Steven Stamkos (Scott Audette, Getty Images)
February hockey is rarely all that illuminating, but we've had a couple of incredible games recently. The 10-7 Leafs win over Detroit, an Avalanche win in which they came back from 3 goals down to beat the Jets and a high-intensity 8-5 game between the Devils and the Blackhawks.
We've entered the most important stretch of the season and we are about to see a lot of furious games, blockbuster trades and desperate teams.
We are two weeks out from my last power rankings, and the fabric of the NHL has changed dramatically. The team that has been in last place on every single one of my rankings is now on a 5-game winning streak and has finally climbed out of the basement. The second-place team from last fortnight has stuttered as of late and allowed other teams to surpass them.
We're in uncertain times on the political landscape and that is being reflected in the world of hockey. With that being said, let's dive into one of the teams that has remained the same: the Colorado Avalanche.
1. Colorado Avalanche
Nathan MacKinnon (Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
Previous Ranking: 1
Points Percentage: .774
The Avs are as close to perfect as you can get. The rare occasions when their dynamic top-6 isn't firing, their goalie Darcy Kuemper has justified his hefty trade price with some much improved performances. The West is especially weak this year, so this might be as good a time as any for the team to finally break into the Conference Finals.
However, we all know about the good parts of Colorado's team. There are still a fair few issues with the squad. The bottom-six aren't providing the valuable contributions we saw earlier in the year. The power play, which has been average all year, is suddenly really struggling. By some miracle, they still find a way to win, but they need a trade to elevate their ceiling.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning
Previous Ranking: 3
Points Percentage: .725
Out of nowhere, the Lightning have now surpassed the Florida Panthers at the top of the Atlantic Division. This is key to their hopes in the postseason. It would make their first-round opponent slightly easier and would prevent them from facing either Toronto or Florida until the second round.
The Lightning prevailed in a pretty fun Stadium Series game, showcasing their defensive prowess. It'll be interesting to see how the Lightning address their squad at the trade deadline. I'm pinpointing a second or third-pair defenseman and possibly even a star forward in the mould of Claude Giroux.
Either way, the Lightning are a powerhouse and they keep chugging along.
3. Carolina Hurricanes
Previous Ranking: 4
Points Percentage: .750
The Canes stuttered for a brief period, but they seem to have found the "oomph" factor, as they are in the midst of a 5-game win streak. I was really impressed with their pragmatic victory over a high-powered Edmonton Oilers team today.
An injury to power-play quarterback Tony DeAngelo complicates things, but with the way Andrei Svechnikov and Teuvo "Turbo" Teravainen have been playing in the last month, the Hurricanes might not even need a replacement for DeAngelo at the deadline. Their penalty kill is now at an astonishing 90% on the season, which is utterly stunning.
4. Florida Panthers
Previous Ranking: 2
Points Percentage: .708
It was a tough week for Florida that obviously drops them down my power rankings. The Sergei Bobrovksy-Spencer Knight tandem is still incredibly volatile and frankly, I'm not sure I trust that duo to lead the Panthers to a Cup. The Panthers goaltending struggled this week. In three games at home (where they have been amazing all season), they allowed 5.33 goals per game and lost all three.
It's far from the end of the world, but there is some doubt creeping into coach Andrew Brunette. I'm not sure where Florida will look to upgrade at the deadline (likely anywhere they can), but I do feel as if we shouldn't overreact just yet.
5. Calgary Flames
Tyler Toffoli (Brett Holmes, Getty Images)
Previous Ranking: 8
Points Percentage: .667
Okay, the 7-1 loss to Vancouver was a little weird. But other than that, the Flames have been utterly brilliant in 2022.
Jakob Markstrom is a legitimate Vezina Trophy candidate currently. The Johnny Gaudreau-Elias Lindholm-Matthew Tkachuk line has had some excellent results. Analytically, they are one of the best team in the entire NHL. The Flames are heavy favourites to steal the Pacific Division crown in the first year since the old divisions were reinstalled.
I'm still wondering whether they may want an experienced fourth liner at the deadline, as they are struggling to generate offense at anywhere near the same level as the rest of Calgary's roster.
