Alright, it’s time to power rank the Atlantic Division now that the season’s been back underway for a few weeks. Heading into the Christmas break, things didn’t look so enticing for the Red Wings, but a recent five-game winning streak may have turned their fortunes, and the fun may be just beginning.
Now that it looks like a coaching change may have saved the season, at least in the short-term, just how much momentum have the Wings built? Here’s a midseason power ranking that might imply that I’m bullish on the Wings chances should they continue on the up and up.
8 - Ottawa Senators
Until the Senators either get Linus Ullmark back or find a viable replacement, they’re the worst team in the Atlantic Division. You can argue Ullmark’s a huge reason why the Sens overachieved, and without him, they’re lost without even the slightest sense of direction.
7 - Boston Bruins
The Boston Bruins just can’t get it right this season. For a minute, they looked like the worst team in the Atlantic Division before a coaching change seemingly fixed things. Now, they’re in another slump, and it wouldn’t surprise me if opponents have just once again figured them out.
6 - Buffalo Sabres
Wow, the Sabres responded well to that 13-game losing streak earlier this season, snagging five of their last eight and a bonus point. Buffalo’s still a long way from considering itself a contender, but a few more 5-2-1 stretches will put them right back into it. And when I say a few, I literally mean a few.
5 - Montreal Canadiens
Few teams in the NHL have been hotter than the Canadiens lately, and it might be time to start considering them to be a surprise wild card contender. Yeah, this could just be an uncharacteristic boom of what’s been a rebuilding hockey team, but it’s also full of young talent that’s building quick chemistry.
4 - Detroit Red Wings
Yep, I’m getting bold here, and putting the Red Wings at No. 4. The recent move to put Todd McLellan behind the bench has paid dividends, and it should excite fans to know that this season might just be heating up. Yeah, there’s ground to make up in the actual standings, but things are currently looking good for the Wings.
3 - Florida Panthers
This one’s turning into a two-team race for Atlantic Division supremacy, but the Florida Panthers got ground to make up. Overall, they still may be the Atlantic’s most complete team, but it doesn’t look like the No. 2 name on this list is interested in relinquishing their lead any time soon.
2 - Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs have climbed out to a four-point lead in the Atlantic heading into Friday night, and they can credit some excellent play at defense and in the crease. At this point, the only team that looks even remotely capable to contend with them is the Panthers. But…
1 - Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning’s plus-36 goal differential has me more than confident that they could at least make things interesting against the Panthers and Maple Leafs. Right now, they’re more than a few points behind both teams, but if they keep up some stellar play, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if they steal the top spot in the division. Oh, and note that they have three and four games in hand, respectively, over the Panthers and Leafs.