NHL Power Rankings: Vegas Golden Knights back in the top five with Jack Eichel’s return

Credit: © Stephen R. Sylvanie

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The lull in the middle months of the regular season is starting to kick in, and it shows with this week’s edition of the power rankings. Just two teams moved more than two spots, and that was thanks to losing streaks of at least five games, while the rest of the league settles into their current spots – well, aside from the bottom six teams fighting for the first overall pick.

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 the aggregate.

1. Boston Bruins

Record: 32-4-4 (.850%, 1st)
5v5 Goal Differential: +40 (1st)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.81 (7th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.23 (3rd)
PP xGF/60: 9.25 (5th)
PK xGA/60: 6.29 (1st)
5v5 PDO: 103
Previous Week: 1st (0)

What else is there to say about this team at this point? They just don’t stop winning, to the point where they now have an 11-point lead in the standings. They’re currently riding a four-game winning streak after beating the Penguins, Kings, Sharks, and Ducks, and they now have points in their last 14 games with an 11-0-3 record in that span.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

Record: 25-8-7 (.713%, 2nd)
5v5 Goal Differential: +21 (5th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.18 (1st)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.04 (1st)
PP xGF/60: 8.86 (11th)
PK xGA/60: 6.76 (3rd)
5v5 PDO: 99.6
Previous Week: 2nd (0)

Well, that streak came to an abrupt end. After rocking an 11-game winning streak and a 17-game point streak going into the last iteration of power rankings, the Hurricanes dropped all three games last week, getting just one point in a shootout loss to the Blue Jackets. They keep a hold of the second-place spot still, but that first place spot is getting more and more out of reach thanks to the red-hot Bruins.

3. Toronto Maple Leafs

Record: 25-9-7 (.695%, 3rd)
5v5 Goal Differential: +26 (4th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.8 (8th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.31 (5th)
PP xGF/60: 9.22 (6th)
PK xGA/60: 6.63 (2nd)
5v5 PDO: 101.8
Previous Week: 3rd (0)

It wasn’t the best week for the Leafs, but even then, I’m sure they’re happy coming out of it with a 2-1-1 record. They suffered their first shootout loss of the season to the Blues, and followed it up with a poor goaltending performance from Matt Murray against the Kraken, but then got back-to-back wins in back-to-back days over the weekend against the Red Wings and Flyers.

4. New Jersey Devils

Record: 25-12-3 (.662%, t-5th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +27 (3rd)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.15 (2nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.3 (4th)
PP xGF/60: 8.88 (10th)
PK xGA/60: 7.22 (6th)
5v5 PDO: 100.3
Previous Week: 4th (0)

The Devils seem to have slowed down their skid a little bit and righted the ship with wins in two of their last three games, besting both the Red Wings and the Rangers to do so. They’re still a long ways from the team that they were to start the season, but that can be chalked up to a stretch of bad luck at this point.

5. Vegas Golden Knights

Record: 27-13-2 (.667%, 4th)
5v5 Goal Differential: 0 (19th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.74 (13th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.32 (6th)
PP xGF/60: 8.95 (8th)
PK xGA/60: 7 (4th)
5v5 PDO: 99.7
Previous Week: 6th (+1)

Another team that’s started to slow down their skid, the Golden Knights also won two of their last three games, beating the Avalanche and the Penguins before getting blown out by the Kings to end the week. Jack Eichel is back and healthy though, so hopefully that’s a good sign that they’ll be closer to the team they were at the start of the season.

The Stars are the first team to drop a place this week, as some teams had to do so in order for the Golden Knights to move back into the top five, and with the Stars losing two of their last three, they were the victims. They managed to salvage the week with a blowout over the Panthers, but I’m sure they’ll want to be better this week.

7. New York Rangers

Record: 22-12-7 (.622%, 10th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +11 (t-10th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.55 (t-20th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.45 (10th)
PP xGF/60: 10.39 (2nd)
PK xGA/60: 7.67 (14th)
5v5 PDO: 100.5
Previous Week: 8th (+1)

The Rangers started off the week well after beating a divisional rival in the Hurricanes and a tanking team in the Habs, but finished the week off on a sour note after blowing a 3-1 lead in the third period to the Devils. They still move up a spot thanks to a five game point streak, but admittedly they moved up more due to another team’s struggles.

8. Winnipeg Jets

Record: 26-13-1 (.662%, t-5th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +12 (9th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.59 (17th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.66 (19th)
PP xGF/60: 8.92 (9th)
PK xGA/60: 7.46 (8th)
5v5 PDO: 101.9
Previous Week: 9th (+1)

The Jets keep in the top five in the standings and the top 10 of the power rankings thanks to a nice five-game winning streak. The first two were big wins against equally talented teams in the Flames and the Lightning (although they lost the expected goal battle in both), and then took care of business against the Canucks with a 7-4 win.

