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Last PR drop: December 21
I gave a nice cushion between PR drops on the ice to allow the squads three full weeks of action to build cases. We have quite the shakeup in the top ten of the ranks, including a new squad sittin' at the head of the table in the 1-spot. We also saw several teams go on major declines and major rises. 2024 is off to a bang- lets roll out the first PR of the new year.
Record since last drop: 9-0-1
Current Streak: W7
Notable wins: vs BOS, vs DET
Jets are SOARIN'! Winnipeg finds themselves in the top chair for the first time this season as they continue to rise, and continue to rip up the skies. Jets' ride a 7-game winning streak & have won 11 out of their last 13 contests. Winnipeg is doing all this winnin' without their star skater Kyle Connor who is on the shelf with a knee injury (6-8 weeks on IR). Jets will spend the rest of January on the East Coast to battle the winter madness and Eastern Conference. Despite the frigid temps, they have their machinery on full heat mode as they Jet across the East.
Next up: vs CHI; vs PHI; vs NYI; @ OTT; @ BOS; @ TOR
Record since last drop: 6-2-1
Current Streak: W3
Notable wins: @ NSH, @ NYR
Vancouver may have lost their top spot atop the Western Conference to Winnipeg (1 PT. back), but they don't move in the PRs as they keep winnin' at a high rate while traveling on the road in 8 of their last 11 games. Canucks did a clean sweep of the Empire State with road wins over the Rangers, Devils, and Islanders. They remain consistent as a powerhouse in the West and I don't expect that to change with the elite play of their captains Quinn Hughes and J.T. Miller (A).
Next up: @ PIT; @ BUF; @ CBJ; vs ARI; vs TOR; vs CHI
Record since last drop: 8-2-0
Current Streak: W8
Notable wins: vs VGK, vs NYR; @ VGK; @ COL
Panthers are the hottest team in Chel when you consider who they have wins over on their 8-game winning streak, which is tied with the Oilers for the best current win streak across the league. After facing back-to-back shutouts by the hands of the Kraken & Canucks, Florida has flipped a switch. Panthers have won 5 in a row on the road & have outscored their opps 35-15 across the winning streak. The cats have some major claws as they continue to prove that the Stanley Cup run last year was no fluke. This team has it.
Next up: vs LAK; vs NJD; vs ANA; vs DET; vs MIN; @ NSH
Record since last drop: 5-3-3
Current Streak: L2
Notable wins: vs DET
Bruins used a 4-game winning streak to help them avoid a slide downward in the PRs as they have been quite shaky since the middle of December. They have been crushed in extra time of late, losing their last four games played in overtime or shootout. They look to snap out of this cold slump and quick- they can start to slide with how the teams below them are risin'.
Next up: @ VGK; @ STL; vs NJD; vs COL; vs MTL; vs WPG
Record since last drop: 7-2-1
Current Streak: W1
Notable wins: vs BOS; @ DAL
Avs are finally on the rise again in the PRs; rather than on the decline. Colorado has finally found better success in extra time winnin' their last three OT/SO games, including massive dubs over the Bruins and Stars. We are on chance three in regards to how they respond after losing a win streak. The other two occasions saw them follow up a win streak with a trend of losing. Avs have a chance to change two narratives this go around as they have a sharp thorn of comp' on the slate to take advantage of. That sharp thorn happens to be on the road... which has been scary grounds for the Avs this season. Outside of Vegas, the Avs have the worst road record among teams in my top ten. A big two weeks of puck coming up for Colorado; time to do some provin' if they wish to remain in the top 5.
Next up: vs VGK; @ TOR; @ MTL; @ OTT; @ BOS; @ PHI
Record since last drop: 5-4-1
Current Streak: L2
Notable wins: @ TOR
Rangers came back down to reality in December and to start 2024 as they do the slide down in my PRs. Once ranked number one for two consecutive weeks, they now sit at the 6-spot losin' four of their last six contests. Igor Shesterkin has struggled tremendously in the net as the Rangers have some tough losses of late being outscored 18-41 in their eight losses since the start of December. Jonathan Quick is responsible for three of the losses, but all three of his were decided by just one goal. Shesterkin HAS to step up. Artemi Panarin continues to be a bright spot- Rangers look for him to carry them back to a consistent winning pedigree.
Next up: @ STL; @ WAS; vs WAS; vs SEA; @ VGK; @ LAK
Record since last drop: 6-3-1
Current Streak: W1
Notable wins: @ MIN (shutout); vs VAN
Stars love ridin' their rollercoaster. They win some, they lose some. They win some, they lose some. It's been the theme of their campaign, thus far. Dallas has stayed in the 7-10 range almost all season in my rankings, with an uncommon appearance at the 5-spot in November. The biggest thing I have noticed, is their poor play against the top teams in the league. Dallas is 4-9 this season against teams currently in my top ten of the rankings. They battle it out with teams in the teens and teams towards the basement in January... a golden chance for them to gain winning consistency.
Next up: vs MIN; vs NSH; @ CHI; vs LAK; @ PHI; @ NJD
Record since last drop: 2-6-0
Current Streak: W1
Notable wins: N/A
What's going on with the defending champs!? Did they think the holiday season was a time to take a break from winning? Golden Knights go on a major decline in my ranks: from first to eighth. Vegas has lost seven of their last ten contests and are reelin' right now going into the new year. They better pick up their slack... we have some shark infested waters, Knights don't want to keep falling down the food chain.
Next up: @ COL; vs BOS; vs CGY; vs NSH; vs NYR; vs PIT
Record since last drop: 5-4-1
Current Streak: W4
Notable wins: @ LAK
Toronto movin' up a spot is misleadin'. They were facing quite the decline prior to their current 4-game winning streak. A needed winning streak as the Leafs took advantage of a basement slate against the Ducks and Sharks (x2). Previously, the Maple Leafs had lost six of eight including a 9-3 loss to the Sabres and three in a row to close out 2023. They better use the win streak as a boost with what lures in the distance on their schedj or they won't be in the top-10 for long.
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Next up: @ NYI; vs COL; vs DET; @ EDM; @ CGY; @ VAN
Record since last drop: 6-1-2
Current Streak: L1
Notable wins: @ NYR; @ TOR; vs VGK
Rock you like a hurricane! Carolina is rockin' as they use one of the best climbs (+6) to springboard themselves into my top ten for the first time this season. Prior to their shootout loss to the Blues, the Hurricanes built their largest win streak of the campaign winnin' 5 in a row that included road dubs over the Rangers and Maple Leafs. If they can change their ways in extra time (lost 5 straight), then the Canes can stick around in the top ten and even continue to climb.
Next up: vs ANA; vs PIT; vs LAK; vs DET; vs MIN; @ BOS
11-32:
Biggest Risers & Decliners:
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