Top 16 NHL Power Rankings: Bruins hold onto top spot, while Lightning and Flyers make their mark

11. Washington Capitals (10-4-2) Total points: 72 Last week: No. 11

The Washington Capitals have been on the hunt for a top-six forward since the offseason, and the urgency hasn’t wavered despite their recent turnaround. The team has relied heavily on goaltending and defense to secure wins but is still in need of offensive help, especially on the power play. The power play has undergone changes under coach Spencer Carbery and assistant Kirk Muller, leading to challenges as the players adapt. The team also requires a forward capable of leading the top man-advantage unit, a role held by Nicklas Backstrom until an injury sidelined him.

— Tom Gulitti, staff writer

12. Carolina Hurricanes (11-7-0) Total points: 66 Last week: No. 10

Despite star power, depth, and a solid defense corps, the Carolina Hurricanes’ biggest concern lies in the health and consistency of their goaltenders. Both Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta, at 34 years old, are struggling to maintain top form. With Andersen sidelined due to a blood clotting issue, Raanta will shoulder the majority of the games, which could pose challenges. The Hurricanes need depth in goaltending to succeed.

— Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

13. Tampa Bay Lightning (9-6-5) Total points: 51 Last week: Unranked

The Tampa Bay Lightning should focus their attention on scoring depth in their bottom-six forward group rather than seeking a goalie, as Andrei Vasilevskiy is set to return from injury soon. The team’s salary cap situation poses a challenge, but the addition of even one forward could provide the necessary depth, especially with a healthy Conor Sheary.

— Rosen

14. Philadelphia Flyers (10-8-1) Total points: 40 Last week: Unranked

The Philadelphia Flyers are in dire need of a defenseman who can improve their power play while maintaining a strong defensive game. With Travis Sanheim and Cam York shouldering significant ice time, the team must acquire a defenseman capable of elevating their power-play game.

— Rosen

15. New Jersey Devils (8-8-1) Total points: 21 Last week: No. 14

The New Jersey Devils need to address their habit of falling behind early in games and start putting pressure on their opponents from the start. Establishing early game leads will be crucial for the team’s success.

— Rosen

16. Detroit Red Wings (9-6-3) Total points: 18 Last week: No. 12

The Detroit Red Wings are in search of a power play that reflects their initial performance at the beginning of the season, balancing scoring consistency with their defensive struggles.

— Rosen

Others receiving points: St. Louis Blues 13, Pittsburgh Penguins 8, Ottawa Senators 7, Anaheim Ducks 2, Arizona Coyotes 1 Dropped out from last week: Ducks (No. 15), Blues (No. 16)

New Amsterdam Game of the Week

Each week, NHL.com will highlight one game that features two teams in the Super 16. This week, it’s the Boston Bruins against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Saturday (1 p.m. ET; NHLN, NESN, MSG, SN).

Brunis and Rangers fans, get ready for an iconic “Original Six” showdown as the No. 1 and No. 3 teams in this week’s Super 16 face off at Madison Square Garden. Happy Thanksgiving.

Amalie Benjamin’s Rankings: Boston Bruins; 2. Vegas Golden Knights; 3. New York Rangers; 4. Colorado Avalanche; 5. Dallas Stars; 6. Los Angeles Kings; 7. Florida Panthers; 8. Vancouver Canucks; 9. Carolina Hurricanes; 10. Toronto Maple Leafs; 11. Detroit Red Wings; 12. Washington Capitals; 13. Winnipeg Jets; 14. New Jersey Devils; 15. Philadelphia Flyers; 16. Tampa Bay Lightning

Brian Compton’s Rankings: Boston Bruins; 2. Vegas Golden Knights; 3. New York Rangers; 4. Los Angeles Kings; 5. Dallas Stars; 6. Florida Panthers; 7. Vancouver Canucks; 8. Washington Capitals; 9. Winnipeg Jets; 10. Toronto Maple Leafs; 11. Colorado Avalanche; 12. Philadelphia Flyers; 13. Tampa Bay Lightning; 14. Carolina Hurricanes; 15. St. Louis Blues; 16. Ottawa Senators

Nicholas J. Cotsonika’s Rankings: Boston Bruins; 2. New York Rangers; 3. Vegas Golden Knights; 4. Dallas Stars; 5. Los Angeles Kings; 6. Vancouver Canucks; 7. Florida Panthers; 8. Washington Capitals; 9. Colorado Avalanche; 10. Toronto Maple Leafs; 11. Winnipeg Jets; 12. Carolina Hurricanes; 13. Philadelphia Flyers; 14. Tampa Bay Lightning; 15. St. Louis Blues; 16. Detroit Red Wings

Tom Gulitti’s Rankings: Boston Bruins; 2. Vegas Golden Knights; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. New York Rangers; 5. Florida Panthers; 6. Los Angeles Kings; 7. Vancouver Canucks; 8. Colorado Avalanche; 9. Washington Capitals; 10. Toronto Maple Leafs; 11. Carolina Hurricanes; 12. Winnipeg Jets; 13. Philadelphia Flyers; 14. New Jersey Devils; 15. Tampa Bay Lightning; 16. St. Louis Blues

Adam Kimelman’s Rankings: Vegas Golden Knights; 2. Boston Bruins; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. Vancouver Canucks; 5. New York Rangers; 6. Colorado Avalanche; 7. Toronto Maple Leafs; 8. Tampa Bay Lightning; 9. Florida Panthers; 10. Los Angeles Kings; 11. Carolina Hurricanes; 12. Winnipeg Jets; 13. Philadelphia Flyers; 14. New Jersey Devils; 15. St. Louis Blues; 16. Washington Capitals

Mike G. Morreale’s Rankings: Boston Bruins; 2. Los Angeles Kings; 3. Dallas Stars; 4. New York Rangers; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. Florida Panthers; 7. Colorado Avalanche; 8. Vancouver Canucks; 9. Toronto Maple Leafs; 10.

Reference