9. Minnesota Wild

Record: 22-14-3 (.603%, 13th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +4 (16th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.38 (24th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.22 (2nd)
PP xGF/60: 9.12 (7th)
PK xGA/60: 7.29 (7th)
5v5 PDO: 100.4
Previous Week: 7th (-2)

The Wild demonstrated just how tight the race between the seventh, eighth, and ninth spots on this list is, as just merely losing two of three games and getting three points drops them down two spots. They started off well beating the Lightning 5-1, but then back-to-back losses over the weekend to the Sabres and Blues isn’t the best look for a playoff team.

10. Tampa Bay Lightning

Record: 24-13-1 (.645%, 8th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +11 (t-10th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.97 (4th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.51 (t-13th)
PP xGF/60: 7.78 (21st)
PK xGA/60: 8.14 (17th)
5v5 PDO: 100.9
Previous Week: 11th (+1)

The Tampa Bay Lightning move up not because of something they did, but instead at the benefit of another team’s struggles by way of the five-point rule. Otherwise, their week wasn’t all that special, as they beat the Blackhawks before losing to more competitive teams in the Wild and Jets.

11. Los Angeles Kings

Record: 23-14-6 (.605%, 11th)
5v5 Goal Differential: .605 (15th)
5v5 xGF/60: +5 (18th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.58 (7th)
PP xGF/60: 2.33 (23rd)
PK xGA/60: 7.56 (11th)
5v5 PDO: 7.59
Previous Week: 13th (+2)

The Kings actually should have dropped a spot from last week, but thanks to the Flames, Penguins, and Panthers all struggling lately, they move up two spots. Some of that does come from their own accomplishments, though, beating the Stars and Golden Knights and losing to the Bruins in what was a tough week matchup-wise.

12. Washington Capitals

Record: 23-14-5 (.605%, 11th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +14 (7th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.61 (15th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.46 (11th)
PP xGF/60: 7.58 (22nd)
PK xGA/60: 8.21 (19th)
5v5 PDO: 100.9
Previous Week: 14th (+2)

It’s crazy to think how far out of the playoffs the Capitals were at one point, as it seemed almost impossible for them to recover their season, but they went red-hot and now they’re even eyeing the division. They split their games this week, but there was still plenty of good news with the season debuts of both Nicklas Backstrom and Tom Wilson.

13. Calgary Flames

Record: 19-14-8 (.561%, t-17th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +6 (14th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.82 (6th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.36 (8th)
PP xGF/60: 7.94 (19th)
PK xGA/60: 7.15 (5)
5v5 PDO: 98.5
Previous Week: 12th (-1)

The Flames find themselves in familiar territory, as the five-point rule is once again causing problems for them in these rankings. They’d be in the top 10 if not for it, but they aren’t doing themselves any favors by going 1-1-1 last week, especially with one of those losses coming to the Blackhawks.

14. Pittsburgh Penguins

Record: 20-13-6 (.590%, 14th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +2 (17th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.87 (5th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.51 (t-13th)
PP xGF/60: 8.45 (13th)
PK xGA/60: 7.64 (13th)
5v5 PDO: 100.4
Previous Week: 10th (-4)

The Penguins tied for the biggest drop on the week, tumbling down four spots thanks to a six-game losing streak, including losses to the Bruins and the Golden Knights last week. They managed to put an end to it with an easy win over the Coyotes, but they could be a lot higher if they start putting up points again.

15. Seattle Kraken

Record: 22-12-4 (.632%, 9th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +31 (2nd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.56 (19th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.47 (12th)
PP xGF/60: 5.68 (31st)
PK xGA/60: 7.72 (15th)
5v5 PDO: 102.3
Previous Week: 15th (0)

The Kraken had themselves one heck of a road trip through Canada last week, beating the Oilers, Leafs, and Senators while outscoring them by a combined total of 18-7. That puts them on a four-game winning streak overall, although they still find themselves stationary in the rankings due to their offense struggling at both even strength and on the power play.

16. New York Islanders

Record: 22-17-2 (.561%, t-17th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +20 (6th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.55 (t-20th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.75 (23rd)
PP xGF/60: 8.42 (14th)
PK xGA/60: 8.34 (22nd)
5v5 PDO: 102.1
Previous Week: 17th (+1)

The Islanders are another team that moves up a spot not because of their own play, but because another team took a big drop. As far as their own play, they’ve lost three of their last four games while in the Northwest, including losses to the Oilers and Flames last week.

