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NHL Power Rankings Week 13: Chicago Blackhawks Hold Steady, New York Rangers Rising Fast

By Patrick Schmidt

Dec 27, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers center Derek Stepan (21) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the New Jersey Devils during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad (20) celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad (20) celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period against the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

There wasn’t much action in the NHL with the Christmas break giving a three-day break in the schedule but there was still some moves in this week’s NHL power rankings, including last year’s Eastern Conference champions making a move inside the top 10.

The 2014 portion of the season draws to a close on Wednesday before the Winter Classic between the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals match up from Nationals Park on New Year’s Day and there’s been plenty of surprises in the first 12 weeks of the season.

Perhaps the biggest surprise this season is the play from the Winnipeg Jets who are tied with the St. Louis Blues for the fourth best record in the loaded Western Conference. If it’s not the Jets, then certainly the New York Islanders are the most pleasant surprise so far with 47 points on the year, two less than the Pittsburgh Penguins for first place in the Metropolitan Division lead.

It will come as no surprise that the teams sitting in first place in the four divisions are playing as well as they are as Chicago, Anaheim, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay were popular preseason picks to win their respective divisions. However, they have teams nipping at their heels ready to pass them by if they slip up.

There is still plenty of time left in the season and more than half of the games remaining, but here’s how the NHL power rankings line up entering Week 13.

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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