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SportsTips’ NHL Power Rankings 2021: Week 7

Our week 7 NHL power rankings are in the books! Who had a terrible week, who were the biggest risers and who do we have as the best of the best?

SportsTips’ NHL Power Rankings 2021: Week 7
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Tue 2nd March 2021

We are seven weeks into the NHL season, and one team is on a meteoric ascent up the NHL Power Rankings. That is the Minnesota Wild who jumped 9 spots thanks to a six-game winning streak. Minnesota is the hottest team in the NHL, even dousing the run of the Los Angeles Kings who were also on a six-game winning streak at the time.

The freefall of the Montréal Canadiens continues. They join Dallas and St. Louis as teams that are being exposed over the last few weeks.

Our rankings are based upon a number of factors, including recent level of play, injuries, and quality wins. Find out where we have your team below. 

1. Toronto Maple Leafs

Stanley Cup Odds: +800
Record: 16-4-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 1

Toronto stays in the top spot in the Power Rankings after going 2-1-0 last week. After losing to Calgary on Monday, 3-0, the Maple Leafs responded with victories over the Flames and the Oilers. Jack Campbell had a shutout in the victory over Edmonton. Toronto has the best record in the NHL and the second-best goal differential.

They get an opportunity to solidify their position with four games this week, two against Edmonton and two against Vancouver. A 3-1-0 week definitely looks doable.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning

Stanley Cup Odds: +650
Record: 14-4-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 6

Tampa Bay moves up four spots after an outstanding week that saw them win all four games. That includes three victories over Carolina, scoring 10 goals while allowing three total. They then shutout Dallas on Saturday. The Lightning have allowed one goal in the last three games.  Andrei Vasilevskiy is staking claim to the title of best goalie in the league with a 1.75 GAA and a .938 save percentage in 16 games.

Tampa Bay heads to the road for six straight games. That includes a Tuesday night game against Dallas and Fareed this week against Chicago.

3. Vegas Golden Knights

Stanley Cup Odds: +800
Record: 12-4-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 3

Vegas had a great week, shutting out Colorado on Monday, 3-0, then defeating Anaheim in overtime on Saturday, 3-2. Their contest against San Jose was postponed, but there is nothing they could do about that. Marc-Andre Fleury continues to dominate between the pipes.

Vegas is going to have a real test this week, as they welcome the red-hot Minnesota Wild on Monday and Wednesday before taking on San Jose over the weekend and a pair of games.

4. Florida Panthers 

Stanley Cup Odds: +2500
Record: 13-4-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 4

Florida went 2-1-1, taking two of three from Dallas before losing in a shootout on Saturday to Carolina. They have one more game in this five-game home stand, welcoming Carolina back on Monday before heading to Nashville for two and then Carolina for a game next Sunday.

Heading to the road may not be a bad thing for the Panthers. They are 6-1-1 away from home this season.

5. Philadelphia Flyers

Stanley Cup Odds: +1600
Record: 11-4-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 11

Philadelphia moves up six spots in the Power Rankings this week. A well-earned movement as the Flyers went 3-1-0, losing to Boston to start the week before sweeping Buffalo. Philadelphia got outstanding goaltending over the weekend, shutting out the Sabres in both contests, 3-0.

The Flyers had to the road to take on Pittsburgh for three games starting on Tuesday, then come back to face Washington on Sunday.

6. Boston Bruins

Stanley Cup Odds: +800
Record: 12-5-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 5

Boston continues their slow descent, dropping two of their four games this week. After beating Philadelphia on Sunday, 7-3, they were blown out by both New York teams, losing to the Islanders 7-2 on Thursday, and the Rangers 6-2 on Friday. The Bruins rebounded with a 4-1 victory over New York on Sunday. That has dropped them out of the top spot in the East Division.

Boston has an opportunity to earn three victories this week. All of their games are at home, facing Washington two times before welcoming New Jersey.

7. Winnipeg Jets

Stanley Cup Odds: +3500
Record: 13-6-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 9

The red-hot Winnipeg Jets climbed two spots in the Power Rankings, winning all three games this week to extend their winning streak to four straight games. That included two victories over Montréal, 6-3 on Thursday and 2-1 on Saturday.

