NHL Power Rankings: Lightning continue to cruise, Sharks make huge leap

The 13th installment of theScore's NHL Power Rankings was put together by editors Ian McLaren, Cory Wilkins, and Craig Hagerman.

1. Tampa Bay Lightning (51-20-4)

Previously 1st

This squad has been cruising all season, and tops the NHL in goal differential (+59). Expectations are high, and one gets the sense they'll strike hottest once the postseason rolls around. - McLaren

2. Winnipeg Jets (46-19-10)

Previously 4th

The Jets aren't resting on their laurels as the season winds down, as evidenced by a recent fight during practice and a current five-game win streak. Patrik Laine staying in the lineup after a foot injury scare sent history's biggest sigh of relief into the atmosphere. - McLaren

3. Boston Bruins (47-17-10)

Previously 3rd

Boston keeps rolling despite a host of injuries, and there's still a very real chance the Bruins can leapfrog the Lightning atop the Eastern Conference standings. For now, the priority is getting healthy, and getting Patrice Bergeron back is a huge first step. - McLaren

4. Nashville Predators (48-16-11)

Previously 2nd

Nashville already boasts a deep and talented roster, and the Predators appear set to add top prospect Eeli Tolvanen for the stretch run. A shootout loss to Winnipeg on Sunday, however, was their third straight game without a win.
- McLaren

5. Toronto Maple Leafs (45-23-7)

Previously 6th

Toronto's in the midst of one of the most successful regular seasons in franchise history, and will be rewarded with a playoff path that involves matchups with Tampa Bay and Boston (likely without home-ice advantage). Chances are these young guns are up to the task. - McLaren

6. Vegas Golden Knights (47-21-7)

Previously 5th

Vegas reached 100 points and is on the verge of clinching a playoff spot. There's not much more to be said about the Golden Knights' inaugural season, but the history books will be even more kind to them if it translates into a playoff run. - McLaren

7. San Jose Sharks (43-23-9) ▲

Previously 13th

San Jose is the hottest team in the league, and the acquisition of Evander Kane is paying off. Joe Thornton doesn't seem close to returning, though, and Logan Couture appears to have suffered an injury Saturday. Without those two, the Sharks have far less bite, but for now, they're swimming pretty. - McLaren

8. Washington Capitals (44-24-7) ▲

Previously 9th

Alex Ovechkin is scoring, Nicklas Backstrom is dishing, and the Capitals are back atop the Metropolitan Division. A refreshed and healthy Braden Holtby is needed for them to go any further in the playoffs this year. - McLaren

9. Minnesota Wild (42-24-9) ▼

Previously 8th

Coming off a big win over Nashville, the Wild are flying under the radar out West, while Eric Staal is playing some of the best hockey of his career.
- McLaren

10. Pittsburgh Penguins (43-27-6) ▼

Previously 7th

This team can never be counted out, and will only get stronger as the quest for Lord Stanley's mug approaches. - McLaren

11. Colorado Avalanche (41-26-8) ▲

Previously 18th

Three more wins will see the Avs double last year's abysmal 48-point finish, with center Nathan MacKinnon producing at a clip that should make him a strong Hart Trophy candidate. To say it's been a turnaround year in Denver would be an understatement. - Wilkins

12. St. Louis Blues (42-28-5) ▲

Previously 20th

For the second consecutive year, St. Louis sold off a key player and pending unrestricted free agent at the trade deadline. This time it was Paul Stastny, but his departure hasn't halted the streaking Blues. - Wilkins

13. Columbus Blue Jackets (42-29-5) ▲

Previously 14th

The 10-game win streak was snapped, but that string of victories is likely enough for the Blue Jackets to hold on to their playoff hopes. Deadline addition Thomas Vanek has been a surprising success since arriving in Columbus.
- Wilkins

14. Anaheim Ducks (39-24-13) ▼

Previously 10th

The Ducks didn't play Saturday, but that didn't stop them from sliding to the second wild card, then out of the playoffs, then up to the third spot in the Pacific. Expect more of the same in Anaheim as the Ducks close out their regular season schedule. - Wilkins

15. Philadelphia Flyers (38-25-13) ▼

Previously 11th

The bloom has come off new goaltender Petr Mrazek, who put up a strong showing through his early goings in Philadelphia but now owns just five wins and an ugly .886 save percentage across 13 appearances. - Wilkins

