NHL Power Rankings Show Penguins on Top of Hockey World, Canadiens Close Behind

The Bruins can take some pride that they are the last team to have beaten the Penguins in regulation, accomplishing that feat all the way back on Nov. 10 with a five-goal rally in the third period.

They might also have to take some blame for what they’ve unleashed on the rest of the league, as that rally has awoken the sleeping giant in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are 13-0-1 since that loss to the Bruins and pushed their winning streak to 11 games with a 5-2 victory over Toronto on Wednesday night.

Not surprisingly, Sidney Crosby has led the charge up the rankings. But even for Crosby, his current 17-game point streak is a bit startling. He’s managed 20 goals and 15 assists for 35 points in that span, with 12 multiple-point outings.

The Bruins don’t have to worry about facing Pittsburgh again for another month, and can only hope the Penguins cool off by then. The Bruins are coming off a solid week themselves with three wins and points in all four games they played. So while Pittsburgh is the obvious choice to move into the top spot, where will Boston land in this week’s edition of the NHL Power Rankings? Read on to find out.

NHL Power Rankings
1 Last week: No. 4 Record: 20-8-2 42 points	Pittsburgh Penguins Can a team get any hotter than the Pens are right now? An 11-game win streak puts Pittsburgh in the top spot.
2 Last week: No. 5 Record: 18-8-2 38 points	Montreal Canadiens The Habs had just one blemish in four games, though an overtime loss to Edmonton is some blemish. Still, wins over the Devils, Sharks and Senators by a combined 12-3 score propel Montreal to the second spot.
3 Last week: No. 1 Record: 18-8-3 36 points	Washington Capitals The Caps drop out of the top spot after winning just once in four games this week, including blowing a 4-1 lead in a 5-4 shootout loss to Toronto.
4 Last week: No. 2 Record: 17-6-3 37 points	Detroit Red Wings The Wings also won just one of four games, hitting their first slump of the season with three straight losses.
5 Last week: No. 3 Record: 17-7-5 39 points	Philadelphia Flyers The Flyers sandwiched losses to the Bruins and Sharks around wins over New Jersey and the Islanders in an up-and-down week.
6 Last week: No. 6 Record: 15-10-3 33 points	Atlanta Thrashers Craig Ramsay and the Thrashers keep rolling along, beating Washington and Nashville this week and losing only to the currently unstoppable Penguins.
7 Last week: No. 10 Record: 15-8-3 33 points	Boston Bruins The Bruins dropped a shootout decision in Toronto, but a 3-0 shutout of the Flyers, an 8-1 rout of Tampa and a 3-2 overtime win against Buffalo more than make up for that misstep.
8 Last week: No. 8 Record: 16-9-2 34 points	Dallas Stars The Stars picked up points in three of four games this week, including a 2-1 win over Washington in a clash of division leaders.
9 Last week: No. 9 Record: 16-12-2 34 points	Chicago Blackhawks The reigning champs have won two straight, but how long can they keep it up with Patrick Kane sidelined?
10 Last week: No. 12 Record: 14-8-3 31 points	Vancouver Canucks The Canucks seem to have righted the ship after hitting some rough waters last month. Must be that inspirational poetry from Roberto Luongo
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