It is a rematch this week. Winnipeg welcomes Vancouver for two before traveling to Montréal for two. The Jets have been outstanding at home, going 8-3-1.

8. Minnesota Wild

Stanley Cup Odds: +1800
Record: 12-6-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 17

Minnesota is the hottest team in the NHL, winners of six straight games. That included winning two games over the Los Angeles Kings, who entered their contests against Minnesota on a six-game winning streak. The run moved them up nine spots in the rankings. Minnesota pulled off back-to-back 6-2 victories, defeating San Jose on Monday and Colorado on Wednesday. They then beat Los Angeles on Friday, 3-1 before defeating the Kings on Saturday, 4-3. The return of No. 1 netminder Cam Talbot only makes them more dangerous.

We are going to see what Minnesota is made up of this week. They travel for two games against Vegas before heading to Arizona for two games. The Wild are 7-3-0 on the road.

9. Edmonton Oilers

Stanley Cup Odds: +1400
Record: 14-9-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 7

Edmonton defeated Vancouver twice before losing to Toronto on Saturday. The two victories extended their winning streak to five straight games. That helped to keep them in the Top 10 of the Power Rankings. Goaltending has been solid for Edmonton as they have allowed 11 total goals in their last six games.

The loss to Toronto on Saturday was the first game in a seven-game homestand. The Maple Leafs stay around for two games, Monday and Wednesday, before the Oilers welcome Calgary on Saturday.

10. Carolina Hurricanes

Stanley Cup Odds: +1200
Record: 13-6-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 2

Carolina drops six spots in the Power Rankings. That came courtesy of a very disappointing 1-3-0 week. Carolina was swept by Tampa Bay in all three of their games. They then earned a 4-3 victory over Florida in a shootout on Saturday.

The Hurricanes are 7-5-0 on the road this season. That is the story for this week, as they travel to Florida on Monday before taking on Nashville on Tuesday. They then come home for a Thursday contest against Detroit before welcoming Florida on Sunday.

11. Washington Capitals

Stanley Cup Odds: +2500
Record: 12-5-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 15

Washington has won their last three games and are 4-0-1 over their last five. That moves them up four spots in the power rankings as they have the top record in the East Division by virtue of the number of points they have. Washington is getting great goaltending, allowing two goals in each of their last three games.

The Capitals travel to Boston for a pair of games on Wednesday and Friday before moving on to Philadelphia on Sunday. Washington is 5-2-2 on the road.

12. Colorado Avalanche

Stanley Cup Odds: +800
Record: 11-6-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 8

Colorado started out with a tough week, shut out by Vegas on Monday before being hammered by Minnesota on Wednesday. They rebounded with back-to-back victories in Arizona on Friday and Saturday. That was not enough to keep them in the Top 10 in the Power Rankings, however.

Colorado travels to San Jose for a pair of games. They then begin a nine-game homestand starting on Friday with back-to-back games against Anaheim. This will be a golden opportunity for the Avalanche to move up the standings.

13. New York Islanders

Stanley Cup Odds: +2500
Record: 11-6-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 19

New York had a great week, going 3-0-1. That helped to move them up six spots in the Power Rankings. The Islanders are getting solid goaltending still, but are not sacrificing offense to get it. New York has scored 15 goals over the last four games while allowing eight.

New York travels to New Jersey on Tuesday before welcoming Buffalo for three this week. Those are the first three of a five-game homestand.

14. Chicago Blackhawks

Stanley Cup Odds: +6600
Record: 12-7-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 12

Chicago went 3-1-0 last week, but it still cost them two spots in the rankings. Chicago took two games against Columbus before returning home to split a pair with Detroit. Marcus Subban may be the top backup goalie in the league.

The Blackhawks get an opportunity to prove us wrong this week, as they welcome Tampa Bay for three straight games. Even going 2-1-0 should be enough to move them up the rankings.

15. Pittsburgh Penguins

Stanley Cup Odds: +2500
Record: 11-8-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 13

Pittsburgh went 2-2-0 last week. They earned overtime victories against Washington and New York, but lost regulation games to the Capitals and Islanders. That still gives Pittsburgh a solid 6-3-0 record over their last nine games.

Pittsburgh returns home to start a five-game homestand with three straight games against Philadelphia before welcoming the New York Rangers on Sunday. The Penguins have been outstanding at home, going 7-1-0.

