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Vancouver Canucks: Week 20 Pacific Division Power Rankings

By Janik Beichler

Feb 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) celebrates after the Kings scored the winning goal against the New York Rangers in overtime at Madison Square Garden. The Kings defeated the Rangers 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 12, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) celebrates after the Kings scored the winning goal against the New York Rangers in overtime at Madison Square Garden. The Kings defeated the Rangers 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Vancouver Canucks lost to the Toronto Maple Leafs in their worst performance of the season — but move up the power rankings.

How can the Vancouver Canucks lose 5-2 against the worst team in the league but move up the power rankings? Well, they are in a difficult situation. Wins and losses are alternating randomly, and we still don’t really know where the team is at.

Oh well. Just see for yourself.

7. Edmonton Oilers (last week: 7)

Last Week’s Record: 1-1-1

Overall Record: 22-29-6

It’s all about Connor McDavid. Every one of his performances screams out “injury? What injury?” The rookie now has 12 points in his last seven games, including a five-point performance in a 5-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Unfortunately, that’s not enough, though. As always, I have to ask: will the Oilers make the playoffs next year? I’d be surprised if they don’t.

6. Arizona Coyotes (last week: 4)

Last Week’s Record: 1-2-0

Overall Record: 25-24-6

The Arizona Coyotes played three games against Pacific Division foes and only managed to win one — a 4-1 victory against the Calgary Flames. That victory was the club’s first this month, putting their February record at 1-4-1. After spending the majority of the season in second or third place in the division, Arizona now sits six points behind the Anaheim Ducks and seven behind the San Jose Sharks. Tied with the Canucks at 56 points, the Coyotes might have to say goodbye to the playoffs.

5. Calgary Flames (last week: 5)

Last Week’s Record: 2-1-0

Overall Record: 25-26-3

If the Canucks and Coyotes are still in the playoff hunt, the Calgary Flames are too. The Flames are only three points behind the Canucks but have one game in hand. Win that one and anything is possible. Well, kind of. Calgary beat the Maple Leafs 4-3 and snagged a 6-5 shootout victory against the Sharks. Two close games against the worst team in the NHL and one of the best teams in the Pacific — where is this team going with those results? A 4-1 loss against the Coyotes is not exactly promising.

4. Vancouver Canucks (last week: 6)

Last Week’s Record: 2-0-1

Overall Record: 22-21-12

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? The Canucks move up the power rankings with a terrible 5-2 loss against the Leafs in which not one, not two, but 19 players did a terrible job (can’t blame the backup).  Still, the Canucks also won “four-point games” against the Colorado Avalanche and the Coyotes. Is that enough to make the playoffs? Who knows. I’m done predicting that stuff, the team screws us over every other day anyway.

3. San Jose Sharks (last week: 3)

Last Week’s Record: 2-1-0

Overall Record: 29-21-4

The Sharks’ 29 wins, 27 of which came in regulation, are something the Canucks can only dream about. Which is why the Sharks are in a more or less comfortable position while the Canucks are not. A 2-0 shutout win against the Chicago Blackhawks shows that this team can really go places. The club’s most pleasant surprise should be rookie Jonas Donskoi who has recorded 11 points in his past 12 games.

2. Anaheim Ducks (last week: 1)

Last Week’s Record: 2-1-1

Overall Record: 27-19-8

The Ducks managed to kick the LA Kings off their throne last week, but had to move back down again — despite collecting five of eight possible points. Anaheim even beat the Blackhawks, one of the league’s top teams right now. So, why did they move down on the ranking? It has more to do with the Kings than anything else.

1. Los Angeles Kings (last week: 2)

Last Week’s Record: 2-2-0

Overall Record: 33-19-3

The Ducks had a better record than the Kings last week and LA has a record of 4-6-0 through their last 10 games — but there is one thing that cannot be ignored. LA beat the Boston Bruins 9-2. Sure, it’s “just Boston.” But then, it’s Boston — one of the Eastern Conference’s toughest teams. The Kings also snagged a 5-4 victory against the Rangers in New York. They still sit comfortably in first place in the division but will have to pick up the pace if they want to stay there — Anaheim might kick them off their throne once again.

Next: Canucks Week 20 Outlook and Staff Predictions

Where do you think the Canucks will go next week? Let us know in the comments? 

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