There are several good games on tap in the NHL this week. Detroit hosted Washington last week, and teams that will visit Joe Louis Arena this week include Pittsburgh tonight, Vancouver Wednesday night, and Toronto Saturday night. One of the best-and most critical- games this week will be in the desert when San Jose travels to Phoenix. The Sharks have a three-point lead over the Coyotes, and the Sharks have played one less game. If the Coyotes want to win the first division title in franchise history (their only division title was during their time in the WHA), they have to win Saturday night.
| Rank | Team | Last Week | Team Notes |
| 1 | WAS | 2 | Washington may have had their winning streak snapped by Detroit Wednesday night, but they still are playing some of the best hockey in the league. This week they play the second half of a six-game road trip including a visit to Philadelphia tomorrow night. |
| 2 | VAN | 1 | The Canucks dropped only their second game of the month Friday when they lost against the Coyotes. They have several days to gear up for a four game road trip, with the first coming Wednesday night at Detroit. |
| 3 | PHI | 3 | I was a shootout win away from being right on with my proclamation that they could win all three road games last week. They are 4-0-2 in games played since getting spanked 7-0 in New York. This week’s schedule will be tough as they travel to Pittsburgh, Washington, and Long Island. |
| 4 | PHX | NR | Phoenix dropped a crucial game last night against Chicago. With a win, they could have pulled to within one point of San Jose. They have played one more game than the Sharks, so they have extra work ahead of them to claim the first division championship in franchise history. Saturday’s game against San Jose will be a true measuring stick of who has the inside shot at a division title. |
| 5 | SJ | 5 | Rookie forward Logan Couture was injured while racing for a loose puck Saturday night. The Sharks are being tight-lipped in regards to the extent of his injury, which could make the road to the division championship even more curvy as the five teams are within nine points of one another. |
| 6 | DET | 4 | This may sound like a old bit, but is there any other player in sports who is on the wrong side of a call every time he does his job besides Tomas Holmstrom? The NHL officials Saturday night allowed Pekka Renne is wack and slap Holmstrom in front of the net but the moment contact is made between Holmstrom and any goalie a goalie disallowed or a penalty is called. Talk about inconsistency. |
| 25 | TB | NR | What has happened with the Bolts lately? They were playing solid hockey when the Capitals were struggling, now the tide is turned. |
| 26 | STL | 25 | Since the Blues have little to nothing left to play for, the best thing they can do is spoil other franchises attempts to make the playoffs. They finish the west coast trip tomorrow in Phoenix. |
| 27 | CBJ | 26 | The Jackets are on their way to missing the playoffs for the second straight season. GM Scott Howson was hired June 2007 and his job is safe according to the team president. If things don’t change next season, his job might not be safe this time next season. |
| 28 | MIN | 28 | Like I said last week, the games Minnesota played would determine their fate. Three losses and an OTL later they find themselves six points out of the playoffs. Home games against Toronto and St Louis can help them get closer to the playoff chase should they win. |
| 29 | COL | 30 | I predicted last week the losing skid could end at Edmonton. I should give myself a pat on the back for that one. Should they lose more games, they will find themselves with the best chances of the top draft pick in the lottery. |
| 30 | EDM | 27 | It did take a shootout loss to the Avanache to force the Oilers to drop to the bottom of the Power Rankings. That’s what happens when you lose to a team that has won one other game since the All-Star break. |
