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NHL Power Rankings For Week 12 of the 2014-15 Season

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By @powerplaywithcj

NHL Power Rankings for Week 12 of the 2014-15 Season

Anaheim Ducks
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As 2014 comes to a close, the NHL landscape is shaping up as contenders distance themselves from the pack and pretenders find themselves staggering. Here are the power rankings for Week 12 of the NHL season based on the league standings and my personal eye-test on each and every team.

30. Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers
Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

30. Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers
Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Another week, another string of losses. It’s gone from laughable to just boring as this team continues to epitomize the word trainwreck.

29. Carolina Hurricanes

eric jordan staal
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29. Carolina Hurricanes

eric jordan staal
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Jordan Staal is coming back as the team takes on the Montreal Canadiens this week. It’s too late for the Canes as their ticket to Lottery-Ville has been punched, but at least they're playing a lot more respectable hockey than the Oilers have been this season.

28. Arizona Coyotes

Minnesota Wild v Phoenix Coyotes
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28. Arizona Coyotes

Minnesota Wild v Phoenix Coyotes
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When the Flyers come to town on Monday night, it’ll be a showdown between two struggling teams as the Coyotes are firmly entrenched in the lower rung of the standings. Look for the team to start making moves as a major rebuild awaits.

27. New Jersey Devils

Lou Lamoriello New Jersey Devils
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

27. New Jersey Devils

Lou Lamoriello New Jersey Devils
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Firing Pete DeBoer was too little, too late for this team, and Lou Lamoriello’s co-coaches strategy is just plain dumb. I really think the time has come for the team to show their Lou the door, as for all the success he’s brought the team, he’s adversely affecting the Devils with his moves.

26. Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo Sabres
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26. Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo Sabres
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The team is starting to slide again in the standings, which isn’t the worst thing ever as they could surely benefit from another high pick. Having said that, look for the young Sabres to bring their best effort when they take on the Senators, Lightning and Panthers this week -- all similarly young teams ahead of them in the standings.

25. Colorado Avalanche

Calvin Pickard Colorado Avalanche 2014-15
Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

25. Colorado Avalanche

Calvin Pickard Colorado Avalanche 2014-15
Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports

Calvin Pickard was playing great between the pipes before being sent back to the minors for more seasoning. He gives Avs fans plenty of hope in the future. Having said that, the current is kind of bleak and will only get bleaker as former Colorado star Paul Stastny takes on the Avs Monday night in St. Louis as the Blues look to move even higher in the standings.

24. Philadelphia Flyers

Steve Mason Stops Rick Nash
Eric Hartline-USA Today Sports

24. Philadelphia Flyers

Steve Mason Stops Rick Nash
Eric Hartline-USA Today Sports

The Flyers head west to take on the Coyotes and Avalanche and will be looking to use games against “lesser” opponents to gain some ground in the standings. It’s now or never time for the Flyers as they’ll need a borderline miracle to get back in the playoffs.

23. Columbus Blue Jackets

Phoenix Coyotes v Columbus Blue Jackets
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23. Columbus Blue Jackets

Phoenix Coyotes v Columbus Blue Jackets
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The Jackets have weathered the injury storm and are trending in the right direction. Their win against the Boston Bruins showed that they mean business. Ryan Johansen is on the verge of superstardom and will need to be just that to bring Columbus to the playoffs.

22. Ottawa Senators

Los Angeles Kings v Ottawa Senators
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22. Ottawa Senators

Los Angeles Kings v Ottawa Senators
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Dave Cameron has his work cut out for him with this team, but I like the way they’ve been playing. They will need to be on top of their game when they take on the Sabres and the Lightning this week.

21. Dallas Stars

Kari Lehtonen Dallas Stars 2014-15
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

21. Dallas Stars

Kari Lehtonen Dallas Stars 2014-15
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Stars haven’t necessarily righted the ship, but they’re looking better than they have been. The team will need to step it up in 2015 if they want to return to the playoffs. Improved play from Kari Lehtonen would surely help their cause.

20. Minnesota Wild

Mike Yeo
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

20. Minnesota Wild

Mike Yeo
James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

The team is losing a ton of ground in the standings, and a major shakeup could be in the works. If the team doesn’t turn it around, Mike Yeo could be the next coach fired.

19. Boston Bruins

Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins - Game Two
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19. Boston Bruins

Montreal Canadiens v Boston Bruins - Game Two
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The Bruins looked good going into the break, but the Saturday night debacle in Columbus raised more than a few red flags. An upcoming three-game homestand could be season-changing as the team cannot afford to fall any lower.

18. Calgary Flames

Johnny Gaudreau Calgary Flames 2014-15
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18. Calgary Flames

Johnny Gaudreau Calgary Flames 2014-15
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The team has cooled off from a scorching start, but Johnny Gaudreau is torching the rest of the league and having an amazing rookie season. The former Boston College Eagle has recorded six goals in his last three games and will be an integral piece if the team wishes to turn it on in the second half.

17. Florida Panthers

Brad Boyes
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17. Florida Panthers

Brad Boyes
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The fans are trickling back and the Panthers are on fire as they look to make the playoffs for the second time since 2000. Games against Montreal and the New York Rangers round out the 2014 calendar as the team looks to end the year on a good note and build momentum going into 2015.

16. Washington Capitals

NHL: Washington Capitals at Toronto Maple Leafs
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

16. Washington Capitals

NHL: Washington Capitals at Toronto Maple Leafs
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

The team looked great against the Penguins and will need to continue that momentum going into Winter Classic Week. Alexander Ovechkin loves the spotlight and will be on top of his game as the Caps take on the Blackhawks at the Nationals Park.

