The Chicago Blackhawks extend its NHL record streak to 19 consecutive games with a point. As a result, this week’s NHL Power Rankings at The Wife Hates Sports are a no-brainer. At least, when it comes to the top spot.
While Chicago is on cruise control, the rest of the top five are a lot closer together. Specifically, the rest of the list starts with the Anaheim Ducks in second place. The Ducks would typically get more pub because Anaheim has lost just twice in the month of February.
As always, with the rankings, I feature a few stats, tidbits and thoughts for each of the thirty teams. The point totals are the ratings calculations and there is no correlation to the team’s actual point totals in the standings. Because, well, I felt I had to mention that. NHL standings can and do throw a wrench into things.
But overall, here’s how the rankings fall into place:
Marian Hossa and the Blackhawks are dominating the NHL Power Rankings
KP’s NHL Power Rankings: February 27, 2013
Note: All stats and figures are as of February 27, 2013 (at 7pm Eastern)
1-10: ‘Hawks, Ducks and Pens
The Canadiens and Bruins – bitter rivals to the very end – land in the third and fourth place spots. Carey Price and Tuukka Rask are the main reasons for each team’s success. Meanwhile, the feisty and talented Penguins round out this edition’s top five. But Pittsburgh’s standing is not due to its goalie. It’s because of Sidney Crosby, who is healthy this season and playing great. The real question remains: Can “Sid the Kid” stay healthy over the course of the season?
1. Chicago #Blackhawks (126 points) – A no-brainer Power Rankings top pick, Chicago extended its #NHL record to 19 straight games with a pt.
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
2. Anaheim #Ducks (90 points) – Heading into tonight’s game, Anaheim has lost just twice in the month of February #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
3. Montreal #Canadiens (88 points) – In 15 games played, Carey Price has 10 wins (tied-1st in #NHL) and a 1.90 goals against average (5th)
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4. Boston #Bruins (86 points) – In 13 games played, Tuukka Rask has 10 wins (tied-1st in #NHL) and a 1.89 goals against average (4th)
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
5. Pittsburgh #Penguins (82 points) – Healthy this season, Sidney Crosby has 9 goals and 21 assists in 20 games #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
6-10: Leafs and Devils
Vancouver is on a downturn, but still maintains strong stat rankings and a division lead. But more struggles and the Canucks will fade further down the list.
6. Toronto #MapleLeafs (71 points) – Mark Fraser currently leads the #NHL in the plus/minus category (+14)
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
7. Vancouver #Canucks (69 points) – The Canucks have struggled a bit recently, but still hold a division lead and high marks statistically
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
8. Ottawa #Senators (58 points) – Ottawa’s 9-1-2 record at home is the best mark in the Eastern Conference #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
Good luck facing the Sens at home!
9. St. Louis #Blues (57 points) – Jaroslav Halak’s 1.70 goals against average is currently ranked third in the #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
Notice a trend with goalies? Because Halak has the Blues in the top ten.
10. New Jersey #Devils (49 points) – In Johan Hedberg’s last three games as goalie, the Devils have given up 14 goals to opposing teams #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
11-15: Kings and ‘Wings
Topping the second group are the L.A. Kings and Carolina Hurricanes. The Kings are on a roll, while Carolina has been driven forward by Eric Staal.
11. Los Angeles #Kings (45 points) – The Kings have won four straight games and lost just one time at home this season #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
12. Carolina #Hurricanes (44 points) – Eric Staal leads the team in both points (19) and goals (9) #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
13. Phoenix #Coyotes (42 points) – After facing the Wild on Thursday, the Coyotes will take on the Ducks for three straight games #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
14. Tampa Bay #Lightning (41 points) – Steven Stamkos leads the #NHL in both points (30) and goals scored (14)
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
Stamkos is a handful for opposing defenses.
15. Detroit #RedWings (39 points) – Henrik Zetterberg is currently tied for fourth in the #NHL in total points, with 25.
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
Wait until you see the stat line on the Wings later in this post. It’s not pretty.
16-20: Kings and Rangers
The Rangers round out the back of the group and will need a hot streak to gain ground. But let’s talk about Nashville and the six shutouts in February.
16. Dallas #Stars (39 points) – Kari Lehtonen’s .934 save percentage is currently ranked third in the #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
17. Nashville #Predators (37 points) – In February, the Predators were involved in six shutouts, three that were victories. #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
18. San Jose #Sharks (33 points) – Joe Thornton leads the Sharks in both points (19) and assists (15) #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
19. Philadelphia #Flyers (22 points) – Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov has nine wins on the season, one shy of the league leaders #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
20. New York #Rangers (22 points) – Brad Richards, Rick Nash and Marc Staal have combined for 28 assists on the season #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
21-25: Wild to Caps
The Wild and Jets headline the final grouping of ten hockey teams. The Jets are in a good position following four wins during a recent five-game road trip.
21. Minnesota #Wild (21 points) – Zenon Konopka has 52 penalty minutes, while no other team member has more than 14. #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
Anyone else think Konopka should pay rent in the “sin bin”? Because I do.
22. Winnipeg #Jets (19 points) – The Jets finished a five-game road trip with four victories #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
Of course, the Jets hashtag links to the New York NFL team. Oh well.
23. New York #Islanders (18 points) – John Tavares is tied for second in the #NHL in goals, with 13 on the year
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
24. Calgary #Flames (16 points) – Calgary’s -12 goal differential is the second worst in the Western Conference. #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
25. Washington #Capitals (16 points) – On February 23, Alex Ovechkin landed his first hat trick since January 2011. #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
26-30: Oilers to Jackets
NHL Power Rankings: The Blue Jackets sit in last place, but if anything, have had some success against Detroit. That’s something, right? Yeah, probably not.
26. Edmonton #Oilers (14 points) – Sam Gagner leads the team in points (18) and assists (13) #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
27. Colorado #Avalanche (7 points) – Dating back to mid-February, the Avalanche have lost four straight games on the road
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
28. Buffalo #Sabres (-6 points) – Thomas Vanek is third in the #NHL in points (27) and tied for fourth in the league in goals (12)
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
But seriously, does Vanek have to do everything, Buffalo?
29. Florida #Panthers (-11 points) – Tomas Fleischmann leads the team in points (14) and assists (9) #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
30. Columbus #BlueJackets (-20 points) – Columbus managed just three wins in the month of February, two of which came against Detroit #NHL
— TheWifeHatesSports (@TheWifeHates) February 28, 2013
Yeah, Detroit fans must be pumped about this.
* All stats per NHL.com
The Wife Hates Sports NHL Power Rankings system has a method to its madness. It attempts to be different and not just rank by popularity and record. It mixes a secret formula of six completely different categories, meshed into a points system. The categories don’t just include team results regarding record, but how each team has performed recently. It also incorporates statistics on both a team’s offense and defense, too.
Greetings and salutations! Do you like the Twitter feed version (and NHL Power Rankings), because this was an attempt at something new. If yes, I will consider doing them again.