Welcome to Art of the Mask, a new video series in which theScore sits down with some of the world's top netminders to talk about goalie mask art.
In Episode 3, NHL prospect and North Bay Battalion goalie Christian Purboo walks us through his mask's pop culture-inspired elements. From Tupac to "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" to Winnie-the-Pooh, there's a lot of character to Purboo's mask art.
Welcome to Art of the Mask, a new video series in which theScore sits down with some of the world's top netminders to talk about goalie mask art.
In Episode 2, Filip Gustavsson of the Belleville Senators runs through his mask's personalized and standardized elements. From pop culture nods to a story of an errant dressing room chair, there's a lot of depth to Gustavsson's mask art.
Welcome to Art of the Mask, a new video series where theScore sits down with some of the world's top netminders to talk about goalie mask art.
In the inaugural episode, Philipp Grubauer of the Colorado Avalanche runs through his mask's various hockey and non-hockey elements. The amount of detail, from tiny Avs logos to a pop culture reference, might surprise you.
Don't forget to subscribe to theScore's YouTube channel. Be sure to rate the video and leave a comment, too!
With the NHL playoffs set to begin Wednesday, we rank the top 25 players who are hoping to claim the Stanley Cup (2018-19 stats in tables):
25. Sebastian Aho, Carolina Hurricanes
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
82
30
53
83
20:09
Aho is one of the NHL's most unheralded young stars, but this postseason should put him firmly on the national radar. It'll be well-deserved for the leading scorer on one of the league's most entertaining teams.
24. Marc-Andre Fleury, Vegas Golden Knights
GP
W
L
OTL
GAA
SV%
61
35
21
5
2.51
.913
The three-time Stanley Cup champion is back and ready to rock. Fleury lost consecutive tuneup games after returning from injury on April 4, but more importantly, he looked healthy between the pipes. Since 2014, the 34-year old is tied for third in both postseason appearances and playoff wins.
23. Kris Letang, Pittsburgh Penguins
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
65
16
40
56
25:58
The Penguins have never missed the playoffs with Letang on their roster. Since the start of the decade, the 31-year-old ranks second in postseason points by a defenseman and has three Stanley Cup championships to show for his work.
22. Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
82
38
46
84
21:52
Scheifele just wrapped up his second straight point-per-game season, and he'll need to carry that success into the playoffs for the Jets to capitalize on their Stanley Cup aspirations. The big center doesn't have a ton of postseason experience, but proved he's a big-time performer with 14 goals in 17 playoff games last spring.
21. Mark Stone, Golden Knights
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
77
33
40
73
19:53
Stone is probably the least flashy player on this list, but his high hockey IQ and 200-foot game always make his presence felt on the ice. The winger's 122 takeawaysled the league by a wide margin in 2018-19, and he ranked third in Relative Corsi For percentage, which measures how effective a player is at driving possession.
20. David Pastrnak, Boston Bruins
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
66
38
43
81
18:45
After returning from a thumb injury on March 19, Pastrnak racked up seven goals and 15 points in 10 games to end the campaign. And despite missing an extended period with the ailment, the 22-year-old marksman scored a career-high 38 goals overall. Last season, Pastrnak tallied 20 points in 12 playoff contests, which were highlighted by a six-point outing in Game 2 of the opening round against the Maple Leafs.
19. Mitch Marner, Toronto Maple Leafs
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
82
26
68
94
19:49
Marner's magic was on full display throughout his third NHL campaign. The 21-year-old became the first Maple Leaf in more than 20 years to hit the 90-point mark and led the team in scoring for a second straight season. He's been the Leafs' top playoff performer in the past, too, producing at a point-per-game-pace in 13 career contests, which included nine points in seven games against the Bruins last year.
18. Blake Wheeler, Jets
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
82
20
71
91
20:43
Wheeler is the ultimate captain and set a new Jets franchise record with 71 assists this season to go along with a team-leading 91 points. The 32-year-old didn't miss a beat last postseason, contributing 21 points in 17 contests en route to the Western Conference Final.
17. John Tavares, Maple Leafs
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
82
47
41
88
19:05
It's safe to say Tavares got comfortable during his first season playing at home, as the Mississauga, Ontario, native set a franchise record for goals by a centerman and by a first-year Maple Leaf. The 88 points also marked a career high, as the 28-year-old is playing the best hockey of his life heading into the playoffs.
16. Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
79
41
51
92
18:55
An incredible playoff run last spring saw Point rack up 16 points in 17 games while turning heads with his elite two-way play. The 5-foot-10 center went on to produce a breakout campaign in 2018-19 - enjoying one of the biggest statistical improvements in the league - and will look to keep it going in the postseason.