16. New Jersey Devils (39-28-8)

Previously 16th

With star netminder Cory Schneider struggling, other Devils have stepped up, including Nico Hischier, who put up four goals in his last six outings. That stretch included New Jersey's third win over the Lightning. - Wilkins

17. Los Angeles Kings (41-28-7) ▲

Previously 19th

For a team in the thick of the playoff race, the Kings certainly aren't making things easy on themselves, as they've picked up just three wins in their past seven contests. Los Angeles will need to up its game over its final six outings.
- Wilkins

18. Florida Panthers (38-28-7) ▼

Previously 15th

The Panthers still hold games in hand in the Eastern Conference's wild-card race, but they haven't done themselves any favors. Losses to basement clubs like Buffalo, Edmonton, and Ottawa (twice) could come back to bite them.
- Wilkins

19. Dallas Stars (38-30-8) ▼

Previously 12th

The Stars' "road trip from hell" is over, and apparently just in the nick of time. After dropping six straight away from home, it's now all about picking up points, but that may be difficult for Dallas with starter Ben Bishop back on the shelf.
- Wilkins

20. Calgary Flames (35-31-10) ▼

Previously 17th

Imagine trading a lottery pick (and more) for Travis Hamonic and then missing the playoffs. That's the reality the Flames face as they sit nine points back of a postseason berth. - Wilkins

21. Carolina Hurricanes (33-31-11)

Previously 21st

The chase is all but over in Carolina, with the Hurricanes sitting nine points out of the playoff picture. The offseason overhaul now begins, with new owner Thomas Dundon concluding his search for a new GM. - Wilkins

22. Edmonton Oilers (34-36-6)

Previously 23rd

The Oilers have been the talk of the league recently. Scratch that. Connor McDavid has been the talk of the league. Elsewhere, Edmonton's mediocre play has continued. - Hagerman

23. New York Rangers (33-34-8)

Previously 24th

The Rangers continue to play .500 hockey down the stretch. They could benefit from losing a couple more games, though. That could very well happen, as the team will dress a less experienced lineup going forward, with star rookies Lias Andersson and Filip Chytil set to get some valuable playing time.
- Hagerman

24. Chicago Blackhawks (31-36-9)

Previously 26th

Two. That's the number of teams the Blackhawks have a better record than in the Western Conference after dropping six straight games. GM Stan Bowman will have lots of work to do in the offseason. - Hagerman

25. New York Islanders (31-34-10)

Previously 22nd

A team that sat on the edge of a playoff spot for much of the season has plummeted in recent weeks. Now 14 points out of the final wild-card spot in the East, it will be interesting to see how the John Tavares saga concludes.
- Hagerman

26. Detroit Red Wings (27-37-11)

Previously 27th

With one win in their last 10 games, the Red Wings are two points away from sitting second-last in the East. Of course, with eight draft picks in the first four rounds, their late-season slump is likely for the best. - Hagerman

27. Montreal Canadiens (27-37-12)

Previously 25th

Carey Price is back and healthy, but he has allowed 11 goals in the two games since his return. He and Montreal need a reset, and perhaps a legit No. 1 center come next season. - Hagerman

28. Arizona Coyotes (25-39-11)

Previously 29th

The Coyotes have gone 5-5-0 in their last 10, but their hot play of late has taken them out of the best lottery position. They're still in the league basement, but should be careful they don't play themselves out of it in the final weeks.
- Hagerman

29. Ottawa Senators (26-37-11)

Previously 28th

The Senators just allowed 18 goals during their three-game homestand. That about sums up their season. It's been bad on the ice and off, and luckily the sweet release of golf season isn't much further. - Hagerman

30. Vancouver Canucks (27-40-9)

Previously 31st

The Canucks have scored just 17 goals in 10 games since rookie phenom Brock Boeser went down with an injury. They're putting up decent efforts nightly, but the results aren't there. To be honest, it's the best-case scenario for a rebuilding club. - Hagerman

31. Buffalo Sabres (23-40-12)

Previously 30th

Much like the Canadiens with Price, the Sabres got their top star in Jack Eichel back from injury but have little to show for it. The 21-year-old has one assist in five games since his return and the team has lost four straight. Makes you wonder if it was worth bringing him back in the first place. - Hagerman

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)