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Analysis

NHL Power Rankings: Eastern Conference Taking Control

By Colin Likas
Nov 21, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The New York Rangers celebrate an empty net goal by center Derek Stepan (middle) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the PPG Paints Arena. The Rangers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; The New York Rangers celebrate an empty net goal by center Derek Stepan (middle) against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at the PPG Paints Arena. The Rangers won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) skates with the puck against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at TD Garden. The Bruins won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand (63) skates with the puck against the Winnipeg Jets during the first period at TD Garden. The Bruins won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 8: Boston Bruins

Previous: 4th

Season record: 11-7-0

Tuukka Rask being good is always positive for the Bruins, who are finding some nice success away from home so far this season.

Boston is sporting a 7-4-0 road record on the backs of Rask and apparently-not-kidding forward Brad Marchand. I figured his success last season was a direct product of playing with Patrice Bergeron, but the latter has just five points while the former has a team-best 17.

Rask is the real story in Beantown so far, though. His .946/1.46 slashline is among the league’s best, and it’s more or less carrying a team that can probably produce more offensively. Or it could cave in on itself, like last season’s team did. We’ll see.

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