15. Erik Karlsson, San Jose Sharks
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
53
3
42
45
24:29
It's a shame that injuries sidelined Karlsson in the second half of the season, as he was rounding into top form after a slow start. Still, the defenseman racked up almost a point per game in his first campaign with the Sharks, including 27 points in his last 23 contests. We've seen Karlsson rise to the occasion as a playoff workhorse, and he'll need to play a key role for San Jose this time around.
14. Andrei Vasilevskiy, Lightning
GP
W
L
OTL
GAA
SV%
53
39
10
4
2.40
.925
Vasilevskiy was incredibly consistent while backstopping one of the greatest teams in NHL history this season, losing back-to-back starts just once and never in regulation. The 24-year old is also no stranger to pressure, with 29 postseason appearances under his belt, including two in the 2015 Stanley Cup Final as a 20-year-old.
13. Brent Burns, Sharks
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
82
16
67
83
25:06
Burns notched a career-high 83 points this season, which led all NHL blue-liners. The 2016-17 Norris Trophy winner is seemingly getting better with age, as he became just the eighth defenseman in league history to record his first 80-point season at 34 or older. The strapping defenseman also brings a boatload of postseason experience to the table with 46 points in 74 career contests.
12. Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
68
37
36
73
18:33
These playoffs will be a chance at redemption for Matthews, who found himself under the microscope last spring while recording only two points versus the Bruins. Now, he'll get another shot at Boston following his best regular season yet.
11. Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
82
36
63
99
20:04
Gaudreau hasn't gotten enough love this season despite being the offensive catalyst for the resurgent Flames. "Johnny Hockey" took a big step forward in 2018-19, setting career highs in goals, assists, and points while further establishing himself as one of the game's most dynamic, consistent, and creative players.
10. Steven Stamkos, Lightning
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
82
45
53
98
18:18
It's not very often that a 45-goal scorer flies under the radar, but teammate Nikita Kucherov's dominant play allowed Stamkos to quietly assemble the best season of his career. The two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner hit the 40-goal mark for the first time in four campaigns and notched a career-high 98 points while captaining one of the greatest teams in league history.
9. Evgeni Malkin, Penguins
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
68
21
51
72
18:48
Malkin battled through injury this season but returned to the Penguins' lineup for a few tuneup games down the stretch. During his distinguished postseason career, Geno's notched 165 points in 158 games while earning a Conn Smythe and three titles.
8. Mark Giordano, Flames
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
78
17
57
74
24:14
Giordano produced a career year at age 35 and should warrant serious consideration for both the Norris Trophy and the Masterton. Calgary's captain excels in all situations while serving as the team's unquestioned leader.
7. Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
82
41
58
99
22:05
While Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog missed extended time down the stretch, MacKinnon put the Avalanche on his back. The 23-year-old notched 15 points in the final 14 games, leading Colorado to a 9-3-2 record and into the playoffs. It's the first time the Avalanche have qualified in consecutive seasons since 2006.
6. Brad Marchand, Bruins
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
79
36
64
100
19:37
Marchand has rightfully earned his reputation as a pest, but his well-rounded game was on full display this season. The winger's 100 points easily set a career high, while he led the Bruins with nine game-winning goals, more than double anyone else on the roster.
5. Victor Hedman, Lightning
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
70
12
42
54
22:46
Has there ever been a defenseman with Hedman's combination of size (6-foot-6) and effortless skating stride? The Swede also played fewer minutes in 2018-19 than in any of the last three seasons, so he should be ready to log close to 30 per night when necessary in the playoffs.
4. Patrice Bergeron, Bruins
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
65
32
47
79
18:28
Like his teammate Marchand, Bergeron produced a career year in 2018-19. Despite playing just 65 games, he managed a personal best of 79 points and continued the kind of excellent two-way play you'd expect from a four-time Selke Trophy winner. With 112 games of postseason experience and a Cup win under his belt, Bergeron is the type of player who can be relied upon on the biggest stage.
3. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
81
51
38
89
20:55
Even at age 33, Ovechkin isn't slowing down. He surpassed the 50-goal mark yet again this season after leading all playoff scorers with 15 en route to winning the Stanley Cup last June. There's no reason the veteran can't get it done again.
2. Nikita Kucherov, Lightning
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
82
41
87
128
19:58
What a season it was for Kucherov. The Lightning star blew away the rest of the league with 128 points - the most by a Russian in NHL history and the highest total by any player since Mario Lemieux had 161 in 1995-96. He may not have a Cup victory to his name, but Kucherov was a key piece of Tampa's run to the final in 2015 and has recorded 59 points over 62 career postseason games.
1. Sidney Crosby, Penguins
GP
G
A
P
ATOI
79
35
65
100
21:00
Yes, Kucherov was the most dominant player this season, but Crosby is still the top dog as far as the playoffs are concerned. Sid ranks eighth all time in postseason points per game, and let's not forget those three championships or the back-to-back Conn Smythe Trophy wins.