6. Toronto Maple Leafs
Previous Ranking: 6
Points Percentage: .692
Only the Leafs can give heart attacks to their fans in the latter stages of February, a fairly insignificant month in the grand scheme of things.
After Thursday's impressive defensive showing against the Minnesota Wild, I wrote that I was expecting to see more slow-paced games. Two days later, they Leafs were part of a game in which 17 goals were scored. You literally can't predict what they will do. Thus, it's ironic that that they've kept their position from last week.
Goaltending is becoming a concern and maybe placing Jake Muzzin on LTIR and getting rid of Nick Ritchie will allow them to pursue a solution. James Reimer, anybody?
7. New York Rangers
Previous Ranking: 9
Points Percentage: .683
The Rangers are so obviously riding their excellent power-play and generational goaltender to a high spot in these power rankings. But here we are, almost in March, and I'm beginning to think that maybe New York just has an excellent power-play and a generational goaltender. Frankly, if they keep getting these results with the man advantage and with Igor Shesterkin manning the crease, this will probably continue all the way into the postseason.
They are missing Pavel Buchnevich quite a bit and that trade has been an utter disaster for New York. They really do need a goal-scoring winger in Buchnevich's mould and we'll see if GM Chris Drury pursues another option when he had a player like what they need in his grasp.
8. Pittsburgh Penguins
Previous Ranking: 7
Points Percentage: .667
I don't always know how to judge the Pens. They go from getting embarrassed 6-1 against New Jersey to shutting out the Rangers in an impressive victory.
I can't help but feel that the Penguins are a sleeping giant that could make a real run in the playoffs, though. They have a top-tier coach in Mike Sullivan, a good goalie in Tristan Jarry and they are capable of playing nasty, physical hockey. If they can get all those factors combined with some consistency, this team is fully capable of making a run in May.
9. St. Louis Blues
Ville Husso (Scott Rovak, Getty Images)
Previous Ranking: 11
Points Percentage:
The goaltending controversy continues to dominate headlines in St. Louis. Ville Husso had started to control the crease more often than Jordan Binnington. However, coach Craig Berube tried out Binner and he was excellent. In back-to-back starts, Binnington had a .982 save percentage, backstopping St. Louis to two consecutive wins. It's becoming interesting to see who will prevail in the battle for the Blues' playoff job.
Though Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas are sparking the Blues to a better season than expected, some unsung heroes have been key lately. Colton Parayko is generating offense lately, with a +14 in his last 8 games. In terms of forwards, Brayden Schenn has finally started to warm up after returning from injury. He has 11 goals and 8 assists for 19 points in his last 14 games.
10. Minnesota Wild
Previous Ranking: 5
Points Percentage: .650
Like with Florida, the Wild are being punished on the power rankings for a disappointing fortnight. I remember earlier in the season the Wild had a 5-game losing streak, but at least they were putting up a legitimate fight in every single game. Currently, the struggles go beyond just the results.
The whole roster are playing like they are sapped for energy. The sandpaper depth that made the Wild so recognizable at their best is severely lacking. I've been predicting a move for Claude Giroux for months and I think it would be perfect. Let's see if GM Bill Guerin is ready to commit to this corps.
11. Boston Bruins
Previous Ranking: 13
Points Percentage: .635
The Bruins are teetering a fine line between all-in and a first-round exit. I'm curious to see how long the Perfection Line can keep this team working. The Bs survived without Brad Marchand, but it's clear just how important a single line is to this squad.
Tomas Hertl is a player that I can expect to see the Bruins going after, but that may require a huge haul, as Hertl is starting to look like he wouldn't mind staying in San Jose.
The next few weeks could determine whether the Bruins stand pat, make a blockbuster trade or even sell some players.
12. Los Angeles Kings
Previous Ranking: 15
Points Percentage: .613
The Kings are having a very exciting season. They were not expected to make a serious playoff push, but this youthful Kings squad is making it a reality. Not only that, but they could really prove a point when they get there.
