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NHL Power Rankings: Week 18 Injuries, Prospects, In-Depth Analysis

By Matt Duscharme

Feb 7, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes in the third period at Verizon Center. The Capitals won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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NHL Power Rankings: Minnesota Wild forward Eric Staal (12) takes a shot on Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) during the first period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports
NHL Power Rankings: Minnesota Wild forward Eric Staal (12) takes a shot on Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) during the first period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /

NHL Power Rankings (Heading Into Week 18) – Full 30-Team Analysis with Weekly Prospect Profiles, Injury Reports, Statistical Updates (Leaders, Special Teams, etc.), and More.

Welcome back to our weekly NHL power rankings here at Puck Prose. This is a collaboration between Matt Duscharme, Trin Potratz, and Ryan Ritchie brought to you every Thursday in which we update fans on the latest happenings around the league. In addition to our top 30 rankings, we provide in-depth analysis and feature a weekly prospect profile to help fans get better acquainted with young talent in the system.

It was another interesting week of NHL action. Among the undefeated teams: New York Rangers went 3-0-0, Washington Capitals 3-0-0, Minnesota Wild went 2-0-0, Chicago Blackhawks at 2-0-0, and the Florida Panthers went 1-0-0. Other top teams included: St. Louis Blues at 3-1-0, Buffalo Sabres were 2-1-1, Detroit Red Wings at 2-0-1, and San Jose Sharks who went 1-0-2.

We had a number of top performers over the last seven days. Islanders F Josh Bailey and Anders Lee, Blues F Paul Stastny, and Rangers F J.T. Miller each had six points on the week. Predators F Viktor Arvidsson, Isles F Brock Nelson and Ryan Strome, Wild F Jason Pominville, Devils F Adam Henrique, Leafs F Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, Caps F Brett Connolly, Lightning F Nikita Kucherov, Blues F Alex Steen and D Colton Parayko, and Blue Jackets F Brandon Dubinsky all had five points. 17 others were tied with four points on the week.

*all stats in our week 18 NHL power rankings are heading into Thursday (Feb.9) night’s action.

Statistical Leaders Around the League

Top 5 Forwards

1. Connor McDavid, EDM (55gp 18g 42a 60pts)
1. Sidney Crosby, PIT (46gp 30g 30a 60pts)
3. Brad Marchand, BOS (55gp 23g 32a 55pts)
4. Evgeni Malkin, PIT (47gp 22g 32a 54pts)
4. Nicklas Backstrom, WSH (54gp 15g 39a 54pts)

Top 5 Defensemen

1. Brent Burns, SJ (54gp 22g 35a 57pts)
2. Erik Karlsson, OTT (51gp 8g 36a 44pts)
3. Victor Hedman, TB (51gp 7g 35a 42pts)
4. Duncan Keith, CHI (55gp 4g 34a 38pts)
5. Justin Schultz, PIT (52gp 9g 28a 37pts)
5. Kevin Shattenkirk, STL (54gp 11g 26a 37pts)

Top 5 Rookies

1. Mitch Marner, TOR (52gp 14g 32a 46pts)
2. Auston Matthews, TOR (52gp 25g 19a 44pts)
3. Patrik Laine, WPG (48gp 23g 20a 43pts)
4. William Nylander, TOR (51gp 14g 21a 35pts)
5. Matthew Tkachuk, CGY (52gp 10g 24a 34pts)

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