PLUS/MINUS is my weekly Power Rankings Column. The + or – is based on the previous weeks rankings
PLUS/MINUS
PLUS/MINUS
The Sharks continue to roll right in to the holiday season
**This will be a special Thanksgiving edition of P/M. Each team will have something they are thankful for and something they’ll be wishing for on the wishbone
1) San Jose Sharks {17-3-1} (EVEN)
2-0-0 week (win @ NAS, win vs. WAS)
Thankful For: Everything. They haven’t missed a beat all year long. Even when Nabokov was hurt, Brian Boucher stepped right in and kept things going.
Wishbone Wish: For the good times to keep rolling
2) Detroit Red Wings {14-2-3} (EVEN)
3-0-0 week (win vs. EDM, win @ EDM, win @ CAL)
Thankful For: Lack of injuries. With the exception of Johan Franzen (who wasn’t even out that long), the Red Wings have been able to keep things consistent.
Wishbone Wish: An improved Penalty Kill. Right now, they are in the middle of the pack in the conference.
3) Boston Bruins {14-3-4} (+1)
4-0 week (win @ TOR, vs. BUF, vs. FLA, @ MON)
Thankful For: G Tim Thomas. 9 wins, 1.88 GAA, .944 Save percentage. Enough said
Wishbone Wish: Montreal not making any big trades. Right now, Boston has the best team in the Northeast.
4) New York Rangers {14-7-2} (-1)
1-2-0 week (win vs. OTT, lost vs. VAN, lost @ OTT)
Thankful For: G Henrik Lundqvist. His consistency behind the team and a league-leading 12 wins are the reasons why their record isn’t worse.
Wishbone Wish: Not making any stupid trades to clear space for Mats Sundin
5) Pittsburgh Penguins {12-5-3} EVEN)
1-2-0 week (lost vs. MIN, win @ ATL, lost vs. VAN)
Thankful For: Evgeni Malkin. 31 points (7G 24A) through 20 games is what you signed this guy to go.
Wishbone Wish: For Crosby and Malkin to start lighting the lamp a little more
6) Vancouver Canucks {13-6-2} (+4)
3-0-1 week (SO loss @ NYI, win @ NYR, win @ MIN, win @ PIT)
Thankful For: Roberto Luongo being their goalie
Wishbone Wish: Luongo not being injured for too long
7) Montreal Canadiens {11-5-3} (EVEN)
1-1-1 week (lost @ CAR, won @ OTT, SO loss vs. BOS)
Thankful For: The additions of Robert Lang and Alex Tanguay
Wishbone Wish: More consistent goaltending from Carey Price
8) Chicago Blackhawks {10-4-5} (+6)
3-0-0 week (won @ PHO, won @ DAL, won @ TOR)
Thankful For: Head Coach Joel Quenneville righting the ship
Wishbone Wish: To deal G Nikolai Khabibulin and get depth in their forwards in return
9) Minnesota Wild {11-6-1} (-3)
1-2-0 week (won @ PIT, lost vs. VAN, lost vs. STL)
Thankful For: G Nicklas Backstrom. He is the best goalie in the league that no one talks about
Wishbone Wish: I know it’s a defensive-minded system, but a little more offense would help this team a whole lot
10) Carolina Hurricanes {11-8-1} (+2)
2-0 week (won vs. MON, won vs. PHO)
Thankful For: Their defensemen – the group of Dennis Seidenberg, Niclas Wallin, Joni Pitkanen, Tim Gleason, Anton Babchuk, Josef Melichar have taken care of the blueline and produced a bit offensively
Wishbone Wish: Eric Staal to start producing a little more than he is
11) Washington Capitals {11-6-3} (-2)
1-2 week (won @ ANA, lost @ LA and @ SJ)
Thankful For: LW Alexander Semin. While AO got off to a slow start and had to deal with family health issues back home, Semin carried the offensive load and led the league in scoring for most of the season
Wishbone Wish: For either Brent Johnson or Jose Theodore to step up and become a true #1 goalie for a team that could do damage if they had better goaltending.
12) Anaheim Ducks {11-8-3} (-4)
1-2-0 week (lost vs. WAS, lost @ STL, SO win @ DAL)
Thankful For: The 5 game winning streak/8 of 9 stretch back in October/November. Without that run, Anaheim would have had a lot to overcome in a tough division.
