NHL Power Rankings: Predators on top; Kings, Jets sag

1. Nashville Predators

No team receives more production from the back end than the Predators, who - when feeling down - scan the bottom of the league standings and laugh, reliving Seth Jones' slip to No. 4.

2. St. Louis Blues

The red light finally flicked on for the Blues after a 10-day recharge over the All-Star break, but they fell apart late versus rival Chicago in their seventh game in 11 nights Sunday.

St. Louis' loss bumps them back to four points shy of the Predators.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning

The Lightning went 60 days between defeats on home ice, and established a franchise record for consecutive wins before falling to the Kings on Saturday.

4. Chicago Blackhawks

It's wide open, but with a share of the lead in the NHL scoring race, Patrick Kane has put himself in contention to become the first American-born player - and the first Blackhawk since Stan Mikita in 1968 - to win the Art Ross Trophy.

5. Detroit Red Wings

We've seen injuries in goal trip up the Preds, Blues, Bolts and Hawks, but the Red Wings have only flourished without their No. 1 as Petr Mrazek is 8-1 since Jimmy Howard was placed on injured reserve.

Mrazek's likely reward? A bus ticket to Grand Rapids.

6. Montreal Canadiens

Like all embellishment sanctions, P.K. Subban's $2,000 slap-on-the-wrist is a joke, so let's celebrate the best one:

7. Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks have played in 30 one-goal games this season and haven't lost a single one in regulation (23-0-7). Wrap your head around that, Rob Martell.

8. Pittsburgh Penguins

Marc-Andre Fleury's franchise-best eighth shutout should ease the painful ruing of his All-Star experience, but what the Penguins backstop should really regret is deciding to sign a modest extension back in November.

9. Washington Capitals

Alex Ovechkin has scored one goal a league-leading 33 times this season.

10. New York Islanders 

Proving your worth can be easier off the ice. The Islanders have dropped four of seven since Kyle Okposo - the most underpaid veteran in the game - exited the lineup with a detached retina.

11. New York Rangers 

Kudos to Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers, who didn't undersell a sprained blood vessel with the customary "upper-body injury" tag. The setback will give teams - namely the Oilers - an extended look at Cam Talbot.

12. Boston Bruins

Tuukka Rask has everything Carey Price is without. He's a Cup champion, Vezina Trophy winner and owns a vile record against his most important competition.

Rask dropped to 3-13-3 lifetime versus Montreal on Sunday.

13. Minnesota Wild

Remember that stunning postseason series that saw the Wild and Avalanche combine for 43 goals, four overtimes and lay the foundation for the next great rivalry? Yeah, us either.

With a 1-0 shutout Saturday, the Wild became the first team in seven seasons to sweep a three-game season series without conceding.

14. Los Angeles Kings

The Kings' win over Tampa Bay was great, sure. Unfortunately, it's worth the same amount as beating, say, the Panthers - whom Los Angeles lost to two nights prior.

They're a single point from third-worst in the West.

15. Vancouver Canucks

How's this for advantageous scheduling? All three of Vancouver's games this week were against teams who played the Flames the night prior. What sense does it make to have Calgary take the first punch all week in a postseason race?

16. Calgary Flames

To the Flames credit (see above), they managed to win just as many games as Vancouver, taking two of three to cap off a six-game homestand that strengthened their position in the West standing.

17. San Jose Sharks

Patrick Marleau became the youngest player to skate in 1,300 games this week, reminding everyone how truly old he is.

The 35-year-old has played at least 74 games per season - all with San Jose - since his rookie season in 1996-97.

18. Winnipeg Jets

Death by soggy sweatsuit. Once the league's darlings, Winnipeg lost its innocence, but did end a six-game slide.

19. Florida Panthers

The Panthers' .560 winning percentage through 50 games is their best in 15 seasons. Unfortunately, it'll have to be roughly .700 down the stretch to make the postseason.

20. Philadelphia Flyers

Steve Mason, forever a Blue Jacket.

21. Dallas Stars

The Stars are one of just three teams with a pair of double-digit goal-scorers on defence. Trevor Daley and John Klingberg have combined for 23, which matches the output of Mark Giordano and Dennis Wideman and does one better than Roman Josi and Shea Weber.

22. Columbus Blue Jackets

A 7-1 win over the hottest team in the NHL costs Columbus two defenseman. These are the 2014-15 Blue Jackets.

23. Colorado Avalanche 

Patrick Roy's scheme has seemed to fall on deaf ears, but his late-game, net-empty strategy continues to thrive. The Avs had successfully scored on four of their last six empty-net opportunities before failing to convert Saturday.

They've had plenty of practice.

24. New Jersey Devils

The Devils' 2014-15 season is really only happening to celebrate the career of Patrik Elias.

The All-Star notched his franchise-most 400th goal Friday versus the Maple Leafs after striking for 600 assists and (if my math is correct) 1000 points already this season.

25. Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina has tallied 12 points in their last eight games, a stretch brought on by the brothers Staal teaming up on the Hurricanes' top line.

A novel concept, that one is.

26. Ottawa Senators

Craig Anderson would be a nice trade option, but leaving Robin Lehner alone with his thoughts in a crease to call his own?

27. Arizona Coyotes

Keith Yandle has more assists (34) than the Sabres, Hurricanes and Oilers' top scorers, respectively.

28. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs snap the franchise's worst losing streak in 98 seasons with a David Clarkson scratch and a James Reimer start. This is because there isn't enough to talk about in Toronto.

29. Edmonton Oilers

This team needs a goaltender, Fasth.

30. Buffalo Sabres

Gary Bettman wears this to Buffalo:

Then decides to rock these at the White House: