NHL Power Rankings: Avalanche rumble into Top 10

The Carolina Hurricanes retain the top spot in our NHL Power Rankings, but there’s been plenty of changes beneath them. Join us as we rank the Top 10 teams in hockey.

1. Carolina Hurricanes (14-3-1)

The Hurricanes will wrap up a grueling six-game road trip (3-1-1 so far) against the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday afternoon.

The emergence of Antti Raanta (stopped 46 of his last 50 shots against) as a reliable backup to Frederik Andersen is a sigh of relief for head coach Rod Brind’Amour. Another pleasant surprise for Carolina is the resurgence of oft-troubled defenseman Tony DeAngelo, who is currently third on the team with 17 points.

2. Florida Panthers (14-2-3)

The Panthers have been making hay at home this year, going a perfect 11-0-0. But their away record (3-2-3) could use some improvement.

Jonathan Huberdeau’s five-game point streak has helped Florida weather the loss of Aleksander Barkov (week-to-week, knee) so far.

3. Calgary Flames (12-3-5)

The Flames have won four in a row, with primary weapons Johnny Gaudreau and Andrew Mangiapane combining for 10 goals and three assists in that span.

It’s not surprising that Calgary currently leads the NHL in goal differential (+30), as they keep shutting everybody out.

4. Washington Capitals (12-3-5)

Alex Ovechkin continues to defy Father Time for Washington, who are 7-1-1 in their last nine games.

The 36-year-old future Hall of Famer leads the Capitals in both goals (15) and assists (18) at this juncture. He trails only the incomparable Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in points.

5. Edmonton Oilers (14-5-0)

Speaking of McDavid and Draisaitl, they just combined for eight points in a 5-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday night.

But the Oilers are a modest 5-3 over their last eight games, and fell behind the Flames in the Pacific Division this week.

6. Toronto Maple Leafs (14-6-1)

One of the hottest teams in hockey, the Maple Leafs are 12-2 over their last 14 games.

The scoring can come from anywhere with Toronto, as John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitchell Marner, and William Nylander are all within one point of each other atop the team standings.

7. Minnesota Wild (12-6-1)

The current class of the Central Division, the Wild have a chance to pad their lead with an upcoming five-game home stand. But it’s hard to knock their 7-4-1 road record on the campaign.

Kirill Kaprizov and Ryan Hartman have combined for 22 points in November.

8. New York Rangers (12-4-3)

The Rangers have won six of their last seven overall, thanks in no small part to Igor Shesterkin.

The 25-year-old netminder boasts a 2.24 GAA and .932 save % on the season, and is considered by many to be the frontrunner for the 2021-2022 Vezina Trophy.

9. Tampa Bay Lightning (11-4-3)

The Lightning have won five of their last six overall to pull within six points of the Atlantic-leading Panthers. That includes a 3-2 overtime victory over their intrastate rival on Nov. 13.

Andrei Vasilevskiy is fresh off his first shutout of the season in a 4-0 triumph against the Flyers on Tuesday night.

10. Colorado Avalanche (10-5-1)

The Avs are the hottest team in hockey, having won six in a row. Center Nazem Kadri has put together quite a run in this span, amassing four goals and 11 assists. He’s currently riding a five-game streak with multiple points.