NHL Power Rankings: The Arizona Coyotes have some Mullett magic

Credit: © Joe Camporeale

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Yup, we’re at that point of the season. The rest of the field is seeing such little movement that the Coyotes moving out of the bottom four for the first time all season constitutes the biggest change this week. There was some other notable movement, with the Senators falling back down the rankings after a resurgence last week and the Devils getting back on the podium, but a majority of the remaining teams only moved up a spot, if at all.

As I’ve done so far this season, I’ll be ranking teams not just on their results in the standings but also with how they’ve looked in several stats as well. Otherwise I’d just copy and paste the standings, right? No fun in that. The rankings are an aggregate of six different stats: points %, 5-on-5 goal differential, 5-on-5 xGF/60, 5-on-5 xGA/60, power play xGF/60, and shorthanded xGA/60, all coming courtesy of Natural Stat Trick. But, to ground the rankings a bit, no team can be above a team that’s more than five points ahead in the standings, regardless of where the aggregate places them.

And now that we have our first team clinching a playoff spot, I’m adding another rule that teams that haven’t clinched a playoff spot can’t be ahead of teams that have, although I feel like the five-point rule will prevent that from coming into play anyways.

1. x-Boston Bruins

Record: 50-10-5 (.808%, 1st)
5v5 Goal Differential: +69 (1st)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.78 (t-10th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.31 (2nd)
PP xGF/60: 8.56 (13th)
PK xGA/60: 6.31 (1st)
5v5 PDO: 103.7
Previous Week: 1st (0)

The Bruins saw their 10-game winning streak come to an end last week as they dropped two of their three games to the Oilers and the Wings in the second half of a home-and-home with them. I’m sure they don’t care, though, as they already became the fastest team to 50 wins with their win on Saturday, and an Islanders loss that day clinched them a playoff spot – with a month left in the season.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

Record: 43-14-8 (.723%, 2nd)
5v5 Goal Differential: +35 (4th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.24 (1st)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.06 (1st)
PP xGF/60: 8.71 (11th)
PK xGA/60: 7.15 (4th)
5v5 PDO: 99.7
Previous Week: 2nd (0)

The Hurricanes find themselves in a bit of a cold stretch, as after a 4-3 win over the Canadiens and a 1-0 win over the Flyers to start the week, they’ve lost two straight to the Golden Knights and Devils, while getting shut out in both games. Losing Andrei Svechnikov for Sunday’s game certainly didn’t help their offense, so if he’s out long term, that could cause some problems for the Canes.

3. New Jersey Devils

Record: 44-16-6 (.712%, 3rd)
5v5 Goal Differential: +41 (2nd)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.12 (3rd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.39 (5th)
PP xGF/60: 8.96 (8th)
PK xGA/60: 7.61 (10th)
5v5 PDO: 100.7
Previous Week: 4th (+1)

The Timo Meier era in New Jersey has been a good one so far, with the Devils going 4-1 in their five games since the forward made his debut, including wins in their last three. That puts them past the Leafs and up onto the podium of the rankings for the first time in a while (remember when they were the seemingly unbeatable No. 1 team at the start of the season?), which is funny considering that their lone loss in their last five was to those very Leafs.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

Record: 40-17-8 (.677%, 4th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +34 (5th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.9 (8th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.44 (7th)
PP xGF/60: 9.22 (6th)
PK xGA/60: 6.61 (2nd)
5v5 PDO: 101.3
Previous Week: 3rd (-1)

The Leafs got a much-needed break to get their new guys accustomed to the team with just two games last week, and it paid off as they won both against the Devils and Oilers. Unfortunately one new guy didn’t get that extra time to get used to the team, as it was announced that Ryan O’Reilly would be out for at least four weeks with a broken finger.

The Stars are staying hot, and would have a big hold on the Central Division if not for the even hotter Wild, thanks to back-to-back wins last week over the Sabres and Kraken to give them five wins in their last six games. That could have even been six straight if not for a goal from Tyler Toffoli with seven seconds left to give the Flames a 5-4 win over the Stars last Monday.

