NHL Power Rankings: 4 Canadian teams included in bottom 6

Woe, Canada.

If the playoffs began Wednesday, only one Canadian team would be in the ultimate hockey tournament - the Montreal Canadiens. Barely, at that.

It's been a season to forget for most clubs north of the border. And we haven't even talked about the plummeting Loonie.

1. Washington Capitals
(Last Week: 1)

Five hundred goals and some Powerball tickets. Just another few days in the life of Alex Ovechkin, the NHL's brightest star.

2. Chicago Blackhawks ▲
(Last Week: 5)

What do you know, the Blackhawks are two points back of first in the West. Joel Quenneville doesn't get enough credit.

3. Los Angeles Kings
(Last Week: 3)

There's something to be said for Anze Kopitar's durability. He's missed only four games over the past five seasons. And he's played 64 playoff games over that time. Pay the man.

4. Florida Panthers ▼
(Last Week: 2)

The Panthers finally lost, something that was beginning to seem impossible. But even in defeat, they entertained.

5. Dallas Stars ▼
(Last Week: 4)

The best reaction we saw to general manager Jim Nill's deserved contract extension: When he calls, hang up the phone.

Related: 3 trades that realigned the Stars

6. St. Louis Blues ▲
(Last Week: 8)

St. Louis lost Jake Allen, Jay Bouwmeester, and Paul Stastny on Friday, managed to pick up a point in the process, and then won two in a row, one of those victories coming against the Kings. The Blues confound.

7. Minnesota Wild ▼
(Last Week: 6)

Jason Zucker's passing like he's never passed before.

8. New York Rangers ▲
(Last Week: 9)

If the Rangers turn it around and go on a deep playoff run, they'll look back on Monday's 2-1 win over Boston as The Game It All Changed.

9. New York Islanders
(Last Week: 9)

John Tavares' 0.75 points per game are his lowest since his rookie season.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning ▲
(Last Week: 13)

A solid week has the Lightning back in playoff position, thanks to three straight wins in Edmonton, Vancouver, and Colorado. Not the stiffest competition, but to win three of four out west is always a reason to celebrate.

11. Detroit Red Wings
(Last Week: 11)

Detroit's lost Jimmy Howard's last six starts. His last win came Dec. 3.

12. Boston Bruins ▼
(Last Week: 10)

Zdeno Chara had 20 points in 63 games last season. He has 22 in 39 in 2015-16. He's quietly having his best offensive season since 2011-12. But this team really misses David Krejci.

13. Montreal Canadiens ▼
(Last Week: 12)

Let's be honest: P.K. Subban's profanity is warranted.

14. Arizona Coyotes ▲
(Last Week: 19)

It's always fun to look back at draft classes, especially the night after Max Domi scores his first hat trick. Let's go back to 2013:

15. San Jose Sharks ▲
(Last Week: 22)

Prediction: Brent Burns will be the most entertaining player to watch at the 3-on-3 All-Star tournament.

16. Pittsburgh Penguins ▲
(Last Week: 17)

Sidney Crosby has missed the playoffs only once, his rookie season in 2005-06.

17. Ottawa Senators ▼
(Last Week: 16)

Andrew Hammond's lost more games than he's won this season.

18. Colorado Avalanche
(Last Week: 18)

Congratulations, Iggy.

(Courtesy: @TorontoStar)

19. New Jersey Devils ▼
(Last Week: 15)

Travis Zajac and his $5.75-million salary cap hit haven't scored in 24 games.

20. Nashville Predators ▼
(Last Week: 14)

Winless in three since the Ryan Johansen for Seth Jones mega-deal, with only five goals for. The more things change ...

21. Philadelphia Flyers ▲
(Last Week: 23)

Approved.

22. Carolina Hurricanes ▲
(Last Week: 26)

Here come the Hurricanes, whose 53 percent Corsi For rating ranks fifth in the league.

23. Vancouver Canucks ▲
(Last Week: 28)

How do you take the net away from Jacob Markstrom? He's followed up his .923 December with a .926 January.

24. Anaheim Ducks ▼
(Last Week: 20)

One-point-eight-five goals per game over half a season. How? Why?

25. Toronto Maple Leafs ▼
(Last Week: 24)

Leo Komarov's probably going to piss someone off at the All-Star tournament. It's going to be great.

26. Buffalo Sabres ▲
(Last Week: 30)

Great read in The Buffalo News about Jack Eichel, "the most famous teenager in Western New York." He's living with Matt Moulson, learning how to activate credit cards, do laundry, and scoring goals in the NHL.

27. Calgary Flames ▼
(Last Week: 21)

Calgary is last in goals against, last on the power play, and last on the penalty kill. At what point is Bob Hartley's job in jeopardy?

28. Winnipeg Jets ▼
(Last Week: 25)

Need Jets tickets? You're in luck.

29. Edmonton Oilers ▼
(Last Week: 27)

Happy birthday, Connor McDavid.

30. Columbus Blue Jackets ▼
(Last Week: 29)

With all due respect to Seth Jones, who's already playing top minutes (as he should, of course), here's the best anything the Blue Jackets have done this season: