We reach Week 12 of the NHL season, and things are really starting to shape out in our weekly NHL Power Rankings. The two hottest teams made significant jumps in the standings as Colorado moved into the top 5 with a big week and Nashville won six straight games, helping them climb 10 spots.
Tampa Bay is bumped out of the top spot as the Carolina Hurricanes became just the fourth team to reach the top spot in the rankings. The free falling Stars continue their descent. Buffalo remains in the bottom slot but they at least snapped their 18-game winless streak.
Our rankings are based upon a number of factors, including recent level of play, injuries, and quality wins.
1. Carolina Hurricanes
Stanley Cup Odds: +1200
Record: 23-8-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
Carolina jumps to the top of the Power Rankings as the team went 3-1-0 over the last 10 days. That included a shutout victory over Columbus before defeating the Blue Jackets in overtime last Thursday. The Hurricanes pulled off a huge victory over Tampa Bay on Saturday before losing to Chicago on Tuesday. The victory over Tampa Bay was a big one, not only helping to move Carolina into the top spot, but also helping Tampa Bay drop two spots.
The Hurricanes start the week in Chicago on Thursday night before returning home to begin an eight-game homestand. This will be a golden opportunity for this team to solidify their position in the rankings, as they host Dallas for a pair of games over the weekend before Florida comes to town on Tuesday and Thursday. Carolina is 11-1-3 at home this season, the second-best home record in the NHL.
2. Vegas Golden Knights
Stanley Cup Odds: we 700
Record: 24-9-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
Vegas climbs up a spot in the rankings, going 3-2-0. The Golden Knights blew out St. Louis last Monday, 5-1 before splitting a pair of games in Colorado. They then split two games with Los Angeles at home to begin this week. Despite playing just slightly above .500, they move up the rankings as star goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury missed a few games with an injury but this team has barely skipped a beat.
Vegas has a huge week ahead of them. They welcome Minnesota for a pair of games starting on Thursday, then travel to St. Louis for games on Monday and Wednesday. The Golden Knights are an impressive 14-3-1 at home.
3. Tampa Bay Lightning
Stanley Cup Odds: +550
Record: 24-9-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Tampa Bay drops two spots in the Power Rankings as they go 1-3-0. After defeating the Stars in Dallas last Tuesday, 2-1, Tampa Bay then lost three straight games, losing to Dallas and then Carolina by back-to-back 4-3 scores, then losing to Columbus this last Tuesday at home, 3-1. The Lightning are now 6-4-0 in their last 10.
Tampa Bay gets a chance to redeem themselves as they continue their four-game homestand with a rematch against Columbus on Thursday. They then welcome Detroit to town for a pair of games over the weekend before heading to Columbus for a pair starting next Tuesday.
A possible Ryan McDonagh return tonight 👀
More from morning skate: https://t.co/CbhJ8eF3yI
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) April 1, 2021
4. Washington Capitals
Stanley Cup Odds: +1500
Record: 20-7-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Washington concluded their six-game homestand with three straight victories, sweeping New Jersey last Thursday and Friday before defeating the New York Rangers on Sunday, 5-4. The Capitals headed to the road where they lost to the Rangers on Tuesday, 5-2. Washington went 5-1-0 during the six-game homestand. That moved the team to 13-4-2 at home, and they are 8-2-0 in their last 10.
Washington continues their five-game road trip, playing the Islanders in New York on Thursday before traveling to New Jersey on Friday to take on the Devils. They will play the Devils again on Sunday before going back to New York to take on the Islanders on Tuesday. 10 of Washington’s 15 games this month are on the road.
5. Colorado Avalanche
Stanley Cup Odds: +650
Record: 23-8-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Colorado is the hottest team in the NHL, going 10-0-2 over their last 12 games. They have not suffered a regulation loss since losing to Arizona back on February 8. In March, the Avalanche went 12-2-3. It was an impressive 10 days for Colorado, as they went 4-0-2. The team began the week by defeating the Coyotes in Arizona, 5-1, then lost a shootout to the Coyotes on Tuesday, 5-4. They returned home where they crushed Vegas on Thursday, 5-1, before losing in overtime to the Golden Knights on Saturday, 3-2. Colorado then crushed Anaheim, 5-2, before burying Arizona, 9-3, on Wednesday.
