Flames still red-hot; Habs out of basement in latest NHL Power Ranking

By Sportlogiq Staff (@Sportlogiq)

The Florida Panthers and Colorado Avalanche are in a battle for the Presidents’ Trophy, and while Colorado has the edge in the standings, it's the Panthers who take the first spot in our Power Rankings after a perfect 3-0-0 week.

Florida picked up wins over the Hurricanes and Wild, two top-10 teams last week. The Panthers have the best goal differential and second best expected goal differential in the NHL. However, the Avs rank third in both categories and will be ready to pounce on the top spot should the Panthers drop off.

The Calgary Flames are on fire, pun intended. They have won 10 games in a row and are building a comfortable lead atop the Pacific Division. The Flames might only be eighth in points percentage, but the only team we are putting ahead of Calgary in our rankings right now is Florida.

Former Panther Jacob Markstrom is running laps around everyone in the shutout department with eight, twice as many as any other goaltender. Offensively, the line of Johnny Gaudreau, Elias Lindholm, and Matthew Tkachuk has been the best in the league. Calgary has scored 49 even-strength goals when those three players share the ice, easily the most of any three-man unit, as no one else has more than 35.

Calgary fully deserves to be the top-ranked Canadian team and they are making a case to be the top-ranked team overall.

Toronto has dropped out of the top five, falling to eighth place in our rankings. The Leafs have lost two straight games in regulation, allowing 11 goals in their losses to the Blues and Canadiens.

Toronto has been excellent from a process standpoint this season, ranking first in expected goal differential. Their actual goal differential ranks sixth. A strong week could see