Dave B’s NHL Handicapping Tips / Ratings
Only a few more weeks to go in the NHLs Regular Season and while some of the top dogs have stumbled the last couple of weeks some other elite teams are making quite a statement during this stretch run.
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How about Boston’s 12 straight wins? How about Anaheim playing .500 hockey the last couple of weeks and how about the ridiculous Pacific Division that suddenly has a new leader?
So what does it all mean? Let’s break it all down in Dave B’s bi-weekly edition of the NHL Power Rankings
1. Boston Bruins (Two Weeks Ago: 5)
The Bruins have won 12 straight games, Tuukka Rask is riding a personal seven game win streak in which he has posted a 1.55 GAA and Jarome Iginla has 11 goals during the 12 game streak. Unbelievable. The B`s were built for hockey at this time of the year and now sit in first place in the NHLs overall standings looking almost impossible to stop going forward.
2. St. Louis Blues (Two Weeks Ago: 1)
The Blues have gone 7-2-1 in their last 10 games but did look a tad overmatched Saturday against the Flyers and in a loss last week against the Blackhawks. Still, Ryan Miller has been a huge difference maker on this team, although he has lost his last two starts. They were the first team to 100 points and still look like the ones to beat in the West.
3. San Jose Sharks (Two Weeks Ago: 3)
The Sharks recent surge has a lot to do with the improved play of Antti Niemi who was last week`s third star – 3-0-0 with a shutout and a 1.67 GAA. They now lead the Pacific and are one point back of the Blues. The trick for this team is to get it done in the playoffs – finally!
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4. Pittsburgh Penguins (Two Weeks Ago: 6)
The Pens have picked up their play a tad but lost 1-0 to the Blues Sunday. They are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games but have to remain in the top 10 just because of the lineup they trot out every single night.
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Two Weeks Ago: 2)
The Blackhawks are 5-4-1 in their last 10 games but the bigger story may be the loss of Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad – potentially for the remainder of the season. Jonathan Toews has been scorching though and the supporting cast for this team is like no other in the league.
6. Anaheim Ducks (Two Weeks Ago: 4)
The Ducks are just 4-4-2 in their last 10 games and are losing to teams that they will have to get through in order to win the West. It`s pretty hard to explain – what`s more puzzling is that almost the exact same thing happened last year to this team at this time.
7. Colorado Avalanche (Two Weeks Ago: 7)
The Avs are still seventh in the overall standings but are just 5-4-1 in their last 10 games overall. They have a real shot of catching and overtaking the Hawks in the standings if they can play better than .500 hockey down the stretch. They are relatively healthy and looking like they may climb back into the top 5 before season`s end.
8. LA Kings (Two Weeks Ago: 8)
The Kings head out on an Eastern road trip this week riding a modest two game win streak and with a 7-3-0 record in their last 10 games. Jeff Carter and Dustin Brown have struggled offensively lately – thank goodness for a stellar Jonathan Quick!
9. Montreal Canadiens (Two Weeks Ago: 12)
The Habs are getting some terrific production from Thomas Vanek who looks like the steal of the trade deadline. The Habs are just 5-5-0 in their last 10 games but are still in line to host a first round playoff series.
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10. Philadelphia Flyers (Two Weeks Ago: 13)
The Flyers are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games overall and head into this week on a five game win streak. Wayne Simmonds has been on fire and Steve Mason has provided the team with some terrific goaltending. There is no hotter ream in the NHL right now – other than the Bruins!
11. Tampa Bay Lightning (Two Weeks Ago: 17)
Have gone 5-2-3 in their last 10 games largely thanks to Steven Stamkos getting his sea-legs back. He had a hat trick against the Leafs last week and looks like he isn`t missing a beat without Martin St. Louis. The Lightning are a scary team in the East – solid but still very underrated.
12. New York Rangers (Two Weeks Ago: 9)
The Rangers are still waiting on some production from the aforementioned Martin St. Louis (3 assists in 10 games) but are on a 3 game win streak going 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. With Henrik Lundqvist patrolling the crease the Rangers round out the dirty dozen this week.
13. Minnesota Wild (Two Weeks Ago: 10)
14. Detroit Red Wings (Two Weeks Ago: 16)
15. Phoenix Coyotes (Two Weeks Ago: 19)
16. Toronto Maple Leafs (Two Weeks Ago: 11)
17. Washington Capitals (Two Weeks Ago: 18)
18. Columbus Blue Jackets (Two Weeks Ago: 15)
19. Dallas Stars (Two Weeks Ago: 14)
20. Vancouver Canucks (Two Weeks Ago: 23)
21. New Jersey Devils (Two Weeks Ago: 20)
22. Winnipeg Jets (Two Weeks Ago: 22)
23. Ottawa Senators (Two Weeks Ago: 21)
24. Carolina Hurricanes (Two Weeks Ago: 24)
25. Nashville Predators (Two Weeks Ago: 25)
26. Calgary Flames (Two Weeks Ago: 26)
27. Florida Panthers (Two Weeks Ago: 28)
28. New York Islanders (Two Weeks Ago: 30)
29. Edmonton Oilers (Two Weeks Ago: 27)
30. Buffalo Sabres (Two Weeks Ago: 29)
