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 /

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Oct 3, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) skates with the puck as St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko (55) chases in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 5: St. Louis Blues

Previous: 7th

Season record: 13-7-3 (29 points)

Scoring machine Vladimir Tarasenko notched his 19th career game-winning goal Monday night as the St. Louis Blues beat the Dallas Stars 4-3 in overtime. The Blues have won two straight games and crept within four points of the Blackhawks at the top of the Central Division.

Without Troy Brouwer and David Backes this year, the Blues have a minus-1 goal differential, but goalie Jake Allen has proved to be a worthy successor to Brian Elliott, posting a stunning record of 11-3-3.

The Blues have the best home record in the Western Conference, going 10-1-2 at Scottrade Center.