Nashville Predators: Power Rankings show fight for playoff position
Mere weeks remain in the regular season and teams battle for playoff positioning. Will the Nashville Predators stay atop this week’s power rankings?
What a week it was! After winning 10 games in a row, the Nashville Predators fell to the New Jersey Devils in a shootout. The common theme of coming back late in the game was in order and the Predators needed a goal in the last four minutes to tie. Great saves by both goalies kept both teams in it through the extra period. The Predators just came up short in the shootout.
Still, the single point earned extended the Predators’ division lead to 7 points as Winnipeg lost. The Vegas Golden Knights also needed a comeback to send their game to overtime, only to win in a shootout. Odds are these three teams will remain at the top the rest of the season.
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As for the rest of the conference, it is anybody’s guess as to how it will finish. Minnesota won seven of their last ten games keeping them three points ahead of the Wild Card. Still, three points separate four teams from the second Wild Card. Even though the St. Louis Blues are 2-6-2 in their last 10, they can still earn a playoff berth. Calgary is not far off either. Right now, five Central Division teams are in.
There is not much time left. Will a team make a charge? We will see. Here is how the Western Conference stacks up in our weekly Power Rankings.
Wild Card hopefuls
#8 – Colorado Avalanche
Last Week’s Ranking: NR
Last Week: 1-0-3
Don’t look now, but the Avalanche are starting to make some noise. While they only won one game last week, they earned points in all found matches. That is their trend of late, going 5-1-4 in the last 10 games. The 14 points pushed them into the second Wild Card spot, but are just one point ahead of Los Angeles. Nathan MacKinnon is leading the charge and showing the world how good he really is on the ice.
#7 – Dallas Stars
Last Week’s Ranking: #5
Last Week: 1-2-1
It wasn’t necessarily a bad week for the Stars, but it wasn’t great. Going up against three potential playoff teams is never a walk in the park. But, losing to Ottawa on home ice is not a great look. In four games, the Stars scored five goals. They gave up nine. Their once potent offensive play is starting to fade, and so are the Stars. With a record of 4-4-2 in their last 10, Dallas has dropped into the first Wild Card spot.
Middle of the pack
#6 – San Jose Sharks
Last Week’s Ranking: #6
Record Last Week: 1-2-0
The Sharks hold down second place in the Pacific Division, but only by a single point. Last week, the Sharks floundered at home, losing two winnable games. The Columbus Blue Jackets struggle on the road, yet held the Sharks to two goals. The Washington Capitals shut the Sharks out. Now, they are without Brent Burns for a while. If things don’t turn around, the Sharks’ season will be beached soon.
#5 – Anaheim Ducks
Last Week’s Ranking: #7
Record Last Week: 2-2-0
This was a tough call. Honestly, the Ducks could be #7 this week, but this just feels like the right position. The week started off great, beating the Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks at home. Then, Nashville doubled up the Ducks in Bridgestone, which was followed up by a Ducks’ loss in Dallas. So, in terms of record for the week and looking at common opponents, the Ducks rank higher. Give how tight the race is in the Western Conference, this will change soon.
One way or another
This is where things really get interesting for me. While the Nashville Predators have a sizable lead in the conference, any of the next three teams could overtake them. All three had good weeks, but many of their opponents are out of the hunt.
#4 – Minnesota Wild
Last Week’s Ranking: #4
Record Last Week: 3-1-0
Three wins means six points, and that is what the Wild needed in order to stay in the hunt. Outscoring your opposition 16-9 helps, but none of the teams they played are even close to making the playoffs. Carolina was their best opponent, and the Wild won 6-2. But the loss to Edmonton on the road gives me pause.
#3 – Winnipeg Jets
Last Week’s Ranking: #3
Record Last Week: 3-1-0
The Jets finished the week with the same record as the Wild. Thankfully, six points separate the two in the standings because their weeks were almost identical. Winnipeg is on a six-game road trip to the East Coast. Their one loss came at the hands of the playoff-hopeful Philidelphia Flyers. But they beat the Devils, Rangers, and Hurricanes.
A bit of separation
#2 – Vegas Golden Knights
Last Week’s Ranking: #2
Record Last Week: 3-1-0
Is Vegas rebounding or will the excitement of the season wear them down? Injuries are certainly a concern. James Neal has missed the last six games with an injured hand, and Reilly Smith is going to miss at least one more game. Vegas has not scored more than four goals in Neal’s absence. The tenor of their current road trip almost changed on Sunday, but a late goal led to an eventual shootout win over Buffalo.
#1 – Nashville Predators
Last Week’s Ranking: #1
Record Last Week: 3-0-1
Three of the Predators’ four games were on home ice. That certainly helps. But, all four games were against teams in the playoffs if the season ended today. There is no doubt Nashville is the NHL’s hottest team. With a seven point lead in the division, and five points in the conference, the Predators are in a prime spot to earn home ice in the playoffs. But, the rest of the season is filled with tests. Ten of their final 14 games are against playoff hopes, including two against Winnipeg and Minnesota, plus Tampa.