NHL Power Rankings: Kings become severe Stanley Cup competitors in Western Conference

Bruins
The Bruins made NHL history on Saturday by reaching 50 wins much faster than any other group in league history. Some will state this unbelievable routine season will just put more pressure on Boston in the preliminary of the playoffs, however there will be a lot of time to think of that when the postseason gets here. For now, fans simply require to enjoy this historical trip. — 50-11-5
2

Devils
Dougie Hamilton got some criticism for a down year in 2021-22, however he has actually gotten better with a revenge this season. Hamilton has actually connected his profession high in objectives (18) and set brand-new profession highs in helps (45) and points (63). He’s done all of that while publishing a plus-24 objective differential at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick. 1 44-17-6
3

Hurricanes
Carolina can’t appear to capture a break in its pursuit of a Stanley Cup. After losing Max Pacioretty to an Achilles injury previously in the season, star forward Andrei Svechnikov has actually suffered a season-ending knee injury. The Hurricanes will still be a powerful playoff challenger, however it’ll be extremely tough to change Svechnikov’s offending production. 1 44-14-8
4

Kings
It is an exceptionally little sample size, however the Kings’ goaltending has actually been especially enhanced in March. Through 5 video games, Joonas Korpisalo and Pheonix Copley have actually integrated for 4.79 objectives conserved above average. That is a motivating indication, and if this Kings group gets trusted goaltending in the playoffs, it might win the Western Conference. 3 39-20-9
5

Wild
With Kirill Kaprizov out for 3 to 4 weeks with a lower-body injury, the Wild offense will get a significant test. Even with Kaprizov in the lineup, the Minnesota offense was having a hard time to score objectives. The remainder of the lineup need to get the slack now that Kaprizov and his 39 objectives are on the rack for the instant future. 1 39-21-8
6

Stars
On Thursday night, 9 various Stars scored as they hung a 10-spot on the Sabres. In current years, Dallas has actually been slammed for an absence of offending depth, however those issues will most likely disappear if the group keeps publishing double-digit ratings. 4 37-18-13
7

Maple Leafs
With an objective in each of his last 2 video games, William Nylander now has 35 on the season, which is a brand-new profession high. Nylander is dipping into an elite level, and he is among the most enjoyable gamers to view in the NHL since it’s never ever dull when he’s on the ice. As much as Nylander produces on offense, he can provide a bit back on the protective end, which is an interesting combination. 1 40-18-9
8

Golden Knights
Jonathan Quick tape-recorded a nothing of the Hurricanes in his 3rd start with the Golden Knights, stopping all 33 shots he dealt with. Quick is off to a 4-0 start in Vegas, and he has actually assisted them win a number of video games in which the group got beat. It’ll be fascinating if he keeps this up enough time to get playoff vengeance versus the Kings. 3 42-20-6
9

Avalanche
The Avalanche’s training space is beginning to reach capability. Forward Artturi Lehkonen broke his thumb in Monday night’s win over the Canadiens, and he will miss out on 4 to 6 weeks. Colorado has actually had incredibly bad injury luck this season, and yet the group is still efficient in making home-ice benefit in the preliminary of the playoffs. — 38-22-6
10

Oilers
The early returns on Mattias Ekholm have actually been remarkable. Ekholm has actually just played 7 video games in an Oilers uniform, however the group has a plus-9 objective differential and a 59.51% anticipated objectives share when he is on the ice at five-on-five. Edmonton is far more enforcing with Ekholm as the No. 1 defenseman. 1 37-23-8
11

Rangers
The Rangers’ five-on-five video game has actually been lagging of late, which has actually caused some substandard outcomes on the scoreboard. Over the last month, the Rangers rank 20th in five-on-five anticipated objectives share (47.26%). That kind of number worked last season when Igor Shesterkin was having an out-of-body experience, however that hasn’t constantly held true this year. 3 38-19-10
12

Panthers
One of the primary reasons that the Panthers have actually had the ability to climb up the Eastern Conference standings is that Aleksander Barkov has actually begun to warm up once again. Barkov has 6 points in his last 4 video games, and he requires to keep that up if Florida is going to get above the line by the time the routine season ends. 3 33-27-7
13

Kraken
Seattle has actually lost 3 straight video games, and it is now simply one point ahead of the Oilers in the Pacific Division standings. To make matters worse, the Kraken’s absence of goaltending is raising its head when again. In the last month, Martin Jones and Philipp Grubauer have actually integrated to enable 6.54 objectives above average, per Natural Stat Trick. 1 37-23-7
14

Islanders
After leaving to a strong start with the Islanders, Bo Horvat has actually cooled down a bit. Horvat has simply one help in his last 6 video games, which is bad news for an Isles group that is still defending its playoff life. Ilya Sorokin is more than sufficient to offset some offending drawbacks, however Horvat needs to start once again rapidly. 2 35-27-8
15

Lightning
Andrei Vasilevskiy has actually not been himself recently. Since Feb. 12, Vasilevskiy has actually made 11 starts, and his -1.19 objectives conserved above typical rank 47th because period. That describes a few of Tampa’s current battles, and it’s tough to see them getting far in the Eastern Conference playoffs without Vasilevskiy being on top of his video game. 1 40-22-6
16

Jets
Few groups had a much better weekend than the Jets. On Saturday, they triggered some high blood pressure in Winnipeg however took out an overtime win over the Panthers. On Sunday, the Jets entered into Tampa Bay and beat the Lightning in policy. Winnipeg required to stop the bleeding, and it did precisely that. 2 38-27-3
17

