NHL Power Rankings: Lightning closing in on Atlantic Division lead

For the first time in nine weeks, the Washington Capitals have been dethroned from the top spot in the NHL power rankings. It's certainly not anything they did, but with just one regulation loss since Jan. 17, the Anaheim Ducks are on absolute fire.

Although the aforementioned duo are certainly legitimate Stanley Cup contenders this season, they'll need to watch their back. The surging Tampa Bay Lightning are hot on their tail, closing in on the Florida Panthers and the top spot in the Atlantic Division in the process.

Here are this week's power rankings:

1. Anaheim Ducks ▲
(Last Week: 2)

Will the Ducks ever lose again? The hottest team in the league is an absolutely ridiculous 15-1-1 in its last 17 games.

2. Washington Capitals ▼
(Last Week: 1)

The Capitals failed at their biggest test of the season Sunday against the Blackhawks, but they're still 13-4-0 in their last 17 games. Washington will have an opportunity to regain top spot in the power rankings against Anaheim on Monday.

3. Tampa Bay Lightning ▲
(Last Week: 8)

The Lightning have put the trade deadline behind them and can finally move on from the distraction that is Jonathan Drouin. He's sitting at home, while they're threatening for the Atlantic Division title with seven consecutive wins.

4. St. Louis Blues ▼
(Last Week: 3)

Jake Allen is rounding back into form after missing 17 games due to injury. The 25-year-old has already made fans forget about Brian Elliott with back-to-back wins, stopping 72 of 77 shots in the process.

5. Chicago Blackhawks ▼
(Last Week: 4)

The Blackhawks have been treading water for over a month now, with just 17 points in their last 15 games. However, with a big win over the Capitals to end the month, equipped with the additions of Andrew Ladd and Dale Weise, it's only a matter of time before they pull away in the West.

6. New York Rangers
(Last Week: 6)

No "C" on the front of a red jersey? Weird, but certainly a wise trade deadline acquisition for the all-in Rangers.

7. San Jose Sharks ▲
(Last Week: 11)

San Jose's next five games: Canucks, Canucks, Flames, Oilers, Devils. They will certainly have every opportunity to challenge for the Pacific Division crown.

8. New York Islanders ▲
(Last Week: 9)

8-2-1 in their last 11 games, the Islanders appear primed for a first-round series against the Rangers.

Sorry, John Tavares. But you might find yourself taking the subway to road games as well come April.

9. Florida Panthers ▼
(Last Week: 7)

The Panthers made good short-term additions without taking away from their long-term plan by landing Teddy Purcell and Jiri Hudler. However, with an injury to Jonathan Huberdeau, they're extremely weak on the left side. Quinton Howden, Jussi Jokinen, and Purcell will not get them anywhere in the playoffs.

10. Nashville Predators ▲
(Last Week: 15)

Ryan Johansen has just two assists in his last 10 games, but that isn't stopping the red-hot Predators from pulling away in the wild-card race.

11. Dallas Stars ▼
(Last Week: 5)

Jamie Benn has seven points in his last seven games, yet he's still minus-11 during that stretch. The Stars will only get so far with a potent offense, and will regret the high price they paid for Kris Russell if he can't be a difference maker.

12. Detroit Red Wings
(Last Week: 12)

The Red Wings are quickly becoming the fastest team in the entire league. Although Dylan Larkin - the NHL's fastest skater - is struggling with just one goal in nine games, fellow rookie Andreas Athanasiou has certainly stolen the spotlight, and his teammates are noticing.

13. Los Angeles Kings
(Last Week: 13)

Anze Kopitar, Jeff Carter, Tyler Toffoli, Milan Lucic, and Drew Doughty have combined for just three goals in eight games. With both the Ducks and Sharks hot on their tail, the Kings need to find their scoring touch now, if not sooner.

14. Boston Bruins
(Last Week: 14)

Lee Stempniak and John-Michael Liles for four draft picks, including a second-rounder? That's far too much from a team that won't contend for a Stanley Cup this season. Valiant effort, though.

15. Minnesota Wild ▲
(Last Week: 16)

Erik Haula has come out of nowhere, recording four goals and six assists in nine games since John Torchetti took over behind the bench. The Wild are 6-3-0 in that span, and are back in a wild-card spot after pivotal wins over the Panthers and Avalanche.

16. Pittsburgh Penguins ▼
(Last Week: 15)

Evgeni Malkin is finally back in the lineup after a 10-game absence, and his return couldn't have come at a better time. The Penguins are mired in a suddenly tight wild-card race, sitting just three points up on the surging Flyers.

17. Philadelphia Flyers ▲
(Last Week: 21)

Philadelphia certainly has Pittsburgh sweating thanks to three wins in a row with the Oilers and Blue Jackets next on their schedule.

18. Ottawa Senators
(Last Week: 18)

With a 5-1-1 record in their last seven games, the Senators are off to a good start in their quest to repeat last year's improbable 18-3-3 run to the postseason. Oh, and they're bolstering their lineup in the process:

19. Colorado Avalanche
(Last Week: 19)

Colorado is 5-7-1 in its last 13 games, dropping out of a playoff position after a tough loss Tuesday to Minnesota. However, with the addition of Mikkel Boedker, they're certainly in good shape to push for a postseason appearance for the second time in three years.

20. Carolina Hurricanes ▼
(Last Week: 17)

Poor guy.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets ▲
(Last Week: 22)

With a record of 9-3-4 in their last 16 games, you can't help but wonder what could have been if the Blue Jackets actually knew how to start a season.

22. Montreal Canadiens ▲
(Last Week: 25)

The Canadiens posted their best monthly record since November, and they didn't even finish above .500 in February. Progress.

23. New Jersey Devils ▼
(Last Week: 20)

New Jersey's upcoming schedule: Predators, Stars, Penguins, Sharks, Kings, and Wild. Good luck with that.

24. Buffalo Sabres ▼
(Last Week: 23)

Even with a struggling team, the future is bright in Buffalo, and the fans are evidently very stoked about it.

25. Arizona Coyotes ▼
(Last Week: 24)

With six losses in a row, the Coyotes are finally back to embracing the rebuild. After adding Anthony Duclair at last year's deadline, Arizona won again this time around, landing prospects Conner Bleackley, Kyle Wood, and a solid veteran presence in Alex Tanguay for unrestricted free agent Mikkel Boedker.

26. Winnipeg Jets ▲
(Last Week: 28)

Although it's tough right now, the future is bright in Winnipeg.

Nikolaj Ehlers, Joel Armia, Nic Petan, Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey, and now, Marko Dano, are primed to lead the Jets for years to come.

27. Calgary Flames ▼
(Last Week: 26)

After back-to-back road losses against the Flyers and Bruins to start the week, the Flames have recorded just 21 of a possible 62 points away from home this season, which is tied for last place in the entire league.

28. Vancouver Canucks ▼
(Last Week: 27)

Absolutely nobody has any idea what the Canucks are doing right now.

Then again, neither do they.

29. Edmonton Oilers ▲
(Last Week: 30)

Connor McDavid > Jack Eichel.

30. Toronto Maple Leafs ▼
(Last Week: 29)

The future is now.