16. Los Angeles Kings

Stanley Cup Odds: +5000
Record: 9-7-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 18

Los Angeles had extended their winning streak to six straight games before losing a pair of games to the red-hot Minnesota Wild on Friday and Saturday. No need to complain so far, as Los Angeles went 4-1-1 on their six-game road trip. 

They now return home for three straight games, taking on Arizona on Wednesday before welcoming St. Louis for a pair. Could the Kings move up another two spots for next week?

17. Montréal Canadiens

Stanley Cup Odds: +2200
Record: 9-6-5
Last Week’s Ranking: 14

The freefall for Montréal continues, as they fall three more spots this week. The Canadians lost all four games last week, going 0-1-3. They have lost five straight and seven of their last eight games. It is surprising they have not fallen even further.

The Canadians have three games at home this week, taking on Ottawa on Tuesday before welcoming Winnipeg for a pair of games. They have not played well at home this season, going 3-5-0.

18. St. Louis Blues

Stanley Cup Odds: +3000
Record: 11-8-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 10

St. Louis lost a pair of games to Los Angeles to begin the week, then defeated the Sharks in San Jose on Saturday. It was a very disappointing homestand for the Blues, who went 1-3-0.

Now they look to change their fortunes during a six-game road trip. They travel to take on Anaheim for a pair of games before moving onto Los Angeles for a pair this week. St. Louis is 7-2-0 on the road.

19. New Jersey Devils

Stanley Cup Odds: +6600
Record: 7-8-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 20

New Jersey went 1-4-0 last week. Washington proved to be their nemesis, losing all three games to the Capitals. They split a pair of games with Buffalo. New Jersey scored 12 goals in all during the week.

The Devils get a chance to get back into the win column, as they have three games at home to start the week before traveling to Boston next Sunday. That is a tall order though, as New Jersey is just 2-6-1 at home.

20. Nashville Predators 

Stanley Cup Odds: +8000
Record: 10-11-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 29

Nashville finally had a good week, moving up nine spots in the Power Rankings. A 3-1-0 week helped to change their fortunes. Nashville split a pair of games with Detroit before sweeping Columbus.

The victories over Columbus were the first two of a five-game homestand. The Predators welcome Carolina on Tuesday, then Florida on Thursday and Saturday before traveling to Dallas on Sunday. Nashville has been solid at home the season, going 7-4-0.

21. Columbus Blue Jackets

Stanley Cup Odds: +8000
Record: 8-10-5
Last Week’s Ranking: 21

Columbus was swept during the week, losing two games to Chicago then losing two on the road to Nashville. The two losses to Chicago made the Blue Jackets 1-2-1 during their four-game homestand. They are 3-5-2 in their last 10 games and are losers of three straight.

They have Detroit at home on Tuesday before moving on to Dallas for games on Thursday and Saturday. Columbus has been a terrible team on the road the season, going 3-6-2.

22. Dallas Stars

Stanley Cup Odds: +5000
Record: 6-6-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 16

Dallas is another team in a funk, going 1-3-0. They lost two of three in Florida before being shutout in Tampa Bay on Saturday, 5-0. The Stars are in a freefall, going 2-5-3 in their last 10 games and they have been terrible on the road at 2-5-1.

Fortunately, they begin a six-game homestand starting on Tuesday when they take on Tampa Bay. Dallas then welcomes Columbus for a pair of games before Nashville comes to town on Sunday. The Stars are 4-1-3 at home.

23. Arizona Coyotes

Stanley Cup Odds: +8000
Record: 9-9-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 23

Arizona went 2-2-0, helping them to stay in the No. 23 spot in the Power Rankings. The Coyotes wasted a nine-game homestand, going 3-4-2. Now they have eight of their next 10 games on the road. The Coyotes are 3-3-0 away from Arizona.

After facing the Kings in Los Angeles on Wednesday, they return home for two games against the red-hot Minnesota Wild. Arizona has seven straight on the road.

24. Calgary Flames

Stanley Cup Odds: +4000
Record: 10-10-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 24

Calgary began the week with a 3-0 win over Toronto, then lost two straight before closing the week with a 6-3 victory over the Senators. Through the first five games of their six-game road trip they are 1-3-1.

