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Power Rankings For Week 14 Of The 2014-15 NHL Season

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By @powerplaywithcj

Power Rankings For Week 14 Of The 2014-15 NHL Season

Tampa Bay Lightning 2015 Schedule
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Through 14 weeks of hockey, teams have been rising and falling in an almost cyclical fashion. These rankings are based on the league standings and my eye test for each team.

30. Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers v Arizona Coyotes
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30. Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers v Arizona Coyotes
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This Edmonton team continues to redefine atrociousness, and with upcoming games against the high-powered Blues and Lighting, look for the losses to continue to pile up.

29. Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes Christmas Wish
James Guillroy-USA TODAY Sports

29. Carolina Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes Christmas Wish
James Guillroy-USA TODAY Sports

The Hurricanes is getting healthier and are playing teams tough, as evidenced by their shootout loss against the Blues. Having said that, this team is still in the midst of a massive rebuild and this season is a completely lost cause.

28. Buffalo Sabres

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

28. Buffalo Sabres

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

For a minute, there was optimism in Buffalo as the Sabres were playing decent and the young talent was starting to come into its own. Then the team lost seven straight and fell back into Lotteryville, which is far from the worst thing for a rebuilding team.

27. Arizona Coyotes

Shane Doan Arizona Coyotes 2014-15
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

27. Arizona Coyotes

Shane Doan Arizona Coyotes 2014-15
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Antoine Vermette, Keith Yandle and even “Mr. Coyote” Shane Doan could all be on their way out of the Desert in the few weeks as the team looks to rebuild. The fire sale could help the team bring back assets for the long-term, but many struggles lay ahead in the short term in Arizona for now.

26. New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils Early-Season Grade
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26. New Jersey Devils

New Jersey Devils Early-Season Grade
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Much like Arizona, a fire sale is likely in the works in New Jersey and the organization definitely needs it. The team’s upcoming trip out West might allow them to play the role of spoiler, or push the Devils further back in the league standings.

25. Philadelphia Flyers

Craig Berube, Philadelphia Flyers
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

25. Philadelphia Flyers

Craig Berube, Philadelphia Flyers
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

I hate to say it, but Steve Mason’s injury could be a blessing in disguise for the Flyers. The team is likely to slide even further down in the standings, and that would definitely help their draft position.

24. Minnesota Wild

Getty Vanek 1
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24. Minnesota Wild

Getty Vanek 1
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I’m not one to advocate firing a coach for the sake of firing a coach, but this team is in a serious rut and showing Mike Yeo the door may be their best option right now. The more the team delays making a move, the further they will sink in the standings and make the task of qualifying for the playoffs go form unlikely to almost impossible.

23. Columbus Blue Jackets

Dallas Stars v Columbus Blue Jackets
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23. Columbus Blue Jackets

Dallas Stars v Columbus Blue Jackets
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The team made the smart move of re-signing Sergei Bobrovsky, then proceeded to drop its next two games. After a brief run of some excellent play, it really looks like this a lost season in Columbus as injury woes and inconsistency have cost this team.

22. Ottawa Senators

Erik Karlsson
Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

22. Ottawa Senators

Erik Karlsson
Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Ottawa is pretty much the quintessential middle-of-the-road team this season: not good enough for a playoff spot, but not bad enough to be in the lottery. This has been a frustrating season for Senators fans, and this week will be no different as the Stars, with former Sens captain Jason Spezza, and the Canadiens highlight the schedule.

21. Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars v Toronto Maple Leafs
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21. Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars v Toronto Maple Leafs
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The Stars have been playing better as of late, but are still far from the playoff team they were last season. Look for the team to be playing some sink-or-swim hockey as the Senators and Jets come to town.

20. Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche v Minnesota Wild - Game Six
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20. Colorado Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche v Minnesota Wild - Game Six
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Don’t look now, but the Avs are charging and could make the Western Conference playoff picture very interesting down the stretch. While they may not have the firepower of last year’s team, this is a resilient group that buys into Patrick Roy’s system 100 percent. It’d be foolish to count this team out.

19. Toronto Maple Leafs

James Reimer Jonathan Bernier Toronto Maple Leafs 2014-15
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

19. Toronto Maple Leafs

James Reimer Jonathan Bernier Toronto Maple Leafs 2014-15
John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Leafs' atrocious play since Randy Carlyle’s firing highlight one thing -- Carlyle wasn’t the problem. Games against legitimate Stanley Cup contenders in Los Angeles and Anaheim this week will further bring this struggling team down.

18. Calgary Flames

Mark Giordano Calgary Flames December 2014-15
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

18. Calgary Flames

Mark Giordano Calgary Flames December 2014-15
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a bit of struggle since the team’s hot start, but I’m not willing to count this Calgary team out just yet. Mark Giordano is bound for the All-Star game and will likely be in the Norris Trophy conversation. With some improved consistency, the playoffs aren’t out of the question.

17. San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks v Anaheim Ducks
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17. San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks v Anaheim Ducks
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The Sharks looked foolish against Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers, and are losing ground in the Western Conference. Improved efforts will be needed against the Coyotes and Maple Leafs if the team wants to avoid free-falling out of the playoff picture.