The Penguins captain is still playing at an elite level, so until that changes, he's the clear choice as the No. 1 player in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Welcome to the 14th and final edition of theScore's 2018-19 regular season NHL Power Rankings. Below, we assess how each team wrapped up their recent campaigns.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning (62-16-4)
What a run for the Lightning, who matched an NHL record with 62 wins. They're the runaway favorites to win the Stanley Cup for good reason, but the health of blue-line stalwart Victor Hedman is imperative for the club's title aspirations.
Previously: 1st
2. Calgary Flames (50-25-7) ▲
The Flames improved 23 points in the standings this season and earned home ice throughout the Western Conference playoffs. It's unclear who will start Game 1 in goal for Calgary but the good news is both Mike Smith and David Rittich were capable of winning games down the stretch.
Previously: 3rd
3. Boston Bruins (49-24-9) ▲
From Jan. 1 onward, the Bruins went 28-10-5 while ranking sixth in goals for (148) and seventh in goals against (109). They face a daunting Atlantic Division draw again this spring, but Boston is a legitimate Cup threat.
Previously: 5th
4. Washington Capitals (48-26-8)
The title defense is officially on for the Capitals, who pulled away from the pack in the Metropolitan and earned their fourth consecutive division title.
Previously: 4th
5. Nashville Predators (47-29-6) ▲
The Central Division crown was ripe for the taking throughout March and April, and the seasoned Predators won seven of their last 10 games to capture it. Now, Nashville has home ice and gets an easier opponent in Round 1 to get its playoff run started.
Previously: 13th
6. New York Islanders (48-27-7) ▲
The Islanders shattered expectations to finish fifth in the entire league, and it will be fascinating to see if head coach Barry Trotz can get his troops to make some noise in the playoffs - perhaps enough to set up a second-round match up with his former Capitals squad.
Previously: 11th
7. St. Louis Blues (45-28-9) ▲
St. Louis was tied for 29th place at Christmas. It ended up missing the division title by a single point. Watch out for the Blues.
Previously: 16th
8. Toronto Maple Leafs (46-28-8) ▼
An inconsistent Frederik Andersen and a swath of injuries led to some shaky play from the Maple Leafs to close out the regular season. Still, the 2018-19 campaign was about playoff progress from the get-go, and Toronto earned its chance at redemption versus the Bruins.
Previously:6th
9. Pittsburgh Penguins (44-26-12)
Not to say seeding doesn't matter, but for a team as experienced as the Penguins, full health is more important than first-round opponents. It goes without saying that Pittsburgh getting Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang back into the lineup prior to the playoffs makes this club as dangerous as any.
Previously: 9th
10. Carolina Hurricanes (46-29-7) ▼
The Hurricanes' playoff push enthralled the hockey world, and it's safe to say the hype train will go off the rails if Carolina puts a scare into, or beats the Capitals. Let's see what this bunch of jerks can do.
Previously: 8th
11. San Jose Sharks (46-27-9) ▼
The Sharks stumbled into the playoffs with a 3-8-1 record in their last 12 games to claim their lowest spot on our power rankings since Dec. 10. The team's biggest question mark all season has been between the pipes with Martin Jones. The netminder is coming off his worst season but does boast a stellar playoff resume.
Previously: 2nd
12. Winnipeg Jets (47-30-5) ▼
The Jets also dragged their way into the postseason, but injuries were certainly a contributing factor - specifically on the blue line. Dustin Byfuglien, who skated in just 42 contests this season, returned for a five-game tuneup before the playoffs. Meanwhile, Josh Morrissey hasn't played since Feb. 24 and his status for Game 1 is uncertain.
Previously: 10th
13. Columbus Blue Jackets (47-31-4) ▲
The Blue Jackets won seven of their final eight games to punch their postseason ticket. Sergei Bobrovsky was spectacular down the stretch, going 10-3 with a .946 save percentage and four shutouts. He'll need to be just as sharp in the playoffs for Columbus to upset Tampa Bay.
Previously: 15th
14. Vegas Golden Knights (43-32-7) ▼
The Golden Knights mustered together just one win in their last eight games to cap the worst season in franchise history. Marc-Andre Fleury was absent for most of those contests, though. He returned for the last two games after missing nearly a month, but is that enough to get ready for a playoff run?
Previously: 7th
15. Dallas Stars (43-32-7) ▼
The Stars squeaked into the playoffs despite owning the third-worst offense in the entire league. Simply put, Ben Bishop's brilliance will have to continue for Dallas to stand a chance.
Previously: 14th
16. Colorado Avalanche (38-30-14) ▲
In addition to a well-earned playoff berth, Colorado could net the first overall pick courtesy of the Senators' incompetence. The Avs' top-end talent makes them a dangerous team to face, but a lack of scoring depth could lead to an early exit.
Previously: 23rd
17. Montreal Canadiens (44-30-8) ▲
The Canadiens were simply in the wrong conference. They finished with more points than the Stars, Golden Knights, and Avalanche, but won't be heading to the postseason. Nonetheless, this season should be viewed as a positive, as many projected them as a lottery team in October.
