New York Rangers continue reign atop SI.com's NHL Power Rankings

The New York Rangers hardly miss Henrik Lundqvist as they remain 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

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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