Updated: February 13, 2012, 11:26 AM ET

Power Rankings: New York state of mind

Week:

By Pierre LeBrun (Posted Feb. 13, 2012)

We like mixing it up, but you can't justify changing who's on top yet again this week. The Blueshirts deserve the top ranking.

• Have your say: Rank all 30 teams!

2011-2012 Power Rankings: Week 20
RANK	TEAM / RECORD	TRENDING	COMMENTS
1	New York 36-13-5	-- Last Week: 1	Winners of seven of their past nine games, the Rangers are soaring while some of their Eastern rivals are dipping. Oh, and Ryan Callahan is the bomb.
2	Detroit 38-17-2	-- Last Week: 2	No Jimmy Howard? No problem. The Wings have tied the NHL record with 20 straight home wins, and with Joey MacDonald in goal for the past three home wins.
3	Vancouver 34-15-6	-- Last Week: 3	The Canucks haven't lost in regulation since Jan. 15, going 6-0-3 in their past nine games. Yet you sense there's another gear to their game.
4	St. Louis 34-14-7	1 Last Week: 5	A perfect 4-0-0 week for the Blues, including an impressive win over fellow contender San Jose on Sunday night.
5	Boston 34-17-2	1 Last Week: 6	The B's have fallen seven points behind the Rangers for the Eastern Conference lead. What better way to cut into that than with a home victory Tuesday night against the Blueshirts?
6	Nashville 32-18-6	2 Last Week: 4	The Predators couldn't stand the limelight, dropping three straight games (0-1-2) after getting ranked fourth in the Power Rankings last Monday.
7	San Jose 30-17-6	-- Last Week: 7	A nine-game road trip began with a loss at St. Louis on Sunday night. A bad trip would open the door for L.A. -- only a point back -- to take over the Pacific Division lead.
8	Philadelphia 31-18-7	2 Last Week: 10	The Flyers played better Sunday night in Detroit after a tongue-lashing from Kimmo Timonen the day before. Still, make it five losses in six games.
9	Pittsburgh 32-19-5	-- Last Week: 9	Whoa, Nellie, the Penguins lit up the lamp with 12 goals in weekend wins over Winnipeg and Tampa Bay.
10	New Jersey 31-20-4	2 Last Week: 8	After an emotional 1-0 win over the rival Rangers, the Devils went in reverse with losses to St. Louis and Florida.
11	Florida 27-17-11	1 Last Week: 12	The Panthers opened a four-point gap in the Southeast over Washington with a perfect 2-0-0 weekend.
12	Phoenix 27-21-8	8 Last Week: 20	The never-say-die Coyotes have won five straight games, defying all odds despite the ownership uncertainty again hanging over them.
13	Chicago 29-20-7	2 Last Week: 11	The Blackhawks' stunning woes continue as the winless streak reaches eight games (0-7-1). Panic, anyone?
14	Los Angeles 27-19-11	3 Last Week: 17	The Kings picked up three points in two weekend games and are putting the heat on San Jose in the Pacific.
15	Calgary 26-22-8	4 Last Week: 19	A huge win over powerhouse and rival Vancouver on Saturday night, as the Flames insist they're in this thing.
16	Anaheim 22-24-9	8 Last Week: 24	These guys refuse to roll over. Sunday night's win in Columbus ran the Ducks' record to 12-2-3 since Jan 6. Simply mesmerizing. Is the miracle run too little, too late?
17	Ottawa 28-22-8	1 Last Week: 16	The Sens have only two games on the schedule this week, as other teams in the East finally get to start catching up in the games-played column.
18	Washington 28-22-5	4 Last Week: 14	The Caps just can't win on the road. If they don't figure it out, they won't make the playoffs.
19	Toronto 28-22-6	6 Last Week: 13	The Leafs inexplicably lose three straight, capped by an embarrassing loss at home to rival Montreal on Mats Sundin night. Up next, road games in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
20	Winnipeg 26-25-6	5 Last Week: 25	Nine of their next 10 games are at home, where they're a different team. Time to make their run.
21	Dallas 28-24-3	3 Last Week: 18	The Stars have lost four of six, and you start to wonder whether they'll force their GM to be a seller come Feb. 27.
22	Colorado 28-25-4	1 Last Week: 21	Five of their next six on the road. Make or break?
23	New York 23-24-8	-- Last Week: 23	That was a gut-wrenching loss to Florida on Sunday afternoon. They needed to keep it going, especially at home.
24	Montreal 23-24-9	5 Last Week: 29	The red-hot Habs, out of nowhere, have a four-game winning streak, have won six of nine overall and are threatening to make this interesting.
25	Tampa Bay 24-25-6	3 Last Week: 22	The Lightning have made a valiant run, but it's not getting them any closer to the Panthers.
26	Buffalo 24-25-6	2 Last Week: 28	Paul Gaustad (UFA on July 1) would make a terrific pickup for another team.
27	Edmonton 22-28-5	1 Last Week: 26	If I were the Oilers' GM, I would not trade Sam Gagner.
28	Carolina 20-25-11	1 Last Week: 27	The Canes need to find a bona fide first-line winger to play with Eric Staal before next season.
29	Minnesota 25-22-8	14 Last Week: 15	Never mind that the Wild have dropped five of six games; two of their past three losses were against Columbus -- in regulation. Mercy.
30	Columbus 16-34-6	-- Last Week: 30	The Jackets are trying to find a new home for Jeff Carter. Can they pull it off?
Biggest Jump: 8 Biggest Drop: 14 Make your own Power Rankings

Power Rankings: New York state of mind

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