We’re going to do this week’s power rankings a little different. Since Christmas is just four days away, we list the top thing on everyone’s wish list this holiday season…
1. Chicago Blackhawks (23-8-3), LW: 1
Chicago’s wish: a better power play. One of the only things lacking in their game is the man advantage. They are ranked 13th and 25th at home… pretty good problem for them to have.
2. New Jersey Devils (25-8-1), LW: 2
Brodeur’s 104th shutout. Marty is just one shutout away from breaking Terry Sawchuk’s all-time record. I’ve honestly lost track of all the records he has now!
3. Pittsburgh Penguins (25-10-1), LW: 5
A better power play. The Pens’ man advantage is struggling mightily, treading water at 29th in the league. Coach Bylsma has to find a way to improve it.
4. Washington Capitals (22-8-6), LW: 7
A bruising defenseman. For the last two years, I’ve stated that the Caps need a big stay-at-home D-man to improve their Cup chances. They passed on Pronger and Komisarek, but can’t do so if one becomes available before the deadline.
5. Nashville Predators (22-11-3), LW: 12
A better penalty kill. Nashville’s PK has been a strength the last couple years. But it’s 28th in the league, and is going downhill as we speak. If they improve it, look out.
6. Buffalo Sabres (21-10-3), LW: 3
An existent Vanek. The Austrian has been inconsistent this year, not putting pucks in the net like he should. Buffalo won’t be able to get by much longer without an elite scorer like Vanek producing.
1. Chicago Blackhawks (23-8-3), LW: 1
Chicago’s wish: a better power play. One of the only things lacking in their game is the man advantage. They are ranked 13th and 25th at home… pretty good problem for them to have.
2. New Jersey Devils (25-8-1), LW: 2
Brodeur’s 104th shutout. Marty is just one shutout away from breaking Terry Sawchuk’s all-time record. I’ve honestly lost track of all the records he has now!
3. Pittsburgh Penguins (25-10-1), LW: 5
A better power play. The Pens’ man advantage is struggling mightily, treading water at 29th in the league. Coach Bylsma has to find a way to improve it.
4. Washington Capitals (22-8-6), LW: 7
A bruising defenseman. For the last two years, I’ve stated that the Caps need a big stay-at-home D-man to improve their Cup chances. They passed on Pronger and Komisarek, but can’t do so if one becomes available before the deadline.
5. Nashville Predators (22-11-3), LW: 12
A better penalty kill. Nashville’s PK has been a strength the last couple years. But it’s 28th in the league, and is going downhill as we speak. If they improve it, look out.
6. Buffalo Sabres (21-10-3), LW: 3
An existent Vanek. The Austrian has been inconsistent this year, not putting pucks in the net like he should. Buffalo won’t be able to get by much longer without an elite scorer like Vanek producing.
7. Phoenix Coyotes (21-13-2), LW: 6
More offense. Phoenix’s leading scorer(s) only have 20 points in 36 games. They have survived thus far, but may want to find an upgrade soon.
8. San Jose Sharks (20-8-7), LW: 9
Playoff success. This ‘gift’ won’t help them in the short-term, but will be on everybody’s minds until raise Lord Stanley in the Bay Area.
9. Los Angeles Kings (22-12-3), LW: 4
Continued success. The Kings have been one of the bigger surprises in the league, and by no means are a fluke. But they are a young team, so a ‘dry spell’ is possible.
10. Colorado Avalanche (20-11-6), LW: 10
R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Colorado is leading the Northwest Division on December 21, but aren’t getting much respect as far as their playoff hopes go… especially from me!
11. Calgary Flames (20-11-4), LW: 8
Rest for ‘Kipper’. Going into the year, it sounded like Kiprusoff was going to get more nights off to save him for the playoffs. But that hasn’t happened, as he has started 31 of Calgary’s 35 games.
12. Vancouver Canucks (20-16-0), LW: 13
Better road play. Vancouver has struggled away from home this season, and will need to turn it around if they want to make the playoffs. Remember… they have that brutal 14-game road trip surrounding the Olympic break.
