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1. WASHINGTON CAPITALS (9-3-0) Alex Ovechkin and Bruce Boudreau stirred up a fuss this week, but what people should be talking about is Nick Backstrom. The NHL's third star of the week has turned it around after his disappointing season last year (65 points). Six points this past week including the game-tying and winning goals vs. Anaheim. He's tied for the lead league in assists. (Last Week: 1) |
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2. DALLAS STARS (10-3-0) Riding a three-game win streak, the Stars became the first team in the NHL to reach 10 wins. The big test comes on Tuesday, when they face the East-leading Capitals. Jamie Benn has been an absolute stud with 15 points on the campaign. Maybe Andrew Raycroft gets the start. He's 6-2-0 and has a 1.87 GAA lifetime vs. the Caps. (Last Week: 2) |
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3. EDMONTON OILERS (8-3-2) The Oilers' six-game win streak is now a thing of the past, after losing to Phoenix on Saturday. Can they start a new streak on their current road trip where they play Boston, Detroit and Chicago? Well, they may get the services of Ales Hemsky, who could possibly play on this trip. What is going on with Magnus Paajarvi? He's got one assist in 13 games. There are calls in Edmonton for Tom Renney to line him up with his buddy from their Swedish Elite League days, Anton Lander. Maybe that will spark him. (Last Week: 3) |
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4. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS (8-3-3)Losing to the Vancouver Canucks isn't insulting unless you're the Chicago Blackhawks. The Hawks-Canucks rivalry intensifies with every meeting, and falling 6-2 at the United Center added a little more fuel to the fire. Chicago was abysmal on the penalty kill giving up five power-play goals on six attempts. It was the Hawks' first regulation home ice loss this season. Don't be surprised if they take out their frustrations on their next opponent, the St. Louis Blues. (Last Week: 4) |
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5. SAN JOSE SHARKS (8-4-1) Antti Niemi picked up his fifth win of the season on Monday vs. Los Angeles. Coach Todd McLellan sang the praise of his Finnish goaltender, saying "Nemo's looking shaper every night, isn't he? He's starting to get comfortable in there, he's starting to feel good and his timing and reads of rushes and plays are getting better all the time. I think we're getting there." (Last Week: 7) |
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6. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS (9-3-3) The latest on Sidney Crosby comes from Rob Rossi from the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. ″I guess they know more than I do," Crosby told him, cracking a smile (referring to the media speculation about playing Friday).
″I haven't really thought about that. I've thought more about just getting through this week. [Playing Friday] is a possibility, just like the other however many games left there are.″ According to Rossi, he's only missed one scheduled practice since being cleared for contact. (Last Week: 5) |
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7. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS (8-4-2) Despite the shaky goaltending, the offence has been right on point. The Flyers are averaging four goals per game, leading the league. We knew Giroux, Jagr and Van Riemsdyk were going to put up digits, but what about Max Talbot (five goals), Sean Couturier (five goals), Scott Hartnell (five goals), and Jakub Voracek (three goals) all pinching in? (Last Week: 12) |
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8. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (9-4-1) Wow, things have certainly changed in the so-called "Centre of the Universe" over the last couple days. Leafs Nation was singing the praise of their beloved Buds, but after being spanked by Boston 7-0 on Saturday, losing Tim Connolly for a couple weeks with an upper body injury, and not having any idea of when James Reimer will be back, some are getting worried. Interesting that Ron Wilson said the team was getting too "fancy dancy" over the last couple games "after reading the papers." (Last Week: 6) |
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9. BUFFALO SABRES (8-5-0) The Sabres breathed a sigh of relief this weekend: they confirmed that Derek Roy has a pulse. He notched a goal in regulation and got the shootout winner vs. the Sens. Roy now has two tallies in 13 games. Tyler Ennis missed his sixth straight game with an ankle injury. (Last Week: 11) |
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10. MINNESOTA WILD (7-3-3)Stand up and give a big hand to Josh Harding. He went 3-0-0 this week with a 0.99 GAA, stopping 90 of 93 shots. He leads all goaltenders in save percentage (.965) and ranks second in goals-against average (1.18). Great story considering he missed all of last season recovering from a torn MCL and ACL in his right knee from a pre-season game. (Last Week: 21) |
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11. PHOENIX COYOTES (7-4-2)Quietly, the Coyotes are red-hot. They only have one regulation loss in their last seven games. Big props to Mike Smith. After Ilya Bryzgalov left for a payday, I guarantee not too many people thought (I know I didn't) that Smith could handle the load of a No. 1 on this team. Let's compare their numbers to this point: Smith 6-2-2, 2.36 GAA, .926 save percentage and earns $2-million US per season. Bryzgalov: 6-4-1, 2.94 GAA, .893 save percentage and $5.6-million US per season. Talk about a bargain. (Last Week: 16) |
