We reached Week 9 of the season, and there was a lot of jockeying in the Top 10 of our NHL power rankings this week. Tampa Bay returns to the top spot with Carolina jumping two spots into the No. 2 position. The New York Islanders also moved up two spots to the No. 3 spot while Vegas dropped three places to No. 4.
The Boston Bruins continue their freefall, dropping out of the Top 10 for the first time this season. Philadelphia also continues to drop.
Our rankings are based upon a number of factors, including recent level of play, injuries, and quality wins.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning
Stanley Cup Odds: +600
Record: 19-5-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 2
After three weeks out of the top spot, Tampa Bay returns to the No. 1 position in the Power Rankings. That came courtesy of an impressive week this saw the team go 3-1-0, including winning two of three games on the road.
Tampa Bay’s offense is electric right now, scoring 20 goals. They did allow 15 total goals during the week, but this is the team with the top winning percentage in the NHL right now and they are deserving of this top spot. Tampa Bay has five games this week, including four at home.
2. Carolina Hurricanes
Stanley Cup Odds: +1200
Record: 20-6-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 4
Carolina is on an eight-game winning streak, and that helps to catapult them into the No. 2 position in the rankings. Carolina swept their three games last week, taking both games against Nashville at home before defeating Detroit on the road on Sunday. Carolina is winning big right now and they do not even have starting netminder Petr Mrazek back yet. It is scary to think how good this team may be come playoff time.
Carolina has one more game in Detroit before returning home to face Columbus for a pair. This should give the Hurricanes an opportunity to easily reach an 11-game winning streak.
3. New York Islanders
Stanley Cup Odds: +2200
Record: 19-6-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 5
As red-hot as Carolina is, the Islanders are even better. They have won nine straight games, sweeping their four contests last week. They defeated Boston and New Jersey at home before sweeping the Devils in New Jersey over the weekend. The Islanders are getting exceptional goaltending, allowing eight total goals during the week.
This is going to be a tough week for the Islanders, as they travel to Washington on Tuesday before welcoming Philadelphia for a pair of games. If they can win in Washington on Tuesday, they may come out of this week on a 12-game winning streak.
New York Islanders: 9th straight win (longest by any team this season); ties 3rd-longest win streak in team history…Kieffer Bellows (NYI): 2nd straight game with a goal & an excuse to use one of my all time favorite photos 👇🏻 (this is post goal as he spies his Dad’s NHL jersey) pic.twitter.com/6Dju17dMAs
— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) March 15, 2021
4. Vegas Golden Knights
Stanley Cup Odds: +800
Record: 18-6-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 1
Vegas drops out of the top spot in the Power Rankings, falling all the way to fourth. It was not that the Golden Knights had a terrible week, as they went 2-2-0. The two losses were against the red-hot Minnesota Wild, so nothing to hang your head low about that. However, with how well New York and Carolina are playing, it was inevitable that this team would fall in the rankings.
Vegas has an interesting week ahead, as they have two games at home against San Jose who is playing better of late, before traveling to Los Angeles for a pair of games over the weekend.
5. Florida Panthers
Stanley Cup Odds: +2200
Record: 18-5-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 6
Florida moves up one spot, thanks to a three-game winning streak. Florida defeated Columbus twice in Columbus before defeating Chicago at home on Saturday. The Panthers scored at least four goals in each of the three games.
Florida remains at home for the first three games this week, battling the Blackhawks again on Monday before Nashville comes to town for Thursday and Saturday contests. Florida then travels to Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning on Sunday.
6. Washington Capitals
Stanley Cup Odds: +2200
Record: 17-6-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 7
Washington won all three of their games last week, extending their winning streak to four straight games. That helped the Capitals to move up one spot in the Power Rankings. They defeated New Jersey in overtime at home on Tuesday before sweeping the Flyers in Philadelphia.
Washington takes on the Sabres in Buffalo on Monday before returning home to begin a six-game homestand. The Capitals face the red-hot Islanders on Tuesday before welcoming the Rangers for a pair of games over the weekend. Washington has scored five goals in each of the last three games and could easily put up five against Buffalo. It will be interesting to see how many they can produce against the Islanders.
7. Minnesota Wild
Stanley Cup Odds: +1800
Record: 17-8-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 10
Minnesota enters the week on a four-game winning streak after sweeping all four of their home games last week. That included two victories over Vegas before sweeping Arizona. The Wild allowed four total goals during the week, pitching a shutout against both Vegas and Arizona. They have scored four goals in each of the last three games.
