This was the first Power 5 of the season that had three or more teams remain in the Power 5. As it’s been for most of the season, Chicago continues to remain at the top. I incorrectly predicted last week that Detroit would have them their first loss of the season. If it weren’t for a bad turnover in front of the Detroit goal that led to Patrick Kane’s game-tying goal, I would have been right. Let’s see who could beat them this week.
1. Chicago (LW: 1)- As the clock keeps on ticking, the Blackhawks keep winning. I will gladly eat my words for saying the Red Wings will beat them. They are on another stratosphere than the rest of the league. They have earned 41 of a possible 44 points so far and they are running away in every standings chart in which points matter. This week they host Colorado at home before playing them again Friday. If I were to predict a regulation loss this week, I like Edmonton’s chances Sunday.
2. Anaheim (LW: NR)- Last week it was Pittsburgh who held onto the No. 2 spot. This week’s it’s Anaheim. Their seven-point division lead is the second largest in the league. In most years it would be considered a monster lead if it weren’t for Chicago’s lead. When you play five games in seven-days and earned seven of a possible 10 points that’s impressive. The fans must be excited that the line of Getzlaf, Perry and Ryan is getting back together. If they can get back to the same form we saw two years ago they could appear to be the best challengers to Chicago in the West. This week the Ducks host Phoenix, Calgary and St. Louis.
3. Boston (LW: 4)- I know Boston lost to Montreal over the weekend, but their third place ranking is deserved considering they won six games in a row before Sunday. He maybe the biggest player in the league, but Zdeno Chara should take note to not provoke fights because the game against their Quebec rivals changed when he was assessed a 17-minute penalty. This week the Bruins will have one of the most anticipated games of the week when they host the Flyers Saturday afternoon.
4. Pittsburgh (LW: 2)- Without Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins are 3-2. And they put seven pucks past Carey Price in the wild overtime thriller. We have expected to see a drop in performance without the Russian superstar but it has yet to be seen. If they have any worries outside Malkin, it’s backup goalie Tomas Vokoun. The six goals allowed could be an abnormality but if it happens again what will they do? This week they visit Philadelphia and Toronto before hosting New York Islanders.
5. Montreal (LW: NR)- They have managed to remain in first place in the division with their win over Boston. But like I mentioned last week that the Habs have played more games than the Bruins. They are managing to earn points by any means necessary even if they are overtime or shootout losses. Since February 21, the Habs have gone OTL-W-OTL-W-OTL-W-L. The loss snapped an 11-game regulation unbeaten streak at the hands of the Islanders. Thursday they take on Carolina, could they keep the every-other-game winning streak and win? Who knows. Over the weekend they take on the Florida teams in a back-to-back road trip.