It’s been a minute since we released our power rankings, as All-Star weekend and bye week were a bit of a shaky schedule. But we’re back with a new top dog, or maybe I should say cat, at the top of the list.
our top-ranked Canadian team, The Vancouver Canucks check in at number four on the list. It was an eventful February for the Canucks, who won four of seven games. Vancouver is ranked first in scoring percentage and goal difference, but ninth in expected goal difference, so there is some room for concern. That being said, the Canucks have bucked the statistical trends all season and could very well be a special team that performs well all season.
Following the Canucks are The Winnipeg Jets sit fifth on the list after a 4-2 win over Vancouver on Saturday night. The Jets have won three straight and Connor Hellebuyck continues to make a strong case as the favorite to win the Vezina Trophy. Hellebuyck has exceeded the Jets’ expectations this season with 25 goals, which ranks second behind the Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin. Remarkably, Hellebuyck has played in 31 consecutive games since Nov. 2 and has not allowed fewer than three goals in a game.
It is ranked 6th in the power rankings. Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton has the highest expected goal percentage of any of his NHL teams and also ranks in the top 10 in goal differential and scoring percentage. The Oilers were undefeated in January, but have lost three of six games since February. Connor McDavid is doing everything he can to help his team win, and he has 10 assists in the last three games.
A fourth Canadian team finished in the top 10. The Toronto Maple Leafs are ranked No. 8 on the list. Many wondered what would happen to the Leafs with Morgan Rielly missing five games due to suspension. Well, the Leafs had three impressive wins despite having Riley out of the lineup. Mitch Marner has shifted to defense and Auston Matthews is scoring like an old man. Matthews has scored consecutive hat tricks in the last two games and has six hat tricks this season. He is on pace to hit 74 goals in 2023-24.
of The Calgary Flames checked in at No. 20 on the list. Calgary went 0-3-0 last week and lost 13-3. Perhaps this isn’t a huge surprise considering the team acquired one of its most impactful forwards in Elias Lindholm. The Flames have had some wins since the trade, but it seems reality has set in for a team that will likely sell even more pieces before the trade deadline.
Ranked 21st on our list: Ottawa Senators. Ottawa has won four straight games since February, and it looks like the Suns are finally starting to understand what head coach Jacques Martin has been preaching about defensive structure. They then suffered back-to-back losses in regulation to the lower-ranked Ducks and Blackhawks. The Senators have a daunting schedule this week with games at Tampa Bay and Florida, followed by two home games against the Stars and Golden Knights.
lastly, The Montreal Canadiens come in at number 27 on the list. Although the Habs lost two of three games last week, there are some encouraging stories coming out of Montreal. The Canadiens’ top line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield and July Slavkowski is working well together, with Slavkowski making great strides in his game. The 2022 No. 1 overall pick is on an eight-game scoring streak and has 22 points in his last 24 games.