6. Vegas Golden Knights

Record: 41-20-6 (.657%, 5th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +16 (9th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.65 (t-17th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.45 (8th)
PP xGF/60: 8.84 (10th)
PK xGA/60: 7.43 (7th)
5v5 PDO: 100.8
Previous Week: 6th (0)

The Golden Knights are looking to keep that top spot in the Pacific Division in their own hands, as they are red hot with wins in six of their last seven games. Part of that has been due to the Jonathan Quick Revenge Tour, as the goaltender is undefeated through his first three starts with Vegas, along with a shutout and a .939 save percentage.

7. Edmonton Oilers

Record: 36-23-8 (.597%, 13th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +9 (t-13th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.94 (5th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.53 (12th)
PP xGF/60: 9.86 (3rd)
PK xGA/60: 8.21 (19th)
5v5 PDO: 100.1
Previous Week: 7th (0)

The Oilers got off to great start to the week, beating the Sabres and even coming back from down 2-0 to win 3-2 against the Bruins, but they ended on a rough note with a 7-4 loss to the Leafs that saw them blow a two-goal lead in the second period with four goals in under six minutes. McDavid continues to be insane as well, with five points on the week while setting a new single-season career high with his 124th point in just his 65th game. He now sits at 127 in 67, two away from surpassing Nikita Kucherov for the most in the salary cap era.

8. New York Rangers

Record: 37-19-10 (.636%, 7th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +10 (t-11th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.52 (22nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.55 (13th)
PP xGF/60: 10.23 (1st)
PK xGA/60: 7.74 (12th)
5v5 PDO: 100.4
Previous Week: 8th (0)

The Rangers started off the week well, beating a couple teams outside the playoff picture in the Canadiens and Sabres, but they also ended the week with an overtime loss to the Penguins. They finally got new addition Patrick Kane going last week, as he got his first two goals and three points as a Ranger in their two wins.

9. Minnesota Wild

Record: 38-21-8 (.627%, t-9th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +2 (t-18th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.47 (23rd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.35 (3rd)
PP xGF/60: 9.1 (7th)
PK xGA/60: 7.53 (9th)
5v5 PDO: 100
Previous Week: 9th (0)

The Wild cannot be stopped, or at the very least not completely, as it’s now 13 straight games with a point, going 10-0-3 as well, so they aren’t just relying on overtime points. That said, keeping this streak up is going to be tough going forward, especially since Kirill Kaprizov is going to be out for several weeks with a lower-body injury.

10. Los Angeles Kings

Record: 38-20-9 (.634%, 8th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +3 (17th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.7 (t-14th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.4 (6th)
PP xGF/60: 7.64 (22nd)
PK xGA/60: 7.32 (6th)
5v5 PDO: 98.6
Previous Week: 11th (+1)

The Kings were riding high with a five-game win streak until that was snapped on Saturday with a loss to the Predators, but at least it was in a shootout to keep them on a point streak instead. Adrian Kempe played a big role in the later part of that streak, as he had four goals in the final three wins to boost their offense.

11. Tampa Bay Lightning

Record: 39-22-6 (.627%, t-9th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +15 (10th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.91 (7th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.58 (14th)
PP xGF/60: 8.13 (16th)
PK xGA/60: 8.46 (t-22nd)
5v5 PDO: 100.8
Previous Week: 10th (-1)

The Lightning ended their five-game slump with points in three straight games, including wins over the Flyers and Blackhawks, but they ended the week with a 3-2 loss to the Jets. Both Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point rebounded from being benched for a period a couple weeks ago, as the two stars combined for seven goals and 13 points on the week, while Steven Stamkos wasn’t quite as productive but is thankfully OK after an injury scare on Saturday.

12. Winnipeg Jets

Record: 38-26-3 (.590%, 15th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +6 (15th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.7 (t-14th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.67 (t-18th)
PP xGF/60: 8.61 (12th)
PK xGA/60: 7.69 (11th)
5v5 PDO: 100.7
Previous Week: 13th (+1)

The Jets spiral was starting to reach ugly territory, as they were at a point where they had just two wins in a stretch of 11 games, but they managed to slow that down a bit with back-to-back wins over the Panthers and Lightning. That’s been in a spite of some injury problems, as Pierre-Luc Dubois has struggled to stay in the lineup for the past couple weeks, while Josh Morrissey ended up missing Sunday’s game against the Lightning.

