NHL Power Rankings For Week 8 Of The 2014-15 Season
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Nearly two months into the NHL season, the standings couldn’t be clearer as surprise teams are making waves and also-rans are falling further and further back. Here are the power rankings for week eight based on a combination of the standings and my personal eye test.
30. Columbus Blue Jackets
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30. Columbus Blue Jackets
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It’s almost like the Jackets are back where they were a few years ago before they turned it around. The team’s injuries have hampered its progress this season, and it could be a blessing in disguise. Landing Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel in the 2015 Draft could be worth it.
29. Edmonton Oilers
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29. Edmonton Oilers
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This team might as well be a literal trainwreck as their nearly decade-long rebuild shows no signs of ending. It’s a safe bet that Dallas Eakins will be the first coach fired this season and the perpetual cycle will continue.
28. Carolina Hurricanes
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28. Carolina Hurricanes
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Jordan Staal is a few weeks away from even skating and Alex Semin has yet to light the lamp this season, meaning the Canes have nothing to show for their 2012 summer spending spree.
27. Buffalo Sabres
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27. Buffalo Sabres
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If the Sabres don’t stop this novel thing called winning, they could pay for it down the line by playing themselves out of prime draft lottery position. Their two wins over Montreal are nice, and the team’s young talent is starting to develop and show the fans there is light at the end of this tunnel.
26. Philadelphia Flyers
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26. Philadelphia Flyers
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Ron Hextall is at his wit’s end with the team’s ineptitude, and a big move may be on the horizon. If a team will take him on, don’t be surprise to see Vincent Lecavalier sent out of Philly as the team overhauls this roster.
25. Arizona Coyotes
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25. Arizona Coyotes
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The Coyotes are essentially in no man’s land; they’re not good enough to be in the Western Conference playoff picture, but not bad enough to seriously be in the running for Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel. Look for more of the peaks and valleys throughout the rest of the season for the Arizona squad.
24. New Jersey Devils
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24. New Jersey Devils
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What’s most embarrassing about the Devils falling out the Eastern Conference playoff race is that they have ridden Cory Schneider into the ground. The team will need to do something quickly, or else it’ll be another playoff-less season in Newark. Tuesday’s game in Pittsburgh could very well be a make-or-break for the Devils.
23. Dallas Stars
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23. Dallas Stars
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Tyler Seguin continues scoring, but this team keeps losing and doesn’t appear to be on anything resembling the right track. Thursday’s game in Calgary against the upstart Flames should be a key matchup for both teams.
22. Colorado Avalanche
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22. Colorado Avalanche
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The Avs are looking slightly better than they did at the start of the season, but are still far away from being a legitimate contender right now. The “Patrick Roy Bowl” against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday should be a great test as the Habs are coming off a pair of tough losses to the Sabres.
21. Ottawa Senators
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21. Ottawa Senators
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The Sens had a hot start, but have really cooled off in recent weeks, and losing Bobby Ryan indefinitely doesn’t help. A pair of games against the upstart Islanders and big one in Pittsburgh make this week key for the Senators as they look to get back on track.
20. Washington Capitals
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20. Washington Capitals
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Mike Green could be on his way out of town and an overhaul could be brewing for a disappointing Capitals team. Tuesday’s game against the Canucks should be a great place to start a winning streak, as games against the lowly Hurricanes and struggling Devils round out the week’s docket.
19. San Jose Sharks
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19. San Jose Sharks
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The team’s big win over the Anaheim Ducks was a step in the right direction, but I’m still not completely sold on this San Jose team. A struggling Flyers team and injury-ravaged Bruins team coming to town should bring out the best in the Sharks as they look to establish some consistency.
18. Toronto Maple Leafs
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18. Toronto Maple Leafs
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The Leafs are playing well at the moment, but they’re always one game away from completely imploding, which makes them the league’s best for entertainment value. With struggling Dallas and New Jersey teams coming to town, now would be the time for the team to start a winning streak.
17. Winnipeg Jets
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17. Winnipeg Jets
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The team is more competitive than I thought they’d be, and Michael Hutchinson is looking like a legitimate NHL goalie. Andrew Ladd is playing well, and they’ll need more of that in home games against the struggling Oilers and Avalanche this week.
16. Florida Panthers
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16. Florida Panthers
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I might be overrating this team, but they’re in every game they play and the pieces appear to falling into place. Getting Roberto Luongo back surely helps matters, and if the team can start winning overtime and shootout games, they’ll be a factor in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
15. New York Rangers
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15. New York Rangers
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The team has the Flyers’ number, which has served them well in recent weeks as they have really taken it to Philly. Monday’s home game against the Lightning in the third “St. Louis vs. Callahan” showdown is crucial as the Rangers are 0-2 against Tampa this year.