Calgary begins the week with a contest in Ottawa. The Flames will face Ottawa three times this week, including at home on Thursday and Sunday. They travel to Edmonton on Saturday.

25. New York Rangers

Stanley Cup Odds: +6600
Record: 7-9-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 25

New York went 1-2-0. They lost in Philadelphia on Wednesday, 4-3, then split a pair of games at home against Boston. The loss of leading scorer Artemi Panarin was a big blow, and they are looking for someone to step in his role. More consistent goaltending would really help here as well.

The Rangers have a home meeting with Buffalo on Tuesday. They then had to go on the road for five straight, including two games in New Jersey on Thursday and Saturday and in Pittsburgh on Sunday.

26. San Jose Sharks

Stanley Cup Odds: +10,000
Record: 7-9-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 22

San Jose lost both of their contests this week, dropping four spots in the Power Rankings. Their eight-game homestand has gotten off to a terrible start. The Sharks were destroyed by Minnesota on Monday, 6-2, then had Thursday’s contest postponed. San Jose fell to St. Louis on Saturday, 7-6. In all, they allowed 13 goals in two games.

They continue the homestand with two games against Colorado and then welcome Vegas for two. The season may be all but over for San Jose by the end of this week.

27. Anaheim Ducks

Stanley Cup Odds: +10,000
Record: 6-10-5
Last Week’s Ranking: 26

Anaheim was swept this week, going 0-1-2. They have now lost six straight games. John Gibson is having his struggles of late, allowing 16 goals in the last four games. They are going to need to find an acceptable backup to give him some rest.

Like San Jose, this may be the threshold week for Anaheim. They had two games at home against St. Louis then traveled to Colorado for a pair. Anything short of at least two victories and it is time to start talking about next season.

28. Buffalo Sabres

Stanley Cup Odds: +8000
Record: 6-10-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 28

Buffalo had a very disappointing week, going 1-3-1. Their only victory was a 4-1 win over New Jersey on Tuesday, but dropped the next three games at home. Scoring has been a serious issue for the Sabres. They were shut out by Philadelphia and back-to-back games on Friday and Saturday and scored six total goals in the five games. Buffalo is 2-7-1 in their last 10.

Buffalo heads to the road for five straight starting on Tuesday when they take on the New York Rangers. The Sabres then have three games against the Islanders beginning on Thursday and culminating on Sunday. Buffalo is 4-3-1 on the road.

29. Vancouver Canucks

Stanley Cup Odds: +8000
Record: 8-14-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 27

Vancouver was swept during the week, going 0-2-1. It was a very disappointing four-game homestand that saw the team go 0-2-2. That leaves Vancouver 5-6-2 at home this season and they are 2-6-2 in their last 10.

Things do not get any better for them. The Canucks had to go on the road to face Winnipeg on Monday and Tuesday, then return for a game at home against Toronto. As mediocre as they had been at home, the Canucks have been worse on the road, going 3-8-0.

30. Ottawa Senators

Stanley Cup Odds: + +75,000
Record: 7-15-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 31

Ottawa leaps out of the bottom spot in our Power Rankings, thanks to a very positive stretch by them. The team went 3-1-0, sweeping a pair of games against Montréal, then defeating Calgary on Thursday before losing on Saturday. All four of those games were at home and they welcomed the Flames on Monday giving them the opportunity to come away with a 4-1-0 homestand. Ottawa is 5-5-0 over their last 10.

After Monday’s game against Calgary, Ottawa then travels to Montréal on Tuesday before visiting Calgary for two games. 

31. Detroit Red Wings

Stanley Cup Odds: +75,000
Record: 7-14-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 30

Detroit drops to the bottom of the Power Rankings. Detroit went 2-2-0, which was a solid week, but Ottawa was so good last week and they have been better over the last 10. That leaves the Red Wings at the bottom. They were shut out by Nashville on Tuesday before defeating the Predators tonight later. Detroit then split a pair of games against Chicago on the road over the weekend.

The Red Wings only have two games this week, taking on the Blue Jackets in Columbus on Tuesday before traveling to Carolina on Thursday.

The 2021 NHL is well underway now! If you want to catch up with all the latest information, make sure you visit our NHL hub page.

*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of Bet365.

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