Canucks: Power rankings midway through February

The Vancouver Canucks are still hanging on to the top seed in the Pacific Division. Here’s where they sit in power rankings across the web.

Following four consecutive losses, the Vancouver Canucks have bounced back nicely with back-to-back wins on home ice, thus retaining their lead on the Pacific Division.

Entering play on Friday, the Canucks hold a three-point lead on the Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights and Calgary Flames. The Oilers (57 contests played) have a game in hand on Vancouver (58 games) but the other two teams have played 59. Vancouver also holds a five-point lead on the Arizona Coyotes, who have played two extra games.

More importantly, Vancouver has a six-point lead on the Winnipeg Jets, the closest team outside of the playoff picture. With 24 games to go, the playoffs are looking more and more like a lock for the Canucks.

Health will be key for Elias Pettersson‘s squad over the long haul, and the good news is that Micheal Ferland is getting close to a return.

So where does this team stand in power rankings after an up-and-down performance over the past two weeks? Let’s take a look.

• Sportsnet: In his “Greatest Realistic Trade Chips Edition,” Luke Fox places Vancouver seventh, third highest among all Western Conference teams.
• NHL.com: Once again, Vancouver cracks the “Super 16,” holding down the same spot (10) as last week.
• Sports Illustrated: A very minimal jump here, as the Canucks move from 11th to 10th.
• NBC Sports Boston: Vancouver landed in the sixth spot last week, but the recent losing skid caused them to drop down to 11th here.

The Canucks will continue their six-game homestand against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday afternoon, before welcoming the former Northwest Division rival Minnesota Wild on Wednesday. Finally, the Canucks will conclude the homestand with a tilt against the Boston Bruins next Saturday.

These next two weeks will be absolutely pivotal for head coach Travis Green and company. The playoffs are within their grasp, and the Canucks have a prime opportunity to build a bigger cushion on the divisional foes over these final three games.