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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 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against his former team the Boston Bruins at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars center Tyler Seguin (91) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against his former team the Boston Bruins at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous: 20th. Colorado Avalanche. 20. team. 103. <p>The Colorado Avalanche won the Central division last year but they entered the All-Star break in fifth place and 10th place in the Western Conference. With 50 points, Patrick Roy’s club has rallied after a sluggish start to get to three points out of a postseason spot and need Semyon Varlamov to stay healthy to secure a playoff berth.</p>. (20-18-10)

team. 97. <p>Roberto Luongo has been a stud in net for the Florida Panthers for much of the first half of the year, but the Florida Panthers are seven points of the playoffs with 50 points. Do the Panthers have enough ammunition on offense to support Luongo to make a push for the postseason? I’m skeptical considering the Panthers rank 25th in goals per game and their power play ranks 29th.</p>. (20-14-10). Previous: 19th. Florida Panthers. 19

Dallas Stars. 18. team. 119. <p>I had the Dallas Stars as one of the two wildcard teams in the preseason after trading for Jason Spezza in the offseason added to the continued development of Tyler Seguin which I thought would give them enough to get into the second season. It still may be enough considering Seguin is second in points with 52 and tied for the league-lead with 28 goals, but they need better play from Kari Lehtonen in net if they’re to live up to the preseason expectations. They are four points out of the playoffs entering the second half.</p>. (21-18-7). Previous: 18th

(20-15-12). Previous: 17th. Los Angeles Kings. 17. team. 67. <p>If the playoffs started today the defending Stanley Cup Champions would be out of the second season by one point. The Los Angeles Kings have been hurt by injuries in the first half with star forward Marian Gaborik and young guns Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson out for extended action. Jonathan Quick has not been his usual dominant self with a 2.47 GAA, but it would be foolish to give up on this team who is fully capable of flipping the switch and on a long winning streak to give them breathing room for a playoff spot.</p>

<p>With 53 points the Calgary Flames are clinging to the eighth and last spot in the Western Conference by a lone point. They have been one of the better stories in the first half with the defensive pairing of Mark Giordano and T.J. Brodie one of the best with a combined 69 points and skating to a plus-42. Young studs Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan have combined for 65 points and need to avoid fatigue setting in the second half to stave off the Kings, Avalanche and Stars for the last playoff spot.</p>. (25-19-3). Previous: 16th. Calgary Flames. 16. team. 112

Next: Shaky Playoff Teams

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