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Welcome to another edition of the Hockeybuzz hotstove.
In this one we'll be sharing our power rankings for the top-5 teams in hockey as we enter the All-Star break.
Todd Cordell
1. Anaheim Ducks (31-10-6)
The Ducks enter All-Star weekend having won eight of their last 10, and they sit atop the league standings as a result. It's hard to argue their success, especially considering they've dealt with injuries on the back end and Corey Perry missed a good amount of time as well.
2. New York Islanders (31-14-1)
The Islanders are tied with Anaheim for the league-lead in wins, and they are 1st in the NHL with a score-adjusted Fenwick of 55.3%. Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk have been huge additions to their blue line, and their young depth players are taking some of the load off John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. Now if Jaroslav Halak would just stay in his net...
3. Chicago Blackhawks (30-15-2)
The Hawks are tied for 3rd in the NHL in wins, are 3rd in the NHL in score-adjusted Fenwick at 54.6% and they lead the league with a plus-40 goal differential. They're 5-5-0 in their last 10, but there's no question they're once again one of the very best teams in hockey.
4. Tampa Bay Lightning (30-14-4)
Nikita Kucherov, Tyler Johnson and co. continue to score while Steven Stamkos is still Steven Stamkos. They're 2nd in the NHL in score-adjusted Fenwick at 54.8%, and continue to win games with average goaltending. If Ben Bishop can come close to returning to last year's form, look out.
5. New York Rangers (27-13-4)
They've won eight of 10, and have the 2nd best goal differential in the East at plus-28. Derek Stepan is producing at a point per game clip, Rick Nash is scoring like there's no tomorrow and, after a slow start, Henrik Lundqvist looks like Henrik Lundqvist. It's hard not to like what the Rangers are doing right now.
Honorable mention: Winnipeg Jets (26-14-8 -- L10: 7-2-1)
Tim Chiasson
1. Anaheim Ducks (31-10-6)
Anaheim's goal differential is increasing and they continue to roll, winners of five straight. They finally look like they deserve to be on top of the West. The Predators have a few games in hand but without Pekka Rinne they shouldn't catch up if the Ducks play the same way they've been playing.
2. New York Islanders (31-14-1)
The Islanders beat the Penguins and have taken the clear lead in the Metropolitan Division - and the Eastern Conference. They have two games in hand over the Lightning and sit only one point back. Garth Snow has built a contender. The days of laughing at the Islanders are over.
3. Nashville Predators (30-10-5)
The Preds are still a competitive team with Pekka Rinne, but they aren't the best. They've proven in the last three games that they are still a capable unit without the mid-season Vezina winner, although the road is much tougher. A Peter Laviolette team doesn't quit.
4. Tampa Bay Lightning (30-14-4)
Still on top of the East, the Lightning are a great hockey team. They've been hit with injuries all season and they need some help on defense as a result but the team game they play is fantastic. There is so much depth on this team. Steve Yzerman has them prepared for everything they've gone through and they've responded accordingly.
5. St Louis Blues (29-13-4)
Second best goal differential in the league. The Blues are back to playing like a powerful Western team after a brief stretch of games that could have saw them in the bottom half of the playoff seeds. Offense, defense, goaltending, the Blues get it done in all three elements.
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