Previously: 18th
18. Arizona Coyotes (39-35-8) ▼
If the league handed out a team award for perseverance, the Coyotes would be this year's winners. Arizona suffered an unimaginable amount of injuries but remained in the thick of the playoff hunt until the final few games. However, it's clear this team needs an injection of offense if it wants to take the next step.
Previously: 12th
19. Florida Panthers (36-32-14)
The Panthers could be in for a busy offseason. They've already hired Joel Quenneville as their next head coach and have been linked to pending free agents Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky. With plenty of high-end talent already on the roster, a couple of key additions could finally get Florida over the hump.
Previously: 19th
20. Minnesota Wild (37-36-9)
Paul Fenton's first year as Wild general manager didn't go as planned. Their six-year postseason streak was snapped, and the midseason Nino Niederreiter-for-Victor Rask trade looks horrendous. More moves are surely on the way in Minny.
Previously: 20th
21. Chicago Blackhawks (36-34-12)
The Blackhawks will obviously be disappointed to have missed the playoffs, but they should take some solace in how well they played down the stretch to vault back into the hunt. Despite some lingering issues, Chicago should enter next season with a positive outlook.
Previously: 21st
22. Vancouver Canucks (35-36-11) ▲
Speaking of an encouraging outlook, the Canucks certainly have one despite how their season concluded. Vancouver gave prized defensive prospect Quinn Hughes a handful of games before wrapping things up, and the club has reason for optimism going forward with Hughes, Elias Pettersson, and Brock Boeser anchoring a promising core.
Previously: 25th
23. Detroit Red Wings (32-40-10) ▲
Winning seven out of 10 is a nice way to end the regular season, but the Red Wings' roster still has plenty of holes heading into 2019-20.
Previously: 31st
24. Philadelphia Flyers (37-37-8) ▼
Despite Carter Hart's emergence, this season was unquestionably a failure for the Flyers, who learned they'll need more than the talented, young goaltender and two good lines to become a truly competitive club again.
Previously: 17th
25. Edmonton Oilers (35-38-9) ▼
Connor McDavid's frustration boiled over a bit down the stretch, and then he got hurt in the Oilers' regular-season finale. Needless to say, he and the rest of the club would clearly like to put this campaign behind them.
Previously: 22nd
26. Anaheim Ducks (35-37-10)
The lesson for the Anaheim this season is that John Gibson needs a lot more help. The Ducks have to improve the NHL's worst offense and get better at limiting shots and scoring chances. They're unlikely to do that if they continue to be one of the league's oldest teams.
Previously: 26th
27. New York Rangers (32-36-14)
Alexandar Georgiev has proven capable of being the heir apparent to Henrik Lundqvist whenever King Henrik decides to call it a career, but it's going to be a while before the Rangers are real contenders again.
Previously: 27th
28. Buffalo Sabres (33-39-10) ▼
A second-half nosedive doomed Phil Housley, as the now-former Sabres head coach got the ax Sunday. Buffalo clearly has plenty of room to grow, but expectations will always be high with Jack Eichel and Rasmus Dahlin in the fold. Jeff Skinner still needs a new contract, too.
Previously: 24th
29. New Jersey Devils (31-41-10) ▼
Getting Taylor Hall signed long term will be priority No. 1 for the Devils this summer. New Jersey will also have a shot at a very high pick in the upcoming draft, so general manager Ray Shero has an important offseason ahead.
Previously: 28th
30. Los Angeles Kings (31-42-9) ▼
The Kings will have the second-best odds at winning the first overall pick, but not even Jack Hughes or Kaapo Kakko can fix Los Angeles' problems on their own.
Previously: 29th
31. Ottawa Senators (29-47-6) ▼
A nightmare of a season on and off the ice is finally, mercifully over for the Senators, but hey, at least they have the lottery to look forward to. Oh, wait ...
This is the 13th and penultimate edition of theScore's 2018-19 NHL Power Rankings, which are published every two weeks during the regular season.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning (55-13-4)
The Lightning have won six of their last seven games and potted at least five goals in five of those contests. Nikita Kucherov also added to his historic campaign by picking up his eighth four-point night of the season in a comeback victory over the Red Wings. The Bolts just need two more points to clinch the Presidents' Trophy.
Previously: 1st
2. San Jose Sharks (43-21-8) ▲
The Sharks began March with six consecutive wins before losing two straight on home ice. Goaltender Martin Jones has posted his best month of the season with a .917 save percentage and a 2.28 goals-against average, while the offense continues to hum with 35 goals over the past 10 games.
Previously: 5th
3. Calgary Flames (44-21-7)
The Flames responded to their recent four-game slide with a three-game winning streak that saw them explode for 20 goals. Johnny Gaudreau'sincredible six-point effort (3G, 3A) against the Devils stands as the best statistical game by any player this season.
