NHL Power Rankings: Columbus Makes Biggest Jump, St. Louis Falls Hard

Feb 10, 2017; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Chicago wins 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2017; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) celebrates his goal with teammates during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Chicago wins 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports
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nhl power rankings
NHL Power Rankings: Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron (37) and defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) congratulate teammates after their 4-0 win over the Montreal Canadiens at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Previous Ranking: 5 (-2)

Team Record: (35-26-6)

Goals For:

188

Goals Against:

175

Special Teams

PP: (20.0 percent) (13th)
PK: (85.9 percent) (2nd)

Injury List

Ryan Spooner – Concussion – Indefinitely
Brian Ferlin – Lower-Body – Day-to-Day

Statistical Leaders in 2016-17

Top Forward: Brad Marchand (67gp 32g 38a 70pts)
Top Defenseman: Torey Krug (67gp 6g 38a 44pts)
Top Rookie: Brandon Carlo (67gp 6g 9a 15pts)
Top Goaltender: Tuukka Rask (31 wins 2.25GAA .914 save percentage)
Player of the Week: LW Brad Marchand (4gp 4g 0a 4pts)

The Bruins have looked like a new team under new Head Coach Bruce Cassidy, and the club has all but obtained their ticket to the playoffs. While they aren’t the elite team they once were, they are on track to return to the postseason for the first team in three years. The Bruins began their week with a 2-1 loss to the Rangers before a win over the struggling New Jersey Devils. They lost to the Senators 4-2 and finished the week with a 6-1 drubbing of the Detroit Red Wings.

Brad Marchand continued to add to his impressive season a strong and solid four-goal performance. Marchand now sits at 32 goals as his career high 37 from last year remains in reach. David Pastrnak actually led the Bruins in points on the week scoring a goal and adding four assists to bring his total to 57, behind only Marchand’s 70 points.

The Bruins will take on the Philadelphia Flyers in a matinee matchup on Saturday before embarking on the Western Canadian road trip that will see stops in Vancouver and Calgary before the week is over. While they may breathe easily sitting in the third spot in the Atlantic Division, they must be wary of the Toronto Maple Leafs who are only four points behind with two games in hand.

Weekly Prospect Profile: D Cameron Clarke, Ferris State University (WCHA)
2016-17 Stats: 35gp 1g 10a 11pts

Clarke may be one of the best project prospects in the pipeline for the Boston Bruins. Clarke passed through the 2015 NHL Draft, but he would not be ignored in his next draft eligible season. He began his career as a forward, so he always had offensive skills before turning into a defenseman. Clarke was the highest scoring d-man in the NAHL before being selected in the 5th round in last year’s draft. Currently plying his trade at Ferris State, Clarke will be an interesting prospect to keep an eye on as he takes the long road to the NHL.