Power Rankings (4/6)

1. Boston Bruins (51-17-10)
Last Week: #3
Last 10: 8-1-1
Boston is starting to play like they did a few months ago… which is bad news for the east.

2. San Jose Sharks (52-16-11)
Last Week: #1
Last 10: 7-2-1
The Sharks may lead the race for the Presidents’ Trophy, but they need to play a lot better than this in the next couple weeks.

3. Carolina Hurricanes (44-28-7)
Last Week: #8
Last 10: 8-1-1
Hey, hey, what do ya say!? The ‘Canes are the hottest team in the league, and will be a force to be reckoned with come playoff time.

4. Detroit Red Wings (50-19-9)
Last Week: #4
Last 10: 6-4
One win doesn’t change everything for Detroit… they still have a lot of work to do to succeed in the playoffs.

5. Washington Capitals (48-23-8)
Last Week: #7
Last 10: 6-2-2
The Caps must get better defensively if they want to become a true Cup contender.

6. Vancouver Canucks (42-27-10)
Last Week: #2
Last 10: 5-4-1
Vancouver has started to come back to earth a little bit, but they’re still my favorite to win the division and to run through the West in the playoffs.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins (42-28-9)
Last Week: #5
Last 10: 6-2-2
It seems like the Pens may have forgotten how to play on the road after all of those home games.

8. New Jersey Devils (49-26-4)
Last Week: #6
Last 10: 3-6-1
New Jersey lost twice to Atlantic rivals on the road… but responded with a pair of 1-goal victories.

9. Columbus Blue Jackets (40-29-10)
Last Week: #9
Last 10: 4-2-4
The Jackets picked up 2 crucial points this weekend, albeit OT losses. They’re making it hard on themselves to lock up that first playoff berth.

10. Chicago Blackhawks (43-24-11)
Last Week: #16
Last 10: 6-2-2
The ‘Hawks really impressed me this week… Khabibulin is starting to show signs of his days of the ’04 Cup run.

11. Anaheim Ducks (41-33-6)
Last Week: #15
Last 10: 8-2
Anaheim’s top line of Getzlaf, Perry, and Ryan has become lethal. They’ll have to do some scoreboard watching before their next game on Friday.

12. Philadelphia Flyers (42-25-11)
Last Week: #10
Last 10: 5-4-1
Philly has been less than impressive lately, and is in danger of losing home-ice in the 1st round.

13. Montreal Canadiens (41-27-10)
Last Week: #18
Last 10: 5-3-2
Since their awful 5-2 home loss to Toronto two weeks ago, the Habs are 5-1 and everything seems to be clicking.

14. Nashville Predators (39-32-8)
Last Week: #12
Last 10: 5-2-3
‘Captain Clutch’ came back with a vengeance, but the Preds have a stiff schedule in their way of a 5th straight playoff appearance.

15. St. Louis Blues (38-31-10)
Last Week: #14
Last 10: 6-2-2
St. Louis may have an easier schedule than Nashville, but they do not hold their own destiny.

16. Calgary Flames (44-28-6)
Last Week: #11
Last 10: 4-6
I honestly don’t know what’s wrong with the Flames. All I know is that a 4th straight 1st round exit is looking more and more likely.

17. Florida Panthers (39-29-11)
Last Week: #17
Last 10: 5-4-1
Florida helped their playoff chances by beating Pittsburgh on Sunday. But I’m still not sure they’ll make it… I’ll believe it when I see it!

18. New York Rangers (40-30-9)
Last Week: #13
Last 10: 5-4-1
It’ll be interesting to see the Garden’s reaction if they go down a couple goals tomorrow vs. Montreal. At this point, their clinging on to that final spot in the East.

19. Minnesota Wild (37-33-9)
Last Week: #21
Last 10: 5-4-1
It doesn’t seem likely that they’ll return to the playoffs. But I give ‘em full props for fulfilling their team slogan ‘Fight to the End’.

20. Buffalo Sabres (38-31-9)
Last Week: #19
Last 10: 4-4-2
It’s safe to say that Buffalo teased their fans on Friday night… so much that Coach Ruff pulled Miller vs. New Jersey to see if it’d give the team a spark.

21. Edmonton Oilers (37-33-9)
Last Week: #20
Last 10: 4-6
If I were on this team, I’d look back on that home record and just shake my head. No reason why a team like this should lay an egg every other game at Rexall.

22. Atlanta Thrashers (34-39-6)
Last Week: #23
Last 10: 6-4
It’s remarkable… Atlanta has played spoiler on seeds 7-10 in the East for the last few weeks.

23. Ottawa Senators (34-34-10)
Last Week: #22
Last 10: 6-4
The Sens can throw another wrench into the playoff picture with solid efforts against Montreal & New Jersey this week.

24. Phoenix Coyotes (34-38-7)
Last Week: #27
Last 10: 6-3-1
To be honest, I though this team would tank in these last couple weeks. But they’ve played decent hockey, and have a chance to put a dent into the playoff hopes of Anaheim & St. Louis.

25. Dallas Stars (35-34-10)
Last Week: #24
Last 10: 2-6-2
Matt Climie!? The ECHL emergency call-up stopped enough shots to give Dallas a thrilling OT win over the Blues on Saturday.

The Rest:
26. Los Angeles Kings
27. Toronto Maple Leafs
28. New York Islanders
29. Colorado Avalanche
30. Tampa Bay Lightning