Previously: 3rd
4. Washington Capitals (42-23-7) ▲
The defending Stanley Cup champion Capitals are playing their best hockey at the right time with eight wins in their last 10 games. Alex Ovechkin is just two goals shy of hitting 50 for the eighth time in his career, which would move him one shy of tying Wayne Gretzky and Mike Bossy for the all-time record of nine.
Previously: 6th
5. Boston Bruins (43-20-9) ▼
The Bruins predictably fell back down to earth after snapping their 19-game point streak, losing three straight. Overall, roster depth has played a pivotal role in Boston staying afloat while five key players are out with injuries, and sniper David Pastrnak's return to practice Saturday is a nightmare for the rest of the league.
Previously: 2nd
6. Toronto Maple Leafs (43-24-5) ▼
The Maple Leafs have seen their defensive depth exposed following injuries to Jake Gardiner and Travis Dermott, and the team's tendency to float through first periods has resulted in chasing games. Toronto's allowed 23 goals over its last four contests, with three of those duds coming against teams currently outside the playoff picture.
Previously: 4th
7. Vegas Golden Knights (40-27-5) ▲
The addition of Mark Stone has taken an already dangerous Golden Knights team to the next level. Vegas has posted an 8-1 record since the trade deadline and has allowed just 13 goals over its last seven contests. Marc-Andre Fleury's been sensational in the month of March, going 5-0-0 with a .975 save percentage.
Previously: 11th
8. Carolina Hurricanes (39-25-7)
The Hurricanes keep inching closer to ending the NHL's longest playoff drought. They're 7-2-1 in their last ten contests, haven't lost consecutive games in regulation since Jan. 18, and hold the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.
Previously: 8th
9. Pittsburgh Penguins (39-24-10) ▲
With spring fast approaching, it's officially Sidney Crosby season. The longtime Penguins captain is on a tear with eight goals and 19 points over his last 12 games. However, Pittsburgh endured a rough weekend, getting run over by the Blues on Saturday, blowing a lead and falling to the Flyers in overtime Sunday, and then losing Evgeni Malkin to a week-to-week injury.
Previously: 10th
10. Winnipeg Jets (42-25-4) ▼
After going 5-3 during a tough eight-game stretch against current playoff teams, the Jets are battle-tested ahead of the postseason. Blake Wheeler continues to lead by example with seven goals over his last seven games, while Patrik Laine is showing signs of life at the right time.
Previously: 9th
11. New York Islanders (42-23-7) ▼
The Islanders have struggled to find the net lately, mustering two goals or fewer in seven of their last 11 contests. Robin Lehner's potential return to the crease this week is a promising development, although Thomas Greiss has done an excellent job in his absence. New York's final 10 gameswon't be easy, with six coming on the road and eight against potential playoff teams.
Previously: 7th
12. Arizona Coyotes (36-30-6) ▲
The Coyotes have seven wins in their last ten games, and it's been a complete team effort by Rick Tocchet's squad. No player on the roster's even hit the 20-goal mark this season, and only Clayton Keller has broken 40 points.
Previously: 17th
13. Nashville Predators (41-27-5) ▼
The Predators have traded wins and losses since the All-Star break, failing to put together a winning streak longer than two games. But with five of their next six contests coming against current playoff teams, the Preds have an excellent chance to up their game and build some momentum for the postseason.
Previously: 12th
14. Dallas Stars (37-29-6) ▲
The Stars have won five of their last eight contests, largely thanks to Ben Bishop's outstanding work between the pipes. Before departing with an injury last week against the Wild, Bishop had pushed his ongoing shutout streak to a franchise-record 230 minutes, 53 seconds.
Previously: 19th
15. Columbus Blue Jackets (40-28-4) ▲
Matt Duchene's scored two goals in his last three games for the Blue Jackets, who've earned points in four of their past five. Columbus also has the inside track for the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot, but seven of the club's final 10 games will be on the road.
Previously: 18th
16. St. Louis Blues (37-27-8) ▼
The Blues have dropped four of five contests, including matchups against the Senators, Sabres, and Coyotes. Those defeats could come back to haunt them as they try to maintain their grip on a postseason position.
Previously: 13th
17. Philadelphia Flyers (35-29-8) ▼
The Flyers remain alive in the playoff race, and getting rookie goaltender Carter Hart back from injury should help, but it will still be a tall task to punch a postseason ticket. Philadelphia sits six points out with just 10 games left.
18. Montreal Canadiens (37-28-7) ▼
Things are not going well in Montreal right now. Andrew Shaw called out teammates on Thursday night, and the Canadiens have now dropped four of their last five.
Previously: 15th
19. Florida Panthers (32-28-12) ▲
The Panthers saw their four-game winning streak snapped Sunday, but rookie goalie Sam Montembeault has shown something in his first six NHL appearances. Another hot streak would help Florida's playoff chances, but this team might be running out of time.
