NHL Power Rankings: Blues, Blackhawks, Hurricanes on the rise

Welcome to the 11th edition of theScore's 2018-19 NHL Power Rankings, which will be published every two weeks during the regular season. Editors Craig Hagerman, Matt Teague, and Josh Wegman compiled this list.

1. Tampa Bay Lightning (44-11-4)

What's more incredible: The Lightning's 92 points in 59 games? Or Nikita Kucherov scoring 94 points in the same period?

The club remains the gold standard for the NHL this season. Meanwhile, Kucherov is on pace for 130 points, which would be the highest single-season total since the 1995-96 season. - Hagerman

Previously: 1st

2. New York Islanders (35-17-6) a-^2

The Islanders are one of the biggest stories in the 2018-19 season.

The team is a defensive powerhouse, averaging a league-best 2.29 goals against per game. Thomas Greiss and Robin Lehner also rank first and second in save percentage and goals-against average among goalies who have played at least 18 games. - Hagerman

Previously: 5th

3. San Jose Sharks (35-17-7) a-^2

The Sharks have been nearly unstoppable since the All-Star break. The team has gone 6-1-0, averaging just shy of four goals per game during that run. That's happened while the team was without Erik Karlsson for nine games.

Five San Jose players have already eclipsed the 20-goal mark, the most of any team in the league. The Sharks are also on pace to finish the year with eight 50-plus-point players. - Hagerman

Previously: 4th

4. Boston Bruins (34-17-8) a-^2

No David Pastrnak, no problem.

The Bruins looked like they were in for a world of hurt with their top goal-scorer sidelined for at least two weeks. However, the club has been perfect since Pastrnak went down, stringing together three straight wins and pushing Boston's current winning streak to five games. - Hagerman

Previously: 8th

5. Calgary Flames (35-16-7) a-1/4Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

After a shaky stretch, Calgary recovered on Saturday with a win over the always deadly Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Flames remain perched atop the Western Conference despite losing five of their last seven games. The team's first line has been consistent, registering 18 points in seven February contests. - Hagerman

Previously: 2nd

6. Toronto Maple Leafs (36-19-3)

Despite a lackluster effort during Auston Matthews' return to Arizona on Saturday, the Maple Leafs have still gone 7-2-1 in their last 10 games.

The team's power play has come alive in recent weeks, with William Nylander and Nazem Kadri beginning to score regularly. - Hagerman

Previously: 6th

7. Winnipeg Jets (36-19-4) a-1/4

The Jets have struggled over the last three weeks, winning just three times in their last eight games.

Winnipeg's recent skid features two losses to the lowly Ottawa Senators and one to the slumping Colorado Avalanche.

On the bright side, the Jets' firepower is undeniable. Dustin Byfuglien is still finding his game after recently returning from a lower-body injury. And if Patrik Laine ever starts producing again, the team could run away with the Western Conference. - Hagerman

Previously: 3rd

8. St. Louis Blues (31-22-5) a-^2

The Blues have turned around their season during the second half, and they're skyrocketing up the Western Conference standings.

Thanks to a 10-game winning streak, St. Louis now occupies third place in the Central Division. Rookie netminder Jordan Binnington has been a revelation, going 12-1-1 with a 1.58 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage.

Vladimir Tarasenko rediscovering his scoring touch has also helped during the Blues' turnaround. - Hagerman

Previously: 20th

9. Carolina Hurricanes (31-22-6) a-^2

The Hurricanes are surging.

The club has posted an 8-2-0 record over its last 10 games, and now Carolina sits just a point out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The addition of Nino Niederreiter, who has tallied 13 points in 13 games, has been a home run. Meanwhile, Sebastian Aho, Justin Williams, and Teuvo Teravainen are also averaging more than a point per game this month. - Hagerman

Previously: 15th

10. Philadelphia Flyers (28-24-7) a-^2Dave Reginek / National Hockey League / Getty

The Flyers are soaring because of Carter Hart's stellar play.

The team has gone 8-1-1 in its last 10 games, and Hart is 9-1-0 with a .932 save percentage in his last 10.

Philadelphia is still six points out of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, but the Flyers are playing their best hockey of the season. - Hagerman

Previously: 17th

11. Nashville Predators (34-22-5) a-1/4

The Predators have occupied the second seed in the Central Division since Jan. 10. The team has dropped four of its last five games, including the Blues earning a home-and-home sweep.

Nashville is one of the league's elite defensive teams, but the Predators could use some help up front ahead of the deadline. Their power play has converted just five times over its last 67 attempts. - Teague

Previously: 7th

12. Dallas Stars (29-24-5)

Tyler Seguin has significantly improved his play since team CEO Jim Lites' tirade before the new year, but he can't do it all himself.

The Stars' lack of offensive depth is glaring, especially after being shut out in two straight games. Dallas has received goals from just three forwards (Seguin, Brett Ritchie, and Alex Radulov) over its last five contests. - Teague

Previously: 12th

13. Montreal Canadiens (31-21-7) a-1/4

The Canadiens' consistent play this season has kept them level despite being in the middle of a four-game losing streak. Claude Julien's club has bought in, as the Habs rank fourth in hits per game and fifth in shots per contest, all while grinding down teams and burning the opposition with relentless speed.

