NHL Power Rankings (February 7, 2012)
A new year brings new hope for teams on the fringe of the playoff picture. After a great All-Star weekend in Ottawa the NHL has picked up right where it left off with some of the most exciting games of the season in just the last two weeks. Most notably the surging performances of Sam Gagner of the Edmonton Oilers. There are few things harder to come by than an NHL player coming close to one Wayne Gretzky’s records – Gagner was able to tie his point per game record in Edmonton at 8. And although it does not eclipse the NHL record of 10 (Darryl Sittler – Toronto Maple Leafs) it an incredible achievement and should be acknowledged. But I digress, who’s who in the NHL this far into 2012? Let’s find out.
1. New York Rangers (33-12-5)
Is it even possible to place too much of an emphasis on the importance of having a top notch goaltender in the NHL? Of course not. Henrik Lundqvist is one of the best examples of this fact – topping the league in sv % (.939) and shutouts (6). It has also been a known fact that Lundqvist is one of the league’s best goaltenders, but this season just goes to show how a goaltender can go from being great to immortal when he has the proper team around him. The Rangers have been led by the outstanding coaching from John Tortorella, and the scariest part about this team is that some of their key players are still not playing at their best. Regardless, teams around the league know a game against the Rangers means a long night.
2. Detroit Red Wings (35-17-2)
The ageless Wings have steadily taken a league lead in points, not to mention that they hold the best home record at 20-2-1. The big three forwards on the team (Datsyuk, Franzen, Zetterberg) are playing as expected, but even more impressive is the secondary scoring that the Wings have had. Flippula, Hudler, Bertuzzi and Cleary are all having fantastic seasons and their ability to bury the puck has made the opposing teams task even more difficult. At the time, All-Star goaltender Jimmy Howard and we will have to see how the Wings play without him.
3. Vancouver Canucks (32-15-5)
It may have taken a little longer than the Bruins, but the Vancouver Canucks managed to shake off their Stanley Cup hangover, and have now eclipsed the B’s for third in the league. Luongo has played sensational for the past couple months – bringing his sv % back from the miserable .800′s, up to .920. With the return of Sami Salo to the lineup, the Canucks defense is looking almost as reliable as their offense.
4. Boston Bruins (33-16-2)
After a decisive beatdown of the Washington Capitals on NBC’s game of the week, the Bruins have increased their goal differential to an unrivaled +69.. With that statistic, it is no surprise to see them leading the league in goals per game, but what truly defines the dominance this team has had is the 2.16 goals allowed per game that has put them in the top four of the league as well. Quite frankly it is simple math. Great offense + great defense = Great hockey team. It may not be that easy for other teams in the league, but for the Bruins it has been.
5. St. Louis Blues (30-14-7)
The Blues have been able to accomplish something remarkable under the rule of Ken Hitchcock. That being, there is no player that has totaled over 40 points on the season, and only two that have over 30! The Blues have epitomized what it means to be a team in the NHL, playing four lines, three pairs, and two goaltenders deep night in and night out.
6. Nashville Predators (32-17-4)
A transformation has manifested itself in this years Predators. A team that is normally known for operating under the philosophy “If they don’t score, they can’t win”, has slipped up just a bit on their defensive style. But the little that they have lacked in defensive play, they have more than made up for in offensive production – especially as of late. Led by forwards Erat, Fisher and Legwand, the Pred’s have been able to rely on scoring almost 3 goals a night (2.76), a luxury that they have not had in the past. And it never hurts when goaltender Pekka Rinne is playing at the top of his game with a .925 sv % and 30 wins on the year.
7. Philadelphia Flyers (30-16-6)
Although the Flyers stand in a good position in relation to seeding in the NHL playoffs, there is a negative feeling in the city of Brotherly Love. Those feelings are all being directed to a familiar position of fan criticism in Philly – goaltender. Bryzgalov has turned out to be an overall bust (at least for now) while Bobrovsky has not been able to elevate his play enough to solidify the number one goaltender spot. Still, Flyers fans have to be happy with the great play of Wayne Simmonds and Scott Hartnell as of late and hopefully we will soon see the return of James van Riemsdyk from concussion-like symptoms.
8. San Jose Sharks (29-15-6)
This year the honorary title of last pick in the All-Star draft went to Sharks sophomore phenom Logan Couture. Poor guy, must be tough being an NHL star with a brand new Honda Crosstour. Regardless, the Sharks have continued to play respectable hockey over the past month – never at their full potential, but certainly enough to be amongst the leagues best. However, with Pavelski cooling off and Havlat still hurt, secondary scoring has to be a concern for this Sharks team that is mainly led by Thornton, Couture and Marleau. But the stellar goaltending has been able to cover up for that, with both Thomas Greiss and Niemi around .920 save %.
