Super 16: Bruins new No. 1; Blues, Capitals enter power rankings

The Detroit Red Wings (8-5-2) have a total of 46 points, ranking them at No. 14 last week. The team should be grateful for the number of players with roots in Michigan. Andrew Copp, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin, and Jeff Petry were all born in the Detroit area. Copp, Larkin, and J.T. Compher even played together at the University of Michigan. Petry, who is the son of retired Detroit Tigers pitcher Dan Petry, played at Michigan State. This common connection helped Copp, Compher, and DeBrincat sign in free agency, encouraged Larkin to forgo free agency, and even motivated Petry to request a trade to Detroit. Playing for the Red Wings gives them an extra sense of pride. – Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

The Winnipeg Jets, with 8-5-2 and a total of 39 points, climbed to No. 16 last week. The team should be grateful for the star forward, Kyle Connor, who has been on fire lately with 11 points (seven goals) in his last four games. With his 13 goals tied with notable American star forward Auston Matthews, Connor might just be the most unassuming star in the NHL. Goalies must hate facing him because he’s fast, elusive, and has a quick release. A valuable asset the Jets should be thankful for. – Rosen

The New Jersey Devils (7-6-1) have a total of 38 points, dropping them from No. 8 last week. Despite the recent absence of injured forwards Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, the Devils should be grateful that they were able to acquire and maintain depth on offense during the offseason. New Jersey’s power play, leading the NHL at 38.6 percent, is a testament to their depth and the hiring of associate coach Travis Green, who improved their special teams. – Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

The Anaheim Ducks (9-7-0) have a total of 36 points and dropped to No. 13 last week. The team should be grateful for games lasting 60 minutes and not 40, as they have made NHL history with six third-period comeback wins through 15 games. Their resilience and ability to score late in games have saved them multiple times this season. – Rosen

The St. Louis Blues (8-5-1) have a total of 35 points and were unranked last week. Their home-ice advantage has been crucial, with six wins out of eight home games so far. Their strong performance at home compensated for their struggling special teams, making it clear how much they need to figure out how to win consistently away from Enterprise Center to remain in the Super 16. – Rosen

Other teams receiving points this week included the Tampa Bay Lightning (27) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (24). Teams that dropped out of the rankings from last week were the Lightning (No. 10) and the New York Islanders (No. 14).

Here’s how the teams were ranked by various authors:

Amalie Benjamin:
1. Boston Bruins;
2. Vegas Golden Knights;
3. New York Rangers;
4. Colorado Avalanche;
5. Dallas Stars;
6. Vancouver Canucks;
7. Los Angeles Kings;
8. Florida Panthers;
9. Detroit Red Wings;
10. Carolina Hurricanes;
11. Toronto Maple Leafs;
12. New Jersey Devils;
13. Anaheim Ducks;
14. Winnipeg Jets;
15. Washington Capitals;
16. St. Louis Blues

Reference

Sarah Anderson

Sarah Anderson dives into the fast-paced world of NHL hockey. Her coverage includes game analysis, player spotlights, and the latest news from the ice. Sarah’s dedication to the sport ensures that hockey enthusiasts stay informed about the NHL’s thrilling action.