NHL 2022-23 Season Weekly Power Rankings: Monday 12/19

4. Pittsburgh Penguins (6)

There was a point in the season when the Penguins were playing like the oldest team in the NHL. Now, they look like a team that is more than capable of contending for the Stanley Cup yet again.

Pittsburgh stretched its winning streak all the way to seven games last week before falling to the team just ahead of them here, and if they continue at this pace, they may just be in the top slot in the Metro by the start of 2023.

3. Carolina Hurricanes (4)

One team that might have something to say about that, though, is the Hurricanes. For as good as the Pens have been, the Canes have been equally impressive, if not a little bit better.

Carolina is on an 11-game point streak (9-0-2) and has caught up to the Devils to tie them for first place in the Metropolitan Division. The Hurricanes’ point percentage is tied for second in the NHL.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning (9)

This is the highest that the three-time defending Eastern Conference champions have been on this list all season.

That’s not to say that the Bolts have been playing poorly, but with teams that had been at the top of the list faltering, leave it to the Lightning to seize the opportunity and make their move into the top two.

1. Boston Bruins (3)

It’s been a few weeks since the Bruins found themselves at the top of the power rankings, but during their three-week absence, they had not fallen out of the top three at any point. With a 3-0-1 record last week, Boston cruises back into first place.

The Bruins lead all NHL clubs with a 24-4-2 record, good for 50 points and a five-point lead over the second-place Golden Knights.