15. San Jose Sharks

Barclay Goodrow Sharks
Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

15. San Jose Sharks

Barclay Goodrow Sharks
Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

The Sharks have been inconsistent all year and nowhere was that more apparent than in their loss to the Kings. Games against the Canucks and Ducks highlight the end of the team’s 2014 schedule as they look to build momentum going into the new year.

14. Vancouver Canucks

Montreal Canadiens v Vancouver Canucks
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14. Vancouver Canucks

Montreal Canadiens v Vancouver Canucks
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Despite losing to the Ducks in Anaheim, the Canucks are still very much in the playoff picture in the Western Conference. While Tuesday’s game against San Jose is important, I’m really looking forward to the Thursday home game against the Kings as the two teams have developed a bit of a rivalry.

13. New York Rangers

New York Rangers v Calgary Flames
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13. New York Rangers

New York Rangers v Calgary Flames
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Rick Nash is playing like an MVP, and the Rangers are one of the hottest teams in the NHL going into 2015. More of the same from Nash and Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers just might return to the Stanley Cup Final.

12. Toronto Maple Leafs

Kessel
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

12. Toronto Maple Leafs

Kessel
Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

After losing to the Panthers, the Leafs will need to rebound as they take on the Lightning, Bruins and Wild to round out their road trip. The team has been inconsistent as usual, but a hot start to 2015 might just quiet some doubters.

11. Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Jets' Early-Season Grade
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11. Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Jets' Early-Season Grade
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I keep waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop with this squad, but they keep on winning. After beating the Wild in Minnesota, the team better be ready for a borderline desperate Wild squad in Winnipeg Monday night as they won’t be sneaking up on anyone.

10. Los Angeles Kings

Vancouver Canucks v Los Angeles Kings
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10. Los Angeles Kings

Vancouver Canucks v Los Angeles Kings
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The Kings are clicking and Marian Gaborik is on fire, which is bad news for the rest of the NHL. The team’s upcoming road trip through western Canada is great opportunity to distance themselves from the pack in the Pacific Division.

9. Montreal Canadiens

PK Subban handles the puck against the New York Islanders
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9. Montreal Canadiens

PK Subban handles the puck against the New York Islanders
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The Habs open their post-Christmas schedule with a four-game road trip that includes games in Pittsburgh and in South Florida against the upstart Panthers. Look for P.K. Subban to be at his best as the Habs gain some serious ground in the standings.

8. St. Louis Blues

Vladimir Tarasenko
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

8. St. Louis Blues

Vladimir Tarasenko
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Vladimir Tarasenko is looking like a Hart Trophy candidate and will surely need to keep it up going into 2015. The Blues have a back-to-back with games against the Avalanche and Predators to round out 2014, and they would love to end the year strong as they make a push for the Stanley Cup in 2015.

7. New York Islanders

Johnny Boychuk Nick Leddy New York Islanders 2014-15
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

7. New York Islanders

Johnny Boychuk Nick Leddy New York Islanders 2014-15
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

2014’s surprise team faces the Capitals before going on a western road trip that will surely test their mettle. I’m still not completely ready to call this team on Long Island a contender -- 20 years of being one of the worst franchises in sports will do that -- but I’m liking what I’m seeing and so should Islander fans.

6. Detroit Red Wings

Los Angeles Kings vs. Detroit Red Wings
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6. Detroit Red Wings

Los Angeles Kings vs. Detroit Red Wings
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Gustav Nyquist is skating circles around opponents, and the Wings are looking like a well-oiled machine. Look for the Wings to be on their game as they take on the Bruins and Devils on the road this week.

5. Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa bay Lightning Christmas Wish
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tampa Bay Lightning

Tampa bay Lightning Christmas Wish
Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

While the Lighting have yet to master consistency, they are playing some great hockey and have established themselves as legitimate Eastern Conference contenders. If Steven Stamkos maintains his stellar play it could really be a season to remember in Tampa.

4. Nashville Predators

Filip Forsberg Nashville Predators 2014-15
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

4. Nashville Predators

Filip Forsberg Nashville Predators 2014-15
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Filip Forsberg is almost a lock to win the Calder Trophy for rookie of the year and the Preds are keeping up their torrid pace. That being said, the team’s next four games are against the Blackhawks, Blues, Kings and Ducks -- an absolute murderers row of teams that the Predators must play their best against in order to win.

3. Pittsburgh Penguins

New York Islanders v Pittsburgh Penguins
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3. Pittsburgh Penguins

New York Islanders v Pittsburgh Penguins
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The team’s loss to Capitals was embarrassing, but they’re absolutely an elite team and a force to be reckoned with. Look for the Pens to bounce back with games against the lowly Devils and Hurricanes before the elite Lightning come to town.

2. Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Favorite
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2. Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Favorite
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The Blackhawks have one of the best track records in the NHL and will be looking for their third Stanley Cup in six seasons in 2015. When they take on the Capitals in the Winter Classic, look for the Hawks to show just why they are such a world-class team.

1. Anaheim Ducks

Ducks Depth 2
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

1. Anaheim Ducks

Ducks Depth 2
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks end 2014 as the best team in the NHL and will look to capitalize on their success with the team’s second Stanley Cup in 2015. Games against San Jose and St. Louis will be measuring sticks as the Ducks look to solidify their contender status.

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