14. Minnesota Wild
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14. Minnesota Wild
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Thomas Vanek is showing signs of life, Jason Zucker and Nino Niederreiter are playing exceptional hockey, and Minnesota is looking more and more like a serious contender. Games against two of the league’s elite with the Canadiens and Ducks coming to town should show fans what the team is made of.
13. Los Angeles Kings
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13. Los Angeles Kings
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The Kings still can’t put together back-to-back consistent efforts and could use a spark of some sort. This week’s games against the Bruins, Coyotes and Flyers should give the Kings ample opportunity to get their legs under them.
12. Boston Bruins
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12. Boston Bruins
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With injuries piling up, the Bruins will head to California to battle three of the league’s most dangerous teams while being at less than 100 percent. If the Bruins can get three of the possible six points against the Kings, Ducks and Sharks, I’m sure they’ll be happy. I really want to see Claude Julien give 18-year-old rookie David Pastrnak more changes to be creative for the benefit of the player and the team.
11. Chicago Blackhawks
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11. Chicago Blackhawks
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The Hawks are looking like the legitimate contenders fans know them to be and will surely keep on rolling. Their win in L.A. over the reigning champion Kings shows that this Chicago squad means business and is on the right track.
10. Calgary Flames
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10. Calgary Flames
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The Flames are rolling off wins like it’s nobody’s business, and anyone that doesn’t have Bob Hartley as a Jack Adams finalist is crazy. Mark Giordano should be in the Norris Trophy conversation as well, as the Flames wouldn’t be anywhere without the puck-moving stud. Home games against the Avalanche and Coyotes should bolster Calgary’s spot in the standings.
9. Vancouver Canucks
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9. Vancouver Canucks
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Ryan Miller is playing his best hockey since the 2010 Winter Olympics and the Canucks are rolling. Their loss in Detroit aside, the Canucks are really shaping to be a playoff team in the tougher than ever Western Conference. The team will need more of the same during their East Coast swing, especially against a loaded Pittsburgh Penguins team.
8. Detroit Red Wings
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8. Detroit Red Wings
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Don’t look now, but the Red Wings are coming on hot and getting contributions throughout their lineup. Stephen Weiss is even contributing and showing signs of life for the first time since arriving in Detroit. They’ll need Weiss and co. to step up against his former team when the Panthers come to town on Monday night.
7. Montreal Canadiens
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7. Montreal Canadiens
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The Habs should be higher, but losing back-to-back games against the Sabres is a downright embarrassing. The Habs must step up against the Avalanche and Wild this week to avoid sputtering into a cycle.
6. Anaheim Ducks
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6. Anaheim Ducks
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The Ducks have hit a bit of a rough patch with inconsistencies and injuries derailing their juggernaut. The acquisition of Eric Brewer is at the very least intriguing and offers the team another veteran option on defense. Monday’s showdown against the Boston Bruins will be a great measuring stick for both squads with Stanley Cup aspirations.
5. New York Islanders
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5. New York Islanders
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The surprise team of the league, the Islanders are the first team to hit 17 wins and are showing no signs of slowing down. John Tavares is showcasing why he’s a bona fide superstar with an amazing supporting cast around him. Given the team’s track record in recent decades, I’m hesitant to call them contenders just yet, but I am very impressed.
4. St. Louis Blues
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4. St. Louis Blues
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They just keep getting better, and Vladimir Tarasenko just keeps on scoring goals. With Brian Elliott missing time, the Martin Brodeur PTO is at the very least interesting, but I don’t think it’ll amount to much if anything in terms of Brodeur suiting up for the Blues.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning
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3. Tampa Bay Lightning
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Victor Hedman is back, Ryan Callahan is off to an amazing start and the Lightning are distancing themselves from the pack. A home-and-home with the Sabres before a game with the Columbus Blue Jackets mean the Lightning will likely take care of business against the league’s cellar dwellers and further stack their division lead.
2. Nashville Predators
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2. Nashville Predators
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Peter Laviolette’s crew is turning heads and going from surprise team to legitimate contender with every passing win. Filip Forsberg is essentially a lock for the Calder Trophy, and the team is relying on the 20-year-old star more and more. Thursday’s home game against the Blues could very well be a Western Conference Finals preview.
1. Pittsburgh Penguins
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1. Pittsburgh Penguins
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The Pens are looking more and more like the favorites in the Eastern Conference with each passing win. Their showdown with Vancouver should be a great measuring stick for both teams.
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