NHL Power Rankings: L.A. Kings playing like royalty with four-game win streak

Credit: © Jayne Kamin-Oncea

Think you know sports? PointsBet Canada is live in Ontario!

______

As the trade deadline gets closer and more teams officially stake their claim as a contender or a rebuilder, these power rankings have painted that picture for quite some time now, as teams have found their place and stuck around there for a while. That seems to particularly be the case in the top 10, which stayed the exact same for the first time all season, but at least we had some movement right below it, with the Kraken and Kings jumping up a couple spots in the middle of the pack.

As I’ve done so far this season, I’ll be ranking teams not just on their results in the standings but also with how they’ve looked in several stats as well. Otherwise I’d just copy and paste the standings, right? No fun in that. The rankings are an aggregate of six different stats: points %, 5-on-5 goal differential, 5-on-5 xGF/60, 5-on-5 xGA/60, power play xGF/60, and shorthanded xGA/60, all coming courtesy of Natural Stat Trick. But, to ground the rankings a bit, no team can be above a team that’s more than five points ahead in the standings, regardless of the aggregate.

1. Boston Bruins

Record: 42-8-5 (.809%, 1st)
5v5 Goal Differential: +58 (1st)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.78 (11th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.29 (t-2nd)
PP xGF/60: 8.68 (12th)
PK xGA/60: 6.17 (1st)
5v5 PDO: 103.5
Previous Week: 1st (0)

Just as it seemed like the Bruins were slowing down with losses in four of five games, they bounced right back last week to win three straight against the Stars, Predators, and Islanders. On top of that, they got a big addition to the forward group again with the return of Jake DeBrusk, who potted a goal in his return to the lineup against the Islanders.

2. Carolina Hurricanes

Record: 37-10-8 (.745%, 2nd)
5v5 Goal Differential: +31 (4th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.21 (1st)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.06 (1st)
PP xGF/60: 8.61 (13th)
PK xGA/60: 7.1 (4th)
5v5 PDO: 99.9
Previous Week: 2nd (0)

The Canes continue to dominate, as they’ve now won 10 of their last 11 games, including three in a row last week over the Capitals, Canadiens, and the Capitals again in the Stadium Series. They are really pushing for that top spot in the rankings, as if not for the Bruins also having a three-game win streak, the Hurricanes would have closed the gap enough to pass.

3. Toronto Maple Leafs

Record: 34-15-8 (.667%, 5th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +30 (5th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.95 (6th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.39 (6th)
PP xGF/60: 9.05 (8th)
PK xGA/60: 6.58 (2nd)
5v5 PDO: 101.2
Previous Week: 3rd (0)

Since their division is more or less decided already, the Leafs just keep chugging away at their games and getting wins, taking two wins last week against the Blackhawks and Habs before dropping another game to the Blackhawks on Sunday. They also made their big deadline push by acquiring Ryan O’Reilly, who got an assist in his first game as a Leaf on Saturday, along with Noel Acciari, who scored his first goal with the team on Sunday.

4. New Jersey Devils

Record: 37-14-5 (.705%, 3rd)
5v5 Goal Differential: +38 (3rd)
5v5 xGF/60: 3 (3rd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.43 (t-7th)
PP xGF/60: 9.08 (7th)
PK xGA/60: 7.78 (13th)
5v5 PDO: 101.1
Previous Week: 4th (0)

It was business as usual for the Devils last week, taking three of their four games by beating the Blue Jackets, Penguins, and Jets. They even got a lineup boost over the weekend with Jack Hughes making a surprisingly quick return to the lineup after he was supposed to be week-to-week as of last week.

While the Stars stick around in fifth place for now, they haven’t been doing themselves any favours by dropping four games in a row. While the losses to the Bruins and Wild were tight and competitive against good teams, the 4-1 loss to the Blue Jackets of all teams certainly stings for a team tied for first in the West.

