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NHL Power Rankings: Central division trio, Ducks vie for No. 1 ranking

By Patrick Schmidt

Jan 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) and center Jonathan Toews (19) celebrate after both players scored goal in the shootout against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Blackhawks won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 21, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (88) and center Jonathan Toews (19) celebrate after both players scored goal in the shootout against the Pittsburgh Penguins at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Blackhawks won 3-2 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott (1) deflects a puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Maple Leafs 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott (1) deflects a puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Scottrade Center. The Blues defeated the Maple Leafs 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Coming out of the All-Star break the second half is sure to be full of trade rumors and playoff chases but only one can top the NHL Power Rankings.

The NHL All-Star Game is one of my favorite games of the year with the plethora of offensive talent on display and the skills competition an opportunity to see players showcase their personalities in a fun and spirited exhibition.

But now that the All-Star weekend has come and gone it is time to get back to the games that count for what promises to be a compelling second half of the season as teams gear up for a postseason berth and home-ice in the playoffs.

The Tampa Bay Lightning come out of the All-Star break with the best record in the Eastern Conference and the Anaheim Ducks are the owners of the best record in the Western Conference and the NHL with 68 points. Will either team be able to make that claim at the end of the regular season?

In a shakeup from the norm for these NHL power rankings that list teams from worst to first, I grouped teams into six groups of five. I put five teams in each group as teams try to separate themselves from contenders to pretenders over the course of the second half and either get into the playoffs or improve their playoff positioning.

For those without playoff aspirations, we begin the NHL power rankings with the teams losing so much they’ll hope to win the NHL draft lottery and the opportunity to select uber-prospects Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel.

Without further ado, here are the post-All-Star game power rankings.

Next: Best of the Worst

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