13. Seattle Kraken

Record: 37-22-7 (.614%, 11th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +36 (3rd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.55 (21st)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.5 (11th)
PP xGF/60: 6.55 (t-26th)
PK xGA/60: 7.8 (14th)
5v5 PDO: 101.1
Previous Week: 12th (-1)

The Kraken extended their win streak to five games after beating the Ducks 5-2 to start last week, but then they followed it up with back-to-back losses to the Senators and Stars. At the very least, Jared McCann has stayed hot, as he had three goals and four points to set a new career high in points.

14. Calgary Flames

Record: 30-24-13 (.545%, t-18th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +9 (t-13th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.93 (6th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.36 (4th)
PP xGF/60: 8.23 (14th)
PK xGA/60: 6.91 (3rd)
5v5 PDO: 98.1
Previous Week: 15th (+1)

Every time I start to set a time of death on this Flames team, they keep hanging on and keeping their season somewhat alive, as they’ve won three of their last four games. Of course, with how much the aggregate loves them, any slight chance of success moves them up the rankings, even though they still have a lot of work to do to actually snag a playoff spot.

15. Florida Panthers

Record: 33-27-7 (.545%, t-18th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +21 (7th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.18 (2nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.68 (t-21st)
PP xGF/60: 9.67 (4th)
PK xGA/60: 7.86 (15th)
5v5 PDO: 99.9
Previous Week: 16th (+1)

The Panthers have finally ended their stretch of inconsistency, stringing not just two, but three games together to start a streak with wins over the Penguins, Golden Knights, and Blackhawks. A big part of that has been the play of Matthew Tkachuk, who put up eight points in the team’s last four games.

16. Colorado Avalanche

Record: 36-22-6 (.609%, 12th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +10 (t-11th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.61 (20th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.46 (9th)
PP xGF/60: 7.9 (17th)
PK xGA/60: 8.16 (18th)
5v5 PDO: 100.4
Previous Week: 14th (-2)

The Avs put an end to a three-game losing streak by winning two of their three games last week, with a 6-0 blowout over the Sharks and a 3-2 overtime win over the Coyotes. Their stars certainly showed up for them this week, with Makar putting up six points in the three games, while MacKinnon got three goals and five points.

17. Pittsburgh Penguins

Record: 34-22-10 (.591%, 14th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +1 (20th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.02 (4th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.67 (t-18th)
PP xGF/60: 8.86 (9th)
PK xGA/60: 8.68 (27th)
5v5 PDO: 99.8
Previous Week: 18th (+1)

The Penguins had four games on the calendar as their games in hand are starting to come into play, and they took advantage with points in all four. However, they did lose Nick Bonino for a few weeks to a lacerated kidney, so the second-time new addition is going to miss some valuable time to get some chemistry with the team.

18. Washington Capitals

Record: 32-28-4 (.530%, t-21st)
5v5 Goal Differential: +2 (t-18th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.67 (16th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.63 (t-16th)
PP xGF/60: 7.52 (24th)
PK xGA/60: 7.97 (16th)
5v5 PDO: 99.9
Previous Week: 19th (+1)

That little hot streak after the deadline seems to have slowed down for the Caps, as they lost two straight to start the week before snapping that with a 5-1 blowout over the Islanders. That hasn’t stopped new addition Rasmus Sandin from staying hot, as he’s up to eight in four games since joining the Caps.

19. New York Islanders

Record: 34-26-8 (.559%, 17th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +18 (8th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.63 (19th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.76 (23rd)
PP xGF/60: 7.8 (21st)
PK xGA/60: 8.48 (24th)
5v5 PDO: 101.3
Previous Week: 20th (+1)

The Islanders keep doing a solid job of holding on to one of those Wildcard spots, starting off the week with a three-game winning streak over teams they’re fighting for those spots with in the Red Wings, Sabres, and Penguins. That streak ended after they were blown out by the Capitals, another team in the fight in the East, but I’m sure the Isles will take three out of four.