Todd McLellan's team is now second in the Pacific Division with 5 straight wins helping the team establish themselves as a real force. The special teams are very poor, but they play a rock-solid defensive style and have a couple of dynamic forces in Adrian Kempe and Anze Kopitar.
13. Vegas Golden Knights
Jonathan Marchessault (Zak Krill, Getty Images)
Previous Ranking: 10
Points Percentage: .585
In a perfect world for Vegas fans, the Knights could continue playing at a high level even after Mark Stone's injury to allow them to win the weak Pacific Division and then bring Stone back for the playoffs to limit the need for outgoings.
However, it's not a perfect world and the Knights are in trouble. Stone, the catalyst of this Vegas roster, is way more important to the squad than management originally expected. Without Stone in the lineup, Vegas could miss the playoffs. Vegas now no longer have the benefit of LTIR, as they are going to need to bring Stone back before the postseason if they are to stay afloat.
A new goalie would be nice too.
14. Edmonton Oilers
Previous Ranking: 18
Points Percentage: .575
New coach Jay Woodcroft has got the Oilers' season back on track. Their depth players are buying into the project as evidence by Derek Ryan's random hat trick in an impressive victory over the Florida Panthers.
This newfound defensive commitment has allowed Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid to work in the offensive zone more often. They are both in the midst of very impressive streaks since Woodcroft's appointment.
Things are starting to look up in Edmonton.
15. Nashville Predators
Previous Ranking: 12
Points Percentage: .604
The Preds had their biggest stutter in a very long time. A 4-game losing streak started to cause skeptics and it rose suggestions about whether star forward Filip Forsberg could be dealt.
Forsberg is on pace for almost 60 goals in a 82 game season and he is averaging 1.13 points per game. Nashville's bloated contracts mean that GM David Poile could consider offers for Forsberg.
An impressive victory over the Florida Panthers on Tuesday began to ease some concern about the Preds. The savvy Poile may consider trading Forsberg anyways, but for now, we should consider Forsberg as a part of Nashville's present and future.
16. Washington Capitals
Previous Ranking: 14
Points Percentage: .602
One of the most wild stats this year is concerning Washington's power-play. A unit with Alex Ovechkin, Evgeny Kuznetsov and John Carlson should not be 28th in the league, but here we are. The unit's deficiencies are starting to lead to the Caps losing games. This was never expected after the team was ranked third on the man advantage this season.
The Caps are still likely to make the playoffs, but there are so many reasons why they will find trouble within the postseason. Chief among them is the power play, but inconsistent goaltending and limited middle-six production (aside from Joe Snively, who has been a fun story) are both concerns.
17. Dallas Stars
Jake Oettinger (Glenn James, Getty Images)
Previous Ranking: 16
Points Percentage: .587
Same story for the Stars. They have a very top-heavy roster and their depth is lacking.
I've already gone in depth on Dallas' awesome first line of Robertson-Pavelski-Hintz, so let's focus on another player who is having an excellent season: Jake Oettinger.
"Otter" was on the outside looking in after Braden Holtby's signing in July. He was unfairly demoted to the minors, but Oettinger found himself back on the NHL roster following Anton Khudobin's personal and professional troubles.
He has seized the opportunity, with an impressive 2.25 GAA and a great .923 SV%.
18. Vancouver Canucks
Previous Ranking: 20
Points Percentage: .528
The Bruce Boudreau era may not result in a playoff berth, as it could be too little, too late. Nevertheless, Boudreau's appointment has nonetheless been positive on the ice.
The joyful bench boss has made the Canucks fun to watch, as evidenced by a wild 7-1 victory over the Calgary Flames. In the last 5 games, two of Vancouver's stars, Elias Pettersson and JT Miller have notched 11 points. The whole team is on the same page and they are firing at ready.
Not to mention an excellent year from Thatcher "Demigod" Demko and a dominant offensive campaign from star defenseman Quinn Hughes, and there is some legitimate optimism going in BC.
19. Winnipeg Jets
Previous Ranking: 19
Points Percentage: .519
It's been an awful year for the Winnipeg Jets. A team with a star goaltender in Connor Hellebuyck and a great top-six has no business getting the results that the Jets have been lately.