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12. NASHVILLE PREDATORS (7-4-2) The Preds are rolling, winning four of their last five games, including victories over the Coyotes and Sharks this past week. Everything is falling into place: Patric Hornqvist is one goal shy of tying the franchise record for goals in six straight games, Shea Weber and Ryan Suter split up vs. San Jose and didn't miss a beat and Barry Trotz somehow grew a new head of hair! (Last Week: 17) |
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13. NEW YORK RANGERS (7-3-3) Listen, don't call the Rangers (bleeping) soft. After Joe Thornton made that mistake (which he later apologized for), the Rangers went on to win three more times and now are unbeaten in four. New line combinations have sparked the club. Marian Gaborik, Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimov have clicked. Meanwhile, Brandon Dubinsky, Brad Richards, and Ryan Callahan form a promising threesome. The Rangers will have to go without the services of Wojtek Wolski (two assists in six games), who needs sports hernia surgery and will be out four weeks.(Last Week: 23) |
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14. BOSTON BRUINS (6-7-0) Their record isn't impressing anyone, but their play this past week is. The Bruins look like they've turned the corner with impressive wins over the Senators and Leafs. Tyler Seguin is turning into a real player. He's got 14 points on the season, coming off his first career hat trick vs. Toronto. What's even more impressive is his defensive effort. Coach Claude Julien is rewarding him with over four minutes more ice-time per game and he's also a plus-10 on the year. (Last Week: 29) |
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15. VANCOUVER CANUCKS (7-7-1) Can anyone figure out the Canucks? Some nights they look top flight, and then flat the next. No need to investigate Henrik Sedin, who had four points vs. Chicago and is now tied for the league lead in assists (right where he should be). The Canucks' special teams are on the rise (second on the PP, fourth on the PK), which could be a sign that this team may be turning the corner to more consistent pastures. (Last Week: 15) |
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16. MONTREAL CANADIENS (5-6-2) The Habs' extended their winning streak to four beating the Senators on Friday in their 6,200th franchise game, before losing to the Rangers on Saturday. Tomas Plekanec continues to be a model of consistency for the Habs, with 12 points in 13 games, while being 51 per cent in the faceoff circle. Tough sked ahead. They take on the Oilers at home, and then are on the road to take on the Preds and Coyotes. The three opponents have been strong with 22 wins combined. (Last Week: 20) |
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17. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING (7-5-2) It's official. Steven Stamkos is back (he never really went away, did he?). He has eight points in his last five games and is tied with Phil Kessel for the lead league in goals. The road has been a serious concern for Tampa Bay. They've won just three of nine games away from the warm confines of Tampa and have given up 16 first-period goals. (Last Week: 18) |
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18. ST. LOUIS BLUES (6-7-0) New coach Ken Hitchcock has a few questions to ponder: a) Who is his No. 1 goalie? (Jaroslav Halak is 1-6, Brian Elliott is 5-1), b) How can he improve on special teams? c) And does Chris Stewart still play for this team? Three points in 13 games won't cut it. Blues will honour Pavol Demitra and Igor Korolev at Tuesday's game. Very classy. (Last Week: 22) |
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19. NEW JERSEY DEVILS (6-5-1) Adam Henrique, welcome to the primetime. After making the team and playing just a couple games before being demoted to the AHL, Henrique got his second stint with the Devils after Jacob Josefson broke his clavicle back in October. He's been up for two weeks and now resides on New Jersey's top line. He's picked up five points in three games with the first line. Zach Parise is even noticing Henrique's fine play, saying he can see the kid's confidence rise, especially after scoring vs. Philly. (Last Week: 25) |
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20. COLORADO AVALANCHE (7-6-1) So let's get this straight: The Avs are red-hot to the start the year when Matt Duchene couldn't buy a goal. Now Duchene has found his hands (five points in his last two games) and Colorado can't buy a win. Go figure. The penalty kill must shore up, after giving up nine goals in their last seven games. (Last Week: 8) |
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21. OTTAWA SENATORS (7-7-1) After being the hottest team in the league a few weeks ago, the Sens have come back down to earth. Milan Michalek is off to a great start with nine goals on the season. Meanwhile, Erik Karlsson has put up 13 points from the back end. Daniel Alfredsson has been out with a concussion since Oct. 29. He's undergoing a baseline test Tuesday and the Senators say they will assess his timetable for return after they get his results. He's now able to ride a stationary bike and skate lightly without symptoms, which is encouraging.(Last Week: 9) |
