Power Rankings
NHL
Scores/Schedules
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Players
Weekly lineup
Video Highlights

 Tuesday, February 8
St. Louis looking down on league
 
 Jan. 31, 2000

Call it what you want, but after the top nine teams, some clubs in the middle of the pack really aren't worthy of playoff-positioned spots. Some lower-ranked teams had good weeks (Chicago, Buffalo, Montreal) but not necessarily playoff calibre. And where is San Jose? Well, the best early season story could be the second half's biggest disappointment. If the ranking creates a stir, just tell the team to start winning.

ESPN.com's secret formula has taken it all into account for this week's rankings. To right any wrongs in these rankings, click here and give us a few Rank Comments of your own.

Team PVS W-L-T-RT ESPN.com says
1.   Blues 5 31-14-6-0 Al MacInnis is out; so is Pierre Turgeon. But that can't take away from stellar week, which included road wins vs. Stars and Sens.
2.   Wings 8 31-14-6-1 Chris Osgood's 35 saves against New Jersey confirm that Wings are officially scary again.
3.   Capitals 4 24-17-8-1 The only question remaining is, "How the heck are they doing it?" Caps are 10-0-1 in last 11.
4.   Devils 1 31-15-5-4 Skids happen. Coach Robbie Ftorek may have been suspended for setting bench tossing distance records, but he showed his team he cares.
5.   Leafs 6 29-17-6-3 Steve Thomas (four goals in two games) busts out in a big way, and it had nothing to do with OT.
6.   Stars 3 26-19-5-2 Of all NHL teams above .500, Dallas has fewest goals for (120) and 15 less than the next fewest (Ottawa). Who cares when you're winning?
7.   Flyers 9 26-15-9-1 Losing to the Caps doesn't sound as bad as it might have a month ago. Lindros and Primeau fighting in the same game (same guy, too) was exciting.
8.   'Yotes 7 27-17-6-1 See Caps comment above. Through it all, Phoenix somehow still leads the Pacific.
9.   Panthers 2 29-17-4-3 Loss to Devils, Flyers shows Panthers are close, but not yet ready for the big boys. Could get crowded in net if Trevor Kidd comes back.
17A. Avalanche 11 25-20-7-1 Finished road trip by allowing 10 goals in two losses. Hawks have taken two of last three vs. the Avs.
17B. Senators 12 25-18-8-2 Like Dallas, Ottawa needs to score more goals. Now that Primeau is playing hockey, let's settle things with Alexei Yashin. But not in court.
17C. Flames 13 23-23-5-1 Road killed. Three goals for in three losses. Thank Jeremy Jacobs that at least the Bruins were on the schedule.
17D. Oilers 15 17-21-13-7 OK, no comments on another OT loss. Oops, that was one in itself. Alexander Selivanov has just two goals since end of November.
17E. Rangers 10 21-22-7-3 Toronto loss shows they actually miss Brian Leetch. Long losing streak would negate everything. Wins before All-Star break are a must.
17F. Kings 16 21-21-7-3 Blowing a 2-0 third-period lead in Toronto is not how playoff teams act.
17G. Ducks 18 21-24-6-1 Too bad seven goals vs. Pens couldn't be spread out over a few games. Next four are on the road.
17H. Bruins 19 17-21-13-4 Get to .500, and then serious talk about this team can begin again. Until then, please write your Congressman about funding for depth on the roster.
18. 'Canes 20 20-24-8-0 Tuesday's home game against the Panthers is a big one if 'Canes expect to get back in the race.
19. Canadiens 21 17-25-7-2 Inspired play by Les Habitants due to Trent McCleary's frightening injury shows, once again, that despite a dearth of talent, this team battles.
20. 'Hawks 24 18-27-6-2 Two road games before break. Wins don't make them contenders, but one can never be sure out West.
21. Penguins 17 20-25-4-5 Mario's boys have only one win in last five, and it was against Atlanta. Not good, regardless of Jagr's health.
22. Predators 22 19-26-6-4 Preds take road show to New York. Don't expect an IPO anytime soon.
23. Sabres 25 20-25-6-1 From the "Is it irony or coincidence" department: Martin Biron leads the NHL in shutouts.
24. Islanders 26 13-30-6-1 Dare we say, en fuego. Roberto Luongo stopped 61 of 65 shots in two wins.
25. Canucks 23 15-25-10-6 The last time Mark Messier smiled was eatin' Ruffles during that TV ad.
26. Lightning 28 12-31-6-4 In what should have been an AHL relegation game against Atlanta, Tampa finally snaps a seven-game skid.
27. Thrashers 27 11-32-6-3 Like "Bull Durham," Thrashers needed a rainout. They got a postponement, but it only postponed another loss. Ouch.
28. Sharks 14 22-26-6-6 Why? Why not. The Mike Vernon trade still stings. The D looks tired, and the Sharks are close to falling off the playoff map.
 



ALSO SEE
Power Rankings for 1/24

Power Rankings for 1/17

Power Rankings for 1/10

Power Rankings for 1/3