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NHL Power Rankings For Week 6 Of 2014-15

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By @powerplaywithcj

NHL Power Rankings For Week 6 Of 2014-15

New York Rangers v Pittsburgh Penguins - Game Seven
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Through six week of the 2014-15 season, it's becoming clearer which are the best and worst teams in the NHL. Here are the power rankings for all 30 teams.

30. Buffalo Sabres

5 Early Season Takeaways From Buffalo Sabres
Kevin Hoffman-USA Today Sports

30. Buffalo Sabres

5 Early Season Takeaways From Buffalo Sabres
Kevin Hoffman-USA Today Sports

The team’s win against the Maple Leafs speaks more about the Leafs’ inconsistencies than it does the Sabres. Home games against the San Jose Sharks and New York Rangers await Buffalo, as does more weeks of losing.

29. Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes v Los Angeles Kings
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29. Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes v Los Angeles Kings
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The Canes had a nice little run, but are back to being one of the league’s worst teams after losing three straight. A road trip that includes games against three Western Conference playoff teams is almost a lock to end with more losses than wins.

28. Columbus Blue Jackets

Nathan Horton
Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

28. Columbus Blue Jackets

Nathan Horton
Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

The Jackets’ injury woes, including a potential career-ending surgery for Nathan Horton, could end up being a blessing in disguise as the top three picks in the 2015 Draft are potential franchise-changers. Home games against the Red Wings and Bruins, plus a trip to Philadelphia, could really worsen their record and help make one of those picks a reality.

27. Dallas Stars

Anaheim Ducks v Dallas Stars - Game Six
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27. Dallas Stars

Anaheim Ducks v Dallas Stars - Game Six
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The Stars were supposed to be legitimate Western Conference contenders, but look like an absolute trainwreck. Games against the lowly Hurricanes and Coyotes could be enough to get the Stars back on track. If not, this season could take a turn for the worst.

26. Edmonton Oilers

Tampa Bay Lightning v Edmonton Oilers
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26. Edmonton Oilers

Tampa Bay Lightning v Edmonton Oilers
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Edmonton just doesn’t know how to win, it’s just that simple. Getting Taylor Hall back is a start, but this team’s problems run much deeper than just one players.

25. Arizona Coyotes

Mikkel Boedker
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

25. Arizona Coyotes

Mikkel Boedker
Gary A. Vasquez-USA Today Sports

Every week appears to be one step forward and two steps back for this inconsistent Coyotes team. Tuesday’s matchup against the Capitals could be a potentially season-changer if they get the win.

24. Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche v Minnesota Wild - Game Four
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24. Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche v Minnesota Wild - Game Four
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This team needs better defense and quite frankly doesn't have the personnel to make it happen. The Avs are looking to get back on track after an awful start, and games against the lowly Coyotes and Hurricanes present that opportunity.

23. Philadelphia Flyers

Giroux Voracek
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

23. Philadelphia Flyers

Giroux Voracek
Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The injury-ravaged Flyers need a statement game, and Wednesday night’s big game at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers could be it. Jakub Voracek is quietly leading the league in scoring and will need to keep it up if the Flyers want to turn it around.

22. Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals v Boston Bruins
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22. Washington Capitals

Washington Capitals v Boston Bruins
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Barry Trotz was supposed to bring stability and consistency to the Capitals, and it hasn’t happened. The .500 team needs to dig deep if they wish to turn things around. Games in Denver and Arizona gives them at the very least an opportunity to do that.

21. Florida Panthers

Columbus Blue Jackets v Florida Panthers
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21. Florida Panthers

Columbus Blue Jackets v Florida Panthers
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The Panthers have had their ups and downs, including their blowout win in Anaheim, but are still tough to get a gauge on. If Roberto Luongo steps up against the Kings, Sharks and Predators to end this road trip, the Panthers will be in good shape.

20. New York Rangers

New York Islanders v New York Rangers
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20. New York Rangers

New York Islanders v New York Rangers
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The team lost on a tough break in the shootout in Pittsburgh, but are at least starting to get healthy again. Tuesday night’s game against the Lightning should be an important game in the standings and in terms of sentimental value, as former Ranger captain Ryan Callahan will return to Broadway with his new team. His former teammates surely wish to send him back to Tampa with a loss.

19. New Jersey Devils

Patrick Hornqvist Cory Schneider
Charles LeClaire-USA Today Sports

19. New Jersey Devils

Patrick Hornqvist Cory Schneider
Charles LeClaire-USA Today Sports

The team is overplaying Cory Schneider in the same way it did with Martin Brodeur for the bulk of his career. This strategy isn’t working out great in the short term and could kill the team down the stretch. If the Devils don’t add a reliable veteran backup, their chances in the Metropolitan Division could go up in smoke.

18. Toronto Maple Leafs

Reimer
Shawn Coates-USA Today Sports

18. Toronto Maple Leafs

Reimer
Shawn Coates-USA Today Sports

The Leafs beat up on the Bruins, then proceeded to drop their next two games, including a rout against an awful Buffalo team. The defense and goaltending need to step up, as giving up six goals to the tanking Sabres isn’t just embarrassing, it’s hilarious.

17. Ottawa Senators

Toronto Maple Leafs v Ottawa Senators
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17. Ottawa Senators

Toronto Maple Leafs v Ottawa Senators
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Craig Anderson is playing some great hockey, but the defense needs to step up as he can’t keep this torrid pace up all season. Home games against strong Nashville and St. Louis teams will truly test the up-and-coming Senators.

16. Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild playoffs
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

16. Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild playoffs
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Wild have won three straight after looking atrocious for the past few weeks. Having US Olympian Zach Parise back in the lineup should get the Wild back on track in the tough Western Conference.

15. Winnipeg Jets

Phoenix Coyotes v Winnipeg Jets
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15. Winnipeg Jets

Phoenix Coyotes v Winnipeg Jets
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I want to write off the Jets, but they haven’t fallen apart and Ondrej Pavelec looks like a legitimate NHL goalie. If Evander Kane starts producing a little bit more like we've seen in the past, this could be a very dangerous squad.

14. Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane Blackhawks
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14. Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane Blackhawks
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Beating up on the struggling Stars could be enough for the Hawks to start playing like the perennial contender fans know they are. If Patrick Kane turns it on, this team should be in great shape.

13. Boston Bruins

Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins - Game Five
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13. Boston Bruins

Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins - Game Five
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After looking like a lost cause against the Maple Leafs and Canadiens, the Bruins bounced back with a good wins against the awful Hurricanes. Their matchup against the high-flying St. Louis Blues should be a great way to gauge where exactly the team is at.

12. Detroit Red Wings

Danny Dekeyser Detroit Red Wings 2014-15
Rick Osentoski-USA Today Sports

12. Detroit Red Wings

Danny Dekeyser Detroit Red Wings 2014-15
Rick Osentoski-USA Today Sports

The loss in Montreal was tough, but the Red Wings have written the book on winning and should have it turned around before too long. A three-game road trip could help the team pile up some more Ws and improve their standings in the Eastern Conference.

11. San Jose Sharks

Tomas Hertl
Robert Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

11. San Jose Sharks

Tomas Hertl
nton-USA TODAY Sports

Tomas Hertl is scoring again, which is surely music to the ears of Sharks fans. Getting a win in Buffalo this week would a great way for the Sharks to get on a roll and look like the Sharks fans have all come to expect in recent years.

10. Los Angeles Kings

Brayden
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10. Los Angeles Kings

Brayden
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Getting three of a possible four points against the rival Anaheim Ducks puts the Kings back on track in spite of their many injuries. As the team starts to get healthy, look for the wins to start piling up. Home games against the Carolina Hurricanes and Florida Panthers could be great games to start a winning streak.

9. New York Islanders

Kyle Okposo
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

9. New York Islanders

Kyle Okposo
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Isles have a great chance at redemption at home against the Lightning after being humiliated in Tampa. Another home-and-home series against the Penguins should push this young team and help fans see what they’re made of.

8. Calgary Flames

Sean Monahan Calgary Flames 2014-15
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

8. Calgary Flames

Sean Monahan Calgary Flames 2014-15
Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports

With youngsters such as Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan leading the charge, the Flames are a young and exciting team that is also winning hockey games. A home game against a contender like the Anaheim Ducks should truly be a measuring stick game.

7. Vancouver Canucks

Edmonton Olers v Vancouver Canucks
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7. Vancouver Canucks

Edmonton Olers v Vancouver Canucks
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The team’s loss to Arizona was downright embarrassing, but the Canucks continue to look like one of this year’s surprising teams. Games against Edmonton and Anaheim this week means the team will see both ends of the standings and have to be up for both challenges.

6. Nashville Predators

1. Filip Forsberg
Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

6. Nashville Predators

1. Filip Forsberg
Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

The Predators have slowed a bit since their hot start, but continue to exceed expectations. They will surely be a playoff team in a loaded Western Conference. The team’s steal of Filip Forsberg from the Capitals a few years ago looks better and better with each big game the young Swede has.

5. Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning v Montreal Canadiens - Game Three
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5. Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning v Montreal Canadiens - Game Three
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The Bolts have been banged up, but continue to win. A road trip that includes games against both New York teams and the Maple Leafs should help catapult the Lightning into next week’s top four. Ryan Callahan’s first game at Madison Square Garden as a visitor will be a storyline to watch.

4. St. Louis Blues

Calgary Flames v St. Louis Blues
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4. St. Louis Blues

Calgary Flames v St. Louis Blues
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St. Louis got Paul Stastny back and is looking like a legitimate contender. Games in Boston and Montreal this week could be Stanley Cup Final previews and the Blues will surely be up to the task.

3. Anaheim Ducks

Frederik Andersen
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

3. Anaheim Ducks

Frederik Andersen
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks are finally getting healthy, but a home loss to the Panthers hurts them in the rankings. Games against upstart teams in Vancouver and Calgary will give Anaheim a chance to redeem itself.

2. Montreal Canadiens

Andrei Markov
Kim Klement- USA Today Sports

2. Montreal Canadiens

Andrei Markov
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Habs are the hottest team in hockey as they are the winners of six straight. A run of four straight against 2014 playoff teams should test their mettle next week. I like the Gonchar addition to complement Andrei Markov and P.K. Subban, and games against the Penguins and Blues will test how good this group of defensemen is.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
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1. Pittsburgh Penguins

Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
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The duo of former No. 1 overall picks Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury have the Penguins in the driver’s seat as they look to continue their amazing start. A week that includes games against the Montreal Canadiens and upstart New York Islanders will surely test how great the Pens actually are.

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