NHL Power Rankings: Where things stand coming out of All-Star break

By Adam GretzFeb 7, 2022, 1:41 PM EST

Michael Martin, Getty Images

In this week’s edition of the NHL Power Rankings we take a look at where things stand in the league coming out of the 2022 NHL All-Star Break.

We look at the teams in three different tiers: The likely playoff teams, the bubble teams, and the dreaming of a lottery teams.

The usual suspects remain at the top, including the Colorado Avalanche, Carolina Hurricanes, and Florida Panthers. While some other bubble teams try to make a push to climb back into that top tier. We look at all of that and more in this week’s rankings.

Where does your team sit?

To this week’s NHL Power Rankings!

Playoff Bound

1. Colorado Avalanche (Last Week: 1). Arizona put a stop to their 10-game winning streak in a shootout. But they are still on a 17-game point streak (15-0-2), have not lost a game in regulation in nearly two months (December 16) and have just two regulation losses since the start of December (21-2-3). The best team in hockey.

[Related: Cale Makar leads PHT midseason Norris Trophy voting]

2. Carolina Hurricanes (LW: 3). Not only are they great, but they are set up for long-term success. Only one of their top-10 scorers is over the age of 28, and none are older than 30.

3. Florida Panthers (LW: 2). They are capable of embarrassing any opponent on any given night.

4. Minnesota Wild (LW: 4). The problem the Minnesota Wild have is timing. Their best seasons always happen to come in a season where they just happen to play in the same division as one of the small handful of teams that are better than them. It used to be Chicago. Now it is Colorado.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs (LW: 6). Good news: They should avoid Boston in the first round this year. Bad news: They will almost certainly get Tampa Bay or Florida instead.

6. Tampa Bay Lightning (LW: 5). Everybody is so used to their success now that we kind of just forget how good they still are. Same thing happens to Steven Stamkos.

[Related: Appreciating Steven Stamkos’ ability to remain an elite producer]

7. Pittsburgh Penguins (LW: 7). Just when they get everybody back healthy more injuries happen, and then Evgeni Malkin enters the COVID protocol coming out of the All-Star break.

8. Nashville Predators (LW: 9). Truly a remarkable bounce back season. For the team as a whole and all of their big-money players that had been disappointing.

9. New York Rangers (LW: 8). As long as Igor Shesterkin keeps playing the way he has this team will have a chance. They will go as far as he can take them.

[Related: Igor Shesterkin leads PHT midseason Vezina Trophy voting]

10. St. Louis Blues (LW: 10). The Blues have become somewhat of an offensive juggernaut this season, both at even-strength and especially on the power play.

11. Calgary Flames (LW: 13). They are rapidly gaining ground on Vegas in the Pacific Division and are now right there with them in the fight for the top spot in the Pacific Division.

12. Washington Capitals (LW: 12). Goalie may not be their only need, but it is the easiest need to fix that can make the biggest impact.

13. Boston Bruins (LW: 11). They may not be what they have been in recent years, but they are not going to be an easy out. Still need more depth, but that is not a new development.

14. Vegas Golden Knights (LW: 14). Just be healthy for the playoffs. Just be healthy for the playoffs. Just be healthy for the playoffs. Just be healthy for the playoffs.

On The Bubble

15. Los Angeles Kings (LW: 17). Phillip Danault has been everything they could have hoped for as a free agent addition. Great center depth is making them a potential playoff team ahead of schedule.

16. Dallas Stars (LW: 16). If they get could get more from Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov they might really have a chance here.

17. Edmonton Oilers (LW: 19). Still need to see more from them and their depth before I buy into them as a playoff team. But they have at least managed to reverse the earlier trend and get back into playoff contention.

18. Anaheim Ducks (LW: 15). Trevor Zegras is going to be a superstar and the player that helps get them back to the playoffs, whether it is this season or next season.

Barely hanging on to the bubble

19. New York Islanders (LW: 18). They are barely on the bubble simply because of the number of games they have remaining, but if we are being honest here they should be looking ahead to next season.

20. Vancouver Canucks (LW: 23). The way they played immediately after the coaching change is admirable but it is most likely a case of way too little, way too late.

21. San Jose Sharks (LW: 21). This recent stretch that has seen them lose seven of their past nine games is very damaging to whatever slim playoff chances they still had remaining.

22. Winnipeg Jets (LW: 20). An underrated pick for most disappointing team in the league.

Draft Lottery Dreaming

23. Detroit Red Wings (LW: 22). Strong progress this season and a strong core in place but they are just not on the same level as the Eastern Conference playoff teams. Not yet anyway.

24. Columbus Blue Jackets (LW: 25). Just not enough impact players here, and Patrik Laine just has not worked out yet as hoped yet.

