Nashville Predators: Rough week for Western Conference shakes up Power Rankings

It was a crazy week in the Western Conference with top teams falling on hard times. Can the Nashville Predators hang on to the top spot this week?

The ebb and flow of an NHL season is interesting to say the least. You have teams once finding success struggle to earn even a point over several games. Other teams seem doomed to the reside in the standings basement, only to jolt their way back into the conversation. Then, you have the Nashville Predators, a team without back-to-back losses since October 24.

Needless to say, the last seven days were a bit crazy. Two Western Conference teams are on hot-streaks, winning five games in a row. Every team in the West has at least four wins in their last ten. Not bad, considering only one team has more losses than wins in that stretch.

To say the Western Conference is strong is an understatement. Given that, here is a look at our latest Power Rankings.

Falling out

Calgary Flames – This is more about what other teams did than what the Flames didn’t do. But, a less-than-stellar performance at home last week does not help.

San Jose Sharks -The Sharks did what they are supposed to do: beat teams they are supposed to beat. The Flyers have not won a game in their last ten. And the Panthers, while playing a bit better, still are toward the bottom of the standings in the East. Wins are wins, but the names are not as impressive as others. Like our next team. Especially when other teams are beating higher quality opponents.

And, the Chicago Blackhawks. So, guys. Still not cracking the top eight. Or nine. Maybe ten.