Winnipeg Claims Top Spot in NHL Power Rankings

When looking at NHL odds predictions, the Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks have the best record against the spread at 27-12 while Dallas and New Jersey are at the bottom of the standings with 11-27 ATS marks.

The biggest item in NHL news might be the selection of the NHL All-Star rosters, while some future NHL stars led the United States to the World Junior title in a tournament when perennial contender Canada failed to medal.

When looking at NHL futures odds, the Colorado Avalanche is priced at +800 in the odds of winning the Stanley Cup. They are followed by the Boston Bruins, the New York Rangers and the Vegas Golden Knights coming in at +900.

Here’s a look at the top five teams in the NHL as 11 teams have played either 40 or 41 games.

1. Winnipeg Jets

Since suffering a surprising loss to the lowly San Jose Sharks, Winnipeg is 10-0-2 as the Jets have moved into first place in the Western Conference standings.

Goalie Connor Hellebuyck has won his last four starts and hasn’t surrendered more than two goals in his last 12 outings.

Mark Scheifele scored twice in a win over Arizona the last time out to give him four points in the last three games.

It is not all good news as winger Kyle Connor, who leads Winnipeg with 17 goals, hasn’t played since Dec. 10 as a result of a knee injury.

Winnipeg is 14-6 against the Las Vegas odds at home this season.

2. New York Rangers

With 13 wins both at home and on the road, the Rangers would be the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference if the playoffs started today. The Rangers and Boston Bruins each have 54 points in 38 games, but the Rangers have two more wins and one more regulation win than the Bruins.

The Rangers are just 1-1-1 in January as 2024 began with a 6-1 home loss to division rival Carolina. However, the entire body of work is good enough for the Rangers to check in at No. 2 in the weekly NHL Power Rankings.

Artemi Panarin and Chris Kreider have already hit the 20-goal mark, with Panarin having 25 goals and 55 points in 38 games. Panarin and Vincent Trocheck each have five points and +2 defensive ratings over the last three games.

3. Florida Panthers

Florida is two points behind Boston in the Atlantic Division standings. However, Florida is tied with the Edmonton Oilers for the longest active winning streak in the NHL.

Sam Reinhart is two goals shy of his third straight 30-goal season. He has 10 goals and one assist during Florida’s seven-game winning streak. He scored three times as Florida went into Colorado and handed the Avalanche an 8-4 loss.

Sam Reinhart doubles down. 😎 pic.twitter.com/a5pqPrEWoJ

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 6, 2024

Defenseman Gustav Forsling continues to thrive in Florida. He has a +25 defensive rating in 39 games to give him a +102 plus/minus number in his four seasons with the Panthers.

4. Boston Bruins

The Bruins have slowed down from the blistering pace they set in the early stages of the season. However, the last time out, they cruised past Atlantic Division rival Tampa Bay 7-3.

Boston is better known for its elite goaltending and attention to detail in its own zone. However, in the first three games, the Bruins have scored 16 games – 12 of them coming at even strength. They have scored as many short-handed goals as the opponents have power play tallies in those three games.

David Pastrnak continues to lead the Bruins on offense but linemate Morgan Geekie has two goals and two assists in the last four games while Trent Frederic leads the Bruins with three goals scored in January.

5. Colorado Avalanche

Recent Colorado games have not been boring. The first two games played in January were won by the Avalanche 5-4 in overtime before Florida’s 8-4 victory in the most recent contest.

Colorado is 7-2-1 over the last 10 games and has still lost ground to the scorching-hot Winnipeg Jets in the Central Division.

Colorado’s 16 home wins are the most in the NHL even though just five players have appeared in every game this season.

Defenseman Bowen Byram is the latest key contributor to be sidelined. Nathan MacKinnon looks rather healthy as he has more points at home than any player in the NHL. He is on pace for 45 goals and 88 assists. Both of those totals would be career-highs.

Colorado is tied for fifth in the NHL with 23 of its games landing over the NHL betting lines total.

Game of the Week

• Boston Bruins at Colorado Avalanche
• Monday, Jan. 8, 9 p.m. ET (Altitude, NESN, ESPN+)

The Bruins begin a challenging four-game road trip with a visit to Denver. The Bruins have won the last three games against the Avalanche and none of them have been particularly close. Both teams are scoring goals and giving them up at a frantic pace so far this month.

Player of the Week

Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers: Not many opposing players go into Colorado’s Ball Arena and have a hat trick and the game-winning goal in a win over the Avalanche. That was just part of his five goals over the last three games as the Stanley Cup finalists are rolling right now.

Rookie of the Week

Ty Emerson, San Jose Sharks: There hasn’t been much for San Jose fans to cheer for this season. Perhaps the 23-year-old Emerson can change that. He has assists in each of the last three games and is +3 during that stretch for the worst defensive team in the NHL.

Goalie of the Week

Joey Daccord, Seattle Kraken: When you post the first shutout in the history of the Winter Classic and it comes against the reigning Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights, can there be any other choice?

Daccord has never played in more than eight games in his previous four NHL seasons, but he leads Seattle with 24 games played and 21 starts. He has won his last five starts. In January, he is 2-0 with a goals-against average of 0.50 and a .985 save percentage

Questions of the Day