Nashville Predators: With a big week, Predators move up in Power Rankings
Three wins on the road showed the Nashville Predators are true contenders. After dropping in the rankings last week, where are they now?
Those doubts quickly left after the team’s Western Canada road trip. Three games turned to six points as the Predators outscored their opponents 13-1. Now the Predators sit atop the Western Conference standings. But, was the trip enough to push them back to the top spot in our Power Rankings?
That depends on the other teams. And they are really good. Really, really good.
If you search the interwebs for the NHL Power Rankings, you will notice one commonality. Tampa Bay is the top team in the NHL. After that, there is a mix of Western Conference teams. Some have the Golden Knights higher than the St. Louis Blues. Others suggest the Los Angeles Kings are outside of the top five, though the standing say something else.
One even has the Chicago Blackhawks as the eighth best team in the NHL.
What does that all mean for us? Simply that the decision on the rankings will be tough. Bad weeks make it easier for us to eliminate one team, however. Ranked eighth last week, the Calgary Flames lost three of four games last week. Two losses were by a mere goal.
So, that means…….
I don’t like it either…
#8 – Chicago Blackhawks
Last Week: NR
Results last week: Win against Florida, Win at Winnipeg, Win against Minnesota
Fine. You can be in our Power Rankings. But, just for this week.
The Blackhawks have won five games in a row. While that is impressive, three came against the lower end of the NHL standings. Sure, they beat the Winnipeg Jets rather convincingly on the road, but can it last? This week, they face the Dallas Stars and the New Jersey Devils. Can they keep the streak up?
#7 – Dallas Stars
Last Week: NR
Results last week: Win at New York (I), Loss at New Jersey, Loss (OT) at Philadelphia
It was a tough week for the Dallas Star, but there are signs of life. Making the trek to the upper east coast meant facing some of the NHL’s best. Walking away with three points keeps the Stars in the playoff hunt, sitting with the Blackhawks in the Wild Card spots currently. But, this week will be a challenge as they face the Washington Capitals, Blackhawks, and Nashville Predators.
Someone has to go here, right?
#6 – Minnesota Wild
Last Week: #7
Results last week: Win against Calgary, Win against Toronto, Loss against Edmonton, Loss at Chicago
It is hard to decide where to place the Wild each week. Losing to Edmonton is not a great look, but beating the Maple Leafs keeps them on the list for now. With three games on the schedule for this week, the Wild could stay or leave the list next week. All three games are on the road, including a back-to-back against the Panthers and Lightning.
#5 – Winnipeg Jets
Last Week: #5
Results last week: Loss against Chicago, Loss at St. Louis, Win against St. Louis
What is going on in Winnipeg? Since Thanksgiving, the Jets are 6-5-2, doubling their loss total on the season. And, it is not just the competition, as seen last week. The Blackhawks are on a hot streak, and splitting a home-and-road with the Blues is respectable. Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele are not scoring like they were. Once they get on track, watch out.
Vegas singing the Blues
#4 – St.Louis Blues
Last Week: #2
Results last week: Loss against Tampa Bay, Loss against Anaheim, Win against Winnipeg, Loss at Winnipeg
I preface all I have to say with this: The Blues are still really good. However. Losing two games at home is not great. The Lightning are the best in the NHL, so that is not a bad loss. But, to follow that up with a loss against a physical, yet struggling, Anaheim give me pause. Luckily, you split the games against Winnipeg.
#3 – Vegas Golden Knights
Last Week: #3
Results last week: Loss (SO) against Carolina, Win against Pittsburgh, Win against Florida
I am going against the grain here. Typically, I use only last week’s results to place teams on my rankings. If that were so, the Knights would deserve the #2 spot this week. But, I just can’t yet. Vegas had a great week. They are great at scoring, but their power play is not great. Nor is their penalty kill. That could hurt them as time goes by.
Kings of the hill?
#2 – Los Angeles Kings
Last Week: #1
Results last week: Loss at New Jersey, Loss at New York (R), Loss at New York (I), Win against Philadelpia
The Kings winning streak placed them back on top of our rankings last week, yet the play recently has not been great. In all four games last week, they allowed a power-play goal. Still, their penalty kill is best in the NHL, and power play is third. The Kings are balanced in all scoring and play with solid defense. Still, questions remain as people think the Kings will fall back to the pack.
#1 – Nashville Predators
Last Week: #4
Results last week: Win at Vancouver, Win at Edmonton, Win at Calgary
The Predators went big game hunting in Western Canada. Their trophy? Six points and top spot in the Western Conference. What makes things more interesting is this quote from Pekka Rinne:
Pekka Rinne: "When you look at the standings and where we’re sitting right now, we still expect more out of ourselves, and that’s a great thing to have in this locker room. Guys are not settling for anything and that’s a really good sign.” #Preds pic.twitter.com/FBVw7aFNcj
— Brooks Bratten 🍪 (@brooksbratten) December 18, 2017
If this team has more, the rest of the NHL better watch out. With 50 games to go, however, anything can happen.