NHL Power Rankings: Canadiens back atop the world, Oilers back in the basement
It's December, and the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers have taken back what is apparently rightfully theirs: the top and bottom spot in theScore's NHL Power Rankings.
1. Montreal Canadiens ▲
(Last Week: 2)
The scary part is that it doesn't seem to matter who plays in net.
2. Dallas Stars ▲
(Last Week: 3)
Great read from @DownGoesBrown on why the hockey world needs to embrace the Dallas Stars: https://t.co/glWKKWehTD pic.twitter.com/o4Hus3Er3S
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) December 2, 2015
3. Washington Capitals ▲
(Last Week: 4)
All of a sudden, the Capitals have the second-best goal differential in the East. And we're not talking enough about Braden Holtby. He went 9-2 in November with a .927 save percentage.
4. New York Rangers ▼
(Last Week: 1)
That 5-1 loss to the Canadiens a week ago was jarring.
5. Los Angeles Kings ▲
(Last Week: 7)
Drew Doughty will turn 26 on Dec. 8. He's played 548 regular-season games, 76 playoff games, and has two Stanley Cup rings. What have you done with your life?
6. St. Louis Blues ▼
(Last Week: 5)
Vladimir Tarasenko didn't score on this play, but you're going to want watch it. Best hands in hockey.
7. Boston Bruins ▲
(Last Week: 13)
Boston explodes into the top 10 thanks to five wins in a row and the East's fifth-best goal differential.
8. New York Islanders ▲
(Last Week: 14)
Welcome back, Ryan Strome.
9. San Jose Sharks ▼
(Last Week: 6)
You know what looks good? Martin Jones' $3-million salary through 2017-18.
10. Nashville Predators ▲
(Last Week: 11)
Filip Forsberg has two goals in December. That's as many as he scored in October and one more than he tallied in November.
11. Pittsburgh Penguins ▼
(Last Week: 10)
While everyone's worrying about Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin is lighting the world on fire. We take him for granted.
12. Minnesota Wild ▼
(Last Week: 8)
Let's be honest: Ryan Suter should be allowed to pick who he's paired with on the blue line. A day after speaking out, Suter played 29:36 against the Blackhawks in Chicago and scored the game-winning goal. Even more impressive:
Ryan Suter didn't just score the game-winner tonight. Spent 10:21 against Patrick Kane, recording 57.89% Corsi For. #mnwild
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) December 2, 2015
13. Chicago Blackhawks ▼
(Last Week: 12)
Patrick Kane has 595 points in 601 career regular-season games. He turned 27 last month. His 0.99 points-per-game already ranks fourth among American-born players. He's going to go down as one of the greatest U.S. hockey players in NHL history.
14. Ottawa Senators ▼
(Last Week: 9)
Miss you, Clarke MacArthur.
15. Detroit Red Wings ▲
(Last Week: 16)
It isn't always pretty, and their negative goal differential is worrisome, but the Red Wings have points in five straight and seven of their last eight.
16. Florida Panthers ▲
(Last Week: 21)
The Panthers beat the Islanders, Red Wings, and Blues since we last ranked. That's a good week.
17. New Jersey Devils ▼
(Last Week: 15)
Do you ever wonder what Keith Kinkaid is thinking?
18. Tampa Bay Lightning ▼
(Last Week: 17)
You can't plan for this:
| Player | 2015/16 SH% | 2014/15 SH% |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Callahan | 9.3 | 12.6 |
| Valtteri Filppula | 7.7 | 13.2 |
| Victor Hedman | 3.9 | 8.7 |
| Tyler Johnson | 8 | 14.3 |
| Nikita Kucherov | 9.5 | 14.7 |
| Ondrej Palat | 6.9 | 11.5 |
19. Arizona Coyotes ▲
(Last Week: 20)
The Coyotes are in playoff position despite Mike Smith's .908 save percentage. But in the beleaguered goalie's defense, he was good in November, going 6-2 with a .918.
20. Vancouver Canucks ▼
(Last Week: 18)
Ryan Miller in November: 3-6-2 and an .898 save percentage. You go back to Jacob Markstrom after he stole a point Tuesday.
21. Anaheim Ducks ▲
(Last Week: 22)
Ryan Getzlaf still hasn't scored on a goalie. It's December. But he was a better than a point-per-game player in November, with a goal and 14 assists in 13 games.
22. Toronto Maple Leafs ▲
(Last Week: 23)
Feelings:
James Reimer waiting at the entrance of the Leafs dressing room to congratulate Garret Sparks on shutout in NHL debut.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonasTSN1050) December 1, 2015
And Jonathan Bernier's now a Marlie. What a world.
23. Winnipeg Jets ▼
(Last Week: 19)
It's time to play Connor Hellebuyck, and trade Dustin Byfuglien.
24. Columbus Blue Jackets
(Last Week: 24)
The Columbus Blue Jackets home-game posters. If there's a better sports promo this year, I haven't seen it: https://t.co/9FTvAutXrx
— Ryan Cousineau (@rcousine) November 26, 2015
25. Buffalo Sabres ▲
(Last Week: 26)
Rasmus Ristolainen is 10th in the league in defenseman scoring.
26. Philadelphia Flyers ▲
(Last Week: 29)
Three wins in a row! All against playoff teams, too.
27. Colorado Avalanche
(Last Week: 27)
You don't trade Matt Duchene. Never. Ever.
28. Carolina Hurricanes
(Last Week: 28)
The Hurricanes have to be talking to the Canadiens about Eric Staal, right?
29. Calgary Flames
(Last Week: 29)
That comeback against the Stars was impressive, but the Flames remain last in goals against, goal differential, and on the penalty kill, while their power play ranks 29th. It's bleak.
30. Edmonton Oilers ▼
(Last Week: 25)
Rock bottom: Being shut out in the Rebuild Bowl by Maple Leafs rookie Garret Sparks in his first NHL game.