The Avalanche remain at home for a pair of games against the Blues starting on Friday. They then head to the road on Monday to play Minnesota two games in three nights. The Avalanche are 8-4-2 on the road.
6. Florida Panthers
Stanley Cup Odds: +1800
Record: 20-7-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
Florida drops a spot in the Power Rankings. They lost their first two games of the week, falling in Chicago on Tuesday and Thursday. The Panthers then moved on to Dallas where they swept two games against the Stars before returning home on Tuesday to defeat Detroit, 4-1. The goaltending was solid for Florida, allowing three goals in each of the losses to Chicago, then allowing just five total goals over the last three games.
It is a busy week for Florida. They have three straight home games starting on Thursday against Detroit. Columbus comes to town for back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday. The Panthers then head to the road for six straight games starting with a pair of games in Carolina beginning on Tuesday. Florida has been quite impressive on the road this season, going 12-5-1.
7. Pittsburgh Penguins
Stanley Cup Odds: +2500
Record: 23-11-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Pittsburgh jumps up two spots in the rankings thanks to an impressive week where they won all four games they played. They swept Buffalo on Wednesday and Thursday, then beat the Islanders on Saturday and Monday. That made the Penguins 4-0-1 during their five-game homestand. It was an impressive month for the Penguins who played 12 of their 16 games at home, going 12-3-1. The Penguins have allowed two goals or less in 11 of their 16 games in March.
Now Pittsburgh spends all the early part of April on the road, starting a six-game road trip in Boston on Thursday. They play a pair of games against the Bruins before traveling to New York to take on the Rangers next Tuesday and Thursday. Pittsburgh is 7-8-1 on the road this season.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
Stanley Cup Odds: +650
Record: 23-10-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Toronto had an outstanding week, going 3-0-1. That helped them to move up two spots in the Power Rankings. Three of those games went to overtime, with Toronto winning two of them, including splitting a pair of overtime games at home against Edmonton over the weekend.
The Maple Leafs stay on the road to take on Winnipeg on Friday, then travel to Calgary to face the Flames and a pair of games starting on Sunday. On Wednesday, they return home to take on Montréal. Winnipeg is 12-7-1 on the road this season.
9. New York Islanders
Stanley Cup Odds: was 1500
Record: 22-10-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
New York drops two spots in the Power Rankings after going 2-2-0. New York won a pair of overtime games to start the week, defeating the Flyers in Philadelphia on Monday, 2-1, then traveling to Boston where they beat the Bruins in overtime on Thursday, 4-3. New York then lost a pair of games in Pittsburgh to the red-hot Penguins on Saturday and Monday. The split on the road keeps New York at .500 away from their home arena (9-9-2).
The Islanders get the opportunity to build some momentum with a six-game homestand starting on Thursday when they welcome the Capitals. Philadelphia then comes to town on Saturday before Washington returns on Tuesday. The Flyers come back to New York on Thursday. The Islanders have the best home record in the NHL at 13-1-2.
10. Minnesota Wild
Stanley Cup Odds: +1600
Record: 21-11-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
Minnesota started out the week well, winning all three games at home, but then lost a pair of games in San Jose on Monday and Wednesday. They finished the week, 3-1-1. The Wild have been outstanding at home, going 13-3-0. They won all eight games they played at home in March.
The Wild are going to have to improve their road performance, as they begin the week with a pair of games in Vegas. They then return home to face Colorado on Monday and Wednesday. The Wild are 8-8-2 on the road.
11. Boston Bruins
Stanley Cup Odds: +1600
Record: 18-9-5
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
The Boston Bruins played four one goal games during the week, all of them at home. The team went 2-1-1. Boston lost in overtime to the Islanders last Thursday before defeating the Sabres on Saturday, 3-2. They lost to the Devils on Sunday, 1-0, then beat the Devils on Tuesday in a shootout, 5-4. That dropped Boston to 9-4-2 at home.
The Bruins have three more games at home, welcoming Pittsburgh on Thursday and Saturday before Philadelphia comes to town on Monday. The team then heads to the road for three straight games starting on Tuesday in Philadelphia. They travel to Washington on Thursday.
12. Montréal Canadiens
Stanley Cup Odds: +2500
Record: 15-8-9
Last Week’s Ranking: 15
Montréal only played one game over the last 10 days, a 4-0 shutout of Edmonton. They move up as the teams ahead of them falter a little bit during the week. The Canadiens have also been helped by winning their last two games.