The Wild close out their five-game homestand against the Coyotes on Tuesday. They then travel to take on the Avalanche for a pair of games in Colorado.
8. Toronto Maple Leafs
Stanley Cup Odds: +650
Record: 19-9-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 3
It was a tough week for the Maple Leafs, going 1-3-0. That dropped Toronto five spots in the rankings as they lost two of three games to Winnipeg before losing in Ottawa on Sunday. Goaltending is struggling for Toronto of late, as they allowed 16 total goals over their last four games.
It is a light week for Toronto as they only have two contests. They welcome Calgary over the weekend.
9. Pittsburgh Penguins
Stanley Cup Odds: +2500
Record: 17-9-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 13
Pittsburgh is red-hot, winning five straight games. That helped to move them up four spots in the Power Rankings, reaching into the Top 10 for the first time this season. Pittsburgh defeated the Rangers on Tuesday at home before heading to Buffalo where they swept a pair of games from the Sabres. The Penguins allowed just four goals last week, including shutting out Buffalo behind Casey DeSmith on Saturday.
Pittsburgh welcomes the slumping Boston Bruins for a pair of games starting on Monday. They then travel to New Jersey to take on the Devils on Thursday and Saturday before returning home to face New Jersey on Sunday. The Sunday contest begins a stretch of five straight games at home.
10. Colorado Avalanche
Stanley Cup Odds: +800
Record: 16-8-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 11
Colorado moves back into the Top 10 after going 3-1-0 last week. After losing Arizona on Monday, the Avalanche won three straight games at home. They have three more contests during their nine-game homestand. Colorado is 4-1-1 through the first six games. Philipp Grubauer returned to his usual spectacular form, allowing two total goals over the last three games.
Colorado closes out there nine-game homestand with a single game against Anaheim on Tuesday before welcoming the Wild on Thursday and Saturday.
What a star ⭐️#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/NvSEGOQz6E
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) March 15, 2021
11. Winnipeg Jets
Stanley Cup Odds: +2500
Record: 17-8-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 9
Winnipeg went 2-0-1 last week, defeating Toronto, 4-3 on Tuesday before losing to the Maple Leafs on Thursday in overtime, 4-3. The Jets rebounded with a 5-2 victory on Saturday. Mark Scheifele has eight total points over his last six games.
Winnipeg returns home for a pair of games against Montréal starting on Monday night. They then travel to Edmonton to take on the Oilers on Thursday and Saturday.
12. Boston Bruins
Stanley Cup Odds: +1200
Record: 14-7-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 8
The Boston Bruins fall out of the Top 10 for the first time this season. They have been in a freefall this month, losing two of their three games last week, going 1-1-1 overall. The Bruins lost in overtime to New York on Tuesday before splitting 4-0 decisions against the Rangers over the weekend.
It doesn’t get easier for Boston to start the week as they have two games in Pittsburgh against the red-hot Penguins starting on Monday. They then travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres for a pair of games. Boston is 7-4-3 on the road.
13. Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Odds: +2200
Record: 18-12-0
Last Week’s Ranking: 15
Edmonton had a good week, going 3-1-0. They earned victories in the first three games of the week, extending their winning streak to four straight games. That also helped to turn what looked like a disaster for their seven-game homestand into a winner as they had lost the first three games but responded by winning the last four.
Edmonton now heads to the road for two games against Calgary starting on Monday. They then return home to take on Winnipeg on Thursday and Saturday.
14. St. Louis Blues
Stanley Cup Odds: +3000
Record: 14-9-5
Last Week’s Ranking: 12
St. Louis falls two spots after losing all three games during the week (0-2-1). They lost in overtime to San Jose on Monday before being swept over the weekend by Vegas. The Blues had played in four straight overtime games, losing three of those contests. They were beaten soundly by the Golden Knights on Saturday, 5-1.
Monday’s game against Los Angeles has been postponed. The Blues are scheduled to take on the Kings on Wednesday before traveling to San Jose on Friday and Saturday.
15. Philadelphia Flyers
Stanley Cup Odds: +1600
Record: 13-9-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 14
Philadelphia had a very tough week, going 1-3-0. That cost them another spot in the Power Rankings. Philadelphia defeated Buffalo at home in a shootout, 5-4, but were swept in the other three games by the Capitals.
It is not going to be an easy week for the Flyers. They travel to New York to take on the Rangers on Monday and Wednesday, then head to take on the red-hot Islanders on Thursday and Saturday. Philadelphia is 6-4-1 on the road.
