One week can change a lot when it comes to the outlook of the top teams in the NHL. While the Washington Capitals managed to hold on to the top spot in the NHL power rankings despite their first extended losing streak of the season, the Minnesota Wild weren’t nearly as fortunate as they tumbled down the rankings with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Chicago Blackhawks climbing ahead of them. Here is a look at the NHL top five power rankings for this week.
1. Washington Capitals (45-17-7)
Last Week: 1
Stanley Cup Odds: +600
The Capitals hadn’t lost three games in a row all season before a four-game slide that included losses in San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim on their three-game west coast road trip. However, Washington bounced back with a 4-2 win over Minnesota in their return home and will now play four of their next five on home ice. Kevin Shattenkirk was handed a two-game suspension for an illegal check and when he returns the Capitals need to figure out how to maximize his potential both at even strength and on the powerplay. Washington was already among the league leaders in powerplay percentage and goals per game before they acquired Shattenkirk so now they need to figure out how to capitalize on his abilities without forcing it. The Capitals lead the NHL with an average of just 2.2 goals allowed per game and that should translate to success once the playoffs roll around.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins (43-17-9)
Last Week: 4
Stanley Cup Odds: +600
Pittsburgh won five straight games from March 3rd to the 11th, outscoring their opponents 22-11 over that span. The Penguins finished their road trip with a whimper as they dropped back-to-back games to the Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers, but they will be on home ice for five of their next seven games with five of those contests against teams currently outside of a playoff spot. Sidney Crosby has been excellent this season so it might be a surprise that Evgeni Malkin actually owns the higher points per game. Pittsburgh leads the NHL with an average of 3.4 goals per game this season with three lines that can score goals in bunches. That will make them difficult to slow down come playoff time, but they need to improve defensively if they are going to take down the Capitals.
3. Columbus Blue Jackets (44-18-6)
Last Week: 3
Stanley Cup Odds: +1200
The Blue Jackets took full advantage of Sergei Bobrovsky’s impressive shutout streak as he improved to 37-13-4 with a 2.08 goals against average and a .929 save percentage this season. Bobrovsky is easily the biggest single reason for the turnaround in Columbus this season but they have some intriguing scoring depth as well as they rank in the top-five in goals per game and goals allowed per game. Cam Atkinson is up to 32 goals and 59 points while Alexander Wennberg, Brandon Saad, Nick Foligno, Sam Gagner and Zach Werenski have all topped 40 points. The Blue Jackets will be in tough to catch Washington and Pittsburgh but they will provide an intriguing matchup for either team if they meet in the postseason.
4. Chicago Blackhawks (44-20-5)
Last Week: 5
Stanley Cup Odds: +800
Patrick Kane is up to 31 goals and 76 points on the season as he continues to shine as one of the top scorers in the NHL. The Blackhawks have needed his production as they continue to deal with injuries. Artem Anisimov will miss the next couple of weeks while Jonathan Toews is dealing with nagging injuries that have kept him out of a couple of recent practices. Kane and Artemi Panarin have led the way up front but Chicago also has to be pleased with the production they have received from young players like Nick Schmaltz and Ryan Hartman. Meanwhile, Corey Crawford has allowed two goals or fewer in three of his last four starts and will need to continue to play at a high level without a capable backup as Scott Darling is also injured right now.
5. Minnesota Wild (43-19-6)
Last Week: 2
Stanley Cup Odds: +600
After looking like a legitimate Presidents trophy contender, the Wild have hit an absolute wall with just two wins in their last seven games. Minnesota has allowed exactly four goals in four straight games for the first time this season and suddenly they are looking up at Chicago at the top of the Western Conference standings. The Wild need to get back to what worked for them all season, which means playing a strong defensive game and generating scoring opportunities in transition. Minnesota definitely needs better play from netminder Devan Dubnyk, who has a .914 save percentage in the month of March. The Wild are one of just three NHL teams that rank in the top-five in the NHL in goals per game and goals allowed per game this season so they should be able to figure things out and get back on track in the near future.
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