NHL Power Rankings: Wild scream up to No. 2; Senators' magic waning
1. New York Rangers (Last Week: 1)
Sure, the Rangers lost three times this week, but they also became the first team to nail down a postseason spot and saw the return of their world-class goaltender.
If that's your worst week this calendar year, it can't be too hard to get outta bed Monday morning.
2. Minnesota Wild (Last Week: 5)
Yeah, we hear you. The Wild aren't even top three in their division - though they did make a brief cameo. But consider this: Minnesota has a +47 goal differential since agreeing to part with that third-round pick back in January.
The next best in the West? Calgary at +12.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning (Last Week: 2)
As the Globe and Mail's James Mirtle points out, the Lightning eclipsed the 400-point mark in terms of points by players aged 24 and under. That's 344 points more than the Penguins, who maybe should trade Sidney Crosby for the No. 1-overall selection in June.
Kidding, guys. That's crazy.
4. St. Louis Blues (Last Week: 4)
Try to be cooler, Vladimir Tarasenko.
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Last Week: 3)
The Blackhawks' Corsi For at 5-on-5 has dropped 3.5 percent since Patrick Kane exited the lineup. That is incredible.
6. Anaheim Ducks (Last Week: 7)
Are Frederik Andersen and John Gibson finally starting to push each other? After Andersen stood tall in wins over the Bruins and Islanders, Gibson was sensational in a win over the Devils on Sunday.
Here's his best moment, a ridiculous paddle stop:
7. Nashville Predators (Last Week: 8)
The Predators clinched a postseason berth for the eighth time in 15 full 82-game seasons and crossed the 100-point threshold for the fifth time since their inception. That's damn good. Take note, Vegas.
8. Montreal Canadiens (Last Week: 6)
In 43 combined starts, the Canadiens' quartet of deadline acquisitions have combined to produce two assists and a minus-12 rating.
9. New York Islanders (Last Week: 9)
The Islanders are playing out their final days in Uniondale, and that's sad. But if they were to stay, they'd be paying Thomas Vanek a large sum of money for a very, very long time. You can't have it all, guys.
10. Pittsburgh Penguins (Last Week: 11)
Despite their struggle, it would appear the Penguins won't have any trouble holding onto a top-three seed in the Metropolitan - but will they make it five straight (full) seasons with at least 100 points?
They need just five to get there, but with bitter antagonists in the Blue Jackets and Flyers making up three of the final six games, it won't be handed to them.
11. Vancouver Canucks (Last Week: 12)
When a table with the NHL's entire roster of defenseman is sorted, the name that surfaces at the top indicates either really good, reaally bad, or a reminder to bump up those minutes played.
For Chris Tanev, and his contributions in minimizing shot attempts relative to his mates, it's option A.
12. Detroit Red Wings (Last Week: 10)
Somebody better start stopping pucks with some sort of regularity soon. Someone remind these guys Mike Babcock is WITHOUT A CONTRACT NEXT SEASON.
13. Washington Capitals (Last Week: 14)
The Capitals, who stormed back to beat the top-seated Rangers on Sunday, have met the Blueshirts four times in their last five postseason appearances.
Could they have the book on them?
Ovi on the Rangers: "When we put puck deep we finish our checks. I think they were kind of not ready and don't want to take a hit."
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) March 29, 2015
14. Winnipeg Jets (Last Week: 13)
The Jets need to hang on. We have to see playoff Dustin Byfuglien again.
15. Los Angeles Kings (Last Week: 15)
The Kings won the battle for Corsi supremacy 73-34 over the Wild on Saturday, and because these are the 2014-15 Kings, lost 4-1.
16. Boston Bruins (Last Week: 18)
David Pastrnak, who leads the Bruins in 5-on-5 production by a considerable margin, was trusted with 9:38 of ice versus THE HURRICANES before Claude Julien took off the leash at the end of regulation.
Of course, he scores the overtime winner to go along with an assist in the first. C'mon Claude.
17. Calgary Flames (Last Week: 17)
The dude/dudette running the Flames' Twitter account seemed to have such great hopes for Douglas Murray.
Doug Murray's try-out has expired. He will no longer practice with the team.
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) March 25, 2015
18. Ottawa Senators (Last Week: 16)
Mark Stone passed Alexandre Daigle for the third-most points by a Senators rookie. Daigle once wore a nurse's outfit. The Sens have but a fainting pulse after losing their third straight.
Sorry, what?
19. Dallas Stars (Last Week: 20)
The Stars have 10 wins in 14 games this month. They're still four times more likely to win the Connor McDavid sweepstakes than make the playoffs.
20. Florida Panthers (Last Week: 22)
Jaromir Jagr gets two stalls on the road. One for his gear, of course, and the other for a medicine ball, ankle weights and a mullet wig. This is true.
21. Colorado Avalanche (Last Week: 19)
Ryan O'Reilly is Factor-ing in just a touch too late. He'll have a chance to build on his 1.33 points per game in the month of March - which ranks third in the league - Monday versus the Oilers.
22. Columbus Blue Jackets (Last Week: 23)
The Blue Jackets' last road defeat came on March 1. They've made stops in Chicago, Detroit, St. Louis and toured Western Canada in four nights since then.
23. San Jose Sharks (Last Week: 21)
Am I the only one who thinks Todd McLellan isn't guaranteed to step into another head coaching position? I mean, Dan Bylsma hasn't, Peter Laviolette had to wait.
Is McLellan really any better?
24. New Jersey Devils (Last Week: 24)
I'd love to see the Devils give it another go in contract negotiations with Ilya Kovalchuk just to see what sort of ridiculousness they can come up with.
25. Philadelphia Flyers (Last Week: 25)
If Wayne Simmonds's injury means Ryan White is now on the Flyers' top power play, let's just go ahead and not even speak of these final six games.
26. Carolina Hurricanes (Last Week: 26)
Hey, news out of Carolina: Anton Khudobin's life changed this week. He was introduced to Girl Scout cookies.
27. Edmonton Oilers (Last Week: 27)
ICYMI: Andrew Miller scored his first NHL goal on a penalty shot, and it was tremendous.
28. Toronto Maple Leafs (Last Week: 28)
Truculence! There is it. We've finally seen it!
It was really, really gross...
29. Arizona Coyotes (Last Week: 29)
Based on their ability to flip assets, it's a bit surprising to see the Coyotes not fetch a future linemate for Max Domi and Anthony Duclair for Sean Burke.
30. Buffalo Sabres (Last Week: 30)
That dull roar was actually pretty respectful, considering this is how Sabres fans were probably feeling inside.