16. Chicago Blackhawks
Stanley Cup Odds: +5000
Record: 14-10-5
Last Week’s Ranking: 16
Chicago had a tough week, losing to Dallas on Tuesday before defeating the Stars on Thursday, 4-2. They then lost in Florida to the Panthers, 4-2. Chicago allowed 12 total goals during the week, while scoring seven.
Those three contests were the first of a six-game road trip. They remain in Florida to take on the Panthers on Monday before traveling to Tampa Bay for contests on Thursday and Saturday. The Blackhawks are 7-6-3 on the road.
17. Montréal Canadiens
Stanley Cup Odds: +2200
Record: 12-8-7
Last Week’s Ranking: 17
Montréal stays in the No. 17 slot in the Power Rankings. The Canadiens went 1-2-1 during the week, losing in a shootout to Vancouver on Monday before beating the Canucks on Wednesday, 5-1. Montréal then lost a pair of games in Calgary on Thursday and Saturday. In the three losses they scored just a single goal in each of those games.
Montréal continues their six-game road trip with two games in Winnipeg starting on Monday. They then return home for a pair of games against Vancouver. Montréal is 5-5-1 at home.
18. Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Odds: +6600
Record: 11-10-6
Last Week’s Ranking: 18
Los Angeles lost in overtime on Monday to Anaheim, 6-5. They then rebounded with a 5-1 victory over the Ducks on Wednesday before being shut out in Colorado on Friday. They lost to the Avalanche on Sunday, 4-1 leaving the Kings 1-2-1 during the week.
Monday’s contest against St. Louis has been postponed. That was to be the first of a four-game homestand. They take on St. Louis on Wednesday before welcoming Vegas for a pair of games over the weekend.
19. Calgary Flames
Stanley Cup Odds: +4000
Record: 13-12-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 22
Calgary only played two games last week, but made the most of them, sweeping Montréal at home, 2-1 on Thursday, and 3-1 on Saturday. That moved the Flames to 7-4-1 at home.
The Flames welcome Edmonton for a pair of games starting on Monday. They then head to the road to take on Toronto on Friday and Saturday. Calgary is 6-8-2 on the road.
20. San Jose Sharks
Stanley Cup Odds: +15,000
Record: 11-11-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 26
San Jose had a great week, winning all three of their contests. They defeated St. Louis in overtime on Monday, 3-2. The Sharks then swept the Ducks in Anaheim, winning 6-0 on Friday and 3-1 on Saturday. Combined the team allowed three total goals during the week while scoring 12.
San Jose heads to Vegas for a pair of games starting on Monday. They then return home for a pair of games against St. Louis over the weekend. San Jose will be looking to even their record at home, where they are 3-5-1.
SWEEP! pic.twitter.com/mO2E301BuS
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) March 14, 2021
21. Arizona Coyotes
Stanley Cup Odds: +8000
Record: 12-12-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 19
Arizona defeated Colorado on Monday, 3-2, then lost in overtime to the Avalanche on Wednesday, 2-1. The Coyotes were then swept in Minnesota, losing on Friday, 4-0, before falling to the Wild on Sunday, 4-1. Arizona scored five total goals in the four games last week, as goal scoring continues to be a major issue for this team.
Arizona continues their seven-game road trip, heading to Minnesota on Tuesday before traveling to Anaheim for a pair of games on Thursday and Saturday. The Coyotes are 5-5-1 on the road.
22. Dallas Stars
Stanley Cup Odds: +5000
Record: 9-9-6
Last Week’s Ranking: 24
Dallas had the best week we have seen from them in quite a while, going 2-1-1. They split a pair of games with the Blackhawks at home before splitting overtime games in Columbus over the weekend. Dallas got better goaltending, allowing 10 total goals in the four games.
This is a week of opportunity for the Stars. They welcome Tampa Bay on Tuesday, which should be a very tough affair. However, the team travels to Detroit for a pair of games before welcoming Nashville next Sunday.
23. Columbus Blue Jackets
Stanley Cup Odds: +8000
Record: 11-12-7
Last Week’s Ranking: 23
Columbus went 1-1-2 last week, losing to Florida at home on Tuesday, 4-2, then falling to the Panthers in overtime on Thursday, 4-3. The Blue Jackets defeated Dallas in overtime on Saturday, 4-3 before losing to the Stars in a shootout on Sunday, 2-1. The mediocre week dropped Columbus to 7-5-5 at home.
Columbus only has two games this week, both in Carolina. The Blue Jackets are 4-7-2 on the road.
