NHL Power Rankings: Beasts of the East dominate top teams
Anthony Scultore
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Most teams have either passed, reached, or about to hit the halfway point of the season.
In our latest Power Rankings, it’s becoming clear that the Eastern Conference is dominating. December had four teams in the Western Conference in the Top Ten. This month, it is down to three with the Colorado Avalanche breaking into the Top Five at number three.
Let’s dive in.
Daily Goal Horn’s Power Rankings
December’s Top Ten Teams:
- Washington Capitals 18-6-7
- Vegas Golden Knights 20-11-0
- Carolina Hurricanes 21-7-1
- Tampa Bay Lightning 19-6-4
- New York Rangers 19-7-4
- Toronto Maple Leafs 20-8-2
- Nashville Predators 19-10-1
- Pittsburgh Penguins 17-8-5
- Minnesota Wild 19-8-2
- Anaheim Ducks 17-9-6
January’s Top Ten Teams:
- Florida Panthers 28-8-5 (New)
- Pittsburgh Penguins 25-10-5 ⬆️
- Colorado Avalanche 27-8-3 (New)
- Carolina Hurricanes 27-8-2 ⬇️
- New York Rangers 26-11-4 (Even)
- Tampa Bay Lightning 27-10-5 ⬇️
- St. Louis Blues 24-11-5 (New)
- Nashville Predators 25-14-3 ⬇️
- Toronto Maple Leafs 24-10-3 ⬇️
- Boston Bruins 23-12-2 (New)
DGH NHL Power Rankings
Florida Panthers: We not only welcome back the Florida Panthers back into the Top Ten, they come in hot ranking number one overall. Obviously over their hiccup in early December where they lost 4 of 5 (1-3-1), Florida is 10-1-1 coming out of the Holiday Break.
Pittsburgh Penguins: Arguably the hottest team in hockey. Pittsburgh has catapulted up the standings and are just 1 point behind the Rangers and Hurricanes for first place in the Metro. They have won 15 of their last 17 games. Watch out!
Colorado Avalanche: The Avs have stormed onto this list after early season struggles. This high powered offense is humming and has just one regulation loss since 12/2/21. They are 16-1-2 and heading for the top spot.
Carolina Hurricanes: They may be the best team in the NHL with the way they play. Fast and aggressive they may be just too much for teams to handle. They are 8-1-1 in their last 10 and dip just one spot.
New York Rangers: The Blueshirts continue to stun many hockey experts with their resiliency. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games, which is really impressive when you realize it includes a 5 game west coast road trip.
Tampa Bay Lightning: The Lightning are who they are: the 2X Defending Stanley Cup Champions. Now that Nikita Kucherov is back, expect a future climb in the rankings. They are 6-3-1 in their last 10.
St. Louis Blues: Welcome to the list St. Louis. The 2019 Stanley Cup Champs are thinking another long playoff run as they have can bring it with the best of them. They have points in 14 of their last 17 games (12-3-2).
Nashville Predators: They are often referred to as a team at the crossroads between going all-in or rebuilding. Yet, the Predators continue to impress and remain a force in the Central Division. In their last 10 games they are 6-3-1.
Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs have dropped in the rankings but still remain in the top 10. Despite some recent struggles they are 6-3-1 in their last 10.
Boston Bruins: The Bruins finally break into the top ten list with some excellent play as of late. They are 9-2 in their last 11 games after a mediocre start to the season.
