NHL Power Rankings

Sunday, February 08, 2009-10:23:pm
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The Boston Bruins take over the top spot from San in our weekly NHL Power Rankings, and the surging Dallas Stars crack the top ten.

NHL Power Rankings: Through the games of Sunday February 8
Rk Team Prv Comment
1 Boston 2 The Bruins are 10-1-3 in their last 14 games as they head into this week's showdown with Western Conference leading San Jose.
2 San Jose 1 The Sharks go into Boston in the midst of a season-high three-game winless streak (0-1-2). Detroit is gaining ground.
3 Detroit 5 The Red Wings appear to be back on track. They've won four in a row, but Tomas Holmstrom is out 3-5 weeks after sports hernia surgery.
4 New Jersey 3 The Devils have been struggling at home, where they have lost three of their last five games. Martin Brodeur could be back in late February or early March.
5 Washington 4 The Capitals have won four of their last five games. After giving up at least one power play goal game in 13 straight games the PK goes 4-4 vs. Florida.
6 Chicago 7 The Blackhawks are 4-2-0 in the first six games of a stretch of eight straight on the road.
7 Buffalo 9 Ryan Miller is hot for the Sabres. He is 11-3-1 in his last 15 games and has allowed just four goals in his last four. Thomas Vanek out 3-4 weeks with broken jaw.
8 Philadelphia 10 Antero Niittymaki continues to push for the starting job in Philadelphia, coming in relief of Martin Biron against Boston and leading the Flyers to a win.
9 Dallas 11 The Stars are making the most of their home games, winning 11 of their last 13 (11-1-1). Overall, they've won seven of eight and nine of 13 (9-2-2).
10 Montreal 8 The Canadiens have lost seven of their last nine games and now they hit the road for six straight games.
11 Calgary 6 The Flames have struggled coming out of the break. They are 2-4-0 and the four losses have come in the last four games.
12 Florida 14 The Panthers are 4-2-0 since the All-Star break and 9-3-3 in their last 15 games.
13 Minnesota 16 The Wild have won four of six since the All-Star break, but they are still looking to string three wins in a row for the first time since mid-November.
14 Carolina 18 The Hurricanes have won six of eight, including two of three on a West Coast road trip. They pick up Jussi Jokinen from Tampa Bay.
15 Anaheim 17 The Ducks play only three games between and February 19, so a lot of teams are going to start gaining ground on them.
16 NY Rangers 12 The Rangers suffered a humiliating 10-2 loss in Dallas, running their winless streak to four games. Rumors of a Sean Avery return are swirling.
17 Edmonton 13 Oilers are 2-4-1 since the All-Star break including a 10-2 loss to Buffalo and an 8-3 loss to Detroit.
18 Columbus 15 Dan LaCosta becomes the fifth goalie to start for the Blue Jackets this season and beats San Jose 3-2. Steve Mason battling mono.
19 Nashville 21 Predators have made a strong push lately, winning five of seven to put them in the thick of things in the Western Conference.
20 Pittsburgh 20 Penguins just can't seem to get on a roll. They've only won two straight twice since late November.
21 Los Angeles 23 The surging Kings are 3-1-0 so far on East Coast road trip, including wins in Washington and New Jersey.
22 Vancouver 22 Canucks end eight-game winless streak with 4-3 win over Carolina and then follow it up with 7-3 win over the Chicago.
23 St. Louis 25 Blues aren't dead yet. They've picked up points in nine of their last ten games (6-1-3) to stay close to the playoff race.
24 Phoenix 19 The Coyotes are fading fast in the Western Conference. They've lost six straight games.
25 Colorado 24 The Avs' eight-game homestand didn't go well. They lost four straight at one point and finished it with a 3-5-0 record.
26 Toronto 27 Goalie Vesa Toskala getting some heat from GM Brian Burke and coach Ron Wilson.
27 Tampa Bay 26 Mike Smith, out with an upper-body injury, is expected to return this week. Bolts snap four-game losing streak with win over the Islanders. 
28 Ottawa 28 The Senators are 1-1-1 since Cory Clouston took over as head coach for Craig Hartsburg.
29 NY Islanders 30 The Islanders have won three of their five games. Yann Danis making a push for the top goaltending job with Rick DiPietro finished for the season.
30 Atlanta 29 The Thrashers have lost five of six games. They are 1-32 on the power play over their last nine games.