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22. DETROIT RED WINGS (6-5-1) "Winning one game is not good enough," Johan Franzen said after Detroit's 5-0 win on Saturday vs. Anaheim. The Wings have lost flight since a hot start, losing six in a row prior to beating the Ducks. Here's a shocker: Nick Lidstrom can still play. He's tied for the team's lead (with Franzen) in goals with five. The Wings have a tough schedule on their current home stand, with Colorado, Edmonton and Dallas up next. (Last Week: 14) |
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23. LOS ANGELES KINGS (6-3-2) Five losses in a row. So who's to blame? It's not Jonathan Quick (1.87 GAA, .936 save percentage). And it's not the Kings' penalty kill, which has been stingy killing 34 of their last 38 penalties. Point your finger at the offence. Just eight goals in five losses and averaging 2.14 goals per game. Dustin Penner (one assist in 12 games) is taking plenty of heat and rightly so. (Last Week: 10) |
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24. FLORIDA PANTHERS (6-4-3) You're not alone if you're surprised that Swedish goaltending sensation Jacob Markstrom was sent down to San Antonio of the AHL, as Scott Clemmensen is ready to back up Jose Theodore. The 21-year old was 2-2-1, with a sparkling 2.05 GAA and .944 save percentage. GM Dale Tallon says the reason behind the move is to not to rush his development. Basically trying to avoid the Steve Mason situation in Columbus. (Last Week: 13) |
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25. CALGARY FLAMES (6-6-1) Consistency. It's something the Flames just don't have. The second period is Calgary's real problem. They've scored seven goals while giving up 12. Olli Jokinen, Jarome Iginla, Curtis Glencross, Rene Bourque, Mark Giordano and Jay Bouwmeester are all minus-players. (Last Week: 24) |
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26. WINNIPEG JETS (5-7-2) Dustin Byfuglien has become the local whipping boy in Winnipeg. He can't seem to do anything right. It doesn't help that the Jets have a depleted defence right now with Tobias Enstrom gone for the long haul, and Randy Jones and Ron Hainsey out in the short-term. Big Buff has a shooting percentage of two per cent, after ripping 49 shots in 14 games this season. Coach Claude Noel has said he's an attack defender, and members of the coaching staff are going to work with him. Don't look for him to switch to forward anytime soon. (Last Week: 27) |
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27. CAROLINA HURRICANES (5-6-3) The Canes are coming off back-to-back losses to the Capitals and Stars where they were outscored 10-2. Cam Ward can't be blamed entirely, but he needs to be better after allowing nine goals in 42 shots in those two games combined. I know I've mentioned Eric Staal's slow start a couple times, but five points in 14 games and a minus-16 is very concerning - there's no sugar coating it.(Last Week: 26) |
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28. ANAHEIM DUCKS (5-6-3) The Ducks are averaging just 1.86 goals per game, which is mind-boggling, considering the talent they have up front. A statistic that stands out: Anaheim is being outshot 25 to 30 on average. They gave up 50 shots to the Wings the other night in a 5-0 loss. Yes, 50! Captain Ryan Getzlaf says they've been in this position before (slow start to a season); however, things could get a lot worse this month, as nine of the 10 teams they play are currently over .500.(Last Week: 19) |
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29. NEW YORK ISLANDERS (4-6-2) Odd week for the Islanders. They get shut out by the lowly Jets, and then beat the mighty Caps to snap a six-game losing streak. Who do they get next? Boston. The Bruins are pumped with adrenaline after slaughtering the Leafs on Saturday. After a blistering start, John Tavares has just two points in his last five games. (Last Week: 28) |
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30. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS (2-11-1) The words "good" and "news" have yet to meet in the same sentence this season when referring to the Jackets. However, maybe that will change. Jeff Carter, who has been out since Oct. 15 with a fractured foot, skated briefly with the club on Monday. According to Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch, Carter will practice again Tuesday and hasn't ruled out playing on Thursday. (Last Week: 30) |
Washington Capitals centre Nicklas Backstrom is rebounding nicely from a sub-par 2010-11 campaign and is a big reason why his team tops this week's edition of the NHL Power Rankings. (Nick Wass/Associated Press)
Nabil Karim
Nabil is the Host of Hockey Night in Canada Online, Morning Sports Anchor for CBC News Network and Hockey contributor to CBCSports.ca.
Nabil has worked on a variety of projects with CBC, most recently covering the 2011
Stanley Cup Finals for CBC News Network in Vancouver and reporting court-side in Montreal
for the 2011 Rogers Cup Men's Tennis Final.
Nabil also hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup Post-Game Show on CBC
along with the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
