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Power Rankings: Penguins on fire

Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo / Getty Images Sport / Getty

We made it.

The regular season concludes Sunday, so these are your final power rankings. It's been real.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins ▲
(Last Week: 3)

March of the Penguins - in so many ways. Nobody should want to face this team in the playoffs, even if Marc-Andre Fleury's not in the crease in Game 1.

2. St. Louis Blues
(Last Week: 1)

The Blues may finish first in the Western Conference - the West! - and jobs will be on the line in St. Louis next week. Hockey is the best.

3. Dallas Stars
(Last Week: 3)

How far can a team ranked 20th in goals against go in the playoffs? We're about to find out. That's exciting.

4. Washington Capitals ▲
(Last Week: 5)

The Capitals aren't playing their best hockey, but they move up a spot and get a top-four ranking because of consistent excellence.

5. Florida Panthers ▲
(Last Week: 13)

Best Panthers team ever. Show some respect.

6. Chicago Blackhawks ▲
(Last Week: 15)

The Blackhawks were struggling. Now they've won five of six, and Patrick Kane's a 100-point man.

7. Los Angeles Kings
(Last Week: 6)

Tyler Toffoli's somehow the first 30-goal King since 2009-10. Speaks to the depth of the many great Los Angeles teams.

8. Anaheim Ducks ▲
(Last Week: 10)

Let's be honest, they deserve the Pacific Division title.

9. New York Rangers
(Last Week: 9)

Eric Staal's apparently saving himself for the playoffs.

10. San Jose Sharks
(Last Week: 7)

Joe Thornton's most productive season since 2009-10. He - and his beard - is a gift, and he deserves a spot on Canada's World Cup roster.

11. Tampa Bay Lightning
(Last Week: 10)

Whatever the Lightning are paying Steve Yzerman, he deserves a raise. Get well soon, Steven Stamkos.

12. New York Islanders
(Last Week: 12)

John Tavares recorded back-to-back three-point games in must wins, the latter clinching the Isles a playoff spot. That's why he's the captain.

13. Nashville Predators
(Last Week: 8)

The worst full season of Pekka Rinne's career. No pressure in the playoffs.

14. Minnesota Wild
(Last Week: 4)

Devan Dubnyk proved he's a No. 1. Now he has to prove he's a No. 1 in the postseason. The life of a goalie isn't an easy one.

15. Boston Bruins
(Last Week: 14)

Claude Julien's done better than he should have with that defense. It's not his fault.

16. Philadelphia Flyers
(Last Week: 11)

The Flyers play two sets of back-to-backs to end the season, beginning Wednesday. Their destiny is in their hands, and that's all you can ask for.

17. Detroit Red Wings
(Last Week: 17)

This edition of the Red Wings doesn't really deserve to make the playoffs - it's not good enough.

18. Carolina Hurricanes ▲
(Last Week: 20)

The future actually looks pretty good in Raleigh. That's enough, for now.

19. Colorado Avalanche
(Last Week: 16)

If you have to choose between Matt Duchene and Patrick Roy, the correct answer is Duchene.

20. Buffalo Sabres ▲
(Last Week: 22)

Four 20-goal scorers, and Jamie McGinn would have made it five were he not traded at the deadline. This team's going to be good, soon.

21. Arizona Coyotes
(Last Week: 18)

A core of Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Max Domi, Anthony Duclair, Dylan Strome, and Christian Dvorak looks rather delightful.

22. New Jersey Devils
(Last Week: 19)

With all due respect to Kyle Palmieri, he can't lead your team in scoring.

23. Ottawa Senators
(Last Week: 23)

Eighty-one points in 80 games. Arguably the worst kind of lost season.

24. Montreal Canadiens
(Last Week: 21)

Michel Therrien must go. For the betterment of Alex Galchenyuk.

25. Toronto Maple Leafs
(Last Week: 25)

A dream of a first rebuilding season for the Maple Leafs, and that'll be the case even when they lose the draft lottery to the Oilers. Bring on more pain.

26. Winnipeg Jets
(Last Week: 26)

At least Mark Scheifele broke out, right?

27. Vancouver Canucks ▲
(Last Week: 30)

Free the Sedins.

28. Columbus Blue Jackets ▲
(Last Week: 29)

John Tortorella's Blue Jackets are 31-33-8. Make what you will of that information.

29. Calgary Flames
(Last Week: 27)

The Flames will finish with the most goals allowed. That's a Brian Burke team, yeah.

30. Edmonton Oilers
(Last Week: 27)

Nobody told Todd McLellan it was going to be easy. Nobody said it was going to be this hard.

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