The 10 best of the NHL may soon include the Kings, who’ve won seven straight games, but as of yet they don’t have the résumé to stack up with these other teams. Here they are:
1. Nashville Predators (40–13–7, 87 points): Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne continues to rank among the leaders in wins (first with 34), save percentage (second at 93.1), and goals allowed average (second at 2.01) and is a big reason they’re having a great season.
This week: versus Colorado (Tuesday), versus Minnesota (Thursday), versus Detroit (Saturday). Previous: 1
2. Tampa Bay Lightning (37–19–6, 80 points): The Lightning just finished up a five-game road trip where they went a respectable 3–2–0. Center Steven Stamkos scored three goals and added an assist during the trip.
This week: versus Chicago (Friday), at Florida (Sunday). Previous: 3
3. St. Louis Blues (38–17–4, 80 points): The Blues are tied, along with Nashville and the NY Rangers, for the biggest scoring differential in the NHL (plus 40). Right-winger Vladimir Tarasenko is a major reason why. The 23-year-old is the only player in the league to rank in the top five in both scoring (59 points) and in plus/minus at plus 28.
This week: versus Montreal (Tuesday), at Winnipeg (Thursday), at Edmonton (Saturday), at Vancouver (Sunday). Previous: 2
4. Montreal Canadiens (38–16–5, 81 points): If defense wins championships, Montreal is in the driver’s seat. With goalie Carey Price leading the way, the Canadiens have allowed the fewest goals in the NHL this season (131) by a long ways.
This week: at St. Louis (Tuesday), at Columbus (Thursday), versus Toronto (Saturday). Previous: 5
5. New York Rangers (36–16–6, 78 points): The Rangers have proved to be a resilient bunch without the services of goalie Henrik Lundqvist. In the 10 games since he went down with a neck injury, New York has gone 7–1–2.
This week: versus Calgary (Tuesday), versus Arizona (Thursday), at Philadelphia (Saturday). Previous: 10
