PLUS/MINUS is my weekly Power Rankings Column. The + or – is based on the previous weeks rankings
It's a lovefest with the Bruins in Beantown right now
1) Boston Bruins {31-7-4} (EVEN)
This has been the season Bruins fans have been waiting for since the early 90s...as long as the B's can keep up with themseles. Their only drawback right now is that the Wild figured them out in Minnesota's 1-0 win. You better believe Eastern Conference coaches are wearing out the tapes on that game.
2) San Jose Sharks {31-5-5} (EVEN)
The Sharks are still on cruise control. After a gift at home (Tampa Bay), they get two huge home tests against Calgary and Detroit.
3) Detroit Red Wings {29-7-5} (EVEN)
6 is the number of the week. They are on a six game win streak as they begin a six game road trip.
4) Washington Capitals {27-13-3} (EVEN)
They have lost two in a row after winning seven in a row. I know that "starting" in the All-Star game is a mere formality, but Alexander Ovechkin not starting is a joke.
5) Montreal Canadiens {25-10-6} (+3)
They carry a four game win streak in to a HUGE battle with the Bruins tomorrow night.
6) Philadelphia Flyers {23-10-9} (EVEN)
They've earned points in six straight games and have battled their way to the top of the Atlantic Division. As long as Martin Biron can stay close to the top of his game, the Flyers are here to stay.
7) Calgary Flames {25-12-4} (EVEN)
They've won seven of their past eight and are playing solid hockey right now.
8) Chicago Blackhawks {23-10-7} (-3)
They've had an up and down week highlighted by a 6-0 road win at Phoenix. They have alternated between Huet and Khabibulin the last 10 games and need to roll the dice with one guy.
9) New York Rangers {25-15-4} (+1)
Another inconsistent week highlighted by a 4-0 beatdown of the Penguins. The Islanders are the only sub .500 team (playing the Isles tomorrow out in Nassau) that the Rangers have the rerst of January.
10) New Jersey Devils {24-15-3} (-1)
An up and down week could get interesting as they have four more games on the six game road trip. The addition of Brendan Shanahan should provide a big boost in the locker room with an occasional boost on the ice. He is an older player, but the fact that he won't be playing his first game until late January/early February should keep him fresh for a playoff run.
11) Vancouver Canucks {22-17-5}(EVEN)
If teams below Vancouver in our rankings had played better, they would have dropped. Roberto Luongo, you're cape is waiting for you.
12) Buffalo Sabres {21-16-5} (+2)
They had an impressive four game winning streak going before they ran in to the Red Wings in Detroit. They only have one home game for the rest of January with seven on the road. They luck out with three of those road games being in Dallas, Florida, Tampa and Edmonton.
13) Phoenix Coyotes {21-17-5} (+2)
If they could avoid playing the Blackhawks, they'd be in decent shape (they have lost all four meetings by a combined 20-4 with only one of those losses coming in a shootout)
14) Anaheim Ducks {22-17-5} (-2)
An inconsistent week was saved by a win over the Devils last night. I have a feeling this will be their last mini-slump of the season.
15) Carolina Hurricanes {21-17-5} (-2)
They had a season-high four game winning streak going, and BAM they lost at Florida and at Boston. I understand the Bruins loss, but you can't lose to a Panthers team that's chasing you in the standings when you're on a roll like that. They get a chance to rebound with games at Ottawa and vs. Toronto this week.
16) Minnesota Wild {20-18-3} (+1)
A 3 game home-stand this week against middle of the pack Western Conference teams should be a good litmus test to see where the Wild stand as we begin the 2nd half of the season
17) Florida Panthers {20-16-6} (+2)
After losing four in a row, they've taken four out of five and earned a point in Montreal in their one OTL. You have to wonder if this is a good thing for a team that was looking to be a seller at the deadline not too long ago.
18) Columbus Blue Jackets {20-18-4} (EVEN)
If Columbus can keep this up and make a move at the deadline to add one more scorer, they might finally be able to get rid of the the "only NHL team to never make the playoffs" title.
19) Colorado Avalanche {22-19-1} (+5)
We've seen Colorado go on runs like this earlier in the season (have won 6 of their past 9). The question is if they can keep it up or if they will revert back to their slumping ways.
20) Pittsburgh Penguins {20-19-4} (-4)
I said it at the beginning of the season. This team lacks toughness in a big way, and teams are pushing the Penguins around. Losing 7 of 8 and calling the Atlantic Division home is not a good combination. This all being said, it wouldn't shock me if something just clicked again in Pittsburgh and they rattled off 7 wins in a row.
21) Edmonton Oilers {20-18-3} (-1)
Now that they've settled on Dwayne Roloson as their guy for the rest of the way, he should provide the consistency in net that they've needed all year to make a run at the 7 or 8 spot in the West. If they can get hot, the division isn't out of the question either.
22) Nashville Predators {19-20-3} (+3)
Two of their next three games are against sub .500 teams and will give them a chance to get back to .500 and build from there. As bad as they've played this season, the Preds have the tools to go on a good streak.
23) Los Angeles Kings {17-18-6} (-2)
They have alternated wins and losses over their past eight games.
24) Dallas Stars {17-17-6} (-2)
With the exception of two games against Detroit, Dallas has six winable games the rest of January. As bad as they were at the beginning of the season, they have the talent to make a run.
25) St. Louis Blues {16-22-3} (+1)
Rumors of Keith Tkachuk being dealt by the deadline pretty much tell you where the Blues focus is, and it's not for the 08-09 playoffs
26) Atlanta Thrashers {14-24-5} (+3)
They move up because the other teams were that much worse. The 4-0 win over the Devils was impressive. Now that Kari Lehtonen is healthy, they should let him be the guy the rest of the season to see if he can be the guy for future seasons. In my opinion, they ruined Lehtonen when they played the Rangers in the first round of the playoffs two years ago and started him, benched him, started him, benched him. It shattered his confidence.
27) Tampa Bay Lightning {12-19-10} (EVEN)
If even half of those 10 OTL's go the other way, Tampa would still be alive in the East.
28) Toronto Maple Leafs {16-20-6} (-5)
The Leafs have lost seven of their past 10. The three wins have come against Atlanta twice and Ottawa once. It will be interesting to see what maneuevers Brian Burke pulls at the deadline to build this team for 2009 and beyond.
29) Ottawa Senators {13-21-6} (-1)
How the mighty have fallen. They have lost 13 of their past 16 with the only wins coming against Tampa Bay, Dallas (in OT) and Edmonton. They have lost five in a row but get Carolina at home and Atlanta on the road to end the spell.
30) New York Islanders {12-26-4} (EVEN)
The Islanders have won two games since November 29th. TWO games. And they've come against Toronto and Florida. In typical Islander-Rangers rivalry fashion, the Isles will win tomorrow night.
BIGGEST GAINER = Colorado Avalanche (+5)
BIGGEST LOSER - Toronto Maple Leafs (-5)
10 Teams Remained Even
10 Teams Moved Up
10 Teams Moved Down
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