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.
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