NHL Power Rankings Based on Stanley Cup Odds At Holiday Break: Lightning Back on Top
The NHL has paused its season due to COVID-19 outbreaks across the league. Teams will be taking the holidays off, but are set to return to action on December 27th.
This makes it the perfect time to make some power rankings. It's not the actual halfway point of the season, but it will serve as a good psychological halfway point as we prepare for the 2022 calendar year.
The numbers in brackets indicate movement since the last edition of the power rankings.
All odds listed are via WynnBET Sportsbook.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning +800 (+2)
The back-to-back Stanley Cup champions have taken over the top spot as they're first in the NHL as head into the holiday break. They have a real shot at winning three straight Cups, which hasn't happened since the Islanders won four straight from 1980-83.
2. Toronto Maple Leafs +1000 (-1)
The Maple Leafs and Lightning have both played 30 games, but the Lightning have the edge by two points. The Atlantic Division is by far the best in the NHL.
3. Carolina Hurricanes +1400 (+4)
The Hurricanes have re-established dominance in the Metropolitan Division, even though they missed their points leader, Sebastian Aho, for a handful of games.
4. Washington Capitals +1500 (-2)
The Capitals are tied with the Hurricanes atop their division, but Carolina has two games in hand. They're 5-3-2 in their last 10 games.
5. Florida Panthers +800 (-)
Every team will hit at least one slump during their season, and that's where the Panthers are at now. They're only 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, but they're still a serious contender.
6. Colorado Avalanche +550 (-)
The Avalanche sit in fourth place in the Central Division, but they're only four points back from the first place Wild and they have three games in hand. They have the highest point percentage in the Western Conference.
7. Nashville Predators +5000 (+4)
Put some respect on the Predators. Holders of the longest win streak in the NHL at seven games, their strong play in their own end makes them a dangerous night out for any opponent.
8. New York Rangers +2500 (-)
The Rangers are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games and continue to prove their doubters (myself included) wrong. Even if they don't end up being contenders this season, their young squad will only get better in the coming years.
9. Minnesota Wild +2000 (-5)
The Minnesota Wild are still tied for the most points in the Western Conference, but they've lost four straight games heading into the break which has caused their ranking to drop to No. 9.
10. Pittsburgh Penguins +2500 (-)
The Penguins are tied with the Predators for the longest win streak in the NHL at seven games. We'll see if they can keep up that success after the break.
11. Vegas Golden Knights +750 (+3)
The Golden Knights are 8-2 in their last 10 games, and have taken over the top spot in the Pacific Division. Their lack of play in their own end is still an issue that they need to address, but they'll continue to find success in the weak Pacific Division.
12. Anaheim Ducks +5000 (-3)
The Ducks are 6-1-3 in their last 10 games, but they've played four more games than the Flames who are right behind them in the standings.
13. Calgary Flames +2000 (+2)
The Flames have lost four straight games, but they have a +25 goal differential and have four games in hand over the division leading Knights and Flames.
14. St. Louis Blues +2500 (-2)
The Blues' Stanley Cup odds have worsened to +2500, but they're still well in contention in the Central Division. They're 6-2-2 in their last 10 games.
15. Boston Bruins +1500 (-2)
The Boston Bruins have lost two straight games, but it's still hard to get a feel for a team that's only played in 26 games so far this season.
16. Detroit Red Wings +30000 (-)
I don't know how they're doing it, but the Red Wings are in fourth place in the Atlantic Division with a 15-13-3 record despite having a -16 goal differential. Props to them.
17. Edmonton Oilers +2000 (-)
The Edmonton Oilers stumbled recently, but they won two straight games ahead of the holiday break. They won't contend for the Cup unless they get some help on defense.
18. Winnipeg Jets +4000 (+1)
Jets head coach Paul Maurice decided to resign and step away from the team, citing that the team needed a "new voice". We'll see how that affects them moving forward.
19. Dallas Stars +3000 (+4)
The Stars have begun to bounce back from their drought, winning two straight before the break including a big win against the division-leading Wild.
20. Los Angeles Kings +15000 (-)
The Los Angeles Kings' underlying stats are promising, but they're struggling to find the back of the nets. They're 5-3-2 in their last 10 games are still in the hunt in the Pacific Division.
21. Vancouver Canucks +10000 (-)
The Canucks have really begun to turn thins around. They're 8-2 in their last 10 games and have won six straight. Hopefully the holiday break won't kill their momentum.
22. San Jose Sharks +15000 (-)
The Sharks are 5-5 in their last 10 games and have a goal differential of -7. I wouldn't be surprised if this team continues to stumble down their division standings.
23. Columbus Blue Jackets +25000 (-5)
The Columbus Blue Jackets are stumbling down the Metropolitan Division. They're 2-7-1 in their last 10 games, and have lost two straight ahead of the holiday break.
24. Chicago Blackhawks +40000 (+1)
The Blackhawks aren't as bad as they looked at the start of the season, but they are still failing to live up to offseason expectations.
25. Seattle Kraken +20000 (-1)
I'll say it week after week. The Kraken are statistically a very solid team, but they have absolutely no goaltending. They rank dead last in the NHL in team save percentage.
26. Philadelphia Flyers +20000 (-)
The Philadelphia Flyers are a bad hockey team. I have nothing nice to say about this squad.
27. New Jersey Devils +15000 (-)
The Devils have lost six straight games, and are in danger of falling to last place in the Metropolitan Division.
28. Buffalo Sabres +200000 (-)
Remember when the Sabres had a winning record through their first 10 games of the season? That was fun.
29. New York Islanders +8000 (+2)
The start of the Islanders season couldn't have gone worse. We'll see if they'll be able to recover and climb out of the basement.
30. Ottawa Senators +100000 (-1)
The Senators season is already over, but their young core should continue to improve as they look to the future.
31. Montreal Canadiens +100000 (-1)
A year after being in the Stanley Cup finals, the Canadiens franchise has become a dumpster fire. I gotta say, as a Leafs fan, ya just hate to see it.
32. Arizona Coyotes +200000 (-)
As a little Christmas present to Coyotes fans, they won their last game before the break!