NHL Power Rankings: Eastern Conference Still Crowds Top 10

By George Clifford

Nov 30, 2016

Nov 26, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal to tie the game against the New Jersey Devils with fourteen seconds remaining in the third period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Pens won 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

25 of 31

Nov 29, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Richard Panik (14) is congratulated for scoring a goal during the first period against the Florida Panthers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 7: Chicago Blackhawks

Previous: 3rd

Season record: 15-6-3 (33 points)

Returning to the United Center after posting a respectable 3-3-1 record on the seven-game Circus Trip, the Chicago Blackhawks sit atop the Western Conference with 33 points. Artemi Panarin was riding a three-game point streak heading into Tuesday’s contest and, along with Patrick Kane, had notched five points over the past seven games. Ryan Hartman is starting to connect, leading the team with three goals during the trip.

Captain Jonathan Toews has been out of the lineup for the past three games and the ‘Hawks have been crushed in the faceoff circle without the NHL leader at the dot.

Corey Crawford’s play has been stellar and the single biggest factor in the Blackhawks’ rise to the top of the Western Conference.