Inconsistency is the name of the game for this Jets squad. Their loss to Colorado evidences that. They were utterly dominant against the best team in the first period, going up 3-0. However, the rest of the way, they were poor, conceding 6 successive goals in a crushing defeat.
If this Jets team can start playing a full 60 minutes, a playoff spot isn't out of the realm of possibility.
20. Anaheim Ducks
Previous Ranking: 17
Points Percentage: .546
It was fun while it lasted, eh?
The Ducks of 2021 were similar to where the Kings are currently. They were a fun team that were finding their feet way before anybody expected. However, a few poor performances have somewhat neutralized a lot of the goodwill around Anaheim.
GM Pat Verbeek now has a decision on his hands. He could sell some of his assets like Hampus Lindholm, Josh Manson and Rickard Rakell to finance the future of this team. He could also maybe buy and hope that some of the other wild-card teams in the West stutter.
21. Columbus Blue Jackets
Jean-Francois Berube (Gregg Forwerck, Getty Images)
Previous Ranking: 24
Points Percentage: .529
Patrik Laine is fueling the most exciting time in a long while for the Columbus Blue Jackets. His play over the last month has helped the Jackets win 7 of their last 10 and insert themselves into the wild card race, as unlikely as it is.
His RFA status means that Jarmo Kekalainen will need to be quick to sign him to a long-term deal. He is a legitimate game-changer and in the midst of a goaltending crisis, he is keeping Columbus relevant.
To be fair to JF Berube, the temporary solution in net, he has been awesome. He's been a very good story and is helping Columbus out hugely.
22. Detroit Red Wings
Previous Ranking: 23
Points Percentage: .491
Outside of conceding 10 goals against Toronto, everything is fine for the Red Wings.
In all seriousness, goaltending is becoming a bit of an issue for Detroit. Alex Nedeljkovic was expected to be the long-term solution after his bargain-bin signing last summer. However, since the start of 2022, only New Jersey's Jon Gillies has a worst save percentage than "Ned" does.
Lucas Raymond and Moritz Seider have still been brilliant, but if Detroit can not assure that their supposed long-term answer in net is a legitimate star, there will always be concerns about GM Steve Yzerman's project.
23. New York Islanders
Previous Ranking: 22
Points Percentage: .479
It's been a dreadful season for the Isles. I watched the Kings-Islanders game recently and the amount of bad bounces that went against New York was staggering. The quality has been lacking all year, but bad luck has cursed New York to an utterly brutal season.
Barry Trotz's lockdown style is finally hurting New York. It is suppressing the offensive talents of some of their young players. They may need to embrace a different play style the rest of the way out.
Playoffs are almost certainly not going to happen, so now is better than ever for GM Lou Lamoriello to make an assessment on the longevity of this corps.
24. San Jose Sharks
Previous Ranking: 21
Points Percentage: .500
The rebuild is coming in San Jose. It's time to make some tough decisions and Tomas Hertl's future is one of them. Sharks management could extend Hertl, but they have an opportunity to pick up a king's ransom for their star forward.
The San Jose pipeline is fairly stale, so a windfall that would inevitably come from any deal could be worth it in the long-term.
San Jose's mid-20s corps of Timo Meier, Mario Ferraro and Adin Hill is enough to keep the team relevant for a few years. However, now may be the time for radical change.
25. Ottawa Senators
Erik Brannstrom (Richard A. Whittaker, Getty Images)
Previous Ranking: 25
Points Percentage: .422
Clearly expectations were too high for the Sens this year, but honestly, by my expectations, this has been a very good year for Ottawa.
They never budge an inch, they play with a hard-nosed style and they are giving their young guns a real chance to succeed. Tim Stutzle, in particular, is really finding his feet in the NHL.
Though the point production still isn't elite (it is much improved, to be fair), he always seems to make a positive impact in the offensive zone. Stutzle's high ceiling is giving Sens fans hope.