6. Vegas Golden Knights

Record: 34-18-4 (.643%, 7th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +10 (12th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.69 (t-15th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.33 (4th)
PP xGF/60: 9.03 (9th)
PK xGA/60: 7.28 (7th)
5v5 PDO: 100.3
Previous Week: 6th (0)

The Golden Knights continue to stay hot out of the All-Star break, as they are currently riding a five-game winning streak with two more last week over the Sharks and Lightning, although those wins weren’t quite as dominant as the ones the week prior. The streak still hasn’t given them enough of a boost to move up in the rankings, but they’ve certainly given themselves some breathing room on the teams below them.

7. New York Rangers

Record: 33-14-9 (.670%, 4th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +18 (8th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.53 (22nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.51 (11th)
PP xGF/60: 10.41 (1st)
PK xGA/60: 7.93 (15th)
5v5 PDO: 101
Previous Week: 7th (0)

The Rangers seem unbeatable right now, or at least in regulation, as they’ve got points in their last ten games with an 8-0-2 record in that stretch, including a seven-game win streak that was ended with an overtime loss to the Flames on Saturday. On top of Tarasenko starting to fit into their top six, they made another move to add some forward depth, bringing back Tyler Motte to the team after he walked to free agency last summer.

8. Tampa Bay Lightning

Record: 35-17-3 (.664%, 6th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +23 (7th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.96 (5th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.61 (16th)
PP xGF/60: 8.02 (16th)
PK xGA/60: 8.23 (19th)
5v5 PDO: 101.6
Previous Week: 8th (0)

The Lightning started off last week by extending their win streak to three games with a win over the Avalanche before dropping their next two games to the Coyotes and Golden Knights. They stay in eighth for now, but should be a spot lower if not for the Flames being well behind in the five point rule, and a tiebreaker over the Oilers in the aggregate thanks to a better points percentage.

9. Edmonton Oilers

Record: 30-19-8 (.596%, 13th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +9 (13th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.89 (7th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.56 (14th)
PP xGF/60: 10.12 (2nd)
PK xGA/60: 8.25 (20th)
5v5 PDO: 100.3
Previous Week: 9th (0)

Just as the Oilers were starting to challenge for the top spot in the Pacific, they went ice cold with losses in four straight to the Habs, Wings, Rangers, and Avs. The latter three were at least in overtime, but you would hope for at least one or two of those being wins, especially when the losses to the Rangers and Avs saw them blow three goal leads.

10. Winnipeg Jets

Record: 34-21-1 (.616%, 11th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +8 (14th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.7 (14th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.65 (18th)
PP xGF/60: 8.95 (10th)
PK xGA/60: 7.22 (6th)
5v5 PDO: 100.9
Previous Week: 10th (0)

Just as the Jets were putting together another streak with their third win in a row after beating the Kraken, they dropped two straight by losing to the Blue Jackets and the Devils. The week was somewhat historic though, as it saw Josh Morrissey set a franchise record for points in a single season by a defenseman – and he still has 26 more games left to go to add to it.

11. Seattle Kraken

Record: 32-18-6 (.625%, 9th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +42 (2nd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.56 (21st)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.47 (10th)
PP xGF/60: 6.27 (28th)
PK xGA/60: 7.61 (11th)
5v5 PDO: 102
Previous Week: 13th (+2)

The Kraken didn’t start off the week like they wanted to by dropping a game to the Jets, but they managed to bounce back and take their next two games against the Flyers and the Red Wings. One thing that’s really helped their play recently is Philipp Grubauer returning to form a bit, as he’s had a .926 save percentage since the start of January.

12. Los Angeles Kings

Record: 32-18-7 (.623%, 10th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -4 (20th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.65 (t-18th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.43 (t-7th)
PP xGF/60: 7.96 (19th)
PK xGA/60: 7.32 (8th)
5v5 PDO: 98.4
Previous Week: 14th (+2)

The Kings have really helped their case for keeping a spot within the top three of their division, as they’re riding a four-game win streak after wins over the Pens, Sabres, Ducks, and Coyotes. While they haven’t make that deal for Jakob Chychrun yet, they did secure another defenseman for the long-term, locking up one of their own in Mikey Anderson to a $4.13 million cap hit for the next eight years.

