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NHL Power Rankings Week 9: Red Wings, Blackhawks Rising; Canadiens Take Huge Dive

By Patrick Schmidt

November 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) blocks a shot against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
November 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) blocks a shot against the Los Angeles Kings during the third period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 26, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville calls out from his bench in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville calls out from his bench in the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Heading into the month of December the Central Division has a trio of teams who can make an argument for being in the top spot of this week’s NHL power rankings, including the Chicago Blackhawks who are the biggest riser of the week

Through the quarter pole of the NHL season a few teams have occupied the top spot in these power rankings with only two instance of the top team holding onto the No. 1 spot for more than one week in a row, so holding true to form the Montreal Canadiens were unable to hold onto the No. 1 spot after losing their third straight game.

Montreal’s slide has opened the door for teams like the Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators and the Chicago Blackhawks who blitzed through their west coast road trip and have won eight of their last 10 games.

Moving from the upper-echelon we have seen a relatively clear divide of an upper class, middle class and a lower class dividing the league into three groups of 10. There is still plenty of time for a team to change their identity in the coming months but heading into the month of December, here is how this week’s NHL power rankings shake out.

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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