25. Ottawa Senators (LW: 24). Good young core but man are they in the wrong division right now.

26. Chicago Blackhawks (LW: 26). Hiring Peter Chiarelli would be tying an anchor to an already sinking ship.

[Related: Marian Hossa, Ed Olcyzk, Patrick Sharp to lead Blackhawks’ general manager search]

27. Seattle Kraken (LW: 27). Still wonder what this season could have looked like if they goaltending had played the way they expected it to play.

28. Philadelphia Flyers (LW: 30). They think they can turn this around quickly this offseason. That seems like a blindly optimistic position.

29. Buffalo Sabres (LW: 29). Another lost season on top of a mountain of lost seasons.

30. New Jersey Devils (LW: 29). The lack of progress here given the big moves they have attempted and top draft picks they have had is staggering.

31. Arizona Coyotes (LW: 31). Phil Kessel being traded is inevitable but who else goes over the next month-and-a-half?

32. Montreal Canadiens (LW: 32). We knew this season would be a struggle. Nobody knew it would look like this.

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Adam Gretz is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @AGretz.

Coyotes minority owner suspended by NHL following arrest

Associated PressMar 25, 2023, 1:45 AM EDT

Donald Page/Getty Images

NEW YORK — Arizona Coyotes minority owner Andrew Barroway was suspended indefinitely by the NHL on Friday following his arrest for domestic violence in Colorado.

Online court records show Barroway was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of second-degree assault strangulation, a felony, and third-degree assault, a misdemeanor. He appeared in court Friday to be advised of the possible charges he is facing and is scheduled to back in court on April 3.

Barroway spent Thursday night in Pitkin County Jail after police arrested him at an Aspen hotel, according to a police report obtained by the Aspen Daily News.

“The National Hockey League is aware of the arrest of Arizona Coyotes’ minority owner Andrew Barroway,” the NHL said in a statement. “Pending further information, he has been suspended indefinitely.”

The 57-year-old Barroway was arrested after a verbal altercation with his wife turned physical, according to the police report. He is prohibited from having contact with his wife, except when it involves their children, and can’t consume alcohol under a court order.

A prominent hedge fund manager, Barroway owns 5% of the Coyotes.

“We are aware of the allegation regarding Mr. Barroway and we are working with the League to gather more information,” the Coyotes said in a statement. “When we have enough information, we will have an appropriate response. Until the investigation is complete, we will have no further comment.”

Blue Jackets’ Patrik Laine out 2-4 weeks with triceps injury

Associated PressMar 24, 2023, 1:12 PM EDT

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine is out 2-4 weeks after straining a triceps muscle in practice, yet another blow to the last-place team in the NHL that has been hampered by injuries all season.

The Blue Jackets announced Laine’s absence before their home game against the New York Islanders.

They already have 454 man-games lost to injury, one of the highest numbers in the league, and have a record of 22-41-7.

Laine missed two separate stints with elbow and ankle injuries in the fall. The 24-year-old Finn is the team’s second-leading scorer with 52 points in 55 games.

Columbus has been top defenseman Zach Werenski since November because of a torn labrum and separated shoulder. Forward Sean Kuraly recently went on injured reserve with a strained left oblique muscle but is set to return Friday.

Tortorella earns 700th career win, Flyers top Wild 5-4

Associated PressMar 24, 2023, 12:33 AM EDT

Len Redkoles/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA — John Tortorella needed one word to sum up if 700 career wins meant anything to the Flyers coach.

“No.”

OK, then. Good thing the brusque Stanley Cup winner isn’t paid by the word.

James van Riemsdyk scored the only goal in a shootout, and Philadelphia beat the Minnesota Wild 5-4 on Thursday night for Tortorella’s 700th victory.

Tortorella is 700-573-181 in 1,454 games as an NHL head coach. His 700 wins rank 12th in NHL history and his career games rank ninth in NHL history. He led Tampa Bay to the Stanley Cup in 2004. In his first season coaching the Flyers, Tortorella joined Peter Laviolette as the second American-born coach to win 700 games.

“I think the culture’s kind of changed around here,” Flyers forward Joel Farabee said. “I think he’s done a really good job of keeping the group together.”

Farabee, Scott Laughton, Rasmus Ristolainen and Tyson Foerster scored for Philadelphia. The Flyers have two straight games for the first time since Jan. 9-14 when they won three straight. Yeah, it’s been that kind of season.

“Farabee’s starting to pop, he’s looking real good. Tyson is looking real good,” Flyers defenseman Tony DeAngelo said. “This is all about laying the foundation for next year but we get a lot of money to do this job. It’s something we love, so we’re gonna go out and give it our best every night.”

Matt Boldy had two goals for the Wild, and Oskar Sundqvist and Marcus Foligno also scored.

“We weren’t very good. They were good,” Wild coach Dean Evason said. “We knew they were playing well, they played well tonight. We were loose. We were not firm, turnovers, it didn’t look like our hockey club.”

The Flyers and Wild were tied 1-all at the end of the first period, 3-3 at the end of the second and 4-4 headed into OT.

The rebuilding Flyers have been plucky of late. They had won two of three coming into the game, with the lone loss in overtime. They showed some of that grit in the final two periods, scoring late tying goals.