Previously: 21st
20. Minnesota Wild (34-30-9) ▼
Minnesota's still hanging around in the Western Conference wild-card race, but with the Coyotes and Blackhawks coming on strong, and the Avalanche not going away, the pressure's squarely on the Wild to keep up. Losing four of their past five games didn't help.
Previously: 14th
21. Chicago Blackhawks (32-30-9) ▲
Corey Crawford's stellar play has helped Chicago reel off five straight wins, and the veteran goaltender has allowed only three goals combined over his last four appearances. Here come the Hawks, indeed.
Previously: 23rd
22. Edmonton Oilers (32-33-7) ▲
Connor McDavid's heroics lifted the Oilers to a big win over the Coyotes on Saturday night, but Edmonton couldn't keep up with the Golden Knights on Sunday. The Oilers' season isn't over, but they'll need quite a run over the final 10 games to have any shot at the postseason.
Previously: 24th
23. Colorado Avalanche (31-29-12) ▼
Head coach Jared Bednar publicly roasted his Avalanche after a crushing loss to the lowly Ducks on Friday, and they responded with a much-needed victory over the Devils on Sunday. However, Colorado still has work to do.
Previously: 20th
24. Buffalo Sabres (31-32-9) ▼
The Sabres snapped a seven-game losing streak with a shootout win Sunday, but they failed to score a single goal in three consecutive contests during the skid and have been in a downward spiral for months.
Previously: 22nd
25. Vancouver Canucks (30-32-10) ▲
Elias Pettersson and Jacob Markstrom have provided Canucks fans with some optimism of late, but it's of the long-term variety. Vancouver remains near the basement of the Western Conference and would need to leapfrog several teams to make the playoffs.
Previously: 26th
26. Anaheim Ducks (30-35-9) ▲
The Ducks are on a 6-3-0 run and have gone 9-9-0 since general manager Bob Murray fired head coach Randy Carlyle and took over behind the bench. Anaheim probably isn't playoff bound, but there have been positive signs down the stretch.
Previously: 30th
27. New York Rangers (28-31-13) ▼
Pavel Buchnevich has shown promise with five goals in his last eight games, while four of them have come at even strength. Beyond that, though, the Rangers have just one win in their last 10 contests and are essentially playing out the string.
Previously: 25th
28. New Jersey Devils (27-37-9) ▼
With the Devils sitting in the basement of the Metropolitan Division and near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, it's somewhat surprising that they haven't ruled out a return for Taylor Hall before season's end. On the other hand, fans in New Jersey could use a reason to tune in.
Previously: 27th
29. Los Angeles Kings (25-38-8) ▼
The Kings entered Sunday's action with the worst goal differential in the NHL, and they've won only two of their last 10 games. There's not much hockey to be excited about in Southern California these days.
Previously: 28th
30. Ottawa Senators (25-41-6) ▲
Sometimes, a squad without anything on the line plays looser than a contender, and that was evident in Ottawa's win over Toronto on Saturday. However, the victory was only a small consolation for the NHL's worst team.
Previously: 31st
31. Detroit Red Wings (25-37-10) ▼
Red Wings fans don't have much incentive to watch their team's final 10 games, especially now that top prospect Filip Zadina has been sent back to Grand Rapids. At least they can look forward to the draft lottery.
Welcome to the 12th edition of theScore's 2018-19 NHL Power Rankings, which are published every two weeks during the regular season.
1. Tampa Bay Lightning (50-12-4)
The Lightning are in the midst of a dominant season, matching the 1995-96 Red Wings to become the second team in league history to win 50 of its first 66 games. That Detroit team went on to win a record 62 contests, and it should be a blast to see if Tampa can match that mark.
Previously: 1st
2. Boston Bruins (39-17-9) ▲
Boston has won nine of its last 10 games, and the Bruins haven't lost in regulation since Jan. 19. Suddenly, the Bruins appear destined for home-ice advantage in a daunting Atlantic Division playoff picture.
Previously: 4th
3. Calgary Flames (41-17-7) ▲
Surely, the Flames wanted to secure two points for Jarome Iginla on his special night. But even after the disappointing result, Calgary is sitting pretty atop the Western Conference with 89 points, and a 7-2-1 record in the team's last 10 games.
Previously: 5th
4. Toronto Maple Leafs (40-21-4) ▲
The Maple Leafs rank third league-wide in regulation-and-overtime wins (40) and second in goal differential (plus-47). However, finding a way to catch Boston is all that should matter right now for the Buds.
Previously: 6th
5. San Jose Sharks (39-19-8) ▼
San Jose is excelling in advanced stats, but Martin Jones' .897 save percentage is a major concern as the playoffs inch closer.
