A four game winning streak is nothing to sneeze at in the NHL. The Nashville Predators are riding a wave right now, and it is pushing in the Power Rankings.
The NHL season is approaching the quarter mark, and teams are starting to settle into who they are this year. Of course, things can change. Take, for example, the Nashville Predators. After a lower-than-expected start to the season – mostly due to injuries – David Poile went out and traded for Kyle Turris. That addition alone seemed to spark the team’s offense.
Injuries will happen, effecting teams ability to perform at their optimum level. Or, a team could move pieces around in order to add a player they believe is needed. While things can change, the contenders are starting to separate from the pretenders.
So, the question then becomes who are the contenders. Within the Western Conference, it is difficult to see. While there are two teams rising above the rest, ten others are within four points of each other. Essentially, 12 teams are vying for eight playoff positions. The entire Central Division has a record of .500 or better. So does the Metropolitan Division in the East.
With that in mind, it is time for our latest edition of the Predlines Power Rankings. Last time, the St. Louis Blues and the Los Angeles Kings took the top spots. Will there be a new king on the hill, and will there be a team or two singing the blues? Let’s just say, it is a very tight race.
Here are our top eight teams in the Western Conference.