The NHL trade deadline provided another opportunity for the top contenders to make impact moves and while it was a relatively quiet period throughout the league there was one big splash that could have major ramifications. The Washington Capitals made a power move when they acquired Kevin Shattenkirk form the St. Louis Blues, solidifying their place at the top team in the NHL. Here is a look at the NHL top five power rankings for this week.
1. Washington Capitals (43-13-7)
Last Week: 1
Stanley Cup Odds: +450
The Capitals solidified the best defense core in the NHL with the addition of Shattenkirk, who joins John Carlson, Matt Niskanen, Dmitry Orlov and Karl Alzner. Washington already leads the NHL in goals allowed per game with an average of just 2.1 against per contest and the addition of Shattenkirk should make this group better at both ends. The Capitals also rank third in goals per game and now they add Shattenirk to a powerplay that ranks fifth in the NHL. The other aspect of the trade that hasn’t been talked about enough is that by adding Shattenkirk they also prevent a rival like the Pittsburgh Penguins or New York Rangers from adding him. There is no doubt that Washington is all-in to win now and after making the biggest splash at the NHL trade deadline they are definitely the Stanley Cup favorites.
2. Minnesota Wild (41-15-6)
Last Week: 2
Stanley Cup Odds: +600
Minnesota also ranks in the top-five in the NHL in both goals per game and goals allowed per game and they solidified their lineup with a couple of moves at the deadline. Msrtin Hanzal slides in nicely as the their third line center while Ryan White joins the fourth line as a energy checker that has already found the scoresheet in his first couple of games with the team. The Wild were hit by the mumps but they still managed to win their two games without Zach Parise. Minnesota will be absolutely loaded when they are back at full strength and there is no doubt they deserve to be considered the favorites in the Western Conference right now.
3. Chicago Blackhawks (40-18-5)
Last Week: 4
Stanley Cup Odds: +900
The Blackhawks added a depth piece in Tomas Jurco but opted not to pay the price for a top-six scorer like Radim Vrbata at the NHL trade deadline. Part of that decision likely has to do with the fact that Ryan Hartman, Nick Schmaltz and Richard Panik are playing at a high level right now but it was still a surprise that GM Stan Bowman didn’t make an impact move. The Blackhawks still have enough talent to contend for the Stanley Cup in the Western Conference but with the Wild loading up it was definitely a surprise to see them so quiet at the deadline.
4. Columbus Blue Jackets (40-16-6)
Last Week: 5
Stanley Cup Odds: +1400
Columbus was another team that remained quiet at the NHL trade deadline as they feel comfortable with the team they have in place right now. Only time will tell if the Blue Jackets should have made a move but for now they will feel comfortable knowing they are right there with the Capitals and Wild as one of three teams in the NHL that rank in the top-five in both goals per game and goals allowed per game. The Blue Jackets are 4-1-1 in their last five games and they will have an opportunity to build on that record with five of their next seven games against teams currently outside of a playoff position.
5. Pittsburgh Penguins (38-16-8)
Last Week: 3
Stanley Cup Odds: +800
The Penguins missed out on Shattenkirk to their biggest Stanley Cup competitor in the Eastern Conference and they aren’t exactly inspiring confident right now with a 2-3-1 record over their last six games. Pittsburgh is still very deep but they are dealing with a ton of injuries on the back end right now and those issues were exposed in a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. The Penguins are still in a comfortable position in the standings but with Washington and Columbus heating up again in the Metropolitan division there room for error is shrinking as they fall to fifth in the NHL power rankings for this week.
Want to bet on any of the the NHL games tonight? Click here to get the latest lines from BetDSI, including moneylines, totals, props and futures!
