Pacific Division Power Rankings: Week 8

Another week in the books as we close out November already somehow. Some teams are finally starting to heat up while others are sliding. Here’s your Pacific Division power rankings for Week 8.

1. Calgary Flames (14-9-2, 1-1-1) Last Week: 1

The Flames maintain the number one ranking for the time being, but the heat is being turned up on them from below as the division becomes tighter. After being shut out in Vegas, the Flames had a resounding victory over Arizona before an OT loss to Dallas. The Flames have LA and Chicago on their schedule this week before things start to get tougher with a lot of Central Division games.

2. Vegas Golden Knights (13-12-1, 3-0-0) Last Week: 6

All season I was saying that the Knights had to find a way to get back to .500. Well they sure did in a resounding way, currently riding a four game win streak. To get there, they downed divisional rivals Arizona, Calgary, and San Jose before hammering Chicago. During their win streak the Knights have outscored opponents 19-5. Is this just a hot streak or are the Knights back?

3. Anaheim Ducks (12-10-5, 3-1-0) Last Week: 3

Just when it looked like it may be time to start writing off the Ducks, they win three of four and jump back into the thick of things. Anaheim had two impressive wins on their road trip in Tampa and Florida, and are currently sitting in the third and final playoff spot. Goaltending continues to lead the Ducks, but the rest of the team is picking it up as well.

4. San Jose Sharks (12-9-5, 1-2-1) Last Week: 2

Every time it looks like the Sharks are finally ready for take-off, they have a head scratching game like their 6-0 loss to Vegas last Saturday. The Sharks have now lost three straight games after a loss to league-leading Buffalo (buy your apocalypse kits today), and a very good Toronto team. Their Eastern swing continues with winnable games against Montreal and Ottawa, will they win is the question.

5. Edmonton Oilers (11-11-2, 1-1-1) Last Week: 5

The Edmonton Oilers have scored four goals in their last three games and it’s safe to say that Ken Hitchcock hockey has certainly began taking over Edmonton. I’m all for it if it’s going to neuter Connor McDavid’s production.

6. Arizona Coyotes (10-11-2, 1-2-0) Last Week: 4

The Coyotes got Antti Raanta back this week, then he left Tuesday’s game against Minnesota and his status is unclear moving forward. The good news about that game is that they managed to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win. Will be interesting to see if acquiring Nick Schmaltz is a kick in the pants for the ‘Yotes.

7. Los Angeles Kings (9-14-1, 2-1-0) Last Week: 8

The only reason I put them ahead of Vancouver is that they’re showing some semblance of being a decent team lately having won four of their last five games, while playing without Jonathan Quick who may be back soon. The Kings still have a deep hole to dig themselves out of, but can only do it one game at a time.

8. Vancouver Canucks (11-13-3, 1-1-1) Last Week: 7

The Canucks were able to snap an eight game losing streak last week against the equally hapless LA Kings, but there doesn’t seem to be a ton of hope on the horizon for Vancouver. They are still marred by injuries and with the rest of the division starting to improve, odds are they won’t be able to stick around near the playoffs much longer.

by Michael MacGillivray