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NHL Power Rankings: Ducks soar, Maple Leafs in free fall

By Derek Grochowski

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 30: The shot of Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) deflects off the mask of Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the NHL preseason game between the Nashville Predators and the Tampa Bay Lightning, held on September 30, 2017, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 30: The shot of Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) deflects off the mask of Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the NHL preseason game between the Nashville Predators and the Tampa Bay Lightning, held on September 30, 2017, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Here’s the latest ranking of all 31 NHL teams heading into the new week. Playoff spots are on the line as the season gets closer to its end.

DENVER, CO – MARCH 10: Clayton Keller
DENVER, CO – MARCH 10: Clayton Keller /

31. Arizona Coyotes

The Arizona Coyotes have had a miserable season. They are at the bottom of the league again and there is a lack of vision for the future. Their lone bright spot this season is Clayton Keller. Keller was a favorite for the Calder trophy in the first half of the season but has cooled off greatly in the second half.

This past week, the Coyotes played three games and won only one of them, beating the Vancouver Canucks twice and losing to the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche. They currently sit one point behind the Buffalo Sabres for last place in the league, which will put them in a great position to get a high draft pick and hopefully Rasmus Dahlin.

Their upcoming schedule is not so friendly. They face the Los Angeles Kings Tuesday night, followed by the Nashville Predators on Thursday and the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. All three of these teams are playoff-bound, and it will be tough for Arizona to pick up a win. Throughout the rest of the season, the Coyotes will be playing the role of “spoiler,” looking to upset teams on the edge of making the playoffs. General manager John Chayka will need a strong plan for the offseason, because if the Coyotes have another season like this it will be his last.

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