NHL Power Rankings: Kings on Western Conference throne

1. team. 67. The Kings seem to have a switch that makes them play great when they need to. It’s on now, and every NHL team should be scared.. (41-22-5). Previous: . Los Angeles Kings

19. The Capitals have hit a slump, but luckily they have a lead large enough to work themselves out of it. They might be victims of their own huge lead with players focusing more on the playoffs than the games ahead of them in the regular season.. (49-14-5). Previous: . Washington Capitals. 2. team

team. 105. Anaheim suffered a tough three-game losing streak but rebounded nicely against the Devils. They are one of the most complete teams in the NHL, with no huge weaknesses.. (38-21-9). Previous: . Anaheim Ducks. 3

This team simply does not quit. Despite injuries, they’re playing extremely well. They could be ultra deadly in the playoffs if everyone’s healthy. . (41-20-9). Previous: . St. Louis Blues. 4. team. 99

Previous: . Dallas Stars. 5. team. 119. The Stars defense was bad even before the injury to Jason Demers. Now it’s concerning. Their offense better be at the top of its game and their goaltending has to be better if they want to win the Stanley Cup.. (41-20-9)

Chicago Blackhawks. 6. team. 94. The Blackhawks are struggling, especially on defense. Then again, the Blackhawks were third in the division last season and that worked out for the reigning Stanley Cup Champs. They’re still one of the deadliest NHL teams out there.  . (41-23-6). Previous:

Previous: . Boston Bruins. 7. team. 70. Tuukka Rask is heating up and starting to look like the Rask that won the Vezina Trophy several years ago. Combine that with three solid forward lines and the Bruins could be a Stanley Cup dark horse.. (39-23-8)

Tampa Bay Lightning. 8. team. 23. The Lightning are playing great hockey at the right time of the season. Ben Bishop has inserted himself in the Vezina Trophy conversation.. (40-24-5). Previous:

team. 95. The Rangers are all-in this season, but they do still have some concerns. Eric Staal should be a great addition with his NHL playoff resume.. (39-23-7). Previous: . New York Rangers. 9

10. team. 106. That goaltending problem has solved itself with Halak injured and Greiss the starter moving forward. But do the Islanders have enough depth to make a deep playoff run?. (38-21-8). Previous: . New York Islanders

(38-24-6). Previous: . San Jose Sharks. 11. team. 120. The Sharks are heating up at just the right time. They could be a tough out in the playoffs as they match up well against the Ducks and Kings.

97. Don’t let the record fool you. The Panthers have not been playing well lately, and they should be concerned. . (38-22-9). Previous: . Florida Panthers. 12. team

Nashville Predators. 13. team. 151. The Predators have solid depth all around. However, they need Pekka Rinne to continue to be great if they want to win a Stanley Cup.. (35-22-13). Previous:

team. 92. Losing Malkin (again) hurts the Penguins a lot. Luckily, they still have three of the best in the NHL at their respective positions in Sidney Crosby, Kris Letang,= and Marc-Andre Fleury.. (34-23-8). Previous: . Pittsburgh Penguins. 14

team. 72. The Red Wings are hitting a cold spell at the worst possible time. Can they dig deep and make the playoffs yet again?. (34-24-11). Previous: . Detroit Red Wings. 15

Minnesota Wild. 16. team. 98. The Wild and the Avalanche are going to battle it out for the last wild card spot in the West. Minnesota has the better team, so they’ll likely get it.. (32-27-10). Previous:

68. If the Red Wings or the Penguins falter, the Flyers will take advantage and make the playoffs. . (32-23-12). Previous: . Philadelphia Flyers. 17. team

109. There is a lot to like about the Hurricanes. They are much further along than most people thought at the beginning of the season.. (31-26-12). Previous: . Carolina Hurricanes. 18. team

103. Getting out-shot and relying on high shooting percentages and high save percentages is not a sustainable way to win in the NHL. At what point does Patrick Roy have to be held accountable for little true improvement during his tenure?. (35-31-4). Previous: . Colorado Avalanche. 19. team

85. In the past 365 days, the Devils have gotten two skilled forwards (Kyle Palmieri and Devante Smith-Pelly) for pennies on the dollar. Heck of a job by their front office.. (33-30-7). Previous: . New Jersey Devils. 20. team

The Senators, much like the Canucks, must come to terms with who they are. This is a franchise that seems to be lacking direction.. (32-30-8). Previous: . Ottawa Senators. 21. team. 91

Want a reason to fire Michel Therrien? Here’s one: Alex Galchenyuk should have been on a forward line with Max Pacioretty from day one.. (32-31-6). Previous: . Montreal Canadiens. 22. team. 152

Previous: . Arizona Coyotes. 23. team. 121. As bad as the Coyotes have been this season, it’s hard not to be optimistic about their future. They have some of the best young forwards in the NHL and arguably the most underrated defenseman in the league in Oliver Ekman-Larsson. (30-32-7)

Previous: . Vancouver Canucks. 24. team. 104. Anyone know what Jim Benning’s plan is? Because his decisions suggest that he has no clue if Vancouver is a contender or not.. (27-29-12)

12.  Everyone talks about how amazing Jack Eichel has been, but Sam Reinhart has been really good for the Sabres as well. . (28-33-9). Previous: . Buffalo Sabres. 25. team

26. team. 113. The Blue Jackets really need to address their blue line. It’s a shame that the efforts of Boone Jenner, Cam Atkinson, Brandon Saad and Brandon Dubinsky aren’t being rewarded because of one of the worst blue lines in the NHL.. (28-33-8). Previous: . Columbus Blue Jackets

(29-35-5). Previous: . Calgary Flames. 27. team. 112. Speaking of a team that has tough decisions to make as far as goalies, good luck guessing who will start for the Flames in 2016. They’ll likely have to go to free agency to find one, and this NHL free agent class is not a good one for goalies once you get past James Reimer.

107. Marko Dano has been wonderful for the Jets since being traded from Chicago. The Jets have some tough decisions to make this offseason as far as their goaltenders.. (29-35-5). Previous: . Winnipeg Jets. 28. team

29. team. 148. No matter how hard Edmonton might try to be bad, they’re still not as bad as the Leafs. That’s fine, because the Oilers will probably get the first overall pick in the NHL draft again.. (27-38-7). Previous: . Edmonton Oilers

Nikita Soshnikov, Morgan Rielly, Jake Gardiner, and Nazem Kadri have been bright spots on what has otherwise been an awful team.  . (23-34-11). Previous: . Toronto Maple Leafs. 30. team. 116