13. Calgary Flames

Record: 26-19-11 (.563%, 16th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +13 (11th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.88 (8th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.34 (5th)
PP xGF/60: 8 (18th)
PK xGA/60: 7.05 (3rd)
5v5 PDO: 98.4
Previous Week: 11th (-2)

The Flames didn’t start out the week very well, as they extended their skid to four losses in five games, but they managed to snap it with a 3-2 win over the Rangers on Saturday. The Flames inconsistencies may be boiling over to the players as well, as Jonathan Huberdeau’s agent Allan Walsh didn’t seem too happy about the current situation.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. Also, negativity sucks the joy right out of players. cc: @NHLFlames

— Allan Walsh (@walsha) February 17, 2023

14. Minnesota Wild

Record: 30-21-5 (.580%, 14th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -10 (22nd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.4 (23rd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.29 (t-2nd)
PP xGF/60: 9.32 (6th)
PK xGA/60: 7.55 (9th)
5v5 PDO: 99.1
Previous Week: 12th (-2)

The Wild didn’t start off the week too well, dropping two straight games to the Panthers and Avalanche, but they bounced back with two straight wins against the Wild and Preds to end the week. While they haven’t made any deadline moves themselves, they were the quiet part of the Ryan O’Reilly trade, taking on a little bit of cap space for a pick as a third-party broker.

15. Florida Panthers

Record: 28-25-6 (.525%, 23rd)
5v5 Goal Differential: +14 (10th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.09 (2nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.7 (t-22nd)
PP xGF/60: 9.46 (5th)
PK xGA/60: 7.8 (14th)
5v5 PDO: 99.9
Previous Week: 15th (0)

The Panthers inconsistencies continues, as they split their four game week with two wins and two losses, and have now alternated wins and losses in their last six games. They could have been a couple spots higher in the list if not for the five point rule, and while this list obviously doesn’t decide the playoffs, it goes to show that this team is still struggling to find it’s groove and get a playoff spot.

16. Pittsburgh Penguins

Record: 27-19-9 (.573%, 15th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -3 (19th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.99 (4th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.68 (21st)
PP xGF/60: 8.82 (11th)
PK xGA/60: 8.44 (21st)
5v5 PDO: 99.8
Previous Week: 16th (0)

The Pens keep throwing away some valuable points in the standings, as like a lot of the other teams fighting for those final playoffs spots, the Penguins are on a cold streak with three of their last four wins. That hasn’t stopped the duo of Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell, as they’ve combined for four goals and 11 points in just three games between the two of them.

17. Colorado Avalanche

Record: 31-19-5 (.609%, 12th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +3 (16th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.61 (20th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.45 (9th)
PP xGF/60: 8.14 (14th)
PK xGA/60: 8.7 (27th)
5v5 PDO: 100.1
Previous Week: 18th (+1)

The Avalanche didn’t start off last week well with a loss to the Lightning, but they came right back with a three-game win streak, highlighted by an entertaining 6-5 win over the Oilers that saw them come back from down 3-0 to take it in overtime. That got a bit of a boost as Cale Makar finally drew into the lineup on Saturday, but that lasted all of one game before he missed Sunday’s match against the Oilers.

18. Ottawa Senators

Record: 27-24-4 (.527%, 22nd)
5v5 Goal Differential: -24 (t-28th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.79 (10th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.66 (19th)
PP xGF/60: 9.54 (4th)
PK xGA/60: 8.53 (t-23rd)
5v5 PDO: 97.9
Previous Week: 20th (+2)

The Sens keep taking big steps in this list, jumping up a couple more spots thanks to a stretch of 7-1-1 in their last nine games, one that’s also put them back in the playoff picture a little bit. That said, they have started selling off pieces by moving Tyler Motte, although they probably won’t move any big pieces like Alex DeBrincat – especially since their long-term plans seem a bit brighter with Ryan Reynolds closer to purchasing the team.