20. Ottawa Senators

Record: 33-29-4 (.530%, t-21st)
5v5 Goal Differential: -25 (27th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.78 (t-10th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.67 (t-18th)
PP xGF/60: 9.46 (5th)
PK xGA/60: 8.21 (19th)
5v5 PDO: 98.1
Previous Week: 17th (-3)

As quickly as the Sens rose up the rankings with a hot streak two weeks ago, they fell just as hard with a slump last week, as they’ve lost three of their last four games, and all to struggling teams in the Blackhawks, Canucks, and Flames as well. It’s going to be hard to bounce back too, as they’re stuck with Mads Sogaard and Kevin Mandolese in net for the time being with Cam Talbot missing the next few weeks with a mid-body injury.

21. Nashville Predators

Record: 33-24-7 (.570%, 16th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +4 (16th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.78 (t-10th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.8 (26th)
PP xGF/60: 7.54 (23rd)
PK xGA/60: 8.58 (25th)
5v5 PDO: 100.8
Previous Week: 21st (0)

The Preds had a pretty average week, splitting their games last week with losses to the Canucks and Coyotes before beating the Kings and Ducks to end it. That’s snuck them back into the playoff picture in the West, and they’ve got some games in hand on a few teams as their schedule is still behind after that water main break back in late November.

22. Detroit Red Wings

Record: 30-27-9 (.523%, 23rd)
5v5 Goal Differential: -17 (22nd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.19 (30th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.63 (t-16th)
PP xGF/60: 7.38 (25th)
PK xGA/60: 8.09 (17th)
5v5 PDO: 99.9
Previous Week: 23rd (+1)

The Wings put an end to their six-game losing streak last week by winning two of their three games, and managed to somewhat recover their playoff chances, although it’s still an uphill battle with just 16 games to go. They’ll have to do it without Robby Fabbri again, as the forward got injured earlier in the week, although this one doesn’t look to be as severe as some of the other ones he’s dealt with in his career.

23. Buffalo Sabres

Record: 32-28-5 (.531%, 20th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -2 (21st)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.65 (t-17th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.79 (t-24th)
PP xGF/60: 6.5 (28th)
PK xGA/60: 9.12 (29th)
5v5 PDO: 100
Previous Week: 22nd (-1)

The Sabres keep wasting the runway that they have over some teams in the playoff race, as they’ve now lost four games in a row and sit seven points out of a playoff spot. One of those losses was particularly ugly, as they got knocked around for a 10-spot against the Stars on Thursday.

24. Vancouver Canucks

Record: 28-32-5 (.469%, 25th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -24 (t-25th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.41 (24th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.79 (t-24th)
PP xGF/60: 8.17 (15th)
PK xGA/60: 8.81 (28th)
5v5 PDO: 98.9
Previous Week: 25th (+1)

The Canucks are streaking at the wrong time, as they’ve won four in a row to pull themselves more and more away from the Connor Bedard sweepstakes, and yet they’re still nowhere close to a playoff spot. They did do a tidy piece of business to bring back some depth on the blueline, signing defenseman Guillaume Brisebois to a two-year extension.

25. Philadelphia Flyers

Record: 24-31-11 (.447%, 26th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -20 (23rd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.33 (26th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.68 (t-21st)
PP xGF/60: 5.76 (32nd)
PK xGA/60: 8.43 (21st)
5v5 PDO: 99
Previous Week: 24th (-1)

The Flyers had another tough stretch this season, dropping three straight games last week to the Lightning, Hurricanes, and Penguins, also giving them seven losses in their last eight games. Between this and the trade deadline, it seemed to be enough for a major organizational shift, with Chuck Fletcher out as GM, and former Flyer star Danny Briere in as the interim GM.

