Just a week remains in the NHL Regular season \u2013 the race is on for position for the Stanley Cup Playoffs \u2013 the hardest tournament in all of sports. Some teams have made quite a statement down the stretch \u2013 others have bumbled their way to close out their Regular seasons \u2013 it has definitely been fun! <\/p>\n
\nNHL Lines & Matchup Insight<\/h3>\n
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- Today’s NHL Lines<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- Today’s NHL Matchups<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- NHL Standings<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n
- ***2015 NHL BONUSES***<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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So where does your favorite team sit? Let\u2019s break it down in the bi-weekly edition of Dave B\u2019\u2019s NHL Power Rankings.<\/p>\n
1. New York Rangers<\/strong> 50-21-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 1) – The Rangers still sit atop the Overall Standings and enter the week on a four game win streak. Henrik Lundqvist is getting back to form \u2013 he is 3-0-0 with a.949 save percentage in his last three games and the team has a league-best +59 goal differential. There are zero weaknesses on this team \u2013 scary as we head into the postseason.<\/p>\n
2. Anaheim Ducks<\/strong> 50-23-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 4) \u2013 The Ducks are one point back in the Overall Standings and are 7-3-0 in their last 10 games overall and have won four of five heading into the final week. Goaltending is once a question mark for this team for the playoffs but there is no doubt that they are the team to beat in the West.<\/p>\n
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3. St. Louis Blues<\/strong> 49-23-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 6) – The Blues have won three straight games and still have arguably the most battle-ready team for the playoffs. The Blues beat the Blackhawks Sunday \u2013 quite a statement. They have the fourth best offense in the game and the defense is also top 5 in the NHL. St. Louis is healthier than they have been in a while and could make some noise in this year\u2019s playoffs.<\/p>\n
4. Montreal Canadiens<\/strong> 50-23-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 2) \u2013 The Habs are just 5-2-3 in their last 10 games overall. They do have some concerns however \u2013 Max Pacioretty\u2019s injury and their lackluster 4-1 loss to Florida to name a couple. That said Carey Price has Montreal with the third best record in the NHL \u2013 good for fourth on this week\u2019s Rankings.<\/p>\n
5. Tampa Bay Lightning<\/strong> 48-24-8 (Two Weeks Ago: 3) \u2013 The Lightning are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games but are just 2-3-1 in their last six. Tampa\u2019s recent hiccup is more likely the exception \u2013 not the rule. Ben Bishop has been solid and the offense continues to be the best in the NHL \u2013 by far.<\/p>\n
6. Chicago Blackhawks<\/strong> 48-25-6 (Two Weeks Ago: 5) – The Hawks still have a shot at top spot in the Central and have gone 6-4 in their last 10 games. The best news for this club is that Corey Crawford is playing his best hockey of the season and that Patrick Kane is on the verge.<\/p>\n
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7. Nashville Predators<\/strong> 47-22-10 (Two Weeks Ago: 7) \u2013 The Predators won\u2019t go away \u2013 they are 5-2-3 in their last 10 games and still own the third best defense in the league. James Neal and Matt Cullen have returned at just the right time for this team- look out for Nashville!<\/p>\n
8. Washington Capitals<\/strong> 44-25-11 (Two Weeks Ago: 12) \u2013 the Capitals have benefitted from balanced scoring lately and are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games overall. Braden Holtby has been remarkable \u2013 they could reasonably catch the Isles for second place in the Metropolitan Division \u2013 amazing.<\/p>\n
9. Minnesota Wild<\/strong> 44-26-8 (Two Weeks Ago: 8) \u2013 The Wild are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and yet they are still fighting to make the postseason. They have one of the toughest closing-week schedules but with Devan Dubnyk playing the way he is and with Zach Parise finding another gear, it is expected that the Wild enter the playoffs as a very dangerous team.<\/p>\n
10. Boston Bruins<\/strong> 41-25-13 (Two Weeks Ago: 18) \u2013 The Bruins took a LONG time to get going but appear to be peaking at just the right time \u2013 five straight wins heading into this week. Tuukka Rask has rediscovered his All-World form and this experienced team seems poised to make some noise before their season is over.<\/p>\n
11. New York Islanders<\/strong> 46-27-6 (Two Weeks Ago: 9) – The Islanders lost seven of eight games but have gone 2-0-1 in their last three games overall. There is legitimate concern for you Isles fans however \u2013 the clock may have struck midnight.<\/p>\n
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12. Los Angeles Kings<\/strong> 39-25-14 (Two Weeks Ago: 17) \u2013 the Kings have won two straight games by a combined 11-3 score including a beat down of the Ducks. They may not make the playoffs but LA is certainly making things interesting!<\/p>\n
13. Winnipeg Jets 40-26-12 (Two Weeks Ago: 14)<\/strong>
\n 14. Ottawa Senators 40-26-13 (Two Weeks Ago: 15)<\/strong>
\n 15. Vancouver Canucks 45-29-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 13)<\/strong>
\n 16. Calgary Flames 43-29-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 16)<\/strong>
\n 17. Detroit Red Wings 41-25-13(Two Weeks Ago: 11)<\/strong>
\n 18. Pittsburgh Penguins 42-16-11 (Two Weeks Ago: 10)<\/strong>
\n 19. Columbus Blue Jackets 39-35-5 (Two Weeks Ago: 23)<\/strong>
\n 20. Dallas Stars 38-31-10 (Two Weeks Ago: 21)<\/strong>
\n 21. San Jose Sharks 39-31-9 (Two Weeks Ago: 22)<\/strong>
\n 22. Florida Panthers 36-29-15 (Two Weeks Ago: 19)<\/strong>
\n 23. Colorado Avalanche 36-31-12 (Two Weeks Ago: 20)<\/strong>
\n 24. Philadelphia Flyers 32-29-18 (Two Weeks Ago: 25)<\/strong>
\n 25. Carolina Hurricanes 29-39-11 (Two Weeks Ago: 26)<\/strong>
\n 26. New Jersey Devils 32-34-13 (Two Weeks Ago: 24)<\/strong>
\n 27. Edmonton Oilers 23-43-13 (Two Weeks Ago: 28)<\/strong>
\n 28. Toronto Maple 30-43-7 (Two Weeks Ago: 27)<\/strong>
\n 29. Arizona Coyotes 24-47-8 (Two Weeks Ago: 29)<\/strong>
\n 30. Buffalo Sabres 23-49-8 (Two Weeks Ago: 30)<\/strong><\/p>\n