Power Rankings, Penguins on Top

21.Columbus Blue Jackets (16-16-7, 11th in West)
The Blue Jackets are playing for a spot in the playoffs, and right now the only problem is the Jackets are streaky. The Jackets acquired Marian Gaborik at the deadline from the New York Rangers, and he should help add an offensive spark to a team that desperately needs it. Sergei Bobrovski has been playing well, and the Jackets need to put some more pucks in the net and ride him into the playoffs. Columbus is 4 points out of the last playoff spot. Gaborik grabbed a goal and an assist in his debut with the Jackets, and tallied another assist the next game. If he can provide the offensive presence they need, this could be a team that sneaks into the playoffs.
22. Phoenix Coyotes (17-15-6, 9th in West)
The Coyotes are hot right now, they’ve won four of their last five and have points in six straight games. They’re still in the hunt for the playoffs, they’re behind the eighth place Red Wings by only 3 points. The offense has been good lately, and the penalty kill has been getting the job done. The Coyotes are stuck in a tough division, and haven’t done a bad job of keeping up with them this season.
23. Philadelphia Flyers (17-18-3, 11th in East)
The special teams have gotten the job done in Philly this season, but it hasn’t been enough to make up for the lack of defense they’ve had. They made a couple moves at the deadline getting Kent Huskins from the Detroit Red Wings and Steve Mason from the Blue Jackets. Ilya Bryzgalov has played in 36 of 38 games this season. Talk about a work horse. Playing behind a defense like theirs every night in such a condensed season has to be draining. Good pick up in getting Steve Mason. The Flyers are only three points out of a playoff spot right now, and their offense is scoring enough to make up for the lack of defense. They’ve won 4 of their last 5 and have points in 6 of their last 8.
24. Dallas Stars (18-17-3, 13th in West)
The Stars have won their last two games, and they may still have a chance of getting into the playoffs. They’re only four points out of eighth place. Do I really expect them to make a push after dealing away Jaromir Jagr and Derek Roy? No, but I could be wrong. All they have to do is have a good final stretch and they may find themselves there. Who knows?
25. Buffalo Sabres (16-17-6, 12th in West)
The Sabres have won three straight and have points in four of their last five. A record of 6-2-2 in their last ten, Ryan Miller and the gang find themselves in the bottom of a real tough division and sitting in 12th place in the East. They have the worst powerplay in the league and the penalty kill isn’t much better. The Sabres aren’t out just yet though, they’re only a few points away from the eighth spot at the moment.