Nashville Predators: After strong showing, Predators moving up in Power Rankings
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.
Surprising teams to start the list
SPOILER ALERT! The Chicago Blackhawks are not in the top eight. At least, not right now. Sorry, Chicago. You are fifth in the division, and are playing .500 hockey at home. And, you have a losing record for the last two games. Sure, things are really close in the division, but right now, you are on the outside looking in.
Number 8: Dallas Stars
Special teams are leading the charge for the Stars. With the best power play percentage and third best penalty kill in the NHL. the Stars are showing their potential to be a great team. But, how long can they rely on special teams?
At even strength, they are being outscored by opponents, 36 to 31. While they have the pieces for a potent offense, their goaltending is struggling to start. Right now, Ben Bishop‘s save percentage is .908. That is tied for 17th for net-minders whom have started 12 or more games. Eleven starting goalies in the west alone have better percentages. That could be the reason the Stars fall.
Number 7: Calgary Flames
This is where the rankings get tough, because the Flames are red-hot right now. Since the calendar turned to November, Calgary’s record is 4-1-0. Two other teams in our rankings match that. I guess we will need to get a bit picky.
Their scoring differential is +1. Good, but not great. Ten of their goals come on the power play, which is in the bottom half of the league. And, their penalty kill is 29th overall. But, what I think is most concerning moving forward is their record against the Western Conference.
As it stands now, the Flames are 6-5-0 in their conference. That is respectable; however, it serves as our tie-breaker for this discussion. Keep that in mind.
Tight race for these two teams
Number 6: San Jose Sharks
Like the Flames, they are 4-1-0 in November. And, they also have 20 points on the season. Yet, they are outscoring their opponents by 8 goals. Furthermore, the Sharks are 4-1-0 against the Western Conference. Add to this a record of 5-1-0 in games decided by one goal or less, and you have a team that is a bit more tested.
Moving forward, the Sharks need to take advantage of their power play chances. Converting on 15% of all opportunities is not bad; however, staying at this level may hurt them down the road. What helps is the second best penalty kill in all of the NHL. Can they sustain the 88.5% rate? Unlikely. Commonly, the top teams are around 85-87%.
Number 5: Vegas Golden Knights
Again, we must get a bit picky. But, the Golden Knight may be coming off their hot start. In November, their records is an even 2-2-1. Playing at home helps, especially since they are 7-1-0 when enjoying those comforts. Seven of those games where consecutive. Games there are certainly exciting. The crowd is making an impact.
Part of me is excited to see Vegas perform well. Then, part of me wonders about their resume. Yes, they have wins against St. Louis and Winnepeg, with both game at home. But, their road games are not quiet as successful. Now that the season is in full swing, the Golden Knights have two long home stands left. That also means there are some long road stints to come. How they balance those will prove pivotal.
The battle for third and fourth
Number 4: Winnipeg Jets
Will the real Winnipeg Jets please stand up? They are winning at home and on the road. However, those wins are not overly impressive. The best one may well be the 7-1 thrashing of the Pittsburgh Penguins. But, there are questions surround how good the defending champs are right now. Well, I have questions at least. The Jets also have two wins over Dallas. The rest of their wins are against teams toward the bottom of their divisions.
As it stands now, the Jets struggle against teams in the East. Also, they are 3-0-3 in games decided by one goal. With more tests to come, will their great power play continue to push them forward, or can opponents take advantage of the Jets’ poor penalty kill.
Number 3: Nashville Predators
Sure, we are a bit bias here when it comes to the Nashville Predators. To that we can admit. But, take a look at some of the numbers.
Home Record: 4-1-1
Road Record: 5-4-1
Against the West: 5-1-2
November Record: 4-1-0
Games decided by one goal or less: 5-1-2
They have yet to play a game against a team with a losing record. The Nashville Predators’ specials teams are both in the top ten in the NHL. While they don’t seem to score well at even strength, the addition of Turris should propel them to improve there. And, Pekka Rinne is playing above expectations. Right now, his save percentage is fifth best of goalie whom started 10 or more games.
A solid defense, solid depth at the center position, and great goal-tending place the Predators as the third best team in the West.
Top two spots are no brainers.
Number 2: Los Angeles Kings
The name of the game is score and stop the opponents from scoring. The Kings are doing just that. They are third best in putting the biscuit in the basket, and second in stop other teams in the West. To this point, the Kings have the third best record in the NHL. Oh! No one kills a penalty like the Kings. It is a lofty 92%, which should come back to the pack at some point.
Whether it is at home or away, the Kings perform well. Against the East, the Kings are king. The 9-2-0 record against the other conference is best in the NHL. However, they are mediocre at best versus the West. Their two wins are against the Sharks and the Anaheim Ducks. Yet, the Kings were beaten by the Predators, Sharks, Blues, and Flames. For right now, they are good enough to be second. Earning 24 points solidifies that. However, this could change. And Quick.
Number 1: St. Louis Blues.
Nothing to see here but great hockey. Winning at home and on the road. And, they only have two losses against the West. One of those was in overtime. The Blues score better than any other team in the West, and stop opponents enough to win.
However, since November started, the Blues are 3-3-0. The last loss came at the hands of the Flames. And, they were outscored 12-6 in the last two games. However, the Blues did take care of the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 4.
Their next eight games? At Edmonton, at Vancouver, then a home stretch that includes the Oilers, Nashville Predators, Minnesota Wild, Ducks, and Kings. That appears rather favorable to the Blues.
Next: The luxury of having depth at the center position
There you have it. The top eight of the Western Conference. With great hockey to come, and teams within just a couple of points of each other, this may change soon. But, for right now, this is how we see it.