NHL Power Rankings: Rise of the Capitals

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They're not the wildly entertaining Capitals anymore, but Washington's determination to improve defensively this season is starting to pay dividends. The Capitals have squeezed out eight straight wins and are putting heat on the Philadelphia Flyers for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. Alexander Ovechkin has only 28 goals this season and the Capitals are no longer an offensive juggernaut, but if they win, will anybody complain? Here are this week's sportsnet.ca Power Rankings:
TW	LW	Team	Our Take
1	1		With the best goaltending duo the NHL, the Canucks continue to nest atop of the NHL standings. Roberto Luongo out dueled Miikka Kiprusoff in the league’s marquee match-up Saturday night.
2	2		The Bruins, perhaps still reeling from the aftermath of the Chara-Pacioretty hit, are shocked by the upstart Islanders Friday before taking the weekend off.
3	6		Rookie stopper Braden Holtby looks comfortable between the pipes running his record to 6-0-1 in his last seven starts. It’s looking like Holtby is making a strong pitch to be the Caps starter when the post-season arrives.
4	3		With a new contract in his hip pocket, goaltender Jimmy Howard runs his amazing road record to 17-3-2 with a victory over the Blues Friday.
5	5		The Sharks out-shot the visiting New York Rangers 33-22, but had a tough time figuring out Henrik Lundqvist in a shootout loss. Still, at 7-1-2 in their last 10, the Sharks continue to move in the right direction.
6	4		The Flyers haven’t hit crisis mode, especially with defenceman Chris Pronger injured again, but at 4-4-2 in their last 10, first place in is suddenly on the line.
7	7		The injuries to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin appear to be catching up to the Penguins (go figure!) who are 6-7-4 in their last 17 games and dropped a 3-0 decision to Montreal at home Saturday.
8	8		With 10 goals in his last 10 games, captain Jonathan Toews is certainly doing his part to help the Blackhawks defend their championship.
9	12		The Kings are fast becoming the NHL’s most feared road team with a 10-1-3 record in their last 14 away from the Staples Center.
10	10		After recording no shutouts last season, Carey Price records his eighth of the year in blanking the Penguins 3-0 Saturday afternoon. Given the number of injuries to key defencemen this season, Price has easily been Montreal’s MVP.
11	9		The Lightning continue to be befuddled by the neighboring Florida Panthers who beat them 4-3 in overtime; the fourth time Florida has defeated Tampa Bay in five meetings this season.
12	11		After a terrific run, the Flames have dropped two straight to put their playoff hopes in jeopardy. The Flames are clinging to eighth place in the West, but have played more games than the teams they are competing with.
13	14		With eight points in nine games since arriving from Pittsburgh, defenceman Alex Goligoski has been a godsend for the Stars.
14	13		A win over Anaheim keeps the Coyotes playing at a .500 clip in their past 10 games.
15	17		Martin Brodeur has reclaimed the crease as the Devils continue their wild charge toward the playoffs with two straight wins that gets them to .500 for the first time this year.
16	19		With 11 of their final 14 games at home, the Predators have an amazing opportunity to make the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years. But will they get out of the first round for the first time?
17	16		Goaltender Ray Emery is back in the NHL making 10 saves on 10 shots in relief of Dan Ellis in a 5-2 loss to Phoenix.
18	15		The not so Wild manage just 14 shots on goal in losing their second straight game. By the way, it was also their second consecutive 4-0 loss
19	20		Buffalo continues to play well since Terry Pegula bought the team, but the Sabres family lost a member when Rick Martin of the famous French Connection died Sunday.
20	18		After spending a couple of days at the beach in California, the Rangers secure a much-needed shootout victory over the San Jose Sharks.
21	22		The Jackets are struggling in the playoff race, but their mastery over Eastern Conference competition continued with a 3-2 win over Carolina. Columbus is 10-2-1 against Eastern Conference teams.
22	21		Phil Kessel snaps a four-game scoring slump with the game-winner as the Leafs keep their slim playoff hopes alive with a 4-3 win over Buffalo.
23	23		Four straight losses has edged the Hurricanes out of the playoffs. With time running out and Toronto and New Jersey breathing down their necks, it’s not looking good for the boys in red.
24	26		David Backes's ascension as one of the game’s best power forwards continues as he scored his 25th goal of the season to go with 91 penalty minutes.
25	24		Sophomore John Tavares hits the 25-goal plateau for the first time; one more than he scored as a rookie.
26	25		The Thrashers score four third-period goals to erase a 3-0 deficit and defeat the Flyers in overtime; a great day for a team that has otherwise gone off the tracks.
27	27		Defenceman Jason Garrison’s fourth goal of the season is the game-winning goal against Tampa Bay. Three of Garrison’s four goals this season have been game winners.
28	30		It's audition time for the Senators with the likes of Bobby Butler, Erik Condra, and Colin Greening making a strong impression.
29	28		After a hard-fought overtime loss to Detroit Friday, the Oilers were soundly thrashed by Pittsburgh Sunday. The schooling continues
30	29		With just one win in their last 19 games, the Avalanche continue to sink in the Western Conference. Avalanche fans continue to wonder what the heck happened.

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