Wishbone Wish: Jean-Sebastian Giguere to snap out of his slump and be the goalie we all know he can be.
13) Calgary Flames {11-9-1} (+3)
2-1-0 week (won vs. COL, won @ COL, lost vs. DET)
Thankful For: C Mike Cammalleri. His 11 assists (16 points) and 9 PP points have been a nice addition a team that can be strapped for offense at times.
Wishbone Wish: Miika Kiprusoff to get his save percentage up and his GAA down
14) New Jersey Devils {11-7-2} (+5)
2-0-0 week (won vs. FLA, won vs. NYI)
Thankful For: LW Zach Parise – 13G and 11A on a team that can use all the offense they can get.
Wishbone Wish: For Martin Brodeur to be back by early March so they have 6 weeks to make a solid run at the playoffs.
15) Nashville Predators {10-9-1} (-2)
1-2 week (lost vs. SJ, lost @ TB, won @ CAR)
Thankful For: D Shea Weber. 10G and 11A from a guy who always takes care of business in his own end of the ice. He is a cornerstone defenseman.
Wishbone Wish: Dan Ellis to get to the form that almost beat the Red Wings in the playoffs last year.
16) Columbus Blue Jackets {9-8-3} (-1)
1-1-0 week (lost vs. EDM, won @ ATL)
Thankful For: Rookie C Derrick Brassard and rookie G Steve Mason. Derrick Brassard leads the team with 20 points (8G 12A and Steve Mason did a great job filling the void when Pascal Leclaire went down and Frederik Norrena couldn’t get the job done.
Wishbone Wish: This may sound silly, but more wins. They need to beat a team like Edmonton at home instead of getting waxed 7-2 by them.
17) Philadelphia Flyers {9-6-4} (+3)
2-0 week (won @ BUF, won vs. PHO)
Thankful For: Simon Gagne being healthy the whole season and leading the team in points (11G 14A).
Wishbone Wish: For C Daniel Briere to come back from injury soon.
18) Buffalo Sabres {9-8-3} (-7)
0-3-0 week (lost @ BOS, vs. PHI, vs. NYI)
Thankful For: G Ryan Miller and LW Thomas Vanek. Miller has been a workhorse between the pipes for the Sabres and Vanek leads the league in goals scored with 15.
Wishbone Wish: For their slump to stop soon. With the way Boston and Montreal are playing, you don’t want to fall too far behind those teams.
19) Edmonton Oilers {9-9-2} (-1)
1-2 week (lost @ DET, won @ CLB, lost vs. DET)
Thankful For: RW Ales Hemsky is doing his job well with 5G and 16A
Wishbone Wish: Either Mathieu Garon or Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers to step up and be the #1 goalie on this team (Roloson will be traded at some point)
20) Toronto Maple Leafs {7-8-5} (-3)
0-1-1 week (lost vs. Boston, OTL vs. Chicago)
Thankful For: Their season so far. Toronto was expected to be one of the worst teams in the league this year and have been played tough game in and game out.
Wishbone Wish: Trades to add depth to the team
21) New York Islanders {8-10-2} (+3)
2-1 week (won vs. VAN, lost @ NJ, won @ BUF)
Thankful For: The play of their veterans. With loads of young guys on the team, having guys like Bill Guerin, Doug Weight, and Trent Hunter step up are key.
Wishbone Wish: For G Joey MacDonald to continue playing the way he has been. He has been a pleasant surprise in net for the Isles after all of the Rick DiPietro injuries they’ve had to deal with.
22) Los Angeles Kings {8-8-3} (+1)
1-0-1 week (won vs. WAS, SO loss vs. COL)
Thankful For: G Erik Ersberg. The Kings waited a little while to give him a chance, but when they did, he’s delivered a 5-3-2 record.
Wishbone Wish: To stay the course. Their top players are beginning to produce more and their younger players are beginning to develop. You don’t want to rush a process like that.
23) St. Louis Blues {8-8-2} (+5)
2-0 week (won vs. ANA, won @ MIN)
Thankful For: RW Brad Boyes. He’s doing what he’s supposed to be with 10G and 7A.
Wishbone Wish: For Andy McDonald to return from his leg injury in sooner than two months. They could also use some consistency between the pipes.
