There were no changes in the top of the TSN.ca NHL Power Rankings this week, which means yet another week on top for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Changes start at sixth spot, which is decidedly a step down from the Top Five of Chicago, Boston, Anaheim, Montreal and Pittsburgh.
In sixth, this week, is Carolina, roaring up from 15 as they get players back from injury, though there will be pressure on goaltenders Dan Ellis and Justin Peters now that Cam Ward is out with a knee injury.
Another team making a big jump this week was the Dallas Stars, soaring from 24 to nine, largely on the strength of a healthy Kari Lehtonen, combined with a 3-1-1 record in the last five games.
Tampa Bay continues to play backup goaltender Mathieu Garon instead of struggling Anders Lindback, but one win in the last five (and another injury up front) drops them from six to 11.
New Jersey slides from nine to 16, missing goaltender Martin Brodeur and losing six of seven. St. Louis has lost four of six, but losing three top-six forwards to injury knocks them down from seven to 18. One regulation win in the last seven games knocks the Edmonton Oilers from 19 down to 25.
Among other Canadian teams, the Toronto Maple Leafs are getting healtier and reached a season-high eighth spot, while the Ottawa Senators still lean on their goaltending to cling to a spot in the Top 10 and the slumping Vancouver Canucks, now minus Ryan Kesler, fell from eight to 12.
Calgary is 3-1-1 in their last five and remain in 22nd spot while the Winnipeg Jets have won five of seven to move up to 24.
Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook.