17. Florida Panthers

Record: 18-19-4 (.488%, 24th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +11 (t-10th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.05 (3rd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.58 (17th)
PP xGF/60: 8.84 (12th)
PK xGA/60: 7.5 (9th)
5v5 PDO: 100
Previous Week: 19th (+2)

The Panthers moved back up a couple of spots this week, and actually could have moved up a few more if not for the five-point rule keeping them behind several teams because their record is nowhere near their level of play. The movement that did happen just shows what a couple wins can do, as they took two of three last week against the Coyotes and Red Wings before getting blown out by the Stars to end the week.

18. Edmonton Oilers

Record: 21-17-3 (.549%, 20th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -7 (t-21st)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.66 (14th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.69 (22nd)
PP xGF/60: 10.18 (3rd)
PK xGA/60: 9.08 (27th)
5v5 PDO: 99.6
Previous Week: 18th (0)

The Oilers have really made themselves at home just inside the top 20 on this list, and losing three of their last four has guaranteed them little progress in moving up. However, in a weird twist of events, that one win came with Jack Campbell in the crease, while Stuart Skinner has been in the net for those losses.

19. Ottawa Senators

Record: 18-18-3 (.500%, 23rd)
5v5 Goal Differential: -20 (28th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.78 (9th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.65 (18th)
PP xGF/60: 9.26 (4th)
PK xGA/60: 8.24 (21st)
5v5 PDO: 97.7
Previous Week: 20th (+1)

The Senators had a slow week with just two games, and it came with highs and lows, beating the Blue Jackets 4-0 before then getting blown out 8-4 to the Kraken. The Sens still move up a spot because the team below them was that much worse, and they actually could have been a spot higher if not for that lack of games this week keeping them more than five points behind the Oilers.

20. Colorado Avalanche

Record: 20-15-3 (.566%, 16th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -6 (20th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.53 (22nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.38 (9th)
PP xGF/60: 8.02 (18th)
PK xGA/60: 8.37 (23rd)
5v5 PDO: 99.2
Previous Week: 16th (-4)

Get your screenshots now, because I’m sure this will age like milk by the time the Avs are fully healthy in the playoffs and making another run for the Cup. This is by no means a reflection of the team as a whole, but just goes to show how much the injuries are hurting them, and losing five straight games hasn’t helped their case either.

21. Buffalo Sabres

Record: 20-15-2 (.568%, 15th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +9 (13th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.6 (16th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.68 (t-20th)
PP xGF/60: 6.79 (25th)
PK xGA/60: 9.25 (28th)
5v5 PDO: 101.2
Previous Week: 21st (0)

Like the Senators, the Sabres also had a quiet week with only two games on the schedule, but they made up for it by piling up the goals – both for and against. They saw a total of 20 goals over both games, beating the Capitals in overtime 5-4 and then doing the same to the Wild on Saturday with a 6-5 overtime win.

22. Nashville Predators

Record: 18-14-6 (.553%, 19th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +1 (18th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.76 (12th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.82 (27th)
PP xGF/60: 6.74 (26th)
PK xGA/60: 9.46 (29th)
5v5 PDO: 100.8
Previous Week: 23rd (+1)

The Predators seem to have put themselves back on the map for a playoff spot with three straight wins, but they only move up one spot, and that was due to a switch with the Red Wings. That’s because the underlying numbers aren’t matching a team above .500, although allowing 67 shots against in regulation against the Hurricanes will certainly hurt those stats.

23. Detroit Red Wings

Record: 16-15-7 (.513%, 22nd)
5v5 Goal Differential: -7 (t-21st)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.22 (28th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.68 (t-20th)
PP xGF/60: 7.9 (20th)
PK xGA/60: 8.4 (24th)
5v5 PDO: 100.2
Previous Week: 22nd (-1)

While it’s three straight that move the Predators up a spot, it’s three straight losses that causes the Wings to swap places. The losses to the Devils and Maple Leafs are ones you can forgive considering the massive skill gap there, but losing to the Panthers is an important one considering both teams are on their last legs in the postseason race.

24. St. Louis Blues

Record: 20-18-3 (.524%, 21st)
5v5 Goal Differential: -11 (24th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.46 (23rd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.79 (26th)
PP xGF/60: 6.23 (t-28th)
PK xGA/60: 8.68 (25th)
5v5 PDO: 99.9
Previous Week: 25th (+1)

The Blues move up a spot thanks to three wins in their last four, outscoring both the Leafs and the Devils before then shutting out the Wild to end the week. However, the fact that their underlying numbers continue to underwhelm means that even a few wins don’t make too much noise for this team.