24) Colorado Avalanche {9-10-0} (+2)
1-2-0 week (lost @ CAL, los vs. CAL, won @ LA)
Thankful For: The season not being worse than it already has been
Wishbone Wish: For Peter Budaj to finally become the #1 he’s shown flashes of being.
25) Phoenix Coyotes {8-9-2} (-4)
0-1-2 week (SO loss vs. CHI, lost @ CAR, OTL @ PHI)
Thankful For: C Olli Jokinen. His 17 points (7G 10A) and leadership have helped mature a younger Phoenix franchise
Wishbone Wish: Defensive help to keep G Ilya Bryzgalov from working as hard as he’s had to this year.
26) Tampa Bay Lightning {6-8-6} (+4)
1-1-1 week (SO loss vs. FLA, won vs. NAS, lost vs. NJ)
Thankful For: rookie C Steve Stamkos beginning to show flashes of the type of player he can be.
Wishbone Wish: For the team’s chemistry to click on the ice. They have the talent, but the on-ice chemistry needs to come soon.
27) Florida Panthers {7-11-1} (+2)
1-2 week (won @ TB, lost @ NJ, lost @ BOS)
Thankful For: LW David Booth’s team-leading 9 goals has been a surprise for the Panthers this season
Wishbone Wish: For everything to improve
28) Atlanta Trashers {7-10-2} (-6)
0-2 week (lost vs. PIT, lost vs. CLB)
Thankful For: C Bryan Little has stepped up offensively (9G 8A) on a team that has underachieved offensively this season.
Wishbone Wish: A goalie that can consistently start for this team
29) Ottawa Senators {7-9-4} (-4)
1-0-2 week (SO loss @ NYR, SO loss vs. MON, win vs. NYR)
Thankful For: Their losing streak not lasting any longer.
Wishbone Wish: To become a consistent team.
30) Dallas Stars {6-9-4} (-3)
0-1-1 week (lost vs. CHI, SO loss vs. ANA)
Thankful For: The emergence of 2nd year LW Loui Eriksson. One of the few scorers on Dallas this year
Wishbone Wish: For Marty Turco to become the regular season goalie he used to be. And for the rest of the team to wake up.
**This will be a special Thanksgiving edition of P/M. Each team will have something they are thankful for and something they’ll be wishing for on the wishbone
1) San Jose Sharks {17-3-1} (EVEN)
2-0-0 week (win @ NAS, win vs. WAS)
Thankful For: Everything. They haven’t missed a beat all year long. Even when Nabokov was hurt, Brian Boucher stepped right in and kept things going.
Wishbone Wish: For the good times to keep rolling
2) Detroit Red Wings {14-2-3} (EVEN)
3-0-0 week (win vs. EDM, win @ EDM, win @ CAL)
Thankful For: Lack of injuries. With the exception of Johan Franzen (who wasn’t even out that long), the Red Wings have been able to keep things consistent.
Wishbone Wish: An improved Penalty Kill. Right now, they are in the middle of the pack in the conference.
3) Boston Bruins {14-3-4} (+1)
4-0 week (win @ TOR, vs. BUF, vs. FLA, @ MON)
Thankful For: G Tim Thomas. 9 wins, 1.88 GAA, .944 Save percentage. Enough said
Wishbone Wish: Montreal not making any big trades. Right now, Boston has the best team in the Northeast.
4) New York Rangers {14-7-2} (-1)
1-2-0 week (win vs. OTT, lost vs. VAN, lost @ OTT)
Thankful For: G Henrik Lundqvist. His consistency behind the team and a league-leading 12 wins are the reasons why their record isn’t worse.
Wishbone Wish: Not making any stupid trades to clear space for Mats Sundin
5) Pittsburgh Penguins {12-5-3} EVEN)
1-2-0 week (lost vs. MIN, win @ ATL, lost vs. VAN)
Thankful For: Evgeni Malkin. 31 points (7G 24A) through 20 games is what you signed this guy to go.
