Power Rankings, Penguins on Top

16. New York Rangers (19-15-4, 7th in East)
The Rangers have been struggling a bit lately. They picked up a couple big wins, including beating the Penguins last week. They’re sitting in 7th right now but have only a two point lead over 9th and 10th place Winnipeg and New Jersey. They can still move up in the standings, and they need to continue scoring. The offense hasn’t been there this year, and this is a team that should have no issues scoring. Henrik Lundqvist has been awesome lately, posting a .927 save percentage in his last ten games. He hasn’t given up more than two goals since March 16th against a dominate Pittsburgh team.
17. Winnipeg Jets (19-19-2, 9th in East)
Winnipeg is waving goodbye to it’s playoffs chances almost every time they stop onto the ice. Like the Devils, the team has just collapsed. They have lost 7 of their last 10. They still have a chance at winning the division, the Capitals are only up by 2 points, but they have to start winning, and now. The Caps are hot, and right now the Jets are not. Before the win Saturday against the Flyers, the Jets had given up an average of 4 goals a game during a five game losing streak.
18. Nashville Predators (15-17-8, 12th in West)
Nashville isn’t an offensive team. When your offense is only scoring 2.4 goals a game, you had better have good defense, and the Predators haven’t been great. The Preds have lost seven of their last eight games, and their playoff chances are nearly gone. With the departure of Ryan Suter, and the monster contract they gave Shea Weber, you have to wonder what Nashville is thinking right now. Especially after parting ways with Martin Erat after he asked to be moved.
19. Edmonton Oilers (16-15-7, 10th in West)
Edmonton was riding a hot streak winning five in a row and getting two shutouts in the process before dropping their last two. The Oilers are young and we’re getting a good look at a team that should be a contender very soon. The special teams have been great this year. They have the 3rd ranked powerplay to go along with the 9th ranked penalty kill. Edmonton is only three points out of a playoff spot, and if they can get back on that hot streak they have a good chance of getting in.
20. New Jersey Devils (15-14-10, 10th in East)
The New Jersey Devils have lost SEVEN games in a row. Seven. They haven’t seen their playoff hopes slip away just yet though. They’ve done a good job of getting to overtime, but they can’t win. They are only two points out of the playoffs and they need to start putting the puck in the net. The Devils have the 29th ranked offense in the NHL and have scored only six goals in their last five games. Without Ilya Kovalchuk, the Devils chances are slim.