“It’s a credit to their group, to their coaching staff, that they’ve got them playing the right way,” Evason said.

Boldy poked a backhander past Carter Hart with 6:28 left for a 4-3 lead. The Flyers, playing more for the No. 1 pick and for pride, tied the game on Foerster’s second goal of the season.

Farabee tipped in Cam York’s shot early in the second for a 2-1 lead.

The Wild got going when Boldy ripped one top shelf past Hart for his 24th goal of the season that tied the game 2-all. Foligno scored his seventh goal for the 3-2 lead.

Ristolainen buried a hard slapper from the blue line on the power play for the tying goal with 23 seconds left in the second.

“I think it’s good to try to lay this foundation, kind of get ready for next year. You see guys getting confidence,” DeAngelo said.

The Flyers only played ahead in the first period.

Laughton scored off the rush for his 17th goal of the season and a 1-0 lead. Sundqvist celebrated his birthday with a deflection for the tying goal with 3:24 left in the period.

The Flyers had been one of the lowest-scoring teams in the NHL until the start of this seven-game homestand (3-2 so far). They have scored at least three goals in every game and at least four in the last four.

“We have definitely gotten to the net better,” Tortorella said. “We have spent a lot of time on the ice and with tape as far as getting to that area.”

UP NEXT

Wild: Host Chicago on Saturday.

Flyers: Host Detroit on Saturday.

Crosby reaches 30-goal mark, Penguins knock off Avalanche 5-2

Associated PressMar 23, 2023, 12:06 AM EDT

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

DENVER – Sidney Crosby wasn’t even aware of reaching yet another milestone. He’s simply locked in on helping the Pittsburgh Penguins make a 17th straight postseason appearance.

Jeff Carter had a pair of goals, Crosby scored on a nifty backhand shot in the second period to reach the 30-goal mark for an 11th season and the Penguins beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-2.

Crosby moved into a tie with Hall-of-Fame center Mario Lemieux for the most 30-goal seasons in Penguins history. Another milestone reached – it came as news to him.

“I think the most important thing for me is just try to be consistent and if that reflects that great,” said Crosby, who turns 36 in August.

Even more, Crosby’s the first player in league history to post a 30-goal campaign at 18 years old and again when he was 35-plus, according to NHL Stats.

“It means I’ve been in the league for a while,” Crosby cracked. “That’s been the thing that’s driven me since since I got into the league – in your first year, you want to prove that you belong. Even at 35, I still think you want to prove you belong, because it is a younger league.”

Jake Guentzel also scored and Bryan Rust added an empty-net goal for the Penguins, who snapped a four-game slide and moved back into a wild-card spot in the East.

“It’s definitely a big one for us, for sure,” Guentzel said. “Defending champs, coming to their building, you know how good they are. Top to bottom, we defended hard and that’s what we have to do at this time of the year.”

Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry stopped 28 shots in improving to 11-4 this season against teams from the Western Conference.

J.T. Compher and Devon Toews had goals for the Avalanche, whose six-game winning streak was halted. Nathan MacKinnon had an assist to extend his home points streak to 18 games.

It was a missed opportunity for Colorado, which could’ve pulled into a three-way tie with Dallas and Minnesota in the Central Division with a victory.

“We knew they were going to play with urgency,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “But I didn’t feel like there was any reason why we couldn’t, either. … We didn’t get it done. Hopefully we get another one.”

Alexandar Georgiev made 40 saves, including several critical ones in a second period controlled by the Penguins, who outshot the Avalanche by a 21-9 margin. It could’ve been more than a 3-1 deficit heading into the third period.

Toews’ power-play goal made it 3-2 with 9:32 remaining. But Carter wrapped up the win with his first multigoal game in the regular season since Jan. 11, 2022.

“I’m thrilled for him. We’re all thrilled,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said of Carter. “He cares about the Penguins. He wants to win, and he wants to contribute in helping us win so we couldn’t be happier for him.”

BEDNAR’S DEAL

Bednar was appreciative of the three-year extension he signed Tuesday that goes through the 2026-27 season. In his seventh season, he’s the third-longest tenured coach in the NHL behind Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper (March 2013) and Sullivan (December 2015).

“It’s not a forgiving league or sport, for the most part, but obviously that’s part of the reason why I’m so grateful and thankful,” Bednar said. “Because there were times over my tenure that got a little hairy and management could have made another decision. But obviously they didn’t.”

AROUND THE RINK

Avalanche D Cale Makar missed a second straight game with a lower body injury. “I still have him as day-to-day,” Bednar said. … F Darren Helm returned after missing 64 of 69 games this season with a lower-body injury. … Penguins D Jeff Petry (upper body) skated in the morning but sat out his third straight game. … The Penguins are 11-1 against the Central Division this season. … Penguins standout Evgeni Malkin assisted on Guentzel’s goal to reach the 50-assist mark for a seventh time in his career.