Previously: 3rd
6. Washington Capitals (38-21-7) ▲
Washington's rounded into shape lately, and the Capitals are in the hunt for the Metropolitan Division crown. As always, Alex Ovechkin is leading the way. He recently secured his record-breaking 10th season with 45-plus goals.
Previously: 14th
7. New York Islanders (37-21-7) ▼
Do not spurn the New York Islanders in free agency and expect to get away with it unscathed.
Previously: 2nd
8. Carolina Hurricanes (36-23-6) ▲
After winning eight of their last 10 games, including five in a row, the Hurricanes look dangerous. They're getting solid goaltending to match an overwhelming attack. Look out for Carolina going forward.
Previously: 9th
9. Winnipeg Jets (39-22-4) ▼
The Jets beat the Blue Jackets on Sunday, but they're sputtering a bit lately and need to get back on track soon. On their upcoming schedule, the Jets face six consecutive games against top-10 teams.
Previously: 7th
10. Pittsburgh Penguins (34-22-9) ▲
The Penguins have struggled to find consistency all season, but captain Sidney Crosby appears ready to push his club to the playoffs. In his last 10 games, Sid has notched 21 points, and he's now fifth in league scoring.
Previously: 18th
11. Vegas Golden Knights (36-26-5) ▲
Things have been looking up for Vegas, as the Golden Knights reeled off four straight victories after landing Mark Stone on trade deadline day. The Knights are now better positioned to compete with their Western Conference rivals come playoff time.
Previously: 17th
12. Nashville Predators (38-25-5) ▼
The Predators needed to improve their atrocious power play, and adding Mikael Granlund and Wayne Simmonds should do that once the two trade-deadline acquisitions get acclimated to Nashville's system.
Previously: 11th
13. St. Louis Blues (34-25-6) ▼
The Blues have cooled off since our last rankings, dropping four of their last seven contests, with only one of those three wins coming in regulation. However, St. Louis remains in a postseason position for now, and Jordan Binnington continues to give his team a chance to win every game.
Previously: 8th
14. Minnesota Wild (32-27-7) ▲
The Wild won five straight games before Sunday's shootout loss to the Predators, including impressive road victories over the Flames and Jets. Few predicted Minnesota would play this well after the team traded Granlund and Charlie Coyle before the deadline, but the Wild are exceeding recent expectations.
Previously: 19th
15. Montreal Canadiens (35-24-7) ▼
Inconsistent play has dogged the Canadiens lately. Much like the Predators, Montreal needs to fix its weak power play, as the Habs' efficiency rate ranks 31st with the man advantage.
Previously: 13th
16. Philadelphia Flyers (32-26-8) ▼
Philadelphia has won four of its last five, including a significant victory over the Islanders on Sunday. But there's still plenty of work left for the Flyers to sneak into the postseason, as the team has recorded fewer regulation-or-overtime wins than the clubs ahead with no games in hand. Plus, Philadelphia is still posting a negative goal differential.
Previously: 10th
17. Arizona Coyotes (32-28-5) ▲
The once moribund Coyotes are on the playoff doorstep after winning six straight. Several teams have climbed back into the race in a lackluster Pacific Division. But Arizona deserves credit, even if the Coyotes haven't beaten many powerhouses during their run.
Dallas has won three of its last four games, but two of those wins came against the Kings and Blackhawks. The Stars are still among the NHL's stingiest defensive teams, ranking third in goals against. But Dallas is also one of the league's worst offensive squads, ranking 29th in goals for.
Previously: 12th
20. Colorado Avalanche (28-26-12)▲
The Avalanche started rounding into form after our last edition, winning four straight. But they've been inconsistent lately, and hefty contributions from Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog might not be enough to get Colorado into the postseason.
Previously: 26th
21. Florida Panthers (28-26-11)▲
The Panthers have been grinding lately, going into extra time in four consecutive contests before Sunday's regulation loss to the Senators. However, Florida produced only one win in that span, and Frank Vatrano hasn't registered a point since signing his extension in late February.
Previously: 22nd
22. Buffalo Sabres (30-27-8) ▼
A difficult second half of the season is overshadowing the Sabres' promising start, but fans shouldn't be discouraged. Buffalo could lose all 17 games the rest of the way and still finish with higher win and point totals than it did last year. The Sabres will likely miss the playoffs again, but they're trending in the right direction.
Previously: 20th
23. Chicago Blackhawks (27-30-9) ▼
After an incredible 10-2 run launched the Blackhawks up the standings and into a playoff position briefly, the team has come back down to earth. Chicago has dropped four of its last five contests, conceding 23 goals in the process.
Previously: 16th
24. Edmonton Oilers (28-30-7) ▲
The Oilers picked up three of a possible four points with Connor McDavid serving his two-game suspension, but the Maple Leafs bullied them 6-2 in his return. Edmonton's playoff chances are slim, but consecutive wins have Ken Hitchcock's club playing with pride down the stretch.