Penguins
Evgeni Malkin has actually been definitely dishing recently with 9 helps in his last 6 video games. Malkin now has 70 points in 66 video games, and he is much closer to peak efficiency than he was over the previous 2 seasons. Pittsburgh will constantly take a crack at when Malkin and Sidney Crosby are shooting on all cylinders. 2 34-23-10
18

Sabres
Alex Tuch went back to the Sabres’ lineup in the nick of time. On Monday, Tuch dressed for the very first time because Feb. 24 and scored a set of objectives in a resurgence win over the Maple Leafs. Buffalo will require more of that from him to keep its playoff hopes alive. 1 33-28-6
19

Senators
It looks like the Senators’ magic might have gone out at this moment. In the last 10 days, Ottawa has actually lost to the Blackhawks, Canucks, and Flames by a combined 12 objectives. Those losses have all however knocked the Senators out of the Eastern Conference playoff image. 6 33-30-4
20

Predators
Tommy Novak, a third-round choice in 2015, has actually become a constant source of offense for the Predators. After costs parts of 5 seasons in the AHL, Novak has actually tallied 13 objectives and 15 helps in 34 video games with Nashville this season. He’s a factor the group has actually stayed a float after being an aggressive seller at the trade due date. 1 34-24-7
21

Flames
If you’re going to reverse your playoff fortunes, you can’t be dropping video games to the Ducks and Coyotes. That’s what the Flames have actually carried out in the recently, and it has actually put a significant damage in their playoff opportunities. Calgary has one month to reveal something that it hasn’t revealed at all this season. If that does not occur, Darryl Sutter’s seat will be terribly warm. 1 30-24-14
22

Canucks
Vancouver has actually won 5 straight video games, and J.T. Miller appears to have actually discovered a little a groove under head coach Rick Tocchet. Miller has 4 objectives in his last 4 video games, and he has the chance to end up strong in what has actually been an otherwise tough season for him. — 29-32-5
23

Capitals
Evgeny Kuznetsov has actually truly had a hard time just recently, which’s bad news for a group that is currently a little shorthanded. Since Feb. 26, Kuznetsov has simply one point, and he hasn’t discovered the scoresheet in his last 6 video games. Washington is combating an uphill struggle, and it requires Kuznetsov to begin accumulating points earlier instead of later on. 1 33-29-7
24

Red Wings
One of Steve Yzerman’s top priorities in the offseason needs to be getting Dylan Larkin some assistance. Larkin is the only gamer with more than 20 objectives on the season (25), and the next closest gamer is Dominik Kubalik at 18. If the Wings wish to compete, they require more firepower in advance. 2 30-28-9
25

Blues
If any Blues fans are searching for any positives from this season, it needs to be Jordan Kyrou’s production. Kyrou has a huge agreement extension beginning next season, and he has actually set a brand-new profession high in objectives with 30. The group around him has actually been a little a mess this season, however Kyrou has actually revealed he can fill the next with a high degree of consistency. 2 29-33-5
26

Coyotes
Juuso Valimaki has actually silently become a trustworthy protector for the Coyotes this season. He has 2 objectives and 24 helps in 63 video games this season, and his on-ice effects have actually been extremely motivating. Valimaki has actually published a minus-1 objective differential and a 49.7% anticipated objectives share at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick. Those are a few of the very best numbers on the whole group. 2 25-32-11
27

Ducks
Last summer season, the Ducks signed Ryan Strome to a five-year agreement worth an overall of $25 million, which hasn’t precisely exercised for either side up until now. After tallying 21 objectives and 54 points with the Rangers in 2015, Strome has simply 11 objectives and 31 points in 2022-23. 2 22-36-10
28

Blackhawks
Chicago was riding a four-game losing streak. It remained in a nosedive and enhancing its draft lottery game opportunities every day. Then the Blackhawks went and beat the Bruins on Tuesday? Don’t ask me how, however they discovered a method to outduel the very best group in the NHL. 3 23-38-6
29

Canadiens
Not to be outshined by the Blackhawks, the Canadiens were still searching for their very first win in March. That is, till Tristan Jarry had among the worst durations of his profession. Jarry solitarily ended Montreal’s seven-game skid. 2 27-35-6
30

Blue Jackets
Johnny Gaudreau hasn’t scored an objective because Feb. 14, and he has simply 6 helps in his last 9 video games. Columbus is going for the No. 1 general choice, however the franchise needs to be at least a little worried to see Gaudreau having a hard time so severely. Maybe sticking him on a line with Connor Bedard next season will assist. 1 21-38-7
31

Flyers
The Flyers are participating the tanking action too. They’ve now lost 4 straight video games in policy, and they have actually won simply 2 of their last 10 video games. At least Philadelphia ripped the band-aid off and parted methods with GM Chuck Fletcher so that it can progress with a brand-new vision. 1 24-32-11
32

Sharks
Few groups have actually had goaltending more favorable to tanking than the Sharks, to put it well. James Reimer’s -11.44 objectives conserved above average is connected for 85th, per Natural Stat Trick, and he is having a noticeably much better season than his fellow netminder Kaapo Kahkonen. With -23.51 objectives conserved above average, Kahkonen ranks 95th. Only Vancouver’s Spencer Martin has actually been even worse. — 19-36-13