1: Boston Bruins (28-12-1)
The Bruins had a small set back last week, but they bounced back and expect them to remain number one on our list for the next few weeks. No team is deeper and more explosive right now in the NHL. First in goals for and goals against, that is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen. And GM Peter Chiarelli says he us looking to add a depth player up front, like the team isn’t already deep enough.
2: Ottawa Senators (25-15-6)
Like I mentioned last week, I’m not sure if the All Star game being hosted in Ottawa has something to do with their recent surge, but everything is working for them. Craig Anderson is playing amazing for them and they are getting the goals to back him up. Defeating and shutting out the Rangers last week puts them number 2 on our list.
3: St Louis Blues (26-12-6)
The Blues are 5-0-1 in 2012. And their home stand continues this week with Dallas, Buffalo and Edmonton visiting. People are saying Rangers John Tortorella deserves coach of the year, what about Ken Hitchcock?
4: Vancouver Canucks (28-15-3)
Getting David Booth back only helps the Canucks remain atop the Western Conference. Saturday will be a nice matchup with the San Jose Sharks, most likely determining next week’s top Western Conference team.
5: San Jose Sharks (25-12-5)
Sharks are 6-1-1 in 2012 and have been on a roll since the end of 2011. If they continue this success without Martin Havlat just imagine what they can do once they get Havlat back into the lineup.
Honorable Mentions:
Washington Capitals: (24-17-2)
Winning 7 of their last 10 and finding themselves 3rd in the East is a good thing. But they can easily lose one game and be back in 7th. We will need another week to determine where this Capitals team stands.
Chicago Blackhawks (27-13-6)
Losing key games at home giving up valuable points pushed them off of our top 5 list.
New York Rangers: (28-11-4)
Losing 3-0 to the Senators, and losing in Montreal was a disappointment. But like many great teams, the Rangers have the depth to bounce back and find themselves in our top 5 next week.
New Jersey Devils: (25-17-2)
Goaltending is starting to heat up, but Thursday night against Boston will determine their ranking for next week.
Philadelphia Flyers: (26-13-4)
Backup Sergie Bobrovsky is slowly finding himself the starter, while Ilya BryzGOALov still let’s in soft goals. But scoring leader Claude Giroux is starting to slow down, or is the league smothering him, and he can’t change his game up? Since Jagr’s injury, he has also been silent. Thank God for the rookies on this team.
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