24. New York Rangers
Stanley Cup Odds: +6600
Record: 11-12-3
Last Week’s Ranking: 20
All three of the Rangers games were on the road last week, losing in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, 4-2 before splitting a pair of games in Boston by identical 4-0 scores. New York is now 6-6-1 on the road, but they return home for a pair of games against Philadelphia starting on Monday. The Rangers are 5-6-2 at home. The team then travels to Washington for a pair of games over the weekend.
25. Vancouver Canucks
Stanley Cup Odds: +10,000
Record: 13-16-2
Last Week’s Ranking: 27
Vancouver took two of three games last week, splitting a pair of games with Montréal before beating Edmonton at home on Saturday. Despite giving up five goals against Montréal on Wednesday, the Canucks have had outstanding goaltending of late. During their five-game homestand they allowed 10 total goals.
Unfortunately, Vancouver heads to the road for all four games this week. They play a pair in Ottawa starting on Monday before traveling to Montréal for games on Friday and Saturday. The Canucks have been an abysmal road team, going 4-9-0.
26. Nashville Predators
Stanley Cup Odds: +8000
Record: 11-16-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 21
Nashville continues their freefall, losing all three games last week. They were swept in a pair of games in Carolina before being crushed in Tampa Bay on Saturday, 6-3.
The Predators continue their eight-game road trip in Tampa Bay on Monday. They then travel to Florida for games on Thursday and Saturday before heading to Dallas for a Sunday evening contest. Nashville is 4-9-1 on the road.
27. New Jersey Devils
Stanley Cup Odds: +10,000
Record: 8-13-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 25
New Jersey lost all four games they played last week, going 0-2-2. They lost in overtime in Washington on Tuesday, 5-4, then lost to the Islanders on Thursday, 5-3. The Devils returned home to get swept by New York over the weekend, losing by identical 3-2 scores.
The Devils remain at home for the first three games of this week, welcoming Buffalo on Tuesday before Pittsburgh comes to town for Thursday and Saturday night affairs. New Jersey then travels to Pittsburgh on Sunday. The Devils are 2-10-2 at home, the worst home record in the NHL.
28. Anaheim Ducks
Stanley Cup Odds: +15,000
Record: 8-15-6
Last Week’s Ranking: 28
Anaheim had all four of their games at home last week and went 1-3-0. They defeated the Kings in overtime on Monday, 6-5, before losing to Los Angeles on Wednesday, 5-1. San Jose then came to town, blowing out Anaheim in both games, 6-0 on Friday, and 3-1 on Saturday. The Ducks have been terrible at home as well, going 4-10-3.
They have not been much better on the road and that is where they will start their week, traveling to Colorado to take on the Avalanche on Tuesday. Anaheim then returns home for a pair of games against Arizona on Thursday and Saturday.
29. Detroit Red Wings
Stanley Cup Odds: +75,000
Record: 8-17-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 30
Detroit moves up a slot in the Power Rankings after splitting a pair of games with Tampa Bay. They lost in overtime on Tuesday, 4-3, before defeating the Lightning on Thursday, 6-4. The Red Wings lost to Carolina on Sunday, 2-1. That made Detroit 1-1-1 through the first three games of their six-game homestand.
The Red Wings welcome Carolina on Tuesday before Dallas comes to town for a pair of games starting on Thursday. Detroit is 5-7-3 at home and has a legitimate chance of getting to .500 by week’s end.
3 games – 5 assists. 🔥@Xfinity | #LGRW pic.twitter.com/f3aeZ75ysn
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 15, 2021
30. Ottawa Senators
Stanley Cup Odds: +75,000
Record: 9 10-20-1
Last Week’s Ranking: 29
The Ottawa Senators drop a spot in the rankings, losing their first three games of the week on the road in Edmonton before returning home to beat Toronto on Sunday, 4-3. Ottawa allowed 16 total goals in the three losses in Edmonton, scoring five goals during that span.
The Senators remain home for both of their contests this week, taking on Vancouver on Monday and Wednesday. Ottawa is now 6-6-1 at home.
31. Buffalo Sabres
Stanley Cup Odds: +15,000
Record: 6-16-4
Last Week’s Ranking: 31
Buffalo dropped all three games they played last week, losing in a shootout to Philadelphia on Tuesday, 5-4, before being swept at home by Pittsburgh on Thursday and Saturday. They scored six total goals during the week while allowing 13.
It looks like another brutal week for the Sabres as they welcome Washington on Monday. Buffalo then travels to New Jersey on Tuesday before welcoming Boston for a pair of games. Buffalo looks like they are securely in place in the bottom spot in the Power Rankings.
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of Bet365.
