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Power Rankings (cont.)

Posted: Tuesday January 9, 2007 11:54AM; Updated: Wednesday January 10, 2007 12:46PM
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Note: All statistics are through Sunday.

NHL Power Rankings
Rank LW Team
21 21
Edmonton Oilers (19-18-4)
Leave it to Ryan Smyth to snap a four-game losing streak and give the Oilers their 1,000th victory in the franchise's history -- the third-fastest to reach the milestone -- in 2,114 games, behind only Philadelphia (2,018) and Montreal (2,064). Landmark aside, the Oilers have just one win in their last seven games. And their fourth-ranked PK unit has been MIA, allowing nine goals in the last six.
Last Week: 1-0-2
22 22
Washington Capitals (18-17-7)
How good is Alex Ovechkin? He tallied an impressive 106 points last season, but the gifted 21-year-old is climbing even higher -- on pace for 109. If he stays on track, Ovechkin will have 103 goals and 215 points in his first 163 games. Yet, he has only one goal in the last six games. What you've got to like is a sniper who isn't afraid to shoot: A.O. has launched seven SOG in each of his last four games. The Caps, on the other hand, have to fix their power play: just 6-for-44 in their last seven.
Last Week: 2-1-0
23 26
Phoenix Coyotes (19-20-2)
Things are starting to turn around for Wayne Gretzky's boys. Not only have they reeled off a season-high six straight wins, their 27th-ranked PP has been an impressive 10-for-31 in the last seven games. "They're enjoying themselves," said Gretzky. Also on the upswing: veteran Owen Nolan, who has five points in his last four. Now let's see how they handle this week: Dallas, Detroit, San Jose.
Last Week: 4-0-0
24 23
Tampa Bay Lightning (20-21-2)
If they want to ensure a victory, all they have to do is play Pittsburgh and allow two goals or less. Tampa Bay has won 10 straight against the Pens and are 14-2 when giving up two or fewer scores. The Bolts got through their last trip in decent shape; 2-2 on a grueling journey through three time zones with four games in six days. Now they just have to figure out how to get Vaclav Prospal going. The pivot has just three points in his last 10 games.
Last Week: 2-2-0
25 28
Los Angeles Kings (16-22-5)
The bottom-feeders in the Pacific are starting to show signs of life. Really. Like the Coyotes, the Kings have put a streak together (albeit a small one) -- posting consecutive regulation wins for the first time since beating the Blues and Isles in October. One of their wins came against Detroit to snap a 12-game losing skid. The last time the Kings beat the Wings was on Oct. 12, 2002.
Last Week: 2-0-0
26 25
Florida Panthers (15-20-9)
They got bit by an old pal on Sunday: netminder Roberto Luongo, who had just one winning season in his five years with Florida. Luongo came up big in the Canucks' 4-3 shootout win. The loss left Florida winless on its three-game trip to Western Canada and just 2-2-3 in their last seven. Also, the eighth-ranked PP went just 1-for-28 in that span.
Last Week: 0-1-2
27 24
Chicago Blackhawks (17-20-5)
To call Friday's 8-3 loss to the Preds ugly would be a huge understatement. Not only did Brian Boucher and Nik Khabibulin each give up four goals on a combined 30 shots, it was the most scores surrendered by Chicago since a 9-1 loss at Dallas on Nov. 4, 2005. Meanwhile, the PP unit has connected on just four of its last 49 chances. No wonder it ranks dead last. No breather this week with games against Buffalo and Detroit.
Last Week: 1-3-0
28 27
Columbus Blue Jackets (16-22-4)
They dropped two of three last week, but there were some positives. Gilbert Brule had a goal and an assist on Saturday, his first points since Dec. 9. Nikolai Zherdev ended a 15-game scoring slump with his first goal since Nov. 25. The biggest positive was a remarkable come-from-behind win over Anaheim on Friday. The Jackets rallied from a 3-0 deficit, only the second time they have come out of a three-goal hole in the third period to win.
Last Week: 1-2-0
29 29
St. Louis Blues (13-21-7)
Heading into Saturday's contest against Nashville, the Blues had not allowed a first-period goal in 12 consecutive games, tying the modern-era record set by the Kings in 1974-75. The all-time record is 18 games by the original Ottawa Senators in 1927-28. But all good things must end. On Saturday, St. Louis lost its bid to set a new modern mark.
Last Week: 1-2-0
30 30
Philadelphia Flyers (11-27-4)
After winning a season-high three straight, the Flyers have once again hit hard times -- dropping three in a row. Two more head-shaking stats: Philly is 0-22-1 when trailing after two periods and 0-12-3 without captain Peter Forsberg in the lineup. A bright spot has been the seventh-ranked PK, which has killed 16 of 18 chances in the last four games.
Last Week: 1-3-0

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