It will be a busy stretch for Montréal starting on Thursday. They travel to Ottawa before returning home to face the Senators on Saturday. Edmonton comes to town on Monday. Montréal then heads to Toronto on Wednesday before returning home to begin a six-game homestand starting against Winnipeg on Thursday. Montréal plays at least four games in each of the next four weeks. The Canadiens are 7-5-2 at home.
13. Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Odds: +1700
Record: 22-14-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
Edmonton went 1-1-1 this week. They split a pair of games in Toronto, both going to overtime before traveling to Montréal where they lost to the Canadiens on Tuesday, 4-0. Edmonton is now 10-6-1 on the road this season.
They will begin April at home, welcoming Calgary on Friday in Vancouver on Saturday. The team then heads back to Montréal on Monday before traveling to Ottawa on Wednesday and Friday. Edmonton is 12-8-0 at home.
14. Winnipeg Jets
Stanley Cup Odds: +2400
Record: 22-13-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Winnipeg had a very busy 10 days, going 4-2-0. The first five games of the week were all on the road, sweeping a pair of games in Vancouver before defeating the Flames in Calgary on Friday. The Jets then lost in Calgary on Saturday before defeating the Flames on Monday, 5-1. They returned home on Wednesday where they lost to Toronto, 3-1. The impressive road performance left the team 4-3-0 on their seven-game road trip.
Winnipeg remains at home for three straight games, beginning on Friday against Toronto. They then welcome Vancouver for a pair of games on Sunday and Tuesday before returning to the road to take on Montréal next Thursday. Winnipeg is 10-6-1 at home.
Still not over last night’s OT W! @Bridgestone | #DALvsNSH pic.twitter.com/IOGbzITrCv
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 31, 2021
15. Nashville Predators
Stanley Cup Odds: +15,000
Record: 14-17-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 25
Nashville is the second hottest team in the NHL, winning six straight games. That helped to move them up 10 slots in the Power Rankings. Nashville swept a pair of games at home against Detroit last Tuesday and Thursday, before heading to Chicago where they swept the Blackhawks in a pair of games over the weekend. They defeated Dallas in overtime at home on Tuesday. Goaltending has been amazing for the Predators during this string, as they have allowed nine total goals.
The Predators have two more games at home, welcoming Dallas on Thursday and Chicago on Saturday. They then head to the road to take on Detroit for a pair of games starting on Tuesday. Nashville is now 10-7-0 at home and they are 8-2-0 in their last 10.
16. Philadelphia Flyers
Stanley Cup Odds: +3300
Record: 15-11-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 16
Philadelphia had a busy 10 games as well, playing six games. However, it was not a good stretch, as the team went 2-3-1. Philadelphia began the week with a disappointing homestand, losing in overtime to New York last Monday, then losing two straight games to New Jersey and New York before beating the Rangers on Saturday, 2-1. They then split a pair of games in Buffalo. Philadelphia has been mediocre at home at 8-7-3.
The Flyers remain on the road traveling to New York to take on the Islanders on Saturday. They then head to Boston on Monday before welcoming Boston for a game on Tuesday. Philadelphia is 4-5-1 in their last 10.
17. St. Louis Blues
Stanley Cup Odds: +2400
Record: 16-10-5
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
St. Louis drops three spots in the Power Rankings after going 0-3-1 last week. They opened the week with a loss in Vegas, 5-1, before being shut out in Minnesota on Thursday, 2-0. The team then returned home where they lost to Anaheim on Friday, 4-1, before losing in overtime on Sunday, 3-2. The Blues are now 2-5-3 over the last 10 and have been abysmal at home at 4-8-4, the second worst home record in the NHL.
That is bad news, as the team travels to Colorado for a pair of games starting on Friday but then return home next Monday to start a four-game homestand. They welcome Vegas for a pair of games on Monday and Wednesday.
18. New York Rangers
Stanley Cup Odds: +8000
Record: 13-13-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 22
New York moves up the rankings four slots, going 6-3-1 over their last 10 games. The Rangers went 3-2-0 in the last 10 days. That included earning two victories at home, defeating Buffalo 10 days ago, 5-3, then defeating Washington at home this last Tuesday, 5-2.
