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NHL Power Rankings: Capitals hold top spot as playoff push intensifies

Geoff Burke / USA TODAY Sports

The unofficial second half of the season commenced Tuesday as NHL teams began their frantic push to the playoffs following the All-Star break.

The Capitals came out of the gate with a loss to the second-best team in the Eastern Conference, and it didn't even matter. As close to a playoff lock as there is, Washington holds a nine-point advantage with two games in hand.

The race behind them, however, is certainly intensifying.

Here are this week's power rankings:

1. Washington Capitals
(Last Week: 1)

With a record of 18-4-3 in their last 25 games, the Capitals remain the odds-on favorites to win their first Stanley Cup.

2. Florida Panthers ▲
(Last Week: 3)

The Panthers jumped out of the break with an impressive 5-2 victory over the top-ranked Capitals, improving their win streak to four games.

Health permitting, they might never lose again.

3. Chicago Blackhawks ▼
(Last Week: 2)

We know all about the Blackhawks' potent offense, but it's certainly time to start talking about the legitimate Vezina Trophy candidate in the crease.

4. Tampa Bay Lightning
(Last Week: 4)

A 9-2-0 record in January has turned the Lightning back into a serious contender. However, their impressive play comes with its flaws.

As Steve Yzerman grows more and more patient regarding Jonathan Drouin, they're suddenly one hell of a boring team off the ice, again.

5. Los Angeles Kings
(Last Week: 5)

We need to recognize just how awesome Darryl Sutter's son, Christopher, is.

6. St. Louis Blues ▲
(Last Week: 7)

Since Jake Allen went down, Brian Elliot is 6-2-1 with a .945 save percentage following a shutout victory over the Predators on Tuesday. Take your time, Jake.

7. Dallas Stars ▼
(Last Week: 6)

With 24 of their remaining 31 games coming against teams currently occupying a playoff position, it's time to see what the Stars are actually made of.

8. Colorado Avalanche ▲
(Last Week: 15)

It's 2013-14 all over again. The Avalanche are 18-9-2 since Dec. 1 - fourth in the league over that span - despite sitting dead last with a 43.8 even-strength Corsi For rating.

9. San Jose Sharks ▲
(Last Week: 11)

We'll never forget when Chewbacca made his NHL debut.

10. New York Rangers ▼
(Last Week: 8)

The Rangers have put together back-to-back wins on just one single occasion since November. They'll have plenty of opportunities to do so over the next three-and-a-half weeks thanks to a busy 14-game schedule in February.

11. Detroit Red Wings ▼
(Last Week: 10)

Dylan Larkin is the fastest kid alive.

12. New York Islanders ▼
(Last Week: 9)

Does anyone know who Jean-Francois Berube is? Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss certainly do now.

13. Pittsburgh Penguins
(Last Week: 13)

He's back.

Only Patrick Kane and Anze Kopitar have more points than Sidney Crosby's 36 since Nov. 29.

14. Boston Bruins ▼
(Last Week: 12)

A loss to the Maple Leafs is never a good thing at this point of the season. Or, ever.

15. Nashville Predators ▲
(Last Week: 17)

Pekka Rinne is back on track, giving up just four goals in his last four games. With four games remaining against the Stars, the Predators still have a chance to make some noise in the Central Division.

16. Arizona Coyotes
(Last Week: 16)

Dustin Brown has five goals in five games against the Coyotes this season. He only has two goals in 45 games against other teams. Figure it out, Arizona.

17. Anaheim Ducks ▲
(Last Week: 18)

David Perron failed to register a point Tuesday for the first time since being acquired by the Ducks. All hope is seemingly lost.

18. Minnesota Wild ▼
(Last Week: 14)

The Wild fell to 3-8-3 in their last 14 games with a loss to the Islanders on Tuesday. Their next five games: Rangers, Blues, Stars, Capitals, Bruins.

Yeah, good luck with that.

19. New Jersey Devils
Last Week: 19)

It might be time for the Devils to consider locking up one of the best stories of the entire season.

20. Carolina Hurricanes ▲
(Last Week: 22)

Eddie Lack, killing it both on and off the ice.

21. Philadelphia Flyers ▼
(Last Week: 20)

The Flyers must be wishing they could play the Canadiens every night. With an easy win, they improved to 7-4-1 in their last 12 games. They'll need more of that if they hope to avoid missing the playoffs for the third time in four years.

22. Ottawa Senators ▼
(Last Week: 21)

Is a 21-3-3 run to end the season possible two years in a row?

23. Vancouver Canucks ▲
(Last Week: 24)

We'll never forget the Brandon Prust era in Vancouver.

24. Buffalo Sabres ▲
(Last Week: 25)

Jack Eichel is on the first dominant stretch of his professional career with an impressive 20 points in 18 games. The Sabres have scored just 40 goals over that period. You can do the math.

25. Montreal Canadiens ▼
(Last Week: 23)

The Canadiens can't stop losing, falling to 6-19-1 in their last 26 games. There's only one solution:

26. Winnipeg Jets
(Last Week: 26)

The Jets remain stagnant both on and off the ice. Thankfully, they have one very easy decision to make: lock up Dustin Byfuglien before it's too late.

27. Edmonton Oilers ▲
(Last Week: 30)

Welcome back, Connor McDavid.

The entire hockey world surely has his epic comeback goal on repeat Wednesday.

28. Calgary Flames ▼
(Last Week: 27)

The Flames went into the break with three consecutive loses, but there's still a glimmer of hope. Eleven of their next 14 games come against teams that aren't in a playoff position.

29. Toronto Maple Leafs
(Last Week: 29)

The Maple Leafs came out of the break with their second win in 11 games, William Nylander is back playing for the Marlies, and there is certainly reason for excitement in the future.

30. Columbus Blue Jackets ▼
(Last Week: 28)

The Blue Jackets entered play Tuesday tied with the Oilers and Maple Leafs at the bottom of the standings. Unfortunately, both those teams won while they lost - leaving them all alone in the basement.

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