13. Boston Bruins (16-11-7), LW: 11
08/09 version of Tim Thomas. A large part of Boston’s success last year was the unbelievable goaltending from Thomas. He may want to turn it around ASAP…
14. Ottawa Senators (18-13-4), LW: 17
More Kovalev production. Alex Kovalev was brought in to help the Sens’ offense and boost the power play. He has failed to do both, but is playing much better as of late.
15. Atlanta Thrashers (18-13-3), LW: 15
Extension for Kovalchuk. ‘Kovy’ is set to become a UFA next July 1, and Thrashers fans hope it doesn’t get to that point.
16. Dallas Stars (15-9-11), LW: 16
Defensive upgrade. Dallas continues to be one of the more inconsistent teams because of the lack of a formidable defense. They need to get a top-two D-man to be a threat in the West.
17. Detroit Red Wings (18-13-5), LW: 14
A healthy lineup. Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Niklas Kronwall, Dan Cleary, Valterri Filppula, Jonathan Ericsson, and Jason Williams are all shelved due to injury.
18. Minnesota Wild (17-15-3), LW: 19
More Havlat production. Havlat received a 6-year, $30 million deal from the Wild this summer, but hasn’t quite panned out yet. Like Kovalev, though, he is playing better and the team is getting on the right track.
19. Florida Panthers (15-15-7), LW: 27
Continued goal-scoring. The ‘Cats scored 17 goals on their recent 3-game win streak. Coach DeBoer can only hope that type of goal-scoring sticks around.
20. Montreal Canadiens (16-18-3), LW: 20
Happy goaltenders. Jaroslav Halak has made it known that he wants a trade, and I’m sure Carey Price is not thrilled with being temporarily benched.
21. St. Louis Blues (15-14-5), LW: 21
More home wins. The Blues are excellent away from home, and have won 6 of 8 on the road. But they are hideous on home-ice (6-11-2).
22. Anaheim Ducks (14-14-7), LW: 23
A new coach. It’s well-known that I think Anaheim needs to part ways with Randy Carlyle. They aren’t going to get back in the playoff hunt with him behind the bench.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs (13-16-7), LW: 22
A healthy ‘Monster’. Jonas Gustavsson has missed some time this year due to heart problems. The Leafs need him between the pipes, as he gives them the best chance to win.
24. New York Rangers (16-16-3), LW: 28
More goals from Drury. In times of turmoil, Captain Drury has stepped up with a goal in two straight games, doubling his season total. The Rangers would certainly welcome more of this…
25. Philadelphia Flyers (15-17-2), LW: 24
Re-found chemistry. The Flyers are awful right now… awful! The locker-room chemistry seems to be shot, but they need to find a way to regain that – pronto.
26. Edmonton Oilers (15-16-4), LW: 18
Consistency. Pat Quinn and company won 5 straight road games to open December, but have followed it up with 3 disappointing home losses.
27. New York Islanders (13-16-7), LW: 25
Another top-six forward. The Isles compete on a nightly basis, but haven’t lately. If they can grab an affordable forward that can help out up front, they could make a run for the 8th seed.
28. Carolina Hurricanes (9-20-6), LW: 30
More road wins. One… that’s how many road wins the ‘Canes have this far into the year (and it came in Pittsburgh).
29. Tampa Bay Lightning (12-14-9), LW: 29
Consistent goaltending. The only way the Bolts get back into playoff discussion is if Niittymaki and Smith play more consistent in net.
30. Columbus Blue Jackets (14-15-7), LW: 26
Defensive help. This does not look like a Ken Hitchcock-coached team. They’ve won just once in the last 10 games, and need major help on the blue-line.
More offense. Phoenix’s leading scorer(s) only have 20 points in 36 games. They have survived thus far, but may want to find an upgrade soon.
8. San Jose Sharks (20-8-7), LW: 9
Playoff success. This ‘gift’ won’t help them in the short-term, but will be on everybody’s minds until raise Lord Stanley in the Bay Area.
9. Los Angeles Kings (22-12-3), LW: 4
Continued success. The Kings have been one of the bigger surprises in the league, and by no means are a fluke. But they are a young team, so a ‘dry spell’ is possible.
10. Colorado Avalanche (20-11-6), LW: 10
R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Colorado is leading the Northwest Division on December 21, but aren’t getting much respect as far as their playoff hopes go… especially from me!