New York travels to Buffalo to take on the Sabres for a pair of games starting on Thursday. They then return home for a pair of games against Pittsburgh starting on Tuesday. The Rangers are 8-9-1 on the road but could get above .500 against the struggling Sabres.
19. Chicago Blackhawks
Stanley Cup Odds: +6000
Record: 14-13-5
Last Week’s Ranking: 21
Chicago moves up two slots thanks to a solid week at home. All five games were played in Chicago, with the team going 3-2-0. That included a sweep of Florida last Tuesday and Thursday, before being swept by Nashville over the weekend. The Blackhawks defeated Carolina on Tuesday. Chicago got outstanding goaltending, allowing nine total goals during the week. Chicago is now 10-6-2 at home.
The Blackhawks finish off their six-game homestand when they take on the Hurricanes on Thursday. The team then travels to Nashville to take on the Predators on Saturday, before welcoming Dallas for a pair of games beginning on Tuesday.
20. Arizona Coyotes
Stanley Cup Odds: +8000
Record: 13-13-5
Last Week’s Ranking: 23
Arizona finished off their four-game homestand in style, losing to Colorado on Monday, 5-1, then winning three straight games. That included a sweep of San Jose over the weekend where the Coyotes allowed just two goals. Arizona then came back to reality when they traveled to Colorado on Wednesday where they were blown out by the Avalanche, 9-3.
That loss was the first of a nine-game road trip for Arizona. They travel to Anaheim on Friday to play a pair of games over the weekend, before heading to Los Angeles to play the Kings in a pair starting on Monday. Arizona is 6-7-2 on the road, so this stretch will either make or break their season.
21. Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Odds: +8000
Record: 13-11-6
Last Week’s Ranking: 17
Los Angeles played all four games on the road, losing the first three before defeating Vegas on Wednesday, 4-2. Los Angeles had scored just four goals through those three losses but came up with four on Wednesday. The Kings are now in 8-10-2 on the road.
They will get a chance to make some noise starting a four-game homestand on Friday when San Jose comes to town for a pair of games. They then welcome Arizona on Monday and Wednesday of next week. The Kings play 11 of their 16 games at home in April.
22. Columbus Blue Jackets
Stanley Cup Odds: +10,000
Record: 13-12-7
Last Week’s Ranking: 18
It was a tough week for Columbus, who went 1-3-1. They were swept at home against Carolina, losing 3-0 on Monday, then losing 4-3 on Thursday in overtime. The Blue Jackets traveled to Detroit where they were swept by the Red Wings over the weekend before heading to Tampa Bay on Tuesday where they defeated the Lightning, 3-1. Columbus is now 7-9-2 on the road.
The Blue Jackets remain in Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning on Thursday. They then travel to Florida to take on the Panthers in a pair of games over the weekend before welcoming the Lightning to town for a pair starting next Tuesday.
Got the dub 🙌 pic.twitter.com/1BM8fbMFRf
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) April 1, 2021
23. San Jose Sharks
Stanley Cup Odds: +30,000
Record: 11-14-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 27
San Jose moves up four spots in the rankings thanks to a 4-2-0 week. The Sharks began the 10 day stretch with a sweep of Los Angeles at home before heading to the road where they were swept in Arizona. San Jose returned home and swept Minnesota on Monday and Wednesday. The Sharks allowed eight total goals in their four victories. This team is starting to build some momentum at home, going 7-6-2.
San Jose heads back to the road to face Los Angeles over the weekend in a pair of games. They then return home for a five-game homestand starting on Tuesday when they welcome Anaheim.
24. Vancouver Canucks
Stanley Cup Odds: +10,000
Record: 16-16-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 20
Vancouver lost two games and had one postponed during the week. They began last week Monday when they were shut out at home by Winnipeg, 4-0. The Canucks were dominated by the Jets two nights later, 5-1. That dropped Vancouver to 9-9-2 at home.
The Canucks head to the road for seven straight games starting on Saturday when they take on the Oilers in Edmonton. They then travel to Winnipeg to face the Jets on Sunday and Tuesday before traveling to Calgary for a pair of games starting on Thursday. Vancouver is 7-9-1 on the road this season.
25. Calgary Flames
Stanley Cup Odds: +3500
Record: 15-14-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 19
Calgary had a disappointing week, going 1-4-0 with one postponement. They were swept in Ottawa to start the week, then returned home where they lost two of three games to Winnipeg. Wednesday’s game against Vancouver was postponed. That dropped the Flames to 9-7-1 at home.
