NHL Power Rankings Based on Stanley Cup Odds on Feb. 16 (Here Come the Flames)
We're back for another edition of the official IMAC NHL Power Rankings.
The top teams in the league are quickly establishing themselves as contenders, while the basement dwellers can't seem to get out of their own way. Will the Eastern Conference dominate the top of the rankings again? Can anyone other than the Avalanche come out of the West? Let's dive into it.
The numbers in the brackets indicate movement since the last edition of the power rankings.
All odds listed are via WynnBET Sportsbook.
1. Colorado Avalanche +380 (+1)
The Avalanche went from December 16th to February 15th without losing a game in regulation, before that streak was finally snapped against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday night. Regardless, they're certainly worthy of being the new No. 1 team despite playing in the weaker of the two conferences.
2. Florida Panthers +800 (-1)
3. Carolina Hurricanes +1200 (-)
I almost put the Hurricanes in the number two spot, but I'll leave as is for now. The Canes and Panthers face-off tonight in a pivotal game that might just show who the top team in the Eastern Conference really is.
4. Tampa Bay Lightning +750 (-)
A Stanley Cup three-peat is certainly not out of the question. Tampa Bay has the team to pull it off.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs +1000 (-)
The Maple Leafs should look to add one more key piece at the trade deadline if they want to make it out of the Eastern Conference playoffs.
6. Calgary Flames +1500 (+9)
I'm officially all in on the Calgary Flames. They are now in the top spot in the Pacific Division, and I think they're the clear number two team in the West next to the Avalanche. They're winners of seven straight.
7. Pittsburgh Penguins +1200 (+1)
The Penguins experience makes them a contender in the playoffs, but we'll see if they have the depth to hang with the top dogs.
8. Minnesota Wild +1500 (-2)
The Wild's advanced analytics are average at best, but they continue to find ways to put the puck in the net and stop their opponents from doing the same, which is all that matters at the end of the day.
9. New York Rangers +3000 (+1)
This team will go as far as Igor Shesterkin will take them. There's almost no chance he doesn't win the Vezina Trophy.
10. St. Louis Blues +2500 (-1)
11. Washington Capitals +2500 (+1)
12. Vegas Golden Knights +750 (+1)
Week after week I talk about how I'm not buying in on the Golden Knights. With that being said, Jack Eichel will make his Vegas debut tonight, and we'll see how much that will improve them.
13. Boston Bruins +3000 (-2)
14. Edmonton Oilers +5000 (+2)
Edmonton was too good of a team to be in the basement of the Pacific Division. They're 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, and are back in the playoff picture in the West.
15. Nashville Predators +2500 (-8)
16. Los Angeles Kings +4000 (-2)
It looks like the Pacific Division teams will be battling for the final playoff spot after the Golden Knights, Flames, and Oilers claim the first three. I think it's Los Angeles who will come out on top.
17. Dallas Stars +7500 (-)
18. Detroit Red Wings +100000 (+2)
19. Anaheim Ducks +7500 (-1)
20. Winnipeg Jets +10000 (-1)
While not yet completely out of the playoff picture, the Jets need to win in a hurry to climb back into the conversation.
21. Vancouver Canucks +10000 (+5)
A dark horse to make the playoffs out of the Pacific Division. It's not outside the realm of possibility to see three Canadian teams make the postseason from the Pacific.
22. New York Islanders +20000 (-1)
The Islanders have run out of excuses. This is simply not their year.
23. Columbus Blue Jackets +50000 (-)
24. Buffalo Sabres +100000 (-)
25. San Jose Sharks +20000 (-3)
The Sharks of fallen off a cliff, and have been leapfrogged by the Canucks. Their playoff hopes are all but dead.
26. Chicago Blackhawks +100000 (-1)
27. Seattle Kraken +500000 (-)
Seattle needs to find a goaltender this offseason. If they do, they're going to make the postseason next year, mark my words.
28. Philadelphia Flyers +200000 (-)
29. New Jersey Devils +200000 (-)
The Kraken of the East, the Devils have actually been playing some decent hockey, but their goaltending is next to the Kraken for the worst in the NHL.
30. Ottawa Senators +100000 (-)
31. Arizona Coyotes +500000 (-)
32. Montreal Canadiens +500000 (-)
As a Leafs fan, ya truly hate (love) to see it.