26. St. Louis Blues

Record: 29-32-5 (.477%, 24th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -26 (28th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.34 (25th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.89 (27th)
PP xGF/60: 6.08 (30th)
PK xGA/60: 8.46 (t-22nd)
5v5 PDO: 99.5
Previous Week: 26th (0)

After going ice-cold since trading away their big names, the Blues have bounced back and played .500 hockey recently, including wins over the Sharks and Blue Jackets. Of course, losing to two teams below them in the standings won’t help them catch up in the Connor Bedard race, but at least playing .500 hockey isn’t giving them false hopes of a last minute playoff run.

27. Montreal Canadiens

Record: 26-34-6 (.439%, 28th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -24 (t-25th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.3 (t-27th)
5v5 xGA/60: 3.01 (30th)
PP xGF/60: 6.55 (t-26th)
PK xGA/60: 9.66 (31st)
5v5 PDO: 99.8
Previous Week: 27th (0)

The Canadiens are fully gunning for a top pick in the draft as the final weeks of the season approach, with six losses in a row, including defeats to the Hurricanes, Rangers, and Devils last week during a homestand. The fact that they still aren’t close to catching most of this year’s tanking teams just goes to show how bad they all are, with only the Coyotes within their sights at this point.

28. Arizona Coyotes

Record: 24-32-11 (.440%, 27th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -21 (24th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.16 (31st)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.92 (28th)
PP xGF/60: 6.16 (29th)
PK xGA/60: 9.54 (30th)
5v5 PDO: 101
Previous Week: 31st (+3)

The Coyotes have managed to escape the bottom four for what seems to be the first time all season, as they are messing with their lottery odds and picking up points like nobody’s business, going 3-0-2 in their last five games. Their most recent win against the Wild came without one of their top scorers in Nick Schmaltz as well, so they’re just winning against all odds right now.

29. San Jose Sharks

Record: 19-36-12 (.373%, 31st)
5v5 Goal Differential: -35 (29th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.85 (9th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.61 (15th)
PP xGF/60: 7.81 (t-19th)
PK xGA/60: 7.45 (8th)
5v5 PDO: 98.1
Previous Week: 28th (-1)

The Sharks continue to be in a massive divebomb, having now lost eight of their last nine games, including a current three-game losing streak where they’ve been outscored 15-4. Somehow Erik Karlsson still has eight points in that stretch even without Timo Meier, although I’m sure he won’t have to wait too long for some added help at this rate with how much better their chances of getting Bedard are now.

30. Chicago Blackhawks

Record: 22-38-6 (.379%, 30th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -55 (31st)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.02 (32nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 3.02 (31st)
PP xGF/60: 6.03 (31st)
PK xGA/60: 7.77 (13th)
5v5 PDO: 99.1
Previous Week: 29th (-1)

The Blackhawks keep chugging along to the bottom of the standings, as outside of a blip on the radar in a 5-0 win over the Senators to start the week, they’ve lost seven of their last eight games. A big reason for that lone win was the play of Alex Stalock, who somehow had a .947 save percentage last week.

31. Anaheim Ducks

Record: 22-35-10 (.403%,29th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -68 (32nd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.22 (29th)
5v5 xGA/60: 3.53 (32nd)
PP xGF/60: 7.87 (18th)
PK xGA/60: 9.96 (32nd)
5v5 PDO: 98.8
Previous Week: 30th (-1)

The Ducks actually managed to not spoil their tank job last week, as outside of a 3-1 win over the Flames, they lost their other games and even lost to the one team close to them in the lottery race in the Canucks (although it was in overtime). John Gibson was the big reason for the win over the Flames, stopping 36 of 37 while setting a Ducks franchise record for most career saves.

32. Columbus Blue Jackets

Record: 20-38-7 (.362%, 32nd)
5v5 Goal Differential: -52 (30th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.3 (t-27th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.95 (29th)
PP xGF/60: 7.81 (t-19th)
PK xGA/60: 8.61 (26th)
5v5 PDO: 98.6
Previous Week: 32nd (0)

Like the rest of the pack here, the Blue Jackets just keep losing, and if anything, it’s news when they actually win. They’ve lost four games in a row now, including to the Penguins and the Blues last week, and being without Elvis Merzlikins while he deals with a family emergency certainly hasn’t helped their chances of winning any games lately.