Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals retained the No. 1 spot in the rankings. Alexander Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals retained the No. 1 spot in the rankings. (Greg Fiume/Getty Images)

Each week, Hockey Night in Canada's Scott Morrison breaks down the balance of power in the National Hockey League.

1. WASHINGTON CAPITALS [unchanged]
Record: 51-15-12 (114 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-1-3

Still concerns about their goaltending.
2. SAN JOSE SHARKS [unchanged]
Record: 48-20-11 (107 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-4-1

Getting Thornton back is a relief.
3. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS [up from 4]
Record: 49-22-7 (105 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-4-1

Niemi appears to be the guy in goal.
4. PITTSBURGH PENGUINS [up from 10]
Record: 45-26-7 (97 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-3-2

Getting healthy at the right time.
5. PHOENIX COYOTES [down from 3]
Record: 48-25-6 (102 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-3-1

Just keep finding ways to win.
6. NASHVILLE PREDATORS [unchanged]
Record: 46-28-6 (98 pts)
Last 10 games: 7-2-1

Rinne has been great in goal.
7. DETROIT RED WINGS [unchanged]
Record: 41-24-14 (96 pts)
Last 10 games: 7-1-2

Two tough losses on the weekend.
8. VANCOUVER CANUCKS [down from 5]
Record: 48-27-4 (100 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-4-1

It's all about Luongo again.
9. NEW JERSEY DEVILS [unchanged]
Record: 45-26-7 (97 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-2-4

Could surprise in the East.
10. BUFFALO SABRES [down from 8]
Record: 43-25-10 (96 pts)
Last 10 games: 7-3-0

Do they have the firepower to go deep?
11. LOS ANGELES KINGS [up from 12]
Record: 44-27-7 (95 pts)
Last 10 games: 4-4-2

Might want to think about keeping Bernier around.
12. OTTAWA SENATORS [down from 11]
Record: 43-31-5 (91 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-4-0

Spezza is on top of his game.
13. COLORADO AVALANCHE [unchanged]
Record: 42-29-7 (91 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-6-1

Huge win over the Sharks.
14. CALGARY FLAMES [up from 16]
Record: 40-30-9 (89 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-4-0

Have to take care of their business.
15. MONTREAL CANADIENS [down from 14]
Record: 39-32-8 (86 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-3-2

Came up big on the weekend.
16. ANAHEIM DUCKS [up from 22]
Record: 38-31-9 (85 pts)
Last 10 games: 7-2-1

Keeping faint hopes alive.
17. ST. LOUIS BLUES [unchanged]
Record: 38-31-9 (85 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-4-0

Playing well but running out of time.
18. BOSTON BRUINS [down from 15]
Record: 36-30-12 (84 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-4-0

My Gawd, where is the offence?
19. NEW YORK RANGERS [up from 21]
Record: 36-32-10 (82 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-3-1

Fate is their hands.
20. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS [unchanged]
Record: 39-34-6 (84 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-6-1

Should get Carter back for the weekend.
21. DALLAS STARS [down from 18]
Record: 35-30-14 (84 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-4-1

Is this Modano's final week?
22. ATLANTA THRASHERS [down from 19]
Record: 34-32-13 (81 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-3-2

Just can't help themselves.
23. NEW YORK ISLANDERS [up from 25]
Record: 33-35-10 (76 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-3-1

Got hot too late.
24. MINNESOTA WILD [down from 23]
Record: 37-35-7 (81 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-6-1

Never could get on a roll.
25. CAROLINA HURRICANES [up from 28]
Record: 33-36-10 (76 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-3-2

They will be a team to watch next year.
26. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS [down from 24]
Record: 32-34-13 (77 pts)
Last 10 games: 5-3-2

Thinking about bringing Noel back.
27. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS [down from 26]
Record: 29-36-14 (72 pts)
Last 10 games: 6-2-2

Better but not good enough.
28. FLORIDA PANTHERS [up from 29]
Record: 31-35-12 (74 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-5-2

DeBoer is safe behind the bench.
29. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING [down from 27]
Record: 31-35-12 (74 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-7-0

Management changes are likely.
30. EDMONTON OILERS [unchanged]
Record: 24-46-8 (56 pts)
Last 10 games: 3-6-1

Hall or Seguin? That is the question.