Wishbone Wish: For Crosby and Malkin to start lighting the lamp a little more
6) Vancouver Canucks {13-6-2} (+4)
3-0-1 week (SO loss @ NYI, win @ NYR, win @ MIN, win @ PIT)
Thankful For: Roberto Luongo being their goalie
Wishbone Wish: Luongo not being injured for too long
7) Montreal Canadiens {11-5-3} (EVEN)
1-1-1 week (lost @ CAR, won @ OTT, SO loss vs. BOS)
Thankful For: The additions of Robert Lang and Alex Tanguay
Wishbone Wish: More consistent goaltending from Carey Price
8) Chicago Blackhawks {10-4-5} (+6)
3-0-0 week (won @ PHO, won @ DAL, won @ TOR)
Thankful For: Head Coach Joel Quenneville righting the ship
Wishbone Wish: To deal G Nikolai Khabibulin and get depth in their forwards in return
9) Minnesota Wild {11-6-1} (-3)
1-2-0 week (won @ PIT, lost vs. VAN, lost vs. STL)
Thankful For: G Nicklas Backstrom. He is the best goalie in the league that no one talks about
Wishbone Wish: I know it’s a defensive-minded system, but a little more offense would help this team a whole lot
10) Carolina Hurricanes {11-8-1} (+2)
2-0 week (won vs. MON, won vs. PHO)
Thankful For: Their defensemen – the group of Dennis Seidenberg, Niclas Wallin, Joni Pitkanen, Tim Gleason, Anton Babchuk, Josef Melichar have taken care of the blueline and produced a bit offensively
Wishbone Wish: Eric Staal to start producing a little more than he is
11) Washington Capitals {11-6-3} (-2)
1-2 week (won @ ANA, lost @ LA and @ SJ)
Thankful For: LW Alexander Semin. While AO got off to a slow start and had to deal with family health issues back home, Semin carried the offensive load and led the league in scoring for most of the season
Wishbone Wish: For either Brent Johnson or Jose Theodore to step up and become a true #1 goalie for a team that could do damage if they had better goaltending.
12) Anaheim Ducks {11-8-3} (-4)
1-2-0 week (lost vs. WAS, lost @ STL, SO win @ DAL)
Thankful For: The 5 game winning streak/8 of 9 stretch back in October/November. Without that run, Anaheim would have had a lot to overcome in a tough division.
Wishbone Wish: Jean-Sebastian Giguere to snap out of his slump and be the goalie we all know he can be.
13) Calgary Flames {11-9-1} (+3)
2-1-0 week (won vs. COL, won @ COL, lost vs. DET)
Thankful For: C Mike Cammalleri. His 11 assists (16 points) and 9 PP points have been a nice addition a team that can be strapped for offense at times.
Wishbone Wish: Miika Kiprusoff to get his save percentage up and his GAA down
14) New Jersey Devils {11-7-2} (+5)
2-0-0 week (won vs. FLA, won vs. NYI)
Thankful For: LW Zach Parise – 13G and 11A on a team that can use all the offense they can get.
Wishbone Wish: For Martin Brodeur to be back by early March so they have 6 weeks to make a solid run at the playoffs.
15) Nashville Predators {10-9-1} (-2)
1-2 week (lost vs. SJ, lost @ TB, won @ CAR)
Thankful For: D Shea Weber. 10G and 11A from a guy who always takes care of business in his own end of the ice. He is a cornerstone defenseman.
Wishbone Wish: Dan Ellis to get to the form that almost beat the Red Wings in the playoffs last year.
16) Columbus Blue Jackets {9-8-3} (-1)
1-1-0 week (lost vs. EDM, won @ ATL)
Thankful For: Rookie C Derrick Brassard and rookie G Steve Mason. Derrick Brassard leads the team with 20 points (8G 12A and Steve Mason did a great job filling the void when Pascal Leclaire went down and Frederik Norrena couldn’t get the job done.
Wishbone Wish: This may sound silly, but more wins. They need to beat a team like Edmonton at home instead of getting waxed 7-2 by them.
17) Philadelphia Flyers {9-6-4} (+3)
2-0 week (won @ BUF, won vs. PHO)
Thankful For: Simon Gagne being healthy the whole season and leading the team in points (11G 14A).
Wishbone Wish: For C Daniel Briere to come back from injury soon.
18) Buffalo Sabres {9-8-3} (-7)
0-3-0 week (lost @ BOS, vs. PHI, vs. NYI)
Thankful For: G Ryan Miller and LW Thomas Vanek. Miller has been a workhorse between the pipes for the Sabres and Vanek leads the league in goals scored with 15.