Previously: 30th
25. New York Rangers (27-27-11) ▼
New York has lost five of its last six games, including three straight since trading longtime Rangers Mats Zuccarello and Kevin Hayes. Mika Zibanejad's coming out party as a top-line center is one positive revelation for a team entering a rebuild.
Previously: 21st
26. Vancouver Canucks (27-30-9) ▼
The Canucks lingered around a playoff spot for most of the season, but they've fallen down the ladder after dropping six of their last seven outings. Travis Green's group is struggling to build any momentum, failing to win consecutive games since Jan. 20.
Previously: 24th
27. New Jersey Devils (25-33-8) ▲
Injuries have mired the Devils' season, and the team is struggling to score. New Jersey has potted just four goals during a three-game losing skid, and the Devils rank 20th while averaging 2.83 goals per game.
Previously: 28th
28. Los Angeles Kings (24-33-8) ▼
The Kings finally ended a 10-game losing streak with a victory over the Blackhawks on Saturday. The win was their first on home ice since Jan. 21. L.A. deploys the league's 30th-ranked offense while scoring 2.40 goals per game, and the Kings are one of three teams still waiting to roster a 20-goal scorer.
Previously: 27th
29. Detroit Red Wings (23-33-9) ▼
Dylan Larkin is providing Red Wings fans with a reason for excitement. In his fourth NHL season, the 22-year-old is on pace for a career-high 78 points, which would mark the highest single-season total by a Red Wing since 2010-11. Detroit has dropped seven straight games, however, and the team looks ready to hear the results of this year's draft lottery.
Previously: 25th
30. Anaheim Ducks (25-32-9) ▲
It's been a season to forget for the lowly Ducks. Since ending a franchise-worst 12-game losing streak in January, Anaheim has suffered through seven- and five-game slides. Over their last six contests, the Ducks have mustered seven goals while recording just one win in that span.
Previously: 31st
31. Ottawa Senators (23-38-5) ▼
After cleaning house at the deadline, none of the Senators' top-six scorers from a season ago are on the team's roster. Ottawa has recorded just five regulation wins since Dec. 15.
Notes:Senators will get the pick Edmonton received from St. Louis in the Jakub Jerabek trade.
Nov. 21: Kings, Wild make minor deal
Kings receive
Wild receive
F Pavel Jenys
D Stepan Falkovsky
Nov. 16: Ryan Strome traded to Rangers
Rangers receive
Oilers receive
F Ryan Strome
F Ryan Spooner
Nov. 14: Penguins swap Hagelin for Pearson
Penguins receive
Kings receive
F Tanner Pearson
F Carl Hagelin
Nov. 10: Fedun traded to Dallas
Stars receive
Sabres receive
Taylor Fedun
Conditional 7th-round pick (2020)
Notes: Sabres get the pick if Fedun plays in more than 25 games during the 2018-19 season.
Oct. 18: Lightning get Hults
Lightning receive
Ducks receive
F Mitch Hults
Future Considerations
Oct. 3: Olofsson dealt to Montreal
Canadiens receive
Wild receive
D Gustav Olofsson
F William Bitten
Oct. 1: Predators acquire Baptiste
Predators receive
Sabres receive
F Nicholas Baptiste
D Jack Dougherty
Oct. 1: Flames trade Kulak to Montreal
Canadiens receive
Flames receive
D Brett Kulak
D Matt Taormina
D Rinat Valiev
Oct. 1: Leafs deal Carrick to Stars
Stars receive
Maple Leafs receive
D Connor Carrick
Conditional 7th-round pick (2019)
Notes:The pick becomes a 6th rounder if Carrick plays at least 50 games in the 2018-19 season.
Oct. 1: Oilers send Jerabek to St. Louis
Blues receive
Oilers receive
D Jakub Jerabek
6th-round pick (2020)
Sept. 13: Sharks acquire Karlsson
Sharks receive
Senators receive
D Erik Karlsson
F Chris Tierney
F Francis Perron
F Rudolfs Balcer
D Dylan DeMelo
Right to F Joshua Norris
1st-round pick (2019 or 2020)
2nd-round pick (2019)
Conditional 1st- or 2nd-round pick (2021)
Conditional 1st-round pick (2022)
Notes: San Jose's 2019 1st-round pick will go to Buffalo if the Sharks make the playoffs this season. If San Jose misses the playoffs, Ottawa gets the 2019 1st-round pick. If the Sharks make the playoffs, the Senators get San Jose's 2020 1st-round pick. The Senators get the better of San Jose or Florida's 2nd-round pick in 2019, both of which are owned by the Sharks. Ottawa gets a 1st-round pick in 2021 or 2022 if Karlsson is traded back to the Eastern Conference. If the Sharks re-sign Karlsson or make the Stanley Cup Final, the 2nd-round pick in 2021 becomes a 1st-round pick.