9. Chicago Blackhawks (29-17-7)
Even though he dawned the superman cape and the Clark Kent glasses, Patrick Kane has not been superman like as of late. Yes, he does have 44 points, but Kane has struggled to bury the puck all year long and his frustration is starting to show. Despite the 3.11 goals that the Hawks score per game, they also are ranked 26th in the league with goals against at 2.92. That may be a result from the goaltending situation that has arisen with shaky play from Crawford and Emery. Nevertheless, it seems that the Hawks inability ot play defense effectively has overcome their offensive production as of late.
10. Pittsburgh Penguins (30-19-4)
Other teams in the league would have easily folded under the enormous pressure of injuries that this team has had to sustain – but not the Penguins. Led by coach Dan Bylsma and more importantly Evgeni “Geno” Malkin, the Penguins refuse to go away from the playoff picture and have managed to go 8-2 in their last 10 games. And although the goaltending news this season has been largely dominated by Lundqvist, Quick, Elliot and Howard, Marc- Andre Fleury has quietly played outstanding between the pipes this season. On many nights he has been left out to dry and have fought every inch for his 28 wins and .912 save %. For the Penguins sake, let’s hope he does not catch a late season injury as he has in seasons past.
11. New Jersey Devils (30-19-3)
A team that was once based around Martin Brodeur and defensive hockey has been recently relying on the hot sticks of Zubrus, Kovalchuck, Parise, and Elias to essentially outscore their opponents. The Devils goal differential is less than satisfactory as a mere +1, but the fact that the Devils are once again back in the playoff race is a great story for a team that looked worth of AHL demotion just a few years ago. With Parise looking for a contract that will keep him in a Devils uniform, management has to be secretly negotiating that dollar value. But the contract year has not effected Parise’s play and the Devils have been reaping the rewards of his play.
12. Toronto Maple Leafs (28-19-6)
Recall just a few months ago analysts were claiming the Leafs success to the “unusually hot” play of Lupul and Kessel. Well now that we have established that both of these players are having the greatest seasons of their young career, the secondary scoring has begun to pour in for the Leafs. For the majority of last year the Macarthur, Grabovski, and Kulemin line played incredible. And although all three players started miserably, they have been able to put the puck in back of the net as of late and it is starting to pay dividends. It also appears that the Leafs have a goaltender battle for the number one spot. Normally this is a counter productive way to run a team, but for now Reimer and Gustavsson are pushing each other to play better and better each night. This team will be around come playoff time.
13. Los Angeles Kings (25-18-10)
Will the scoring ever come? No one knows! By now Anze Kopitar and Jonathan Quick have to be tired of carrying the Kings night in and night out. Quick is having a Vezina worthy season, while Kopitar seems to be the only forward that knows how to play offense. But where there is a will, there is good coaching. Suter has the Kings playing structured hockey that allows their lack of scoring, which is the worst in the league, to have minimal effect on the overall outcome of the game – if they play the system.
14. Ottawa Senators (27-21-7)
It may have been a great All-Star weekend for the city of Ottawa, but since then their play has dropped off, going 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. Craig Anderson has been able to revive his career this season by playing commendable hockey for the Sen’s, but he has struggled over the past few games and that may be a result of the monumental 50 games played. Hometown favorite Jason Spezza has also had a remarkable season, but his -1 is unacceptable considering the 50 points that he has been able to put up. But on the bright side, Daniel Alfredsson has found his game once again and continues to be one of the most productive veteran players in the league.
15. Washington Capitals (27-21-4)
The Caps find themselves in an awkward position in comparison to recent years past. Surely, there will be no run at the President’s Trophy or the Eastern Conference Regular season title for that matter this year. But neither of those were goals for this team. The mentality at this point in the season for the Caps has to be “Just make it in.” – In being the playoffs of course. With Green and Backstrom out, Semin and Perreault have been playing their best hockey of the season. Much like the Flyers goaltending issues, the Caps off season signing of Vokoun has not paid off at all, and once again leaves them in a position they did not want to be in. The big question of McPhee to answer now is if this team will be a buyer, seller, or holder come trade deadline time.
16. Florida Panthers (24-16-11)
The ultimate free agency experience has hit a speed hump in the road that is their season. Constant goaltender shuffling has placed the Panthers in a difficult position. It has also not helped the Fleischmann and Versteeg have cooled off as of late. The weather may be great, but the play has not been as of late.