Wishbone Wish: For their slump to stop soon. With the way Boston and Montreal are playing, you don’t want to fall too far behind those teams.
19) Edmonton Oilers {9-9-2} (-1)
1-2 week (lost @ DET, won @ CLB, lost vs. DET)
Thankful For: RW Ales Hemsky is doing his job well with 5G and 16A
Wishbone Wish: Either Mathieu Garon or Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers to step up and be the #1 goalie on this team (Roloson will be traded at some point)
20) Toronto Maple Leafs {7-8-5} (-3)
0-1-1 week (lost vs. Boston, OTL vs. Chicago)
Thankful For: Their season so far. Toronto was expected to be one of the worst teams in the league this year and have been played tough game in and game out.
Wishbone Wish: Trades to add depth to the team
21) New York Islanders {8-10-2} (+3)
2-1 week (won vs. VAN, lost @ NJ, won @ BUF)
Thankful For: The play of their veterans. With loads of young guys on the team, having guys like Bill Guerin, Doug Weight, and Trent Hunter step up are key.
Wishbone Wish: For G Joey MacDonald to continue playing the way he has been. He has been a pleasant surprise in net for the Isles after all of the Rick DiPietro injuries they’ve had to deal with.
22) Los Angeles Kings {8-8-3} (+1)
1-0-1 week (won vs. WAS, SO loss vs. COL)
Thankful For: G Erik Ersberg. The Kings waited a little while to give him a chance, but when they did, he’s delivered a 5-3-2 record.
Wishbone Wish: To stay the course. Their top players are beginning to produce more and their younger players are beginning to develop. You don’t want to rush a process like that.
23) St. Louis Blues {8-8-2} (+5)
2-0 week (won vs. ANA, won @ MIN)
Thankful For: RW Brad Boyes. He’s doing what he’s supposed to be with 10G and 7A.
Wishbone Wish: For Andy McDonald to return from his leg injury in sooner than two months. They could also use some consistency between the pipes.
24) Colorado Avalanche {9-10-0} (+2)
1-2-0 week (lost @ CAL, los vs. CAL, won @ LA)
Thankful For: The season not being worse than it already has been
Wishbone Wish: For Peter Budaj to finally become the #1 he’s shown flashes of being.
25) Phoenix Coyotes {8-9-2} (-4)
0-1-2 week (SO loss vs. CHI, lost @ CAR, OTL @ PHI)
Thankful For: C Olli Jokinen. His 17 points (7G 10A) and leadership have helped mature a younger Phoenix franchise
Wishbone Wish: Defensive help to keep G Ilya Bryzgalov from working as hard as he’s had to this year.
26) Tampa Bay Lightning {6-8-6} (+4)
1-1-1 week (SO loss vs. FLA, won vs. NAS, lost vs. NJ)
Thankful For: rookie C Steve Stamkos beginning to show flashes of the type of player he can be.
Wishbone Wish: For the team’s chemistry to click on the ice. They have the talent, but the on-ice chemistry needs to come soon.
27) Florida Panthers {7-11-1} (+2)
1-2 week (won @ TB, lost @ NJ, lost @ BOS)
Thankful For: LW David Booth’s team-leading 9 goals has been a surprise for the Panthers this season
Wishbone Wish: For everything to improve
28) Atlanta Trashers {7-10-2} (-6)
0-2 week (lost vs. PIT, lost vs. CLB)
Thankful For: C Bryan Little has stepped up offensively (9G 8A) on a team that has underachieved offensively this season.
Wishbone Wish: A goalie that can consistently start for this team
29) Ottawa Senators {7-9-4} (-4)
1-0-2 week (SO loss @ NYR, SO loss vs. MON, win vs. NYR)
Thankful For: Their losing streak not lasting any longer.
Wishbone Wish: To become a consistent team.
30) Dallas Stars {6-9-4} (-3)
0-1-1 week (lost vs. CHI, SO loss vs. ANA)
Thankful For: The emergence of 2nd year LW Loui Eriksson. One of the few scorers on Dallas this year
Wishbone Wish: For Marty Turco to become the regular season goalie he used to be. And for the rest of the team to wake up.
BIGGEST GAINER = Chicago Blackhawks (+6)
BIGGEST LOSER = Buffalo Sabres (-7)
-13 Teams Moved Up
-13 Teams Moved Down
-4 Teams Remained Even
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