Power Rankings: It's Washington's world

You can almost smell the playoffs. Mass movement in this week's rankings. Let's go.

1. Washington Capitals
(Last Week: 1)

Washington's got an "X." It's March 16. It's possible we're taking the Capitals' greatness for granted.

2. Los Angeles Kings ▲
(Last Week: 11)

Wins in Chicago and Dallas by a combined 10-2.

3. San Jose Sharks ▲
(Last Week: 14)

Back-to-back wins over the Capitals and Bruins, and Martin Jones is at .927 since the All-Star break.

4. Anaheim Ducks ▼
(Last Week: 2)

After winning 11 in a row, the Ducks lost three in a row. Life happens.

5. St. Louis Blues ▲
(Last Week: 10)

They beat the Blackhawks, Ducks, and Stars, then lost to the Flames. Which makes sense, actually.

6. Florida Panthers ▲
(Last Week: 13)

The Greatest of All Time, Jaromir Jagr: "If you want to be better than the opponent, you have to train when he's asleep."

7. New York Islanders ▼
(Last Week: 4)

You can't lose to the Maple Leafs at this time of year.

8. Boston Bruins ▼
(Last Week: 6)

Considering how poorly he started, that Tuukka Rask is up to .918 on the season is absolutely remarkable.

9. Chicago Blackhawks ▼
(Last Week: 7)

Losers of three in a row, including a 5-0 beating at the hands of the Kings. But this has to be a ploy. The Blackhawks can't be bothered until mid-April.

10. Nashville Predators ▼
(Last Week: 8)

Do you trust Pekka Rinne?

11. Dallas Stars
(Last Week: 11)

Great read from ESPN's Scott Burnside on the events of March 10, 2014, "the night Rich Peverley's heart stopped."

12. Tampa Bay Lightning ▼
(Last Week: 3)

Losses in four out of their last five, including - somehow - a 4-1 defeat to the Maple Leafs.

13. Pittsburgh Penguins ▲
(Last Week: 15)

Remember when everyone was freaking out about Sidney Crosby? He's up to 70 points in 68 games, good for fifth in league scoring.

14. Philadelphia Flyers
(Last Week: 14)

Points in five straight, including two wins over the Lightning and a massive victory over the Red Wings on Tuesday. Up next: Chicago, Pittsburgh, and the Islanders. The Flyers are the team to watch in hockey right now.

15. New York Rangers ▼
(Last Week: 5)

New York's next five games are against: Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose (all on the road), Florida, and Boston. Now would be a good time to show up, Eric Staal.

16. Colorado Avalanche ▲
(Last Week: 17)

Matt Duchene: "You can't just keep missing the playoffs. You're just taking steps backwards." Read more at The Denver Post.

17. Minnesota Wild ▼
(Last Week: 16)

That 76.9 penalty-killing rate will be the death of the Wild.

18. Detroit Red Wings
(Last Week: 18)

The playoff streak's ending. Sorry, Detroit. But it was a good run.

19. Ottawa Senators ▲
(Last Week: 20)

Erik Karlsson - third in the NHL in scoring - makes the world a better place.

20. Carolina Hurricanes ▼
(Last Week: 19)

Carolina's lost only one game in regulation since trading captain Staal - on the afternoon he was dealt, Feb. 28. They're 3-1-3.

21. New Jersey Devils ▲
(Last Week: 23)

Keith Kinkaid was named third star of the week, then gave up a touchdown to the Ducks. Being a goalie has to be the worst.

22. Montreal Canadiens ▼
(Last Week: 21)

Thank your God that P.K. Subban is OK.

23. Columbus Blue Jackets ▼
(Last Week: 22)

If you missed this Guardian story on Brandon Saad and his Syrian family, change that.

24. Buffalo Sabres
(Last Week: 24)

Lookin' good:

25. Arizona Coyotes
(Last Week: 25)

Christian Dvorak has 118 points in 56 games in the OHL. Dylan Strome has 103 in 53.

26. Winnipeg Jets ▲
(Last Week: 27)

Give Blake Wheeler the "C," and Mark Scheifele an "A."

27. Calgary Flames ▲
(Last Week: 28)

Better than the Oilers, at least.

28. Vancouver Canucks ▼
(Last Week: 26)

29. Toronto Maple Leafs ▲
(Last Week: 30)

Winners of two in a row and three of four. Yep, it's that time of year when the Maple Leafs sabotage themselves. (In all seriousness, the kids look great.)

30. Edmonton Oilers ▼
(Last Week: 29)

The Oilers played their first two games of the season with Connor McDavid, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl, and Jordan Eberle all in the lineup Saturday and Monday. They lost both.