NHL Power Rankings: Washington Capitals stay on top

For the second straight week, the Washington Capitals are at the top of our weekly NHL power rankings.

The 2019-20 NHL season has been a very crazy one. There have been shakeups in our NHL power rankings on a weekly basis. This week was no different, as several teams rose quite a bit in our rankings and others fell.

Before I begin, let’s review what I consider in my power rankings. I factor in things like overall record, underlying stats, and strength of schedule. Feel free to yell at me in the comments if you think I’m wrong. I will defend your right to be wrong. But if you’re smart and you know I’m right, feel free to say nice things.

NHL POWER RANKINGS

Even after a two-win week, the Red Wings are, by a significant margin, the worst team in the NHL.

Once Taylor Hall gets traded, the Devils could challenge the Red Wings for the worst record in the league.

Just when you thought the Blackhawks couldn’t get much worse, they blew a 3-0 lead in the third period to the St. Louis Blues.

Cam Atkinson is having a very rough season with just eight goals through 32 games.

Is anyone surprised that signing Ilya Kovalchuk didn’t work out for the Kings?

Sam Steel, Troy Terry, and Max Jones have combined for 23 points. You’ve got to think they were expecting more from them.

Anthony Duclair proved his former head coach John Tortorella wrong with a hat trick against the Blue Jackets on Saturday.

It’s now or never for the San Jose Sharks. They’ve got to turn their season around.

If the Panthers don’t make the playoffs, general manager Dale Tallon’s got to be on the chopping block, right?

How much longer until Peter Laviolette gets fired?

Their loss to the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night was an ugly one.

Carey Price needs to be better. It’s that simple. The Habs aren’t going to win too many games if Price keeps posting a .905% save percentage.

Mike Babcock refused to play Justin Holl. Under Sheldon Keefe, Holl has been fabulous.

Chandler Stephenson’s been pretty solid for the Golden Knights with three points in his first six games.

Nikita Kucherov had to leave Saturday’s game due to an injury. If he’s out for a while, the Lightning are in trouble.

The Rangers have a nice problem to have – they’ve got too many good goaltenders. It’ll be interesting to see which one they inevitably trade.

They’ve earned at least one point in 14 of their last 15 games.

With McDavid and Draisaitl on the ice, the Oilers are outscoring their opponents 31-27 at 5v5. Without them, they’re being outscored 24-42.

Jack Eichel has forced his way into the Hart Trophy conversation.

New head coach Geoff Ward has the Flames rolling, as they’ve gone 6-1-0 under him.

Patrik Laine is having one heck of a bounce-back year.

Keep Oskar Lindblom in your thoughts.

If it wasn’t for Connor Hellebuyck, Darcy Kuemper would probably be the Vezina Trophy favorite.

How is Jaccob Slavin still underrated? He’s incredible.

Several wins without Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby? What an impressive week for the Penguins.

It’s December 15. Through 34 games, Jamie Benn has just three 5v5 goals and Tyler Seguin has just four. But somehow, the Stars keep winning.

The Bruins have hit a rough spot, but I think they’ll right themselves quickly.

They’re starting to miss Vladimir Tarasenko on offense, but David Perron (30 points) has done a good job filling in for him.

The Islanders just keep on proving everybody wrong.

Oh man, imagine how great the Avalanche would be if they traded for Taylor Hall.

The Washington Capitals scoring depth showed up. They scored 10 goals in three games this week, and only one of them was scored by Alex Ovechkin.