NHL power rankings: Stars are shooting high as the final week arrives

It’s almost here. In just a week’s time, the regular season will have concluded and the playoffs will be underway. A hot streak is always a bonus to have before a playoff run, and a cold streak is essential for lottery contention, so with only a few more days to go, let’s see where every team stacks up right now.

As I’ve done so far this season, I’ll be ranking teams not just on their results in the standings but also with how they’ve looked in several stats as well. Otherwise, I’d just copy and paste the standings, right? No fun in that. The rankings are an aggregate of six different stats: points %, 5-on-5 goal differential, 5-on-5 xGF/60, 5-on-5 xGA/60, power play xGF/60, and shorthanded xGA/60, all coming courtesy of Natural Stat Trick. But, to ground the rankings a bit, no team can be above a team that’s more than five points ahead in the standings, regardless of where the aggregate places them. And as teams are clinching playoff spots, I’ve added another rule that teams that haven’t clinched a playoff spot can’t be ahead of teams that have.

1. Boston Bruins

Record: 63-12-5 (.819%, 1st)
5v5 Goal Differential: +81 (1st)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.8 (10th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.35 (2nd)
PP xGF/60: 8.25 (12th)
PK xGA/60: 6.28 (1st)
5v5 PDO: 103.5
Previous Week: 1st (0)

The Bruins certainly want to get those regular season records, as they still can’t be stopped, winning their last six games and 12 of their last 13. They did finally get one of those though, as the most recent victory gave them win No. 63 to beat out the 1995-96 Red Wings and 2018-19 Lightning, and David Pastrnak even got a hat trick in the win to hit 60 goals on the year to boot.

2. New Jersey Devils

Record: 50-22-8 (.675%, 3rd)
5v5 Goal Differential: +42 (3rd)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.15 (t-2nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.37 (3rd)
PP xGF/60: 8.66 (10th)
PK xGA/60: 7.11 (4th)
5v5 PDO: 100.3
Previous Week: 3rd (+1)

The Devils started off their week well with back-to-back wins over the Penguins and Blue Jackets but ended it with a loss to the Bruins, although at this point losing to the Bruins isn’t really a bad sign. They might get even better just in time for the playoffs, as they signed prospect and Jack Hughes’ brother Luke Hughes to give their defense another boost.

3. Carolina Hurricanes

Record: 50-20-9 (.690%, 2nd)
5v5 Goal Differential: +34 (5th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.22 (1st)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.08 (1st)
PP xGF/60: 8.65 (11th)
PK xGA/60: 7.27 (6th)
5v5 PDO: 99.1
Previous Week: 2nd (-1)

The Canes saw their winning streak extend to three games with a win over the Senators before it was snapped with back-to-back losses to the Predators and Sabres. It’s been part of a surprisingly inconsistent end to the season for them, although some of that is due to starter Frederik Andersen playing at just a .903 save percentage since the start of March.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

Record: 47-21-11 (.665%, 5th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +41 (4th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.94 (7th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.46 (10th)
PP xGF/60: 9.36 (6th)
PK xGA/60: 6.52 (2nd)
5v5 PDO: 101.2
Previous Week: 4th (0)

The Leafs seem to have gotten back into a bit of a groove at the right time, winning two of their three games last week, and dropping a 2-1 overtime game to the Bruins that they otherwise were the better team in. They had to have Jett Alexander as the backup on Saturday, as they needed to leave some cap space to sign Matthew Knies on Sunday, and they even let Alexander play for a minute after the Leafs already had a 7-1 lead.

5. Dallas Stars

Record: 44-21-14 (.646%, 9th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +25 (10th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.7 (13th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.45 (9th)
PP xGF/60: 9.52 (5th)
PK xGA/60: 7.19 (5th)
5v5 PDO: 101.1
Previous Week: 10th (+5)

The Stars have kept their hopes of winning the division alive thanks to wins in three straight games last week over the Predators, Flyers, and Golden Knights. Their star player in Robertson continues his historic season for the Stars, becoming the first player in their franchise history to hit 100 points (post-Minnesota era), and he’ll be a big reason the Stars win or lose in the playoffs this year.

