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NHL Power Rankings Week 11: Ducks, Blackhawks Battle For No. 1 Spot

By Patrick Schmidt

Dec 9, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; The Chicago Blackhawks celebrate a goal by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) during the third period at Prudential Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Devils 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2014; Newark, NJ, USA; The Chicago Blackhawks celebrate a goal by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) during the third period at Prudential Center. The Blackhawks defeated the Devils 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 13, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenceman Hampus Lindholm (47) and defenceman Colby Robak (48) celebrate with goalie Frederik Andersen (31) after the game against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Anaheim wins 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2014; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Anaheim Ducks defenceman Hampus Lindholm (47) and defenceman Colby Robak (48) celebrate with goalie Frederik Andersen (31) after the game against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Anaheim wins 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports /

Division races are heating up across the four divisions in the NHL and three teams take a winning streak of at least five games into the new week as this week’s NHL power rankings have a little margin for error inside the top 10, but the biggest news in the league is the latest mumps diagnosis to hit the game’s best player. 

The Anaheim Ducks take a seven-game winning streak into the new week as they continue to hold the league’s best record with a 21-6-5 record through 31 games to give them 47 points as they are on their way toward having the best record in the Western Conference for a second straight season, but is this winning streak enough to overtake the Chicago Blackhawks for the top spot in this week’s power rankings?

Chicago has won 14 of their last 17 games and went 3-1 last week to remain in first place in the Central Division and four points behind the Ducks but their plus-34 goal differential is the best in the NHL by nine as they lead a top-heavy division with the Nashville Predators and the St. Louis nipping at their heels.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference has seen the Toronto Maple Leafs win five straight and eight of their last 10 to get within two points of the Atlantic Division leading Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings and one point behind the Montreal Canadiens. However, the biggest story in the East and in the NHL is reigning Hart Trophy winner Sidney Crosby diagnosed with the mumps and will be out of the lineup for the Metropolitan leading Pittsburgh Penguins until he’s healthy.

Al of this and more has led to some tinkering up and down this week’s NHL power rankings entering the week of Dec. 15.

After reading through the list, please leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

The NHL Power Rankings are a weekly staple for the FanSided NHL section and will be published every Monday morning so be sure to bookmark the page so you can stay on top of all the daily coverage as well as weekly features like power rankings and Wednesday’s player rankings.

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