The Canadiens also deploy a well-balanced attack, rostering nine players with 10-plus goals this season. - Teague

Previously: 11th

14. Washington Capitals (32-20-7) a-1/4

The defending champs aren't having a problem scoring goals this season, but Washington is struggling to keep the puck out of its own net. The Capitals are conceding 3.19 goals per game, the worst mark among teams currently occupying a playoff position. - Teague

Previously: 13th

15. Columbus Blue Jackets (33-21-3) a-^2Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty

With the futures of blue chippers Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky still unknown, the Blue Jackets have done a good job weathering the storm. After dropping five straight games in regulation, Columbus responded with five wins in seven games to start February.

The Blue Jackets still hold a playoff spot, though the red-hot Carolina Hurricanes are breathing down Columbus' neck. - Teague

Previously: 16th

16. Chicago Blackhawks (24-26-9) a-^2

Patrick Kane's all-world play has resurrected a seemingly defeated Blackhawks team, propelling them from the bottom of the league into playoff contention.

With an 8-2 record over their past 10 games, the Blackhawks sit three points out of a wild-card berth in the Western Conference with nine games left against division opponents. - Teague

Previously: 25th

17. Vegas Golden Knights (32-24-4) a-1/4

The Golden Knights have been stuck for quite some time now, sitting third place in the Pacific Division with a large gap between teams above and below.

A rare home-ice slump has resulted in seven losses over the Knights' past 10 contests. After a drop in scoring this season, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Golden Knights attempt to bolster their offense before the deadline. - Teague

Previously: 11th

18. Pittsburgh Penguins (31-21-7) a-1/4

The Penguins are coasting through another regular season, but they shouldn't get too comfortable. Pittsburgh has recorded just four wins in nine February games, with the team sliding from the Metropolitan Division's second seed to a wild-card position. - Teague

Previously: 12th

19. Minnesota Wild (27-26-6) a-1/4

The Wild appear out of sorts. Bruce Boudreau's team has logged just one win in February, and Minnesota's four-game losing streak included a 4-0 shutout loss on home ice to the Blues.

The Wild's penalty kill is a concern, as it's operating at a dismal 66.7 percent this month. - Teague

Previously: 14th

20. Buffalo Sabres (28-23-7) a-^2Bill Wippert / National Hockey League / Getty

It's been a trying season for the Sabres since November when they posted a league-best 11-3-1 record. A lack of consistency has led to Buffalo's downfall, as the team has failed to win consecutive games since Dec. 13.

Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, and rookie Rasmus Dahlin are making promising strides, and newcomer Jeff Skinner has been sensational. But the Sabres may not have the depth and goaltending to make serious noise down the stretch. - Teague

Previously: 21st

21. New York Rangers (25-25-8) a-^2

Mika Zibanejad is blossoming into a true No. 1 center and a building block for the Rangers moving forward. However, with plenty of names floating around the rumor mill, the supporting cast around him could be vastly different next season. - Wegman

Previously: 26th

22. Florida Panthers (24-24-8)

The Panthers' season hasn't gone as planned, as they sit well out of the playoff picture. Moving forward, it will be tough to address goaltending, the team's biggest weakness, with Roberto Luongo and James Reimer still under contract. - Wegman

Previously: 22nd

23. Arizona Coyotes (26-27-5) a-1/4

It's incredibly difficult to evaluate the 2018-19 Coyotes because they've been one of the most injured teams this season. Their resiliency is something to build on, though it's clear this team needs more offensive firepower before it can be taken seriously. - Wegman

Previously: 19th

24. Vancouver Canucks (26-27-7) a-1/4

Elias Pettersson already has the Calder Trophy locked up (sorry, Carter Hart). But if he carries the Canucks to the playoffs on his 176-pound frame, the rookie could receive a few Hart Trophy votes, too. - Wegman

Previously: 18th

25. Detroit Red Wings (23-29-8) a-^2Dave Reginek / National Hockey League / Getty

The Red Wings have produced plenty of encouraging signs during a rebuilding year. But this team faces an uphill battle moving forward in the ultra-competitive - and youthful - Atlantic Division. - Wegman

Previously: 27th

26. Colorado Avalanche (23-24-11) a-1/4

The Avalanche's sub-.500 record is disappointing after last season's growth. But with Cale Makar's projected arrival next year, plenty of cap space to work with, and potentially the No. 1 overall pick, Colorado is positioned well for the future. - Wegman

Previously: 23rd

27. Los Angeles Kings (23-29-6) a-^2

The Kings are dead last in the Western Conference, but amazingly only eight points back of a playoff spot. A postseason berth seems impossible, so it'll be interesting to see if L.A. moves any of its locked-up veterans before the deadline. - Wegman

Previously: 30th

28. New Jersey Devils (23-28-8) a-^2

The Devils should shut down Taylor Hall for the remainder of the season. - Wegman

Previously: 29th

29. Ottawa Senators (22-31-5) a-^2

This may be the highest the Senators rank here for the rest of the season if Matt Duchene, Mark Stone, and Ryan Dzingel are traded at the deadline. - Wegman

Previously: 31st

30. Edmonton Oilers (24-29-5) a-1/4

Andrej Sekera is back, but a 32-year-old defensemen who's played just 36 games over the past two years due to a torn Achilles and a torn ACL isn't going to save the Oilers' season. - Wegman

Previously: 24th

31. Anaheim Ducks (23-27-9) a-1/4

The Ducks have recorded two wins in three games with Bob Murray behind the bench - the same total they notched over Randy Carlyle's final 21 contests. - Wegman

Previously: 28th

Copyright (C) 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.