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NHL Power Rankings: Tampa Bay moves into the top 5

Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (right) celebrates a goal with teammate Erik Cernak. (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

Robert Criscola

January 24th, 2020

The NHL All-Star break has arrived, and it serves as a good time to evaluate the top 16 teams in hockey with our latest NHL Power Rankings.

1. Washington Capitals (33-11-5)

Previous rank: 1

The frontrunner for the Presidents’ Trophy at the unofficial midpoint of the season, Washington is being dangled at generous +850 to win the Stanley Cup. Even the Professional Hockey Writers Association seems to be slighting Washington, as only defenseman John Carlson (Norris Trophy) was acknowledged for a midseason award.

2. St. Louis Blues (30-11-8)

Previous rank: 2

Ryan O’Reilly is poised to give the Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron and the Flyers’ Sean Couturier a run for their money for the Selke Trophy this year. He has tallied 52 takeaways, fifth in the NHL, and blocked 29 shots. O’Reilly is also winning faceoffs at a 56.9% clip and has dished out 34 assists through 49 games, good for 12th in the league.

3. Pittsburgh Penguins (31-14-5)

Previous rank: 5

Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan won the midseason Jack Adams Award, which makes sense, as he’s helped his team weather the loss of Sidney Crosby, who returned not long after Jake Guentzel was lost for the season.

4. Boston Bruins (29-10-12)

Previous rank: 4

The Bruins’ demotion of 35-year-old forward David Backes cleared roster space for a potential trade deadline acquisition, and the Rangers’ Chris Kreider appears to be on the top of Boston’s wish list. Some changes are surely in the offing, as the Bruins are a mediocre 11-7-2 since Dec. 1.

5. Tampa Bay Lightning (29-15-4)

Previous rank: 10

A 12-2 stretch since Dec. 21 has moved the Lightning up to fifth overall in points and favoritism in the Stanley Cup futures, almost unthinkable after a 17-13-4 start. Could Tampa Bay be following the Blues’ path to glory from a year ago?

6. Colorado Avalanche (28-15-6)

Previous rank: 7

If the season ended today, the Avalanche would take home three individual honors—the Lady Byng Trophy (Nathan MacKinnon), Calder Trophy (Cale Makar), and the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award (Joe Sakic).

7. New York Islanders (29-15-5)

Previous rank: 3

Islanders fans better hope Barry Trotz’s benching of Mathew Barzal on Tuesday night doesn’t become more than an isolated incident. He’s one of the few forwards on the club that can score on a nightly basis.

8. Dallas Stars (27-17-4)

Previous rank: 6

After three losses in their last four games, including an embarrassing 7-0 clobbering courtesy of the Wild, the Stars will need to turn themselves around right away. The Lighting come to town Monday.

9. Carolina Hurricanes (29-18-3)

Previous rank: 8

Losing Dougie Hamilton (fibula) indefinitely is a crushing blow for the Hurricanes, but midseason Rod Langway Award winner Jaccob Slavin is capable of picking up the slack on the blue line. Carolina's goaltending has been impeccable over the last two weeks, as James Reimer and Petr Mrazek have combined to allow just five goals in seven games.

10. Vancouver Canucks (27-18-4)

Previous rank: 16

An 11-3 run since Dec. 19 has valuted the Canucks to the top of the crowded Pacific Division (five teams separated by one point). Goaltender Jacob Markstrom (2.71 goals-against average, .916 save percentage), in net for nine of those victories, deserves his fair share of credit for this run.

11. Edmonton Oilers (26-18-5)

Previous rank: 13

The Oilers still have a month to get Connor McDavid, the midseason Hart Trophy winner, some help. Edmonton can’t possibly hope to win the Stanley Cup without adding some scoring depth.

12. Toronto Maple Leafs (25-17-7)

Previous rank: 14

The Maple Leafs’ inability to keep pucks out of their own net (29th in goals against) has dampened the effectiveness of their top-ranked offense. Expect them to make a move for a defenseman or goaltender before the trade deadline.

13. Calgary Flames (26-19-5)

Previous rank: 15

David Rittich was named to the All-Star team for the first time in his career, with a 2.77 GAA and .913 save percentage in the first half of the year (36 starts).

14. Arizona Coyotes (26-20-5)

Previous rank: 9

Taylor Hall has seven points in his last four games, but the Coyotes have dropped five of their last six. Arizona desperately needs goaltender Darcy Kuemper back, as Antti Raanta and Adin Hill have combined to allow 21 goals in a six-game span.

15. Florida Panthers (28-16-5)

Previous rank: NR

The Panthers have caught fire, with six straight wins heading into the All-Star break. Evgenii Dadonov has had the shooters’ touch in this stretch, with a goal in five of those tilts.

16. Columbus Blue Jackets (27-16-8)

Previous rank: NR

The Blue Jackets can do no wrong right now, as they’ve won 10 of their last 12 contests. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins has been outstanding since he took over for the injured Joonas Korpisalo, with a .948 save percentage and three shutouts in January.




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