Calgary looks for an opportunity to rebound this week. They travel to Edmonton to take on the Oilers on Friday, then come home to begin a four-game homestand, playing Toronto on Sunday and Monday and Vancouver on Thursday. A challenge for Calgary is that they only play 14 games in April, nine of which are at home.
26. Dallas Stars
Stanley Cup Odds: +6000
Record: 10-10-8
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
Dallas is all but done at this point, going 1-2-2. They closed out a disappointing five game homestand by going 1-2-2 before losing in Nashville in overtime on Tuesday, 3-2. Dallas is only 7-6-7 at home this season.
The Stars continue their six-game road trip on Thursday in Nashville. They then travel to Carolina to face the Hurricanes in a pair of games over the weekend before moving to Chicago to face the Blackhawks for a pair starting on Tuesday. The Stars are 4-6-3 on the road.
27. New Jersey Devils
Stanley Cup Odds: +30,000
Record: 11-14-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 26
New Jersey went 2-2-1 over the last 10 days. All of those games were on the road as the team concluded their six-game road trip. They started with a 4-3 victory in Philadelphia last Tuesday, then were swept in a pair of games in Washington. The team rebounded with a 1-0 victory over Boston on Sunday before losing in a shootout on Tuesday to the Bruins, 5-4. That moved the Devils to 9-5-3 on the road.
New Jersey returns home to take on Washington on Friday and Sunday. They then welcome the Sabres on Tuesday before traveling to Buffalo on Thursday. That would seem good news for the Devils to be at home, but they are just 4-11-2 in their own arena.
28. Ottawa Senators
Stanley Cup Odds: +100,000
Record: 10-20-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 30
Ottawa makes a big climb in the rankings, moving up two slots to reach their highest position in the Power Rankings this season. The Senators started out with a very impressive week, sweeping Calgary at home before losing in overtime to the Maple Leafs on Thursday, 3-2. That ended the team’s homestand at 3-0-3, their best mark of the season. However, the team has not played since March 25.
They will remain at home to take on Montréal on Thursday. The Senators travel to Montréal on Saturday before returning home to face Edmonton in a pair of games starting on Wednesday. Ottawa is now 8-6-4 at home.
29. Detroit Red Wings
Stanley Cup Odds: +100,000
Record: 10-18-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 28
Detroit started out the week by being swept in Nashville, then returned home to sweep Columbus before losing in Florida on Tuesday. With the exception of the 7-1 loss to Nashville last Thursday, the Red Wings got solid goaltending, allowing eight goals in the other four games.
Detroit remains on the road starting the week in Florida on Thursday, before traveling to Tampa Bay for a pair of games over the weekend. They then welcome the Predators for a pair of games at home starting on Tuesday. Detroit is 3-13-1 on the road.
30. Anaheim Ducks
Stanley Cup Odds: +50,000
Record: 9-17-6
Last Week’s Ranking: 29
Anaheim falls another spot in the Power Rankings, despite going 2-3-0. Anaheim was swept at Minnesota last Monday and Wednesday, then traveled to St. Louis where they swept two games from the Blues. The Ducks then traveled to Colorado where they were beaten 5-2 on Monday. Anaheim is now 6-9-3 on the road and they are 3-7-0 and their last 10.
The Ducks begin the week with two games at home against Arizona starting on Friday. They then travel to San Jose on Tuesday. Anaheim is 5-11-3 at home.
31. Buffalo Sabres
Stanley Cup Odds: +100,000
Record: 6-19-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 31
Buffalo finally snapped their 18-game winless streak, defeating Philadelphia at home on Wednesday, 6-1. That was the bright spot in an otherwise abysmal week, where the team went 1-4-1. They lost all four games on their road trip before losing in overtime at home to Philadelphia on Monday.
Buffalo remains at home taking on the Rangers over the weekend in a pair of games. They then travel to New Jersey next Tuesday before welcoming the Devils to town on Thursday.
The 2021 NHL is well underway now! If you want to catch up with all the latest information and get the best free NHL picks, make sure you visit our NHL hub page.
Do you want to bet on all of the daily NHL action with the best information possible? We have just launched our Premium Picks service, and for a limited time only, it is free! *T&Cs Apply.
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
