NHL power rankings: Blackhawks take top spot, Capitals keep sliding

Tarik El-Bashir assesses the top teams in the National Hockey League this week (Nov. 18).

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1 (6 last week): Chicago Blackhawks; 12-4-3

Since a three-game slide earlier this month, Patrick Kane (7 goals, 14 assists) and Marian Hossa (+14) and the 'Hawks have won four in a row, scoring a total of 21 goals (and going 6 for 14 on the power play) in those games. Scoring an average of 3.42 goals per game, they rank second to only Philadelphia.

ANDY CLARK / Reuters

2 (5 last week): Philadelphia Flyers; 11-4-3

With captain Chris Pronger back from an eye injury, the Flyers have won their past three contests and gained at least a point in eight straight. Jaromir Jagr, the team's second-leading scorer with 6 goals and 11 assists, left Thursday's 2-1 win over Phoenix with a lower-body injury.

Paul Bereswill / Getty Images

3 (1 last week): Pittsburgh Penguins; 11-5-3

The dropped from the top spot after going 2-2 since the last ranking. But the Pens have bigger concerns than Thursday's 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay: Sidney Crosby's return from a 10-month layoff due to a concussion remains on hold despite the daily speculation.

Chris O'Meara / AP

4 (10 last week): New York Rangers; 10-3-3

Behind a balanced and efficient offense led by Marian Gaborik (9 goals) and Brad Richards (13 points), the Rangers are the NHL's hottest team, having won seven straight. Having Henrik Lundqvist and his .933 save percentage (tied for seventh best) between the pipes hasn't hurt, either.

Christopher Pasatieri / Getty Images

5 (3 last week): San Jose Sharks; 10-5-1

After a 3-0 loss to Phoenix last Saturday, the Sharks bounced back by thumping the rival Red Wings, 5-2, to score their third victory in four games. Goalie Antti Niemi is 4-0-1 in his last five starts.

Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP

6 (not ranked last week): Nashville Predators; 10-5-3

Led by goaltender Pekka Rinne, the Predators went 2-0-1 since the last ranking with wins over Washington and Toronto. Rinne stopped 38 of 39 shots to beat the Maple Leafs, 4-1, Thursday. Rinne is 7-0-2 in his last nine starts.

Frederick Breedon / Getty Images

7 (not ranked last week): Minnesota Wild; 11-5-3

I was ridiculed last time I brought the Wild into the ranking. No one should be laughing anymore. They're tied for the second most points in the league (25) and have won eight of their last 10 games. They yielded an average of 1.5 goals per game during that span and now lead the league at 1.95 allowed per.

John Grieshop / Getty Images

8 (not ranked last week): Los Angeles Kings; 10-6-3

The Kings dropped off the radar after a five-game losing streak from Oct. 29- Nov. 7. But they've bounced back by winning four of their past five, including three straight. Center Mike Richards has five goals in as many games after scoring only two in the season's first 14 contests.

Mark J. Terrill / AP

9 (2 last week): Dallas Stars; 11-6-0

After winning four straight and ascending to No. 2, the Stars lost to the Penguins, Red Wings and Panthers in a span of four days. But Kari Lehtonen (.925 save percentage) and his teammates have lost only twice at home and four of their next five games are at American Airlines Center.

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

10 (4 last week). Washington Capitals; 10-6-1

I'm not sure the Caps actually belong in the ranking after losing five of their past six games (0-5-1). But with a roster that deep and talented, Alex Ovechkin and Co. are still better than Buffalo, Toronto and Florida, right? Right?

Trevor Hagan / AP

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