Power Rankings: It's Washington's world
You can almost smell the playoffs. Mass movement in this week's rankings. Let's go.
1. Washington Capitals
(Last Week: 1)
Washington's got an "X." It's March 16. It's possible we're taking the Capitals' greatness for granted.
2. Los Angeles Kings a-^2
(Last Week: 11)
Wins in Chicago and Dallas by a combined 10-2.
3. San Jose Sharks a-^2
(Last Week: 14)
Back-to-back wins over the Capitals and Bruins, and Martin Jones is at .927 since the All-Star break.
4. Anaheim Ducks a-1/4
(Last Week: 2)
After winning 11 in a row, the Ducks lost three in a row. Life happens.
5. St. Louis Blues a-^2
(Last Week: 10)
They beat the Blackhawks, Ducks, and Stars, then lost to the Flames. Which makes sense, actually.
6. Florida Panthers a-^2
(Last Week: 13)
The Greatest of All Time, Jaromir Jagr: "If you want to be better than the opponent, you have to train when he's asleep."
7. New York Islanders a-1/4
(Last Week: 4)
You can't lose to the Maple Leafs at this time of year.
8. Boston Bruins a-1/4
(Last Week: 6)
Considering how poorly he started, that Tuukka Rask is up to .918 on the season is absolutely remarkable.
9. Chicago Blackhawks a-1/4
(Last Week: 7)
Losers of three in a row, including a 5-0 beating at the hands of the Kings. But this has to be a ploy. The Blackhawks can't be bothered until mid-April.
10. Nashville Predators a-1/4
(Last Week: 8)
Do you trust Pekka Rinne?
11. Dallas Stars
(Last Week: 11)
Great read from ESPN's Scott Burnside on the events of March 10, 2014, "the night Rich Peverley's heart stopped."
12. Tampa Bay Lightning a-1/4
(Last Week: 3)
Losses in four out of their last five, including - somehow - a 4-1 defeat to the Maple Leafs.
13. Pittsburgh Penguins a-^2
(Last Week: 15)
Remember when everyone was freaking out about Sidney Crosby? He's up to 70 points in 68 games, good for fifth in league scoring.
14. Philadelphia Flyers
(Last Week: 14)
Points in five straight, including two wins over the Lightning and a massive victory over the Red Wings on Tuesday. Up next: Chicago, Pittsburgh, and the Islanders. The Flyers are the team to watch in hockey right now.
15. New York Rangers a-1/4
(Last Week: 5)
New York's next five games are against: Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose (all on the road), Florida, and Boston. Now would be a good time to show up, Eric Staal.
16. Colorado Avalanche a-^2
(Last Week: 17)
Matt Duchene: "You can't just keep missing the playoffs. You're just taking steps backwards." Read more at The Denver Post.
17. Minnesota Wild a-1/4
(Last Week: 16)
That 76.9 penalty-killing rate will be the death of the Wild.
18. Detroit Red Wings
(Last Week: 18)
The playoff streak's ending. Sorry, Detroit. But it was a good run.
19. Ottawa Senators a-^2
(Last Week: 20)
Erik Karlsson - third in the NHL in scoring - makes the world a better place.
20. Carolina Hurricanes a-1/4
(Last Week: 19)
Carolina's lost only one game in regulation since trading captain Staal - on the afternoon he was dealt, Feb. 28. They're 3-1-3.
21. New Jersey Devils a-^2
(Last Week: 23)
Keith Kinkaid was named third star of the week, then gave up a touchdown to the Ducks. Being a goalie has to be the worst.
22. Montreal Canadiens a-1/4
(Last Week: 21)
Thank your God that P.K. Subban is OK.
23. Columbus Blue Jackets a-1/4
(Last Week: 22)
If you missed this Guardian story on Brandon Saad and his Syrian family, change that.
24. Buffalo Sabres
(Last Week: 24)
Lookin' good:
Our warmups tonight
- Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) March 16, 2016
These will be up for auction after the game. pic.twitter.com/P2wNg1BSTj
25. Arizona Coyotes
(Last Week: 25)
Christian Dvorak has 118 points in 56 games in the OHL. Dylan Strome has 103 in 53.
26. Winnipeg Jets a-^2
(Last Week: 27)
Give Blake Wheeler the "C," and Mark Scheifele an "A."
27. Calgary Flames a-^2
(Last Week: 28)
Better than the Oilers, at least.
28. Vancouver Canucks a-1/4
(Last Week: 26)
29. Toronto Maple Leafs a-^2
(Last Week: 30)
Winners of two in a row and three of four. Yep, it's that time of year when the Maple Leafs sabotage themselves. (In all seriousness, the kids look great.)
30. Edmonton Oilers a-1/4
(Last Week: 29)
The Oilers played their first two games of the season with Connor McDavid, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl, and Jordan Eberle all in the lineup Saturday and Monday. They lost both.
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