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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 get going in the 2nd half of the season.
Todd Cordell
1. New York Islanders (32-14-1)
The Islanders lead the league in score adjusted Fenwick at 55.2%, they have one of the best goal differentials in hockey at plus-22 and there is no glaring weakness on this team. The defense has been excellent, they have tons of fire power up front, and Jaroslav Halak has given them the quality goaltending they desperately needed last year.
2. Anaheim Ducks (32-11-6)
The Ducks were embarrassed against the Sharks in their last game, but they are 8-2-0 and lead the league with 70 points. That's enough for me.
3. Nashville Predators (31-10-6)
The Preds have the fewest regulation losses in hockey, own a plus-33 goal differential and lead the league's hardest division. It's incredible what they're doing right now.
4. Chicago Blackhawks (30-16-2)
They're slumping a little having won just five of their last 10 games, but they lead the league with a plus-39 goal differential and sit 3rd in score adjusted Fenwick at 54.6%.
5. Tampa Bay Lightning (31-15-4)
They lead the East in points (66) and goal differential (plus-31). Ben Bishop has been a little shaky at times this season, but for the most part the team is clicking on all cylinders.
Ryan Wilson
1. New York Islanders 32-14-1
This team is the best possession team in the NHL (SAF 55.2%) and they play fast. Forward depth is great and while losing Okposo stinks, they probably won't notice it too much. This is a team that still has room to improve and could do so at the trade deadline.
2. Chicago 30-16-2
Possession monster as always. They have the high end skill and the proper depth to match. +39 goal differential is best in the NHL.
3. Tampa Bay 30-15-4
Second best possession in NHL (54.9%) and also own the Eastern Conferences best goal differential (+27)
4. Nashville 31-10-5
Losing Pekka Rinne is certainly not ideal but this team has a very good defense corp and forwards who are pushing the play towards teh other goal instead of being one dimensional defensive drones like in years past.
5. Detroit 28-11-9
This is a team that is going to fly under the radar but is extremely dangerous. Solid in possession and goaltending is a great recipe for success. If this team adds a player like Andrej Sekera, look out.
Tim Chiasson
1. Nashville Predators (31-10-6)
The Predators are still getting points, still have a great goal differential and they have two games in hand on the Anaheim Ducks. The depth and compete of this team was undervalued when Rinne went down. Not anymore.
2. St Louis Blues (30-13-4)
Hottest team in hockey, plain and simple. The Blues are a deep team up front and on defense and they're back to being dominant again. No one has a better score-adjusted fenwick for the month of January than the St Louis Blues.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (31-15-4)
Last night's beat down of the Detroit Red Wings was one of those games where you wonder if anyone will stop the Lightning from running the table in the East. Deepest team in the Eastern Conference. If they had a little tighter goaltending this year they would be running away with the President's Trophy.
4. Anaheim Ducks (32-11-6)
Despite being destroyed by the Sharks last night, they're still on top of the league for points. I just don't think that they're better than any of the three teams above them.
5. New York Islanders (32-15-1)
The Islanders aren't in second in the East anymore because Carey Price stole another win, but they're still very much better than Montreal overall. What a fun team to watch this year. The Isles lead the league in score-adjusted fenwick and in 3 of the last 5 seasons the team that finished first in that category won the Stanley Cup. The Isles are more than for real.
Hon. Mention: Detroit Red Wings (28-12-9)
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