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.
Todd Cordell 1. Chicago Blackhawks (26-12-2)
They're tied for the league lead in wins with 26, they're 1st in goal differential at plus-37 and they lead the league in score adjusted Fenwick (arguably the best measure of puck possession) at 55.3%. Until something changes they're my No. 1.
2. Nashville Predators (26-9-4)
Like Chicago, they're tied for the league lead in wins. The Predators are also the only team in the NHL with single digit regulation losses, and they currently sit atop the central division. According to Hockey-Reference, Pekka Rinne has given them quality starts in 80% of his appearances. As long as he continues to play at a high level the Preds should remain among the top teams in hockey.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (26-12-4)
They are currently 1st in the Eastern Conference, and have three of the top-13 scorers in the league (Tyler Johnson, Nikita Kucherov, and Steven Stamkos in that order). Ben Bishop is playing well, Victor Hedman is healthy again and they're 2nd in the NHL in score adjusted Fenwick.
4. Anaheim Ducks (26-10-6)
It hasn't been pretty at times, but the Ducks still lead the league in points despite playing in a very tough conference. That's enough for me.
5. New York Rangers (22-11-4)
They didn't get off to a good start this season but it's been all systems go since Derek Stepan has returned to the lineup. Rick Nash is playing like an MVP candidate, Henrik Lundqvist is back to his old self and as such the Rangers have won nine of 10. They're now just six points back of Pittsburgh for 1st in the division and the Rangers have three games in hand.
Ryan Wilson 1. Chicago 26-12-2
Chicago is the #1 team in Score-Adjusted Fenwick at 55.3% and the number one goal differential in the league as well at +37. It is as simple as that.
2. Tampa Bay 26-12-4
Tampa is 7-2-1 in their last 10 and own the best goal differential in the East with +28. They got beat soundly by Pittsburgh last week but one game doesn't change the entire body of work.
3. Nashville 26-9-4
They have the fewest regulation losses in the NHL with 9. Pekka Rinne is awesome and they are the fourth best Score-Adjusted Fenwick team at 53.4%.
4. Pittsburgh 24-10-6
Still battling injury issues but the Penguins are staying afloat amongst the top teams in the league. Adding David Perron is a big move and will pay immediate dividends. They used to be a top five possession team but injuries have seen them slip in that regard. Paul Martin and Beau Bennett are back and they will help the team drive possession once again.
5. New York Islanders 26-13-1
I won't turn my back on a top 3 possession team (3rd overall 55.1%)who is receiving quality goal tending. The Islanders have lost two straight but it will take more than that to bump them out of my top five.
Montreal gets a mention here as they are 8-2 in their last 10 and sport a nice 26-12-2 record. But I don't like their process. They are 20th in possession and second in PDO. I don't like that combination for the long term.
Tim Chiasson 1A. Nashville Predators (26-9-4)
Hear me out. The Predators have a great goal differential and have played less games than the Blackhawks. Right now, with the way they're playing, I'd rather face the Blackhawks. Call me crazy, but I have a lot of respect for the the way Laviolette has this team playing
1B. Chicago Blackhawks (26-12-2)
Everything about the Blackhawks is great - as usual - but I can't ignore what Nashville is doing right now. The Hawks are 1B because I don't think you can put the number two next to their game. Great team from top to bottom and should be the Cup favorite once again.
3. Pittsburgh Penguins (24-10-6)
Even with Sidney Crosby struggling (10 points in his last 15 games) the Penguins are still the best team in the East, that's how good they are. They picked up another winger for the top-six and once Crosby gets out of his slump - even though he's still only 5 points back of the scoring race - they will terrorize the entire league. We have to wonder though, for a player who is normally well over a point per game, if Crosby is playing through another injury.
4. Tampa Bay Lightning (26-12-4)
The Lightning are doing everything they can to keep the Penguins at bay for top spot in the east but with two more games played than Pittsburgh it's tough to rank them higher. The sky is the limit for this team if Stamkos can find his extra gear. The fact that Johnson leads the team in scoring speaks wonders about what Yzerman has done to make Tampa a legitimate Cup contender.
5. Anaheim Ducks (26-10-6)
Anaheim's goal differential is keeping them down for me. Only eight teams in the league have allowed more goals than the Ducks. They're 5-4-1 in their last ten and the Hawks and Preds are hot on their tail. If they weren't still holding on to first in the West they'd be outside the top five for me.
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