6. Edmonton Oilers

Record: 48-23-9 (.656%, 8th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +21 (12th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.98 (t-5th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.51 (12th)
PP xGF/60: 10.17 (1st)
PK xGA/60: 7.98 (17th)
5v5 PDO: 100.5
Previous Week: 5th (-1)

The Oilers have been tough to beat these days, winning seven in a row now as they keep chasing the Golden Knights for first in the Pacific and the West. They also saw some players hit big milestones this week, with Connor McDavid becoming the sixth player ever to hit the 150-point mark, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins hit a measly 100 points.

7. Vegas Golden Knights

Record: 49-22-9 (.669%, 4th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +24 (11th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.67 (t-16th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.49 (11th)
PP xGF/60: 8.91 (8th)
PK xGA/60: 7.63 (14th)
5v5 PDO: 101.2
Previous Week: 8th (+1)

The Golden Knights split their four games last week, which haven’t cost them first place in the Pacific Division just yet, but also prevented them from running away with it to give them some breathing room from the streaking Oilers. Losing Jack Eichel in their most recent game doesn’t help, especially since they lost to the Stars as a result.

8. New York Rangers

Record: 47-21-12 (.662%, 6th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +30 (8th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.56 (22nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.59 (13th)
PP xGF/60: 9.92 (3rd)
PK xGA/60: 7.52 (12th)
5v5 PDO: 101.4
Previous Week: 7th (-1)

The Rangers have now won three of their last four games, and suddenly they’re making a push for the Metropolitan Division title with the Canes and Devils being slightly inconsistent. And by that, I mean playing roughly .500 hockey, which goes to show how good this division is that the Canes and Devils playing fine still allows the Rangers to catch up.

9. Los Angeles Kings

Record: 45-25-10 (.625%, 11th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +9 (t-14th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.68 (15th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.38 (4th)
PP xGF/60: 7.82 (19th)
PK xGA/60: 7.3 (7th)
5v5 PDO: 98.9
Previous Week: 6th (-3)

The Kings’ hot streak is well in the rearview mirror at this point, as they dropped all three games last week against the Oilers, Golden Knights, and Avalanche. That’s going to drop them a few spots on the list as well, as suddenly this team that was looking like the best in the West finds itself quite cold with the playoffs right around the corner.

10. Colorado Avalanche

Record: 49-24-6 (.658%, 7th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +26 (9th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.69 (14th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.42 t-7th)
PP xGF/60: 8.03 (15th)
PK xGA/60: 8.11 (19th)
5v5 PDO: 100.9
Previous Week: 12th (+2)

The Avs find themselves on yet another late-season hot streak, winning five in a row and eight of their last nine to put themselves in a favorable position to win the Central Division. That seemed like a pipedream at one point with all the injuries they’ve had to deal with, although recent reports state that Cale Makar’s current injury may be more severe than anticipated, and Gabriel Landeskog still isn’t quite close to returning, so the injury problems aren’t done yet.

11. Minnesota Wild

Record: 45-24-10 (.633%, 10th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +7 (16th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.48 (23rd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.42 (t-7th)
PP xGF/60: 8.96 (7th)
PK xGA/60: 7.4 (9th)
5v5 PDO: 100.7
Previous Week: 11th (0)

It wasn’t the best week for the Wild’s chase for the top seed in the Central Division, as they started off the week by extending their losing streak to three games with losses to the Golden Knights and Penguins. They did snap it with a 5-3 win over the Blues that also saw the return of superstar Kirill Kaprizov to the lineup, although they did also lose Joel Eriksson Ek in that final loss to the Penguins.

12. Seattle Kraken

Record: 45-26-8 (.620%, 12th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +50 (2nd)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.59 (20th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.39 (6th)
PP xGF/60: 6.8 (26th)
PK xGA/60: 7.45 (11th)
5v5 PDO: 101.1
Previous Week: 15th (+3)

While their playoff spot was far from in doubt, the Kraken didn’t seem to want to take any risks last week, as they are currently riding a four-game winning streak. That streak has managed to prevent the risk entirely, as it got the franchise their first playoff appearance in just their second season.

