Surprising NHL Weekend Rankings: Many Teams Below .500 – What’s Going On?

Struggling like a December team, this week’s rankings will be mixed up a bit. Usually, the bonus five teams come first, but today we’ll jump straight to the top five and then circle back to the bonus in the middle. So let’s get into it.

Road to the Cup:
Here are the top five teams with the best chances of winning the Stanley Cup:
5. Los Angeles Kings (14-4-3, +33 true goals differential*) — The Kings have proven themselves with their solid performance lately. With Cam Talbot in good form, a balanced offense, and a built-for-the-playoffs vibe, they have earned their spot this week. The competition is tough, but the Kings have secured their place for now.
4. Boston Bruins (17-4-3, +19) — After a recent winning streak, the Bruins are back on top in the Atlantic Division. With their recent form, they are a strong contender.
3. New York Rangers (18-4-1, +20) — The Rangers have been on a roll with an impressive record, and upcoming matchups could further solidify their position as a top team in the league.
2. Dallas Stars (14-5-3, +17) — The Stars’ recent performance, particularly their win against the Lightning, has moved them up in the rankings. They’re a team to watch out for as the season progresses.
1. Vegas Golden Knights (16-5-4, +21) — Despite recent revelations, the Golden Knights remain at the top of our rankings.

Not ranked: Edmonton Oilers — The Oilers have shown promise with a recent winning streak, but their shaky start may prevent them from climbing the rankings just yet.

The bonus section this week doubles as a cry for help, as the bottom five teams continue to be a rotating cast of underperforming teams. We’ll work through the candidates to determine the true bottom five in the league for this week.

Bonus five: Bad teams that aren’t quite bad enough for this week’s bottom five:
5. Calgary Flames — Despite potential trades, the Flames have shown promise with recent impressive wins.
4. Minnesota Wild — A coaching change has sparked the Wild, and they are beginning to turn things around.
3. Ottawa Senators — Ottawa has had its struggles but managed to buy a bit more time with a recent win.

The rankings continue to evolve week by week as teams jockey for position in the hunt for the Stanley Cup.

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.