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You know things are going New Jersey’s way when goaltender Martin Brodeur starts firing the puck towards the opponent’s empty net. (The first-ballot Hall of Famer didn’t score his third goal but did end up flipping a stretch pass to a teammate and notching his 40th career regular-season assist on Sunday.) With the playoff race as tight as it is in the East -- and no signs of it loosening up -- little hot streaks like the Devils’ four-game unbeaten run are key. With Zach Parise playing like he doesn’t want to get traded (or, at least, wants to up his value) and Ilya Kovalchuk now averaging more than a point per game, Jersey could be a threat if 39-year-old Brodeur plays as well as even the 37-year-old Brodeur. Here are this week's Sportsnet.ca Power Rankings: |
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| TW | LW | Team | Our Take |
| 1 | 1 | 
(33-12-5) |
The Rangers’ continued dominance over the Flyers –- the Blueshirts trumped Philly 5-2 again on Sunday –- shows that New York is able to rule over its close competitors for a sustained period of time. |
| 2 | 2 | 
(35-16-2) |
Detroit’s huge 4-3 victory in Vancouver was tempered by a loss to Sam Gagner’s Oilers on Saturday. After Monday night in Phoenix, the Wings can look forward to a six-game stretch at home, where they are practicably unbeatable. Fun fact: The last two times the New England Patriots lost the Super Bowl (1997 and 2008), the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup. |
| 3 | 5 | 
(32-15-5) |
Too deep, some may argue, in net and at centre -- what wonderful problems to face -- the Canucks have won four of their last five. Their last six games have been decided by a single goal, so whichever goaltender they lean on during their playoff run better be sharp. |
| 4 | 3 | 
(32-17-4) |
Despite having their five-game run of W’s snapped by Philly, the Preds have still won an impressive 11 of 13. They now have nine players with at least 10 goals but no more than 15. Teamwork, kids. |
| 5 | 4 | 
(30-19-4) |
An up-and-down road spurt resulted in losses to Jersey and Toronto this week but clutch victories over St. Louis and Boston. And you-know-who is practising with team again.... |
| 6 | 6 | 
(33-16-2) |
While the Patriots are the cause of 99% of the frowns on New Englanders’ faces this week, the Bruins had their first two-game losing skid since Dec. 8. |
| 7 | 7 | 
(30-16-6) |
After a big win over red-hot Nashville, the Flyers failed in their efforts against New Jersey and New York. That last one will sting a while: they don’t play the Rangers again until April. |
| 8 | 11 | 
(29-15-6) |
Playing five straight non-playoff teams, the Sharks took points in four of those matches. |
| 9 | 8 | 
(30-14-7) |
The Blues looked humbled after the break, having only won one of their last four. They desperately need offence. Three of their last four victories were 1-0 shutouts. |
| 10 | 19 | 
(30-19-3) |
Ilya Kovalchuk has come alive (back-to-back three-point games) and the on-again, off-again Devils are feverishly on again. Their four-game streak has laid waste to the Rangers, Flyers and Pens. |
| 11 | 9 | 
(29-17-7) |
Even with the return of 20-goal scorers Patrick Sharp and Jonathan Toews from injury, the Hawks have dropped five straight. In one game, the Oilers’ Sam Gagner scored more points against them than the Hawks as a team have put on the board in their last three. |
| 12 | 12 | 
(27-19-6) |
After losing a game they should have clinched in Pittsburgh, the Leafs started James Reimer, who posted consecutive shutouts versus the Penguins and Senators. |
| 13 | 15 | 
(23-23-5) |
An overtime loss to the Jets provided a minor hiccup last week, but the Lightning -- once dismissed as basement dwellers -- have taken 13 of the last 14 standings points available to them and are a real threat to make the playoffs. |
| 14 | 22 | 
(24-16-11) |
Big divisional victories at home over Winnipeg and Washington this week have thrust Florida to tops in the Southeast (for now), but a loss to the suddenly rejuvenated Lightning means Tampa Bay has only one less regulation victory. |
| 15 | 10 | 
(27-21-7) |
Talk about an All-Star Weekend hangover. Ottawa has now dropped six in a row, including an uninspired 5-0 mauling by the Leafs, and is in serious danger of removing itself from the race. |
| 16 | 18 | 
(25-19-8) |
In winning three of five, the Wild are showing that they will not relent last eighth seed in the Western Conference without at least a fight. |
| 17 | 21 | 
(27-22-2) |
Even with Dan Boyle scoring on the Sharks’ own net, the Stars couldn’t dig up a win last week. The last time Dallas defeated a real contender was Jan. 5 in Nashville. The return of Brendan Morrow, however, could remedy that. |
| 18 | 14 | 
(27-21-4) |
Deep in a catfight with Florida for top spot in a soft division, the Caps didn’t do themselves any favours by losing 4-2 to the Panthers this week. The return of Alex Ovechkin has unfortunately coincided with the departure of Brooks Laich (day-to-day, leg). |
| 19 | 16 | 
(25-18-10) |
Although the Kings continue to be pretty average on the ice (as many wins as losses in their last 24 games), the people associated with the organization are up to some interesting things, whether that’s the marketing department’s “eat pancakes with Dustin Penner” promotion or their clock keeper’s last-minute alleged tomfoolery. |
| 20 | 23 | 
(24-22-6) |
The Flames’ season-long struggle with consistency continues. Yes, they beat Chicago last week, but they also lost at home to the Sharks and Red Wings. |
| 21 | 17 | 
(20-24-9) |
Carey Price won Sunday’s game versus Winnipeg, but even an all-star goalie couldn’t save the Habs from losses to Jersey and Washington earlier in the week. |
| 22 | 26 | 
(20-25-9) |
Good week for Carolina, which despite a horrendous start, has been playing .500 ball in 2012. Back-to-back W’s included a shutout of the Bruins in Boston. |
| 23 | 27 | 
(23-21-8) |
Decent week in the desert. The Coyotes spoiled Kyle Turris’s return to Phoneix 3-2 and defeated San Jose 5-3. |
| 24 | 24 | 
(21-22-8) |
John Tavares was named the NHL’s player of the month for January, and the Isles won a pair of road games last week. |
| 25 | 25 | 
(24-24-6) |
How bad do the Jets need guys to put the puck in the net? In four of their last five wins they have scored only two goals. That’s wins, not losses. |
| 26 | 13 | 
(19-24-8) |
Ah, those are the Ducks we remember from 2011. After winning nine of 11, Anaheim got blown out by Dallas and lost in a shootout to Columbus this week. At home, no less. |
| 27 | 29 | 
(21-26-5) |
Sam Gagner scored eight points in one game. The game was held in 2012. Ridiculous. |
| 28 | 20 | 
(26-25-3) |
A five-game losing skid for Colorado has been the result of a deficient offence. The Avs haven’t scored three goals in one game since Jan. 21. |
| 29 | 28 | 
(22-24-6) |
How bad are things in Buffalo? Coach Lindy Ruff needed help off the ice during Monday’s practice after being hit by Jordan Leopold. The Sabres did, however, come away with road wins in Montreal and Long Island last week. |
| 30 | 30 | 
(14-32-6) |
The Jackets needed Derick Brassard to score in overtime against the Ducks to finally end their six-game skid. It was their third losing streak of six games or more that they have endured this season. |
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