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Todd Cordell
1. Tampa Bay (20-6-2)
This team just can't stop, won't stop, scoring. They're filling the net on a nightly basis and Andrei Vasilevskiy looks ready to contend for a Vezina. I like that they've split up the Steven Stamkos-Nikita Kucherov duo to cause matchup nightmares for opponents.
2. St. Louis (19-8-2)
I think they're the best defensive team in the NHL and their stacked top line (when together) is pretty much unstoppable. I think they could use another top-9 forward, but this team is really good.
3. Columbus (17-10-1)
Columbus being a contender this year is the hill I will die on. They are really deep and talented up front, they have a couple elite defensemen, and a Vezina winner between the pipes. Their power play is the only thing stopping them right now.
4. Winnipeg (17-8-4)
They have the firepower to play with anybody and their underlying numbers have been much better since the underrated Mathieu Perreault returned to the lineup. I really like this team.
5. Nashville (18-7-3)
They are 4th in the league in points and one of their better players, Ryan Ellis, still hasn't even played a game. This team looks poised to contend once again.
Honorable mention: Toronto. Their stars still have another level to hit and Frederik Andersen is giving them fantastic goaltending.
Jared Crozier
1. Nashville (18-7-3)
The Preds are 10-2-1 since acquiring Kyle Turris. They have won 3 straight and are 8-1-1 in their last 10.
2. Tampa Bay (20-6-2)
The first team to 20 wins, they had a slight wobble losing 3 out of four but have righted the ship, winning 3 straight.
3. Los Angeles (19-8-3)
Winners of 7 straight, the hottest team in the league. They have opened up a 6 point lead on Vegas, so the onus is on the Golden Knights to win the three games they have in hand.
4. Washington (17-11-1)
Don't sleep on the Caps. They are finding a rhythm and climbing in the Metro. Quality wins over TB and TOR, only loss in last 7 is to the hottest team in the league, the LAK
5. St. Louis (19-8-2)
Like the Lightning, the Blues went through a mini-slump (1-3-1 over 5 games) but appear to have bounced back with 2 straight wins.
Peter Tessier
Pete's undisputed Power Rankings
1. Tampa Bay- Although 6-4-1 in last 1 they will not fall from the top spot in NHL- still the most dangerous team
2. Nashville- 8-1-1 and slowly moving up the league in a quiet, methodical way while looking like SC finalists again
3. Los Angeles- 7-2-1 and while second in the league in points they are not as dominant as others
4. St. Louis- 6-3-1. The Blues are a good team and will continue to be so but are not playing at the pace and success of earlier.
5. Winnipeg 5-4-1. Two recent losses have raised some questions but they still sit firm in top 5 and can stay there with a win over Tampa on Saturday.
Recent posts
Which players off to hot starts are most likely to slow down?
Thoughts on the big trade between the Devils and Ducks?
Which players are most likely to rebound from slow starts?
Thoughts on Cam Atkinson's long-term extension with the Blue Jackets
Thoughts on the three-way blockbuster between Ottawa, Nashville, and Colorado?
Stanley Cup predictions
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