New York Rangers continue reign atop SI.com's NHL Power Rankings
Welcome to the newest installment of our 2014–15 NHL Power Rankings. It doesn't matter who they stick in their net—Cam Talbot (photo, above), Mackenzie Skapski, Zarley Zalapski or Alain Vigneault’s footman—the Rangers just keep rolling, and so they remain our top team for the second week in a row. Meanwhile, the Predators have halted their dramatic plunge and now cling to the ninth spot by the skin of their claws. But what to make of the upstart Islanders who were our No. 1 back in the heady days of late November but now seem to be taking on water as the postseason draws ever nearer?
Our three sage scribes—Allan Muir, Sarah Kwak and Sam Page—submitted their detailed choices for the top 10 and dutifully ranked all 30 teams. Our final order has been painfully calculated according to results on the ice during the week, strength of competition vis a vis the Standard & Poor's 500 index, a quick consult with our wily staff witch doctor and how high each club came in on each of our writers’ ballots. In some cases another purely intuitive, wholly unscientific and and utterly inexcusable method was used to break ties, rank teams that were chosen by only one or two writers, and inspire you, gentle reader, to never darken our doorway again.
We’ve presented the 30 teams in groups, with the Top 10 receiving the most trenchant commentary. Overview paragraphs precede both the Middle 10 and Bottom 10. Weekly movement up or down has been duly noted. So without further ado, commence to stew!
1. New York Rangers
PREVIOUS: 1
RECORD: 44-17-7
Last week: 4-0-0
2. Anaheim Ducks
PREVIOUS: 3
RECORD: 44-20-7
Last week: 2-1-0
3. St. Louis Blues
PREVIOUS: 4
RECORD: 44-20-5
Last week: 3-1-0
4. Tampa Bay Lightning
PREVIOUS: 5
RECORD: 43-21-7
Last week: 2-1-1
5. Minnesota Wild
PREVIOUS: 6
RECORD: 38-24-7
Last week: 2-1-0
6. Chicago Blackhawks
PREVIOUS: 11
RECORD: 41-21-6
Last week: 2-0-0
7. Montreal Canadiens
PREVIOUS: 2
RECORD: 43-20-7
Last week: 1-2-1
8. New York Islanders
PREVIOUS: 7
RECORD: 43-24-4
Last week: 0-3-0
9. Nashville Predators
PREVIOUS: 9
RECORD: 43-21-7
Last week: 1-2-0
10. Detroit Red Wings
PREVIOUS: 10
RECORD: 38-19-11
Last week: 1-2-0
[pagebreak]
11. Pittsburgh Penguins
PREVIOUS: 8
RECORD: 39-20-10
Last week: 1-2-0
12. Boston Bruins
PREVIOUS: 16
RECORD: 36-23-10
Last week: 3-1-0
13. Washington Capitals
PREVIOUS: 13
RECORD: 38-23-10
Last week: 2-2-0
14. Vancouver Canucks
PREVIOUS: 12
RECORD: 39-25-4
Last week: 1-1-0
15. Ottawa Senators
PREVIOUS: 21
RECORD: 33-24-11
Last week: 3-1-0
16. Los Angeles Kings
PREVIOUS: 15
RECORD: 34-22-13
Last week: 3-1-0
17. Calgary Flames
PREVIOUS: 17
RECORD: 38-26-5
Last week: 2-1-0
18. Winnipeg Jets
PREVIOUS: 14
RECORD: 34-23-12
Last week: 1-2-0
19. San Jose Sharks
PREVIOUS: 18
RECORD: 34-27-8
Last week: 1-1-0
20. Florida Panthers
PREVIOUS: 19
RECORD: 31-24-14
Last week: 2-1-0
21. Colorado Avalanche
PREVIOUS: 20
RECORD: 32-26-11
Last week: 2-1-0
22. Dallas Stars
PREVIOUS: 24
RECORD: 32-28-10
Last week: 3-1-0
23. New Jersey Devils
PREVIOUS: 22
RECORD: 29-29-11
Last week: 1-1-1
24. Philadelphia Flyers
PREVIOUS: 23
RECORD: 29-27-15
Last week: 1-1-2
25. Carolina Hurricanes
PREVIOUS: 26
RECORD: 26-34-8
Last week: 1-2-1
26. Columbus Blue Jackets
PREVIOUS: 25
RECORD: 30-35-4
Last week: 3-1-0
27. Toronto Maple Leafs
PREVIOUS: 27
RECORD: 27-38-6
Last week: 1-3-0
28. Edmonton Oilers
PREVIOUS: 29
RECORD: 19-39-12
Last week: 1-1-1
29. Arizona Coyotes
PREVIOUS: 28
RECORD: 21-41-8
Last week: 0-3-0
30. Buffalo Sabres
PREVIOUS: 30
RECORD: 19-43-7
Last week: 0-1-2