13. Tampa Bay Lightning

Record: 45-29-6 (.600%, 13th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +9 (t-14th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.86 (8th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.62 (16th)
PP xGF/60: 7.9 (17th)
PK xGA/60: 8.38 (22nd)
5v5 PDO: 100.5
Previous Week: 9th (-4)

Just when it seemed like the Lightning were on a heater to potentially steal home ice advantage in their upcoming series with the Maple Leafs, they dropped three straight games last week to secure a start on the road in the playoffs. Part of that has been due to the insane amount of injuries that they’ve had to deal with, as Anthony Cirelli, Brandon Hagel, Tanner Jeannot, and Pat Maroon all got hurt at some point last week, with Jeannot’s injury looking to be a bit more severe.

14. Calgary Flames

Record: 37-27-16 (.563%, t-17th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +12 (13th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.98 (t-5th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.38 (4th)
PP xGF/60: 8.09 (14th)
PK xGA/60: 6.74 (3rd)
5v5 PDO: 98.1
Previous Week: 13th (-1)

I think this past week may be the most appropriate one to summarize the Flames' season. They took care of business with their most important game last week with a 3-1 win over the Jets but then squandered any chance to pull ahead in the West playoff race by dropping games to the Blackhawks and the Canucks, and now they’re a point behind with one fewer game to play.

15. Florida Panthers

Record: 42-31-7 (.569%, t-15th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +33 (6th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.15 (t-2nd)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.66 (t-18th)
PP xGF/60: 9.94 (2nd)
PK xGA/60: 7.95 (16th)
5v5 PDO: 100.4
Previous Week: 14th (-1)

The Panthers have now won six games in a row, and have not only made a comeback into the playoff conversation that seemed unlikely at one point, but they’ve also managed to put themselves in the driver’s seat in the first Eastern Conference wild card spot. If they win, they’re in for sure, and most likely won’t have to worry about playing the Bruins in the first round either.

16. Winnipeg Jets

Record: 44-32-3 (.576%, 14th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +6 (17th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.74 (12th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.61 (t-14th)
PP xGF/60: 8.02 (16th)
PK xGA/60: 7.41 (10th)
5v5 PDO: 100.4
Previous Week: 16th (0)

The Jets had two games with a big impact on the Western wild card race, keeping the Flames in the conversation by losing that game 3-1, but then followed it up with a big win over the Predators to at least distance themselves from them. That gives them a point on the Flames and three points on the Predators for the final Western Conference Wild card, a bit of a cushion but far from safe.

17. Pittsburgh Penguins

Record: 40-30-10 (.563%, t-17th)
5v5 Goal Differential: -1 (18th)
5v5 xGF/60: 3.09 (4th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.65 (17th)
PP xGF/60: 8.89 (9th)
PK xGA/60: 8.1 (18th)
5v5 PDO: 99.4
Previous Week: 17th (0)

The Pens are fighting for their playoff lives and every point counts, as even winning three of their last four hasn’t allowed them to gain any advantage on the Panthers or Islanders. That does mean that we get a little bit of the Sidney Crosby show as he tries to keep them in the hunt, including a three-point game on Saturday to get him to the 1,500-point milestone.

18. New York Islanders

Record: 41-30-9 (.569%, t-15th)
5v5 Goal Differential: +31 (7th)
5v5 xGF/60: 2.65 (19th)
5v5 xGA/60: 2.75 (23rd)
PP xGF/60: 7.3 (t-23rd)
PK xGA/60: 8.39 (t-23rd)
5v5 PDO: 101.7
Previous Week: 18th (0)

The Islanders only got into two games last week, but they made sure to keep up in the tightening playoff race in the East by taking both games in dominant fashion, besting the Lightning and Flyers by a combined 10-1 score. Brock Nelson and Bo Horvat had solid weeks with four points each in the two games, with the latter seeming to be enjoying his time on Long Island as well, or at least based on his post-game comments on Saturday.