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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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Dec 31, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg (40) receives congratulations from center Pavel Datsyuk (13) and defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) after scoring in the third period against the New Jersey Devils at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg (40) receives congratulations from center Pavel Datsyuk (13) and defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) after scoring in the third period against the New Jersey Devils at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

(29-13-3). Previous: 8th. Montreal Canadiens. 10. team. 152. <p>The Montreal Canadiens are in fourth place in the East with 61 points and came into the All-Star break with a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 games. They’ll hope to hold on for a top-four seed to gain home-ice advantage for the playoffs where they have a 15-5-2 record vs. a 14-8-1 record away from the Bell Centre. Carey Price is having a Vezina-type season and could put this team on his shoulders and lead them to the Cup, but he needs more from the 21st ranked offense and power play to feel comfortable about a Cup run.</p>

92. <p>Sidney Crosby and the Penguins sat in the top spot in these power rankings very early in the season but have been on a slow and steady decline in recent weeks. Pittsburgh went 4-3-3 in their last 10 before the break, including a four-game losing streak. Similar to the Bruins, I can envision a scenario where the Penguins play for the Cup or are ousted in the first round.</p>. (26-12-8). Previous: 9th. Pittsburgh Penguins. 9. team

Detroit Red Wings. 8. team. 72. <p>If not for a 2-7 record in shootouts and a league-high nine overtime losses, the Detroit Red Wings would be the top team in the East and owners of one of the best records in the entire NHL. Despite their lack of success in the extra frame, the Wings are tied for second in the East with 63 points and came into the break on fire with five straight wins and winners in eight of their last 10. Mike Babcock proving again why he’s one of, if not the best coach in the game.</p>. (27-11-9). Previous: 10th

Previous: 7th. New York Rangers. 7. team. 95. <p>The New York Rangers are one of only two teams (Florida) to play 44 games this year and that’s one reason I have them ahead of three teams who sit ahead of them in the standings. With 58 points in 44 games, the Rangers have three games in hand on Detroit, two on Pittsburgh and one on Montreal to make up ground in the conference. They sit in sixth place but are one of the hottest team in the league with a 16-3 record since Dec. 8. They rank sixth in goals per game and third in goals against, that’s a nice recipe for last year’s Eastern Conference champs to repeat.</p>. (27-13-4)

(31-14-1). Previous: 6th. New York Islanders. 6. team. 106. <p>The New York Islanders are one of the best surprises of the first half with Jack Capuano the front-runner to win the Jack Adams as the coach of the year. With 63 points the Islanders are tied for second in the conference and with 31 wins are tied with the Anaheim Ducks for the league-lead. John Tavares is one of the game’s elite talents and Jaroslav Halak turned in a superb first half to make the All-Star team.</p>

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