11. Calgary Flames (20-11-4), LW: 8
Rest for ‘Kipper’. Going into the year, it sounded like Kiprusoff was going to get more nights off to save him for the playoffs. But that hasn’t happened, as he has started 31 of Calgary’s 35 games.
12. Vancouver Canucks (20-16-0), LW: 13
Better road play. Vancouver has struggled away from home this season, and will need to turn it around if they want to make the playoffs. Remember… they have that brutal 14-game road trip surrounding the Olympic break.
13. Boston Bruins (16-11-7), LW: 11
08/09 version of Tim Thomas. A large part of Boston’s success last year was the unbelievable goaltending from Thomas. He may want to turn it around ASAP…
14. Ottawa Senators (18-13-4), LW: 17
More Kovalev production. Alex Kovalev was brought in to help the Sens’ offense and boost the power play. He has failed to do both, but is playing much better as of late.
15. Atlanta Thrashers (18-13-3), LW: 15
Extension for Kovalchuk. ‘Kovy’ is set to become a UFA next July 1, and Thrashers fans hope it doesn’t get to that point.
16. Dallas Stars (15-9-11), LW: 16
Defensive upgrade. Dallas continues to be one of the more inconsistent teams because of the lack of a formidable defense. They need to get a top-two D-man to be a threat in the West.
17. Detroit Red Wings (18-13-5), LW: 14
A healthy lineup. Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Niklas Kronwall, Dan Cleary, Valterri Filppula, Jonathan Ericsson, and Jason Williams are all shelved due to injury.
18. Minnesota Wild (17-15-3), LW: 19
More Havlat production. Havlat received a 6-year, $30 million deal from the Wild this summer, but hasn’t quite panned out yet. Like Kovalev, though, he is playing better and the team is getting on the right track.
19. Florida Panthers (15-15-7), LW: 27
Continued goal-scoring. The ‘Cats scored 17 goals on their recent 3-game win streak. Coach DeBoer can only hope that type of goal-scoring sticks around.
20. Montreal Canadiens (16-18-3), LW: 20
Happy goaltenders. Jaroslav Halak has made it known that he wants a trade, and I’m sure Carey Price is not thrilled with being temporarily benched.
21. St. Louis Blues (15-14-5), LW: 21
More home wins. The Blues are excellent away from home, and have won 6 of 8 on the road. But they are hideous on home-ice (6-11-2).
22. Anaheim Ducks (14-14-7), LW: 23
A new coach. It’s well-known that I think Anaheim needs to part ways with Randy Carlyle. They aren’t going to get back in the playoff hunt with him behind the bench.
23. Toronto Maple Leafs (13-16-7), LW: 22
A healthy ‘Monster’. Jonas Gustavsson has missed some time this year due to heart problems. The Leafs need him between the pipes, as he gives them the best chance to win.
24. New York Rangers (16-16-3), LW: 28
More goals from Drury. In times of turmoil, Captain Drury has stepped up with a goal in two straight games, doubling his season total. The Rangers would certainly welcome more of this…
25. Philadelphia Flyers (15-17-2), LW: 24
Re-found chemistry. The Flyers are awful right now… awful! The locker-room chemistry seems to be shot, but they need to find a way to regain that – pronto.
26. Edmonton Oilers (15-16-4), LW: 18
Consistency. Pat Quinn and company won 5 straight road games to open December, but have followed it up with 3 disappointing home losses.
27. New York Islanders (13-16-7), LW: 25
Another top-six forward. The Isles compete on a nightly basis, but haven’t lately. If they can grab an affordable forward that can help out up front, they could make a run for the 8th seed.
28. Carolina Hurricanes (9-20-6), LW: 30
More road wins. One… that’s how many road wins the ‘Canes have this far into the year (and it came in Pittsburgh).
29. Tampa Bay Lightning (12-14-9), LW: 29
Consistent goaltending. The only way the Bolts get back into playoff discussion is if Niittymaki and Smith play more consistent in net.
30. Columbus Blue Jackets (14-15-7), LW: 26
Defensive help. This does not look like a Ken Hitchcock-coached team. They’ve won just once in the last 10 games, and need major help on the blue-line.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment