NHL Power Rankings: Oilers in, Knights out

Here are the Top 10 teams in the NHL, as ranked by TwinSpires Edge.

1. Colorado Avalanche (44-13-5)

Darcy Kuemper is getting hot at the right time for the Avalanche, as he posted back-to-back shutouts over the Flames and Kings prior to Monday night’s matchup with the Oilers.

Colorado shored up their blueline with the acquisition of Josh Manson last week. He’ll be an important piece of the puzzle regardless of when Samuel Girard gets back from injured reserve.

Swapping Tyson Jost for Nico Sturm, as the Avs did on Tuesday, makes the team that much tougher.

2. Florida Panthers (42-14-6)

The Panthers are pulling out all the stops with their acquisitions of Claude Giroux and Ben Chiarot.

The No. 1 team by goal differential (+74) could have rested on its laurels, but instead Florida is taking the bull by the horns. The Eastern Conference clearly runs through the Panthers.

3. New York Rangers (40-18-5)

The Rangers have won four of their last five games, including a grueling weekend back-to-back against the Lightning and Hurricanes, respectively.

Frank Vatrano has brought some energy to the New York roster since coming over from Florida last week, but the Rangers will probably seek more help before the Monday trade deadline.

4. Carolina Hurricanes (41-15-6)

The Hurricanes have faced four straight playoff teams, and lost all four games (Penguins, Maple Leafs, Capitals, Rangers).

The road does not get much easier in the near future, with the Lightning coming up twice along with the Capitals again over their next five games.

5. Calgary Flames (38-16-8)

Since their 10-game win streak was halted on Feb. 24, the Flames are 8-2-2, and their next six games are at home.

They addressed their need for secondary scoring with the acquisition of the Kraken’s Calle Jarnkrok on Wednesday, bringing the possibility of an Avalanche-Flames Western Conference Finals that much closer.

6. Tampa Bay Lightning (39-16-6)

The Lightning have played .500 hockey over their last 10 games, so the back-to-back Stanley Cup champs are in no position to sit chilly. That’s why they went out and got gifted scorer Brandon Hagel and gritty forward Nick Paul from the Blackhawks and Senators, respectively.

The chances of a three-peat are very much alive.

7. Pittsburgh Penguins (38-16-9)

Despite being tied for seventh in overall wins, the Penguins lead the NHL in road victories this season (21).

Tristian Jarry has had a sensational March, going 5-1-0 with a 1.99 GAA and .934 save %. Even if Pittsburgh stands pat at the deadline, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the postseason.

8. Boston Bruins (38-19-5)

Bruins fans got a double-dose of good news over the weekend, as Boston brought in defenseman Hampus Lindholm from the Ducks and immediately signed him to an eight-year extension. Then they inked Jake DeBrusk to a two-year extension, bringing the “will they or won’t they trade him” saga to a close.

With four wins in their last five games as well, there’s a lot to like about Boston.

9. Toronto Maple Leafs (39-18-5)

Erik Kallgren was beginning to look like the Maple Leafs’ savior in net, but a five-goal drubbing courtesy of the Predators on Sunday seemingly knocked Toronto back to square one.

Auston Matthews can only carry this club so far.

10. Edmonton Oilers (35-23-4)

The Oilers have managed to surpass the free-falling Golden Knights (7-10-1 since the All-Star break) on the strength of a five-game win streak.

Connor McDavid has multiple points in seven of his first nine games of March. Edmonton could be that club that "no one wants to face" come playoff time.