NHL Power Rankings See Chicago Blackhawks Slide Down Amid Losing Streak

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CALGARY, AB – DECEMBER 31: Teammates of the Calgary Flames stand during the national anthem in an NHL game on December 31, 2017 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images) /

7. Calgary Flames

Previous: No. 7

Going 7-1-2 in their past 10 has skyrocketed them into playoff position. Upcoming games against Tampa, Los Angeles, Vegas and Chicago should give fans a pretty good idea of just how legit this team is, and where it is likely to finish in the standings.

6. Washington Capitals

Previous: No. 5

The Washington Capitals are pretty convincingly leading the Metropolitan Division, and they sit at third overall in their conference. They’ve gone 6-2-2 in their last 10, but are 0-2-1 in their last three. Upcoming games against the Flyers, Penguins and Golden Knights will be a good test for them. If they can win two of those three, that might jumpstart them to a longer run.

TAMPA, FL – JANUARY 11: Chris Kunitz /

5. Tampa Bay Lightning

Previous: No. 1

Although they once looked unbeatable, the Tampa Bay Lightning had lost three in a row going into Monday night’s game against Chicago, and had gone 4-5-1 in their past 10. Regardless of their tough stretch of late, many still consider the Lightning to be one of the top teams in the NHL, and a serious Cup contender. To no on’es surprise, Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos are the team leaders in points. Kucherov specifically is on pace to surpass his career high in points.

P. K. Subban /

4. Nashville Predators

Previous: No. 6

Don’t you just love that picture? P.K. Subban is great in so many ways. Nashville is second in a tough Central Division, and the Preds have gone 7-2-1 in their last 10, including a current five-game win streak. An upcoming game against the Lightning should be a good measuring stick for the team that came oh so close to winning it all last year.

3. Boston Bruins

Previous: No. 3

The Bruins have gone 7-0-3 in their last 10, and are currently riding a three-game win streak. After a couple mostly irrelevant years, the Bruins seem to be back, lead by the astonishing play of rookies Charlie McAvoy, Jake DeBrusk and Danton Heinen. They have two games remaining until the All-Star break, against the Devils and Senators.

ST. PAUL, MN – JANUARY 13: Winnipeg Jets Left Wing Mathieu Perreault (85) is congratulated by teammates after scoring a goal in the 3rd period during a NHL game between the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets on January 13, 2018 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. The Wild defeated the Jets 4-1.(Photo by Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Winnipeg Jets

Previous: No. 4

With how loud that building is in the postseason, I would LOVE to see the Jets make a long playoff run. They currently sit atop of the ever-changing and overly competitive Central Division, and need to keep winning to stay there. They have gone 7-2-1 in their last 10, winning two in a row.

1. Vegas Golden Knights

Previous: No. 2

I’m curious as to when the hockey world is going to consider this team the real deal, rather than just a “good story.” The second-best team in the NHL, points-wise, has gone 6-2-2 in its past 10, and seems to fear no one. They don’t have a particularly tough schedule coming up, so look for them to keep piling on the points.

What do you think about the Blackhawks’ spot in this week’s NHL power rankings? Let us know in the comments below.

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