Nashville Predators take over top stop in power rankings
March is here and the last stretch for making the NHL postseason has started. With significant strides made, the Nashville Predators are rising to the top.
Four weeks. That is all that remains in this NHL season. It is now-or-never, do-or-die for teams with aspirations of making it to the postseason. Many of the spots in the Western Conference remain up for grabs. While no team has officially clinched a playoff berth, we can be certain a few teams are already in. With 93 points and a six-point lead in the Central Division, the Nashville Predators have all but locked up one of their eight playoff spots. Sixteen points separate them from the second wild-card position.
We took a week off from the Power Rankings solely because of the trade deadline. With teams making moves it would be nearly impossible to give each club their due. Just looking through the moves made one could argue the Predators lost out to others. But, since the deadline passed, Nashville is the only team to win all their games.
Still, there are four weeks remaining in the regular season. That equates to 16 or 17 games per team. Things can change, and likely will. As it stands right now in the Western Conference, eight points separate eight teams. Nashville, Vegas, and Winnipeg sit at least six points ahead of the rest of the conference. It appears they will make the playoffs, meaning the other eight will fight for five spots.
It will be an interesting month. Let see how the Power Rankings stand right now.
Teams #7 and #8
#8 – Los Angeles Kings
Last ranking: NR
Last Week: 3-1-0
Looking over the Kings’ schedule, you will notice a pattern recently. The team will win three games then lose two or three in a row. Last week, the Kings won three consecutive games including a home-and-home against Vegas. Yet, they followed up that streak with a 5-3 loss at home to the Chicago Blackhawks. But, their recent success has pushed the Kings to the second wild-card position in the Western Conference. Can they hold onto it the rest of the season? They have 16 games to try.
#7 – Anaheim Ducks
Last ranking: NR
Last Week: 2-1
The Ducks made headlines at the trade deadline by doing nothing major. They did send Chris Wagner to the New York Islanders for Jason Chimera. Before the trade, the Ducks fell to the Edmonton Oilers 6-5 in a shootout. Afterward, the Ducks took care of Columbus and Chicago rather handily. It was a minor move overall, but the Ducks are 6-2-2 in their last 10 games. And they sit in third place in the Pacific Division.
Teams #5 and #6
#6 – San Jose Sharks
Last ranking: #6
Last Week: 2-1-1
The Sharks made one of the biggest moves at the trade deadline by acquiring Evander Kane. Right before the deadline, the Sharks lost a nail-biter to the Wild in overtime. After? They beat the Oilers and Blackhawks by a combined score of 12-4. Kane already has a goal and three assists in his first three games with the Sharks. Now, San Jose finds themselves in second in the Pacific Division. But just by a point.
#5 – Dallas Stars
Last Ranking: #4
Last week: 2-0-1
I really thought the Stars would go out and made a trade, but they did not. Still, the team is one of the most talented rosters in the NHL. They extinguished the Flames, took Tampa Bay to overtime, and then cured the Blues last week. While they are a potent offense, they have scored four goals in just one of their last nine games. As a matter of fact, they are only averaging two goals a game recently. When that changes, they will move up in the standings.
Teams #3 and #4
#4: Minnesota Wild
Last ranking: #7
Last week: 3-2-0
For these rankings, we are looking back to February 25, the day before the trade deadline. Yes, the Wild played five games in eight days. They took out the Sharks, Blues and Red Wings at home, but struggled against the Coyotes and were pummeled by the Avalanche. Still, they sit as one of four teams with more than 80 points. The Wild are within striking range of all other playoff hopefuls. And they struggle on the road, with nine road games left. Things could go either way.
#3: Winnipeg Jets
Last Ranking: #3
Last Week: 2-1
After getting beaten by the Nashville Predators, the St. Louis Blues decided to be sellers at the trade deadline. The Jets were happy to take Paul Stastny off their hands. But, it didn’t help the Jets defeat the Predators last week either. Stastny has obtained two goals and two assists since making the move, and the Jets are keeping pace in the Central. Do they have enough in the tank to catch Nashville?
Top Two Spots
#2 – Vegas Golden Knights
Last Ranking: #1
Last Week: 1-2-1
What once was a massive lead in the Western Conference is gone. The Vegas Golden Knights now look up in the standings for the first time in months. yet, they still lead the Pacific Division by 10 points. Part of the concern is health. Eight Golden Knights are out due to injuries, including James Neal and Malcolm Subban. The team’s depth is being tested. Can the expansion team hold things together?
#1 – Nashville Predators
Last Ranking: #2
Last Week: 4-0
The Predators now sit atop the Western Conference and lead by four points. Winners of a franchise-record eight games in a row, the Predators are putting together a run at the right time. Several of their wins required a multiple-goal comeback. Where Vegas is suffering from injuries, the Predators hold a completely healthy roster. The additions of Ryan Hartman and Mike Fisher allow Peter Laviolette to rotate player, giving much-needed rest. Craig Smith and Roman Josi were the first to benefit with a couple of nights off.