Illness bug hits Blackhawks as team holds steady in power rankings

In this week’s power rankings, the Tampa Bay Lightning remain red hot and have won eleven straight games. On the other end of the spectrum, the Vancouver Canucks have lost eight straight and have hit the bottom of the NHL standings. These power rankings are determined mostly by a team's win-loss record, but also by their recent performance, injuries, and the strength of the week's schedule. For example, if teams have similar records or point totals, they will receive a higher ranking based on who they played and the margins of victory. Teams will also be ranked higher or lower depending on how they have played over their last 10 games.

The Past Week (2-2-0)

It has been a good week here in Chicago for teams playing their rivals. The Blackhawks started off by beating the Blues and embarrassing Team Canada's potential starting goaltender. The younger Blackhawks led the way in this game as Oliver Moore scored a goal and added an assist in the 7-3 trouncing.

After this game, the Capitals visited the Blackhawks along with the flu bug. Numerous players were scratched, including both goaltenders, Spencer Knight and Arvid Soderblom. Connor Bedard also returned this game, along with a number of Rockford Icehogs, as the Blackhawks could not find their rhythm in a 5-1 loss. In the second half of the back-to-back, they travelled to Nashville and shut out the Predators 3-0, with Drew Commesso earning his first win and first shutout. Bedard's presence was noticeable as he added two assists.

Finally, the Blackhawks concluded their week with a visit from the Oilers and could not find their offense in a 4-1 loss. Bedard was a late scratch after he was hit with the stomach bug making its way through the team. Teuvo Teravainen also suffered an upper-body injury in the first period, although we do not know the severity at the moment. The team's depth has been tested recently, and it will be interesting to see how they continue to respond.

Power Rankings

32 - Vancouver Canucks (16-25-5)
31 - Winnipeg Jets (18-22-5)
30 - Calgary Flames (19-23-4)
29 - St. Louis Blues (18-21-8)
28 - Chicago Blackhawks (19-20-7)
27 - Anaheim Ducks (22-21-3)
26 - New York Rangers (20-21-6)
25 - Ottawa Senators (21-19-5)
24 - Columbus Blue Jackets (20-19-7)
23 - New Jersey Devils (23-21-2)
22 - Nashville Predators (22-20-4)
21 - Los Angeles Kings (19-16-10)
20 - Utah Mammoth (23-20-4)
19 - San Jose Sharks (23-19-3)
18 - Seattle Kraken (21-15-8)
17 - Pittsburgh Penguins (21-14-10)

16 - Philadelphia Flyers (22-14-8)
15 - Florida Panthers (24-18-3)
14 - Buffalo Sabres (24-16-4)
13 - Toronto Maple Leafs (23-16-7)
12 - Boston Bruins (26-19-2)
11 - Edmonton Oilers (23-16-8)
10 - Washington Capitals (24-17-6)
9 - Vegas Golden Knights (21-11-12)
8 - New York Islanders (25-16-5)
7 - Montreal Canadiens (26-14-7)
6 - Detroit Red Wings (28-16-4)
5 - Dallas Stars (27-11-9)
4 - Carolina Hurricanes (28-15-4)
3 - Minnesota Wild (26-12-9)
2 - Tampa Bay Lightning (29-13-3)
1 - Colorado Avalanche (33-4-8)

Lightning Remain Red-Hot

The Lightning have won eleven straight games, and last night's win against the Penguins was the first time they have scored less than four goals during this streak. They seem to have corrected all the issues that were plaguing them at the beginning of the season. All the way back in October, the Blackhawks defeated Tampa Bay, pushing them to a 1-4-2 record, and they have gone 27-9-1 since that game. Apparently, nothing motivates a team more than a loss to the Blackhawks.

Blue Jackets Fire Coach

The Blue Jackets were the first NHL team this season to relieve a coach of his duties. Dean Evanson was let go after leading the Blue Jackets to a 19-19-7 start to the season. They then hired Rick Bowness to take over, and he led the team to a win in his debut against Utah, snapping a four-game losing streak. He will be tasked with getting more out of the third-overall pick from a few years ago, Adam Fantilli.

Looking ahead

The Blackhawks remain in Chicago over the next week and will use these off days to finally kick this stomach bug going through the team. The team looks to complete the season sweep against the Flames (1/15). Bedard will have that game circled on his schedule as he has scored four goals in the two games versus Calgary. The Bruins (1/17) come to town along with Jonathan Toews and the Jets (1/19) for what will be his first time in Chicago since he left the team.