16. Los Angeles Kings

Anze Kopitar Los Angeles Kings 2014-15
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

16. Los Angeles Kings

Anze Kopitar Los Angeles Kings 2014-15
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The reining champs might still have some consistency issues, but it’s the regular season and fans know this team gets it done when it matters. Having said that, the Kings will need to take care of business against struggling Toronto and New Jersey teams before their home showdown with the Ducks next weekend.

15. Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers v Buffalo Sabres
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15. Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers v Buffalo Sabres
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Roberto Luongo getting named to the All-Star game is a testament to the level of success he and the Panthers are having this year. The team will wrap up a very successful Western swing in Winnipeg Tuesday night as Florida looks to extend its win streak to four games.

14. Winnipeg Jets

Evander Kane
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

14. Winnipeg Jets

Evander Kane
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Evander Kane is back and the Jets are looking like a legitimate playoff team. I’m really looking forward to see how the Jets match up against a fellow upstart playoff team in the Florida Panthers as both teams look to make some noise.

13. Washington Capitals

Matt Niskanen Washington Capitals
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

13. Washington Capitals

Matt Niskanen Washington Capitals
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Capitals are rolling and head coach Barry Trotz is getting the most out of his group of players. Home games against the Avalanche and Flyers set the stage for Trotz ‘s homecoming in Nashville on Saturday night, which should be an emotional night for all involved.

12. Boston Bruins

David Pastrnak Boston Bruins 2014 NHL Draft
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12. Boston Bruins

David Pastrnak Boston Bruins 2014 NHL Draft
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Last week, the Bruins appeared to be dead as they were struggling like we haven’t seen since Claude Julien took over in 2007. Three wins and some absolutely stellar play from 18-year-old forward David Pastrnak have the Bruins trending in the direction they should be.

11. Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks 2015 Schedule
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11. Vancouver Canucks

Vancouver Canucks 2015 Schedule
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Losing a tough one to the Flames aside, the Canucks are looking great and will be in it for the long haul. The team needs to be at its best as the Canucks head to Nashville and Philadelphia this week.

10. Detroit Red Wings

Jimmy Howard
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10. Detroit Red Wings

Jimmy Howard
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The Wings were rolling along before Jimmy Howard went down with a groin injury. With Howard out for a while, the Wings will need to piece together their goaltending situation or risk falling out of the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

9. New York Rangers

2014 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Five
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9. New York Rangers

2014 NHL Stanley Cup Final - Game Five
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The Blueshirts return from a successful West Coast trip as one of the hottest teams in the NHL and will look to keep their momentum going. Look for King Henrik Lundqvist to use his All-Star game snub as motivation as the Rangers become an even deadlier team down the stretch.

8. St. Louis Blues

Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

8. St. Louis Blues

Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports

Few players have earned their All-Star nod more than Kevin Shattenkirk as the former Boston University star has been amazing for the Blues this season. Look for the Blues to light up the lowly Oilers before taking on the Red Wings this week.

7. Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens v Pittsburgh Penguins
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7. Montreal Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens v Pittsburgh Penguins
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Despite losing a tough overtime game to the Penguins, the Canadiens have been playing some great hockey as of late. Look for the Habs to continue their stellar play against the Blue Jackets and Senators on the road this week.

6. Pittsburgh Penguins

Montreal Canadiens v Pittsburgh Penguins
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6. Pittsburgh Penguins

Montreal Canadiens v Pittsburgh Penguins
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Sidney Crosby is coming up aces with clutch goals and Evgeni Malkin is playing like the MVP this season. With the Minnesota Wild coming to town, look for the Pens to continue to pile up the points as they rise in the standings.

5. New York Islanders

New York Islanders 2015 Schedule
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5. New York Islanders

New York Islanders 2015 Schedule
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The Islanders continue to impress and have really traded in the upstart label for contender, which is music to the ears of long-suffering fans on Long Island. Rivalry games against the crosstown Rangers and Penguins highlight the docket this week as the Islanders look to continue to prove they belong among the league’s elite.

4. Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane Chicago Blackhawks
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4. Chicago Blackhawks

Patrick Kane Chicago Blackhawks
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Patrick Kane is having a season to remember and for one of the truly elite players in the game, that is saying something. The Blackhawks continue to roll off win after win and don’t play again until Friday, giving their stars some much-needed rest as they gear up for the stretch run.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning

Montreal Canadiens v Tampa Bay Lightning - Game One
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3. Tampa Bay Lightning

Montreal Canadiens v Tampa Bay Lightning - Game One
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Steven Stamkos gets all the headlines, but Tyler Johnson is having a season for the ages as the former undrafted Spokane Chiefs player will be playing alongside Stamkos in the All-Star Game. Look for the Bolts to keep up their stellar play and not relinquish the top spot in the East for the rest of the season.

2. Nashville Predators

Shea Weber Nashville Predators Hockey
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

2. Nashville Predators

Shea Weber Nashville Predators Hockey
Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Predators have come seemingly from nowhere to have the best record in the NHL, and are showing no signs of slowing down. Tuesday’s game against Vancouver sets the stage for the Washington Capitals, led by former head coach Barry Trotz, on Saturday night.

1. Anaheim Ducks

Nashville Predators v Anaheim Ducks
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1. Anaheim Ducks

Nashville Predators v Anaheim Ducks
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The team’s come-from-behind win on the night of Teemu Selanne’s jersey retirement epitomizes why the Ducks are the best team in the NHL. They’re built for the spotlight and come through in the biggest moments. This surely won’t be the last time the team comes up aces on a major stage.

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