25. San Jose Sharks

Record: 12-21-8 (.390%, 29th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -16 (26th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.77 (t-10th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.52 (15th)
PP xGF/60: 8.25 (16th)
PK xGA/60: 7.5 (10th)
5v5 PDO: 98.6
Previous Week: 26th (+1)

The Sharks continue to be the kryptonite of the aggregate system set in place, as despite the fact that they lost both of their games last week and only got one point, they move up a spot. They’re probably the best example of why the five-point rule is in place, as this team would otherwise be in 19th due to their surprisingly competent underlying numbers.

26. Vancouver Canucks

Record: 17-19-3 (.474%, 25th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -12 (25th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.35 (25th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.91 (29th)
PP xGF/60: 8.27 (15th)
PK xGA/60: 8.05 (16th)
5v5 PDO: 99.8
Previous Week: 24th (-2)

I feel like a 1-2-0 week where the Canucks managed to stay out of the headlines is probably about as ideal of a week as they can have at this point, aside from just straight out losing and committing to a tank. The win over the Avs was a surprise, but the Islanders and Jets kept them humble with their respective 6-2 and 7-4 wins over Vancouver.

27. Philadelphia Flyers

Record: 15-18-7 (.463%, 26th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -9 (23rd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.25 (t-26th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.76 (24th)
PP xGF/60: 5.08 (32nd)
PK xGA/60: 8.71 (26th)
5v5 PDO: 99.4
Previous Week: 27th (0)

Much to the disappointment of Flyers fans hoping for a tank, and likely to the happiness of Tortorella, the Flyers managed to put together a four-game winning streak, with a surprising one over the Kings mixed in with a few easy ones over the Sharks, Ducks, and Coyotes. The Maple Leafs put an end to that streak on Sunday with a 6-2 blowout, and we also got another display of Torts’ wrath with the benching of Tony DeAngelo.

28. Montreal Canadiens

Record: 16-21-3 (.438%, 27th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -19 (27th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.25 (t-26th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.94 (31st)
PP xGF/60: 6.23 (t-28th)
PK xGA/60: 9.58 (30th)
5v5 PDO: 98.8
Previous Week: 28th (0)

To really put into perspective how bad the bottom four on this list are, the Canadiens just went through a seven-game losing streak, and they still haven’t moved down any more. The five point rule has been a bit of a help for them there, as their early hot start has still given them some breathing room from the group, although in this situation, they may not want it.

29. Columbus Blue Jackets

Record: 12-25-2 (.333%, 31st)
5v5 Goal Differential: -38 (30th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.19 (29th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.85 (28th)
PP xGF/60: 7.46 (24th)
PK xGA/60: 8.23 (20th)
5v5 PDO: 97.8
Previous Week: 30th (+1)

That same five-point rule that kept the Habs in 28th is the same reason why the Blue Jackets aren’t up another spot this week, as only one win in their last four keeps them in the bottom four. That said, the main reason they are favored more in the aggregate is mostly due to their special teams not being nearly as bad as the other teams’ down here, so it’s not exactly something sustainable to build off either.

30. Anaheim Ducks

Record: 12-25-4 (.341%, 30th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -53 (32nd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.15 (30th)
5v5 xGA/60: 3.45 (32nd)
PP xGF/60: 8.14 (17th)
PK xGA/60: 10.08 (32nd)
5v5 PDO: 97.5
Previous Week: 32nd (+2)

And once again, to show how close together this bottom group is, by just winning two games, the Ducks have managed to move up a couple spots and out of last place. The one over the Sharks is less surprising, although it hurts their tank job, but the win over the Stars is definitely not one most hockey fans saw coming, although that was due to a John Gibson special with his first shutout of the season.

31. Arizona Coyotes

Record: 13-21-5 (.397%, 28th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -21 (29th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.02 (31st)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.78 (25th)
PP xGF/60: 5.8 (30th)
PK xGA/60: 9.81 (31st)
5v5 PDO: 100
Previous Week: 29th (-2)

Just as quickly as it seemed like the Coyotes were going to pull away from this group in the standings, they find themselves right back into the middle of it after losing their last five games. Last week saw four of those, with the loss to the Blackhawks being a sneakily important one in the Connor Bedard sweepstakes.

32. Chicago Blackhawks

Record: 10-25-4 (.308%, 32nd)
5v5 Goal Differential: -45 (31st)
5v5 xGF/60: 1.91 (32nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.92 (30th)
PP xGF/60: 6.46 (27th)
PK xGA/60: 8.18 (18th)
5v5 PDO: 97.4
Previous Week: 31st (-1)

It’s kind of crazy to think of how bad this Blackhawks team is right now, and that they could still be so much worse. Not only did they have that decent start that accounts for about half of their wins this season, but they will also be looking much worse if and when they ship off Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, and some of the other pieces that have been the few bright spots on this team.