1
2. Toronto Maple Leafs
Record: 30-11-8Rank last week: 2
3. Tampa Bay Lightning
Record: 30-15-1Rank last week: 3
4. Buffalo Sabres
Record: 25-19-3Rank last week: 4
5. Florida Panthers
Record: 23-31-6Rank last week: 5
6. Detroit Red Wings
Record: 20-18-8Rank last week: 6
7. Ottawa Senators
Record: 21-23-3Rank last week: 7
8. Montreal Canadiens
Record: 20-25-3Rank last week: 8
METROPOLITAN DIVISION
The Capitals got a big shootout victory over the Penguins on Thursday night, keeping them in fourth ahead of the Penguins.
The Islanders continue to tumble after going 1-6-3 over their past 10 games and really struggling to score in the process.
1. Carolina Hurricanes
Record: 30-9-8Rank last week: 1
2. New Jersey Devils
Record: 31-13-4Rank last week: 2
3. New York Rangers
Record: 26-14-8Rank last week: 3
4. Washington Capitals
Record: 26-19-6Rank last week: 4
5. Pittsburgh Penguins
Record: 24-15-9Rank last week: 6
6. New York Islanders
Record: 23-22-5Rank last week: 5
7. Philadelphia Flyers
Record: 20-21-8Rank last week: 7
8. Columbus Blue Jackets
Record: 15-30-3Rank last week:8
Central Division
This is the division with the most movement this week, and there probably should have been more.
Dallas being first is well deserved. They have the best record and best goal differential not only in the Central Division, but the entire Western Conference. The Colorado Avalanche being stuck in fourth isn’t sitting right, though. They’re 7-3-0 over their past 1 games, have a better record and goal differential than the Minnesota Wild, and they just so happen to be the reigning Stanley Cup champions. Put some respect on it!
Every team from Minnesota down in this division is out of the playoff picture by the way.
1. Dallas Stars
Record: 28-13-9Rank last week: 2
2. Winnipeg Jets
Record: 31-17-1Rank last week: 1
3. Minnesota Wild
Record: 25-17-4Rank last week: 3
4. Colorado Avalanche
Record: 26-17-3Rank last week:4
5. Nashville Predators
Record: 23-18-6Rank last week: 6
6. St. Louis Blues
Record: 23-22-3Rank last week: 5
7. Arizona Coyotes (15-28-5)
Record: 15-28-5 Rank last week: 7
8. Chicago Blackhawks (14-28-4)
Record: 14-28-4Rank last week: 8
PACIFIC DIVISION
Always look at the point percentage, folks. Much like the situation in the Metro, Seattle probably deserves the top spot this week seeing as they’re level with Vegas in points, but in two fewer games played.
The Edmonton / Calgary swap is well deserved as the Oilers are currently one of the hottest teams in the NHL after going 7-1-2 over their past 10. One of those overtime losses, though, came at the hands of the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets on home ice.
1. Vegas Golden Knights
Record: 29-17-3Rank last week: 1
2. Seattle Kraken
Record: 28-14-5Rank last week: 2
3. Los Angeles Kings
Record: 27-17-6Rank last week: 3
4. Edmonton Oilers
Record: 27-18-4Rank last week: 5
5. Calgary Flames
Record: 23-16-9Rank last week: 4
6. Vancouver Canucks (19-26-3)
Record: 19-26-3Rank last week: 6
7. San Jose Sharks (14-25-10)
Record: 14-25-10Rank last week: 7
8. Anaheim Ducks (14-29-5)
Record: 14-29-5Rank last week: 8