19. Washington Capitals

Record: 28-24-6 (.534%, t-20th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -1 (18th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.66 (17th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.55 (13th)
PP xGF/60: 7.48 (24th)
PK xGA/60: 8.19 (16th)
5v5 PDO: 99.6
Previous Week: 17th (-2)

Just as the Caps were starting to flirt with a division spot in the Metro, they’ve more or less determined their fate as a wild card team with their recent skid. Not only have they lost their last four games, they’ve only strung back-to-back wins once since their big streak in December that put them back into playoff contention.

20. New York Islanders

Record: 28-24-7 (.534%, t-20th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +17 (9th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.65 (t-18th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.83 (27th)
PP xGF/60: 7.9 (20th)
PK xGA/60: 8.67 (25th)
5v5 PDO: 101.3
Previous Week: 19th (-1)

Any momentum the Islanders may have gained from the Bo Horvat trade and winning their first two games out of the All-Star break seems to have already evaporated. They’ve now lost four of their last five games, dropping matches to the Sens and Bruins last week, with that lone win at least coming at a big time against a Pens team their fighting with for a playoff spot.

21. Buffalo Sabres

Record: 28-22-4 (.556%, 17th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +4 (15th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.69 (t-15th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.67 (20th)
PP xGF/60: 6.29 (27th)
PK xGA/60: 8.69 (26th)
5v5 PDO: 100.3
Previous Week: 22nd (+1)

The Buffalo Sabres put an end to a four-game losing streak with back-to-back wins over the Ducks and Sharks during their trip to the West coast last week. That’s given them some much needed momentum in the playoff race and moved them up a spot in the rankings as a result, although the Preds recent struggles helped with that as well.

22. Detroit Red Wings

Record: 26-21-8 (.545%, 18th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -9 (21st)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.17 (30th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.63 (17th)
PP xGF/60: 7.55 (23rd)
PK xGA/60: 8.22 (18th)
5v5 PDO: 100.4
Previous Week: 23rd (+1)

Up until Saturday’s 4-2 loss to the Kraken, the Red Wings were red-hot last week, winning five in a row including three in the Northwest over the Canucks, Oilers, and Flames. Jakub Vrana also may make a return to the Red Wings lineup soon, as he was called up from the AHL, although it will likely be more of a “show-me” situation for interested trade partners than a long-term thing for the Wings.

23. Nashville Predators

Record: 26-22-6 (.537%, 19th)
5v5 Goal Differential: 0 (17th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.76 (12th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.82 (26th)
PP xGF/60: 7.25 (25th)
PK xGA/60: 9 (29th)
5v5 PDO: 100.5
Previous Week: 21st (-2)

Just as the Predators seemed to be putting themselves back in the playoff hunt, they’ve fallen right back off after losing three of their last four games. They had a big blowout win over the Panthers on Saturday, but otherwise last week saw them lose games to the Coyotes, Bruins, and Wild.

24. Philadelphia Flyers

Record: 22-25-10 (.474%, 25th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -11 (23rd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.38 (25th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.7 (t-22nd)
PP xGF/60: 5.63 (32nd)
PK xGA/60: 8.21 (17th)
5v5 PDO: 99.4
Previous Week: 24th (0)

It was a quiet week in Philly with just two games, although they were two games that they’d like to forget, getting blown 6-2 in both games by the Kraken and the Canucks. That extends their losing streak to four games, although the fact that they stick around in the same spot is mostly due to how bad the teams below them are.

25. St. Louis Blues

Record: 26-27-3 (.491%, 24th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -21 (t-25th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.37 (26th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.8 (24th)
PP xGF/60: 6.11 (31st)
PK xGA/60: 8.53 (t-23rd)
5v5 PDO: 99.4
Previous Week: 26th (+1)

The Blues are all-in on selling at the trade deadline now, as along with dealing Vladimir Tarasenko, they dealt their captain Ryan O’Reilly to the Leafs in a big trade over the weekend. Losing those two big names made quite the impact on the team in their first weekend without them, as they lost both games to the Avs and Sens by a combined score of 11-3.

