Pacific Division Power Rankings: Week 7

The Pacific Division power rankings are back for another week with all 31 NHL teams off today for American Thanksgiving. This date is typically a good benchmark for gauging where teams really sit, and a lot of that will come through in these rankings.

1. Calgary Flames (13-8-1, 3-1-0) Last Week: 2

The Calgary Flames took three out of a possible four games during their homestand, and easily could’ve taken four out of four. They were propelled by two five-goal first periods, and also got to down their provincial rivals in the Battle of Alberta. Calgary will next take on two middling Pacific teams in Vegas and Arizona.

2. San Jose Sharks (11-7-4, 1-1-1) Last Week: 1

The Sharks fall out of first place in the divisional power rankings as they struggled to win this week. They finally got a goal from Erik Karlsson but are still waiting for him to really take off with the team. The Sharks have Vancouver at home before they head out for a five game road trip.

3. Anaheim Ducks (9-9-5, 1-0-2) Last Week: 7

The Ducks make a major jump up the rankings after recording points in three straight games and moving into the third spot in the terrible division. They played the Maple Leafs and Avalanche pretty tight, losing in overtime both nights, and then beat a quickly falling Vancouver team. The chasm between #2 and #3 is quite large.

4. Arizona Coyotes (9-9-2, 1-1-1) Last Week: 5

The Coyotes have been pretty average this year once they evened out their poor start with a hot streak. They’re still waiting for Antti Raanta to get back on the ice, but they’re leaving themselves in good position to grab that third spot for when he is healthy.

5. Edmonton Oilers (10-10-1, 1-2-0) Last Week: 4

Apparently neutralizing Connor McDavid versus the Flames by putting Milan Lucic with him may have been the final straw for Oilers management as Todd McLellan was giving his walking papers this week. In his place is formerly retired Ken Hitchcock who will try to bring the Oilers together for at least this season. The long term plan remains unclear.

6. Vegas Golden Knights (10-12-1, 2-2-0) Last Week: 6

Another very meh week for the Knights as they had a couple of good looking victories but also had a pair of ugly losses against St. Louis and Calgary. They’re going to need a few good weeks to save their season, and are going to need them soon. On the bright side Max Pacioretty is finally starting to get going.

7. Vancouver Canucks (10-12-2, 0-4-0) Last Week: 3

It was pretty embarrassing for the division as a whole to have a team under .500 in a playoff spot. The early season magic has completely faded for the Canucks like in past years, and they should now fully be in “Lose for Hughes” mode.

8. Los Angeles Kings (7-13-1, 2-2-0) Last Week: 8

Any semblance of a turnaround for LA after a 2-0 win over equally disappointing St.Louis was quashed with an ugly 7-3 loss at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche. The Kings will now play five straight games against their Canadian division rivals with Vancouver and Edmonton coming to town before a Western Canada road trip.

by Michael MacGillivray