NHL Power Rankings See Chicago Blackhawks Slide Down Amid Losing Streak

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 22: Patrick Kane
CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 22: Patrick Kane /
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CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 22: Patrick Kane
CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 22: Patrick Kane /

As the Chicago Blackhawks continue to struggle, they also keep sliding down our NHL power rankings, brought to us this week by Blackhawk Up’s Matthew Morrow and Colin Likas

If you’re trying to forget about the struggles of the Chicago Blackhawks, who lost 2-0 to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, this week’s NHL power rankings may not necessarily help.

However, you can read about the success (and failure) of other teams in addition to seeing how the Blackhawks’ struggles leave them ranked in the league. So there’s always that.

Let’s jump into this week’s ranks.

CALGARY, AB – JANUARY 22: Teammates of the Buffalo Sabres celebrate after winning an NHL game against the Calgary Flames on January 22, 2018 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB – JANUARY 22: Teammates of the Buffalo Sabres celebrate after winning an NHL game against the Calgary Flames on January 22, 2018 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images) /

31. Buffalo Sabres

Previous: No. 30

Buffalo earned an unlikely 2-1 overtime victory Monday against red-hot Calgary. This came two days after the Sabres suffered a 7-1 loss at the hands of the Dallas Stars. So … are the Blackhawks cosplaying as the Buffalo Sabres?

GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 22: Nick Cousins
GLENDALE, AZ – JANUARY 22: Nick Cousins /

30. Arizona Coyotes

Previous: No. 31

Arizona has won two consecutive tilts, most recently topping the New York Islanders 3-2 on Monday. This squad is tied for the most games played in the league (49) and has a measly 11 regulation/overtime wins to show for it. This wasn’t part of the rebuilding plan, was it?

WINNIPEG, MB – JANUARY 21: Brandon Sutter
WINNIPEG, MB – JANUARY 21: Brandon Sutter /

29. Vancouver Canucks

Previous: No. 29

So here’s something weird. Going back to look at Vancouver’s recent games, I discovered the team website’s schedule had them being off for the first 19 days of 2018. Then I realized it wasn’t just the Canucks’ website doing this, as it looks like the NHL website system was having a bit of a freakout late last night. Shocker.

ST. PAUL, MN – JANUARY 22: The Ottawa Senators celebrate after scoring a goal against the Minnesota Wild during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on January 22, 2018 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN – JANUARY 22: The Ottawa Senators celebrate after scoring a goal against the Minnesota Wild during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on January 22, 2018 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images) /

28. Ottawa Senators

Previous: No. 28

The Senators are on a three-game losing streak and seem unlikely to pull out of their season-long spiral. Not helping matters is the recent schedule. After losses to Toronto on Saturday and Minnesota on Monday, the Sens must face the Blues tonight and Boston on Thursday.

MONTREAL, QC – JANUARY 20: Carey Price
MONTREAL, QC – JANUARY 20: Carey Price /

27. Montreal Canadiens

Previous: No. 26

Montreal could have a noticeably better record if it was more successful at the luckfest that is NHL overtime. The Habs have 11 wins at home this season, but also five defeats in extra time. Sixteen wins at home instead of 11 would tie for third in the Eastern Conference.