26. San Jose Sharks

Record: 17-29-11 (.395%, 29th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -20 (24th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.86 (9th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.59 (15th)
PP xGF/60: 7.85 (21st)
PK xGA/60: 7.57 (10th)
5v5 PDO: 98.9
Previous Week: 27th (+1)

It was another week of tanking for the Sharks, as they dropped all three of their matches last week against the Penguins, Golden Knights, and Sabres. They also may be without Timo Meier for a bit, as he is questionable for today’s game with an injury, something that’s even more important if it affects his trade value.

27. Vancouver Canucks

Record: 22-30-4 (.429%, 28th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -21 (t-25th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.39 (24th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.81 (25th)
PP xGF/60: 8.1 (15th)
PK xGA/60: 8.91 (28th)
5v5 PDO: 99
Previous Week: 25th (-2)

The Canucks haven’t made much of that momentum that comes from a coaching change, as their struggles out of the All-Star break continued by losing five of six out of the gate, before salvaging last week with a blowout win over the Flyers. The bad news continues for them, as they won’t be getting help from a Thatcher Demko return just yet after he experienced a setback in his recovery last week.

28. Montreal Canadiens

Record: 23-29-4 (.446%, 26th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -24 (t-28th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.31 (27th)
5v5 xGA/60: 3.04 (31st)
PP xGF/60: 6.6 (26th)
PK xGA/60: 9.68 (30th)
5v5 PDO: 99.4
Previous Week: 28th (0)

The Canadiens won one game and lost two games, and if they were looking to both tank and play spoiler for playoff teams, they ended up doing the exact opposite. Their lone win came against the Blackhawks to start the week, a team they’re competing with for a lottery spot, and both losses came at the hands of two of the league’s best in the Canes and the Leafs.

29. Arizona Coyotes

Record: 20-28-9 (.430%, 27th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -23 (27th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.13 (31st)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.86 (28th)
PP xGF/60: 6.2 (30th)
PK xGA/60: 9.83 (31st)
5v5 PDO: 100.4
Previous Week: 31st (+2)

Somehow, the Coyotes have found themselves on a nine-game point streak, going 5-0-4 in that stretch, including wins over the Predators, Lightning, and Blue Jackets. That mostly came without Jakob Chychrun in the lineup as well, as he’s still been sitting out due to trade purposes for a trade that was supposed to happen last week.

30. Columbus Blue Jackets

Record: 18-34-5 (.360%, 31st)
5v5 Goal Differential: -48 (30th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.26 (28th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.89 (29th)
PP xGF/60: 7.79 (22nd)
PK xGA/60: 8.49 (22nd)
5v5 PDO: 98.3
Previous Week: 32nd (+2)

Like the Coyotes, the Blue Jackets have been spoiling their tank a bit recently, as they have points in four of their last five games, with a 3-1-1 record in that span. They also joined in on the trend of sitting their trade assets, with Vladislav Gavrikov missing out on all four games last week.

31. Chicago Blackhawks

Record: 18-32-5 (.373%, 30th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -54 (31st)
5v5 xGF/60: 1.97 (32nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 3.02 (30th)
PP xGF/60: 6.26 (29th)
PK xGA/60: 7.71 (12th)
5v5 PDO: 98.4
Previous Week: 30th (-1)

The Blackhawks started off last week with a three-game winning streak, but managed to bounce back over the weekend by beating the Senators and the Leafs, the latter of which saw Patrick Kane score a hat trick before denying any interest in joining the Leafs. On top of that, captain Jonathan Toews announced he won’t be getting dealt at the deadline due to the current situation with his illness.

32. Anaheim Ducks

Record: 17-33-6 (.357%, 32nd)
5v5 Goal Differential: -70 (32nd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.24 (29th)
5v5 xGA/60: 3.56 (32nd)
PP xGF/60: 8.01 (17th)
PK xGA/60: 10.12 (32nd)
5v5 PDO: 97.9
Previous Week: 29th (-3)

The Ducks only played two games last week, dropping both games with a 7-3 loss to the Sabres and a 6-3 loss to the Kings. That drops their losing streak to four games, one that’s seen them get outscored 26-11, so they seem to be doing a solid job of tanking right now.

_____