Power Rankings: Playoffs a possibility for almost everyone

Updated Jan. 28

Even though the NHL schedule is always a bit past its mid-point when the All-Star Game rolls around, for most teams the break divides the season and kicks off the time-to-get-serious-about-things period.

Vincent Lecavalier and the inconsistent Lightning are fighting for a playoff spot. (AP)

It's when general managers are supposed to coldly assess their team's assets and chances at a playoff spot or more because the homestretch of the season is coming into view, and then decide whether to become a buyer or seller at the approaching trade deadline.

There was a time when it was easier to figure out because a third of the teams would already be out of postseason contention, so the potential sellers were as obvious as the potential buyers. But that wasn't the case when the 2008 extravaganza in Atlanta took place because 29 of the NHL's 30 teams were still contenders for a playoff spot. And it may not be much different by the time the Feb. 26 trade deadline arrives.

Commissioner Gary Bettman described it as "terrific competitive balance" during All-Star weekend, but to a significant degree, the closeness of races has to do with bonus points for overtime and shootout wins.

Regardless there are three-way races for first place in three divisions, a four-team race in the Northwest and fierce battles for the lower seeds in both conferences. Only six points separate fourth place from ninth in the East, and just five points do in the West. More telling, the difference between eighth and 15th in the East is just nine points, while six points separate eighth from 14th in the West.

"It's really just a very competitive league," said Martin St. Louis, whose Tampa Bay Lightning are last in the East but only seven points out of the Southeast lead with two games in hand over first-place Carolina. "Besides two or three teams, everybody is beating everyone else at some point. Teams all go on winning streaks and losing streaks, and everybody stays close."

Here are this week's rankings and where teams are at the break:

Power Rankings
Current		Team	Previous
	1	Red Wings · Trends	-
	The defending Cup champs have an embarrassment of riches on the roster, several NHL-ready youngsters pushing for spots and Zetterberg and Franzen in contract years. Seems unfair doesn't it?
	2	Sharks · Trends	-
	There's a new voice behind the bench, and Todd McLellan will impact this team more than people realize, while newcomers Blake and Boyle mean a better back end to complement San Jose's impressive group up front.
	3	Canadiens · Trends	-
	The East's regular-season champs are deeper and more balanced this season, and sophomore franchise goalie Carey Price now has some valuable playoff lessons, including some hardship, under his belt.
	4	Stars · Trends	-
	This is a good team that got better as last season went along while it transitioned smoothly from the veteran core to younger players who still have room to grow.
	5	Flyers · Trends	-
	Goalie Martin Biron earned his stripes in the playoffs, putting an end to questions that have surrounded this team for years. And having Simon Gagne back means 35 to 40 extra goals.
	6	Penguins · Trends	-
	With a foundation of Crosby, Malkin and Fleury, the Pens should be able to deal with all the free-agent departures. But going without injured defensemen Gonchar and Whitney for months will be felt.
	7	Ducks · Trends	-
	Despite all the distractions, the Ducks were a 100-point team last year that still has a blue line led by Niedermayer and Pronger. Having Teemu Selanne around from the outset will help an offense that needs it.
	8	Capitals · Trends	-
	The offensively talented Caps went through an important learning stage last season led by Ovechkin, and seem ready to take another step this time as long as the goaltending is there.
	9	Senators · Trends	-
	With Heatley, Spezza and Alfredsson leading the way, the Senators still have the potential to be dangerous, but there are real question marks along the blue line and in goal.
	10	Rangers · Trends	-
	The curtain came down on the Jaromir Jagr era, which may or may not be a good thing for a team that obviously still has some talent but faces some potential chemistry issues.
	11	Devils · Trends	-
	New Jersey turned back the clock by repatriating vets Brian Rolston and Bobby Holik, which fits a team with a style stuck in the past. But with Martin Brodeur in goal, they can't be counted out.
	12	Blackhawks · Trends	-
	This could be a team on the verge of something big -- or not. But there is some serious young talent here, high-profile newcomers and plenty of expectations to live up to.
	13	Oilers · Trends	-
	Think of the Oilers as Blackhawks North. Edmonton came on strong late last season as its young stars got more comfortable and it made several nice upgrades since then.
	14	Flames · Trends	-
	The Flames often seem to be living off the reputations earned in their 2004 playoff run. Jarome Iginla is still a superstar and Dion Phaneuf an elite defender, but goalie Miikka Kiprusoff has become a question mark.
	15	Bruins · Trends	-
	The Bruins flew under the radar despite a surprise playoff appearance because they were pretty boring to watch. But good defense brings results and Boston will produce more with Patrice Bergeron back in the lineup.
	16	Wild · Trends	-
	Strong goaltending and defense continue to be the strategy here, but as the Wild learned after a first-round playoff loss, that takes you only so far. More important is the status of Marian Gaborik until he's re-signed or traded.
	17	Sabres · Trends	-
	Instead of focusing on those who have left lately, it might be worth looking at those still around. Miller, Roy, Pominville, Tallinder and, of course, coach Lindy Ruff, who seems to get more out of his teams than he should.
	18	Lightning · Trends	-
	After a massive overhaul, the Lightning could turn things around the way Philadelphia did last season. Even if they don't, this team will be one of the NHL's most compelling to watch.
	19	Panthers · Trends	-
	Florida has revamped its blue line impressively, which might be enough to spark an offense that seems a bit thin on the surface. One thing for sure is the Panthers will be more entertaining under rookie coach Peter DeBoer.
	20	Predators · Trends	-
	Some good young defensemen here and goalie Dan Ellis is coming off a solid rookie season, but there's not much else. And several non-playoff teams in the West are much better now.
	21	Hurricanes · Trends	-
	The blue line is more mobile, which is important, but Cam Ward is still questionable in goal, and the offense, outside of Eric Staal might not be as productive as the 'Canes hope.
	22	Blue Jackets · Trends	-
	Rick Nash will have a better supporting cast around him, enough for the Jackets to get serious about a playoff spot, perhaps.
	23	Coyotes · Trends	-
	Wayne Gretzky became a much better coach midseason when goalie Ilya Bryzgalov arrived. He's still working with a lot of kids though, but there's enough talent to make Phoenix the NHL's biggest potential surprise.
	24	Avalanche · Trends	-
	The bright side for Colorado is that no team is head and shoulders above the others in the Northwest. But the Avs are counting a lot on older players like Sakic, Foote and Smyth in an era where youth is all the rage.
	25	Blues · Trends	-
	The offense can't really be any worse than last season, which should take some pressure of several youngsters ready to break in. But losing Erik Johnson for the year is a blow for a team that still has a long way to go.
	26	Canucks · Trends	-
	Vancouver has a pretty good group of defensemen and the league's best goalie in Roberto Luongo, but you don't win if you can't score. And the Canucks can't score.
	27	Kings · Trends	-
	The brain trust admits there will be some painful nights this season with this young group dominated by recent high draft picks. But if they develop as expected, no one will remember in a couple of years.
	28	Islanders · Trends	-
	Doug Weight and Bill Guerin might re-create some of the old Team USA magic and Rick DiPietro is a quality goalie when he's healthy, but this will be another long season on Long Island.
	29	Thrashers · Trends	-
	With last week's addition of Mathieu Schneider to a defensive corps that has Tobias Enstrom and newcomer Ron Hainsey, the blue line might not be as bad as some think. But there's nothing up front aside from Ilya Kovalchuk.
	30	Maple Leafs · Trends	-
	With the team in the self-proclaimed center of the hockey universe finally getting serious about rebuilding, the rallying cry for the new season is "wait until next year." Or the year after. Or the one after that.