NHLN Power Rankings: Feb. 21, 2017

It’s time for your weekly dose of the NHL Numbers power rankings. I’ll look at the five best and worst NHL teams thus far in the season, as well as the three best and worst players in the last week.

Note: All use of Corsi For and Expected Goals For are Score and Venue Adjusted, and at even strength. All stats come from Corsica Hockey, and NHL.com (don’t worry, it’s only the standings).

5. San Jose Sharks (Last Week: N/A)

(35-18-7 record, 52.2% CF%, 52.54% xGF%, 100.58 PDO)

4. Minnesota Wild (Last Week: 5)

(39-13-6 record, 49.11% CF%, 54.29% xGF%, 103.38 PDO)

3. Pittsburgh Penguins (Last Week: 3)

(36-14-8 record, 51.17% CF%, 53.93% xGF%, 101.05 PDO)

2. Columbus Blue Jackets (Last Week: 2)

(37-16-5 record, 51.31% CF%, 50.49% xGF%, 101.19 PDO)

1. Washington Capitals (Last Week: 1)

(39-12-7 record, 52.92% CF%, 52.15% xGF%, 104.28 PDO)

Chicago slides off the list, mostly due to the fact that they didn’t play since it was their bye week, and in their place, the San Jose Sharks, due to their strong possession game all season.

5. Detroit Red Wings (Last Week: 5)

(24-25-10 record, 47.62% CF%, 47.58% xGF%, 100.28 PDO)

4. Vancouver Canucks (Last Week: N/A)

(26-28-6 record, 47.62% CF%, 45.81% xGF%, 99.73 PDO)

3. New Jersey Devils (Last Week: 3)

(25-24-10 record, 46.11% CF%, 47.23% xGF%, 99.09 PDO)

2. Arizona Coyotes (Last Week: 2)

(21-30-7 record, 44.69% CF%, 41.93% xGF%, 99.88 PDO)

1. Colorado Avalanche (Last Week: 1)

(16-38-3 record, 45.6% CF%, 43.34% xGF%, 96.9 PDO)

With the recent, but false, success of the Buffalo Sabres, they find their way off the bottom five, so in their place is the “playoff contending” Vancouver Canucks, who are actually still bad (cash me ousside, Canucks Army comment section!).

1. James Reimer (3-0-0, .969%)

The #Fancycats are back in the heat of the playoffs, a lot of it because of the excellent goaltending from James Reimer. He had two excellent starts, and played solid for a whole two minutes in relief of Luongo against the Sharks, all while allowing only two goals, none at even strength.

2. Nazem Kadri (4G-2A-6P in 4GP, 57.86% CF%, 4.57 P160)

Kadri was a force to be reckoned with this week, as he scored six points in four games this week, all at even strength. He was also strong possession wise, all while playing in a shutdown role with the Leafs.

3. John Gibson (2-1-0, .971%, 2 SO)

Gibson was also very good this week, as he helped the Ducks with two wins, shutting out his opponent in both. He also was solid in relief of Jonathan Bernier, who we’ll get to in a minute.

1. Eric Fehr (0G-0A-0P in 3GP, 26.28% CF%)

While never really known to be a scorer, Fehr is usually reliable defensibly, but not this week. Fehr was caved in possession wise this week, despite playing for a solid possession team in the Penguins.

2. Jonathan Bernier (0-1-0, .500%)

Despite only playing for a period, Bernier was abysmal for the Ducks last night, as he allowed three goals on six shots, against the Arizona Coyotes of all teams. It was his rare chance to make an impression, and he continues to blow them.

3. Andy Andreoff (0G-0A-0P in 1GP, 9.56% CF%) (5.47)

Another case of small sample size, Andreoff only played 5:28 for the Kings last week, but anytime you fall below 10% Corsi, you’ll usually find yourself on here. And this was on the Kings of all teams as well, who are consistently a dominant possession team.