26. Chicago Blackhawks
Previous Ranking: 27
Points Percentage: .426
The predictable candidate, interim GM Kyle Davidson, has won the race to become the next general manager of the Chicago Blackhawks. It is now Davidson's job to lead forward a new transformative era.
The organization must reconcile from the horrid events of the Kyle Beach situation as well as the lacklustre results on the ice this season. There have been some moments of promise, such as exploding for 8 goals against New Jersey, but other than that, it's been a season of one step forward, one step back.
27. New Jersey Devils
Previous Ranking: 26
Points Percentage: .394
The same issues that I wrote about in the last power rankings continue to plague the Devils. New Jersey showcased what they can be when all their players are on the same page with an impressive 6-1 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, all that good progress will mean nothing if management can't find a solution to the goaltending issue.
Since the New Year, Jon Gillies has been the worst goalie in the NHL by save percentage. MacKenzie Blackwood has been unplayable and is still unvaccinated. Jonathan Bernier is out for the rest of the year with an injury. Akira Schmid has proven unable to convert his incredible AHL play into consistent play in the Show.
This problem needs to be resolved.
28. Montreal Canadiens
Cole Caufield (Francois Lacasse, Getty Images)
Previous Ranking: 32
Points Percentage: .311
Martin St. Louis has now proved how bad of a coach Dominique Ducharme really is. In 45 games this year under Ducharme, the Habs won just 8 games, a shockingly low total. Under Tampa Bay Lightning legend St. Louis, they have won 5 of their 8 games. The goaltending situation finally doesn't resemble an utter tire fire. The defense looks way more committed to their craft. However, the biggest transformation has come via Cole Caufield.
In 8 games with Marty behind the bench, the American sniper has 6 goals and 4 assists for 10 points in 8 games. He has been an utter game-breaker for Montreal. St. Louis is giving him more responsibilities and the winger is passing the tests with flying colours.
29. Philadelphia Flyers
Previous Ranking: 29
Points Percentage: .404
It says a lot to how bad Philly has been this year that even with such awful teams toiling in the NHL cellar that the Flyers have the worst record since the calendar shifted to 2022.
The useless penalty kill and shaky defense is stunting the development of Carter Hart, who has been in the top half of the league among goalies as per 5-on-5 goals saved above expected.
Don't worry, it could get worse. Rasmus Ristolainen, Justin Braun and Claude Giroux, all key defensive figures for this team could be shipped out, and this could get ugly quickly.
30. Seattle Kraken
Previous Ranking: 28
Points Percentage: .343
The Kraken are a good example for why analytics aren't everything. Most statistical models had Seattle as a playoff squad, but Dave Hakstol's crew is far from that.
In the month of February, the Kraken are bottom-five in the NHL in both shooting percentage and save percentage. It's been a legitimately awful season for them and this 7-game losing streak is no exception.
They have a lot of valuable assets to sell off at the deadline, so there is still a reason to pay attention to the Kraken.
31. Buffalo Sabres
Previous Ranking: 31
Points Percentage: .370
The Sabres' goaltending situation has been an utter mess this season. Their goalies have been either injured or bad this season. It's preventing a somewhat underrated Buffalo offense from doing anything of note.
This team has so far gotten great contributions from Alex Tuch and Peyton Krebs, the two main pieces of the Jack Eichel trade, which should be the cause of some optimism in Buffalo.
There doesn't seem to be a clear answer to the goaltender problem, so let's see how the cookie crumbles.
32. Arizona Coyotes
Arizona Coyotes' practice (Christian Petersen, Getty Images)
Previous Ranking: 30
Points Percentage: .302
Arizona has been in the news quite a bit recently, due to the fact that they are now contracted to play at the 3 000 seat arena used by Arizona State University next year. It would easily be the smallest arena in the entire NHL and be an absolute marketing disaster.
On the ice, things aren't much better. The Habs' five-game winning streak has now helped them surpass the Coyotes in the standings, leaving Arizona floundering in last place. Barrett Hayton's beautiful goal against Winnipeg might have sparked some optimism, though.
ALL STATS COURTESY OF MONEYPUCK AND NATURAL STAT TRICK
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