20 weeks into the 2014-15 season and a week shy of the trade deadline, where do your favorite teams sit in my power rankings?
30. Buffalo Sabres
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30. Buffalo Sabres
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The rebuilding effort looked better than it has in the team’s shootout loss to the league leading Nashville Predators. It was a meaningless point nonetheless and fans in Buffalo are counting down the days to the draft.
29. Edmonton Oilers
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29. Edmonton Oilers
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The dumpster fire that this season has been for the Oilers can’t end soon enough. Games against the red-hot Wild, Blues and Kings this week should sink the Oilers ever lower in the standings.
28. Toronto Maple Leafs
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28. Toronto Maple Leafs
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Look for trade rumors to surround this team until the deadline as players like Daniel Winnik will be sought-after commodities.
27. Arizona Coyotes
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27. Arizona Coyotes
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Antoine Vermette’s days in the desert are coming to close as the trade deadline gets closer and the pending free agent is a sought-after commodity. The Coyotes' rebuild is underway and it’ll be a slow crash to the end of the season.
26. Carolina Hurricanes
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26. Carolina Hurricanes
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Jordan Staal is the newest Hurricane to have his name in trade rumors, and it’s no surprise. The Canes will sell off some assets at the deadline but look for Staal to stay put for now.
25. Columbus Blue Jackets
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25. Columbus Blue Jackets
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The Jackets are playing for pride this season and could play spoiler down the stretch. I’m really impressed with the play of 20-year-old forward Marko Dano, who looks like he could have a very bright future in the Buckeye State.
24. New Jersey Devils
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24. New Jersey Devils
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The Devils are doing a great job at winning meaningless games and trying to stay relevant against all odds. The team needs to sell at the deadline and former superstar Jaromir Jagr is the best place to start.
23. Ottawa Senators
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23. Ottawa Senators
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The season has been a lost cause, but the team has plenty of reason to be confident in the future as rookies Mike Hoffman and Mark Stone have shown plenty of potential. Look for the two youngsters to be building blocks in Canada's capital.
22. Colorado Avalanche
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22. Colorado Avalanche
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Every time I write the Avs off, they bounce back and go on a run like they're on now. The team's win over the Tampa Bay Lightning shows that they have plenty of hockey left in them, and Nathan MacKinnon is a big reason why.
21. Dallas Stars
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21. Dallas Stars
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The team is playing some inspired hockey without superstar Tyler Seguin, but it's likely going to be all for naught. It's a shame because with Seguin and team captain Jamie Benn, this would be a team no one would want to face in the playoffs.
20. Philadelphia Flyers
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20. Philadelphia Flyers
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The team appears to have righted the ship, but it's too late as there is too much ground to make up in a tougher-than-expected Eastern Conference. Rumors of Vincent Lecavalier's unhappiness with his role on the team doesn't send out the best vibe either.
19. Florida Panthers
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19. Florida Panthers
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The team had an awesome run, but duds against the Senators and Penguins brought them down to earth. The upstart team from South Florida has a lot of work to do to return to the playoffs.
18. Boston Bruins
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18. Boston Bruins
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The team's impressive win in Chicago showed they're very much in it. I see Tuesday's home game against Vancouver as a big one for both squads.
17. San Jose Sharks
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17. San Jose Sharks
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The Stadium Series loss was the latest time the team came up short against the Los Angeles Kings. Turning it around will be key as losing ground now could ultimately cost the team a playoff spot.
16. Calgary Flames
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16. Calgary Flames
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The team is playing some great, wide-open hockey and winning lots of games. The team came up short against the Ducks and will need to correct a few things by the time the playoffs roll around, but I love the youthful enthusiasm the team shows every night.
15. Minnesota Wild
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15. Minnesota Wild
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The team is back from the dead and Zach Parise is a big reason why. Devan Dubnyk's unreal play between the pipes is another major factor in the team's amazing turnaround.
14. Winnpieg Jets
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13. Winnipeg Jets
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Dustin Byfuglien is playing the best hockey of his career and the Jets are enjoying the benefits. The team will need more of the same from "Big Buff" as the playoffs get closer and the team looks to return to the postseason for the first time since returning to Winnipeg.
12. Los Angeles Kings
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12. Los Angeles Kings
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The reigning champions are playing just like the team that won the Stanley Cup last year and other teams in the West are on notice. Tuesday's game against the Red Wings should be a fine test for both squads.
11. Vancouver Canucks
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11. Vancouver Canucks
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The team's win against the Islanders with an injured Ryan Miller showed they can match up against the league's top teams. Tuesday's game in Boston will be a great showing as the hatred from the 2011 Stanley Cup Final still lingers.
10. Detroit Red Wings
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10. Detroit Red Wings
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I love how the Wings are maintaining their high standard, but the fact Mike Babcock hasn't inked an extension has me slightly concerned. Keeping Babcock around will be key to the Wings having success in the short and long-term.
9. Pittsburgh Penguins
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9. Pittsburgh Penguins
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After a run of some less-than-stellar play, the Penguins are back on track and playing like legitimate contenders once again. Wednesday's game against the Capitals should surely have some fireworks as these teams always go hard at each other.
8. Washington Capitals
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8. Washington Capitals
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The Caps are flying under the radar and it's a shame because this team is great. Alexander Ovechkin is scoring goals at a rapid rate. and Nicklas Backstrom is leading the league in both assists and points. Both are in the Hart Trophy discussion.
7. Tampa Bay Lightning
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7. Tampa Bay Lightning
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Tampa is a phenomenal team. but its loss in Colorado was a tough one to stomach. The team will need to be better down the stretch to build up solid momentum going into the playoffs.
6. New York Rangers
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6. New York Rangers
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Alain Vigneault has his squad playing stellar hockey, and they look even better than last year's team that went to the Stanley Cup Final. The team is clearly significantly better with Henrik Lundqvist, but Cam Talbot is holding down the fort.
5. New York Islanders
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5. New York Islanders
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Any doubts about this team were silenced when they beat the Nashville Predators handily last week. The team is for real and will be force to be reckoned with down the stretch and in the playoffs.
4. Anaheim Ducks
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4. Anaheim Ducks
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It’s tough to slot the team so low, but they just don’t look like the same Ducks they did earlier this season. I still have an amazing amount of confidence in rookie goalie John Gibson, who is showing all the signs of being a superstar between the pipes.
3. St. Louis Blues
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3. St. Louis Blues
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I wasn’t impressed with the team after its loss in Pittsburg, but I’m still sold. T.J. Oshie has been playing great and giving the team the type of scoring depth it needs to go far in the playoffs.
2. Montreal Canadiens
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2. Montreal Canadiens
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Carey Price is having a season for the ages and the Canadiens are benefitting from his amazing play. Tuesday night against the Blues could be a Stanley Cup Final preview, and Price will need to be at his best.
1. Nashville Predators
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1. Nashville Predators
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The Predators own the league’s best record and are showing absolutely no signs of slowing down. Thursday’s game in Nashville against the red-hot Wild should be a great showdown and possible playoff series preview.
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