{"numbering":"asc","slides":[{"index":1,"title":"","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/spark_nhl_power_rankings_031120.jpg","caption":"

Have we underrated how good this Bruins team really is?

Those following the B’s closely will harp on the lack of a top-6 game-breaking winger with David Krejci on the second line, and wonder if that will be the team’s ultimate undoing in the postseason. But the Perfection Line is about to feature three 30-goal scorers for the third straight season, Tuukka Rask is a lead contender for the Vezina Trophy after a 36-save shutout of the Flyers and the Bruins are a special teams beast against the rest of the NHL. There are so many things for the Bruins to hang their hat on as strengths on the team.

It's about time everybody gave credit to the B’s as the NHL’s best team this season. They are the first one to 100 points by a wide margin, they lead the NHL with a plus-53 goal differential and they are playing good, strong hockey down the stretch. They will be a handful against any team in the playoffs and they deserve that respect.

Now on to the power rankings:

"},{"index":3,"title":"31. Detroit Red Wings ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/detroit.png","caption":"

(17-49-5, rank last week: 31)

Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi are still playing hard, productive hockey out in Detroit, but they remain the only team that’s been officially eliminated from playoff contention at this point.

"},{"index":5,"title":"30. Los Angeles Kings","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/los_angeles.png","caption":"

(28-35-6, rank last week: 30)

Does anybody know that the Kings have won six games in a row?

"},{"index":7,"title":"29. Ottawa Senators","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/ottawa.png","caption":"

(25-33-12, rank last week: 29)

The inner turmoil continues in Ottawa where another Sens executive was dismissed after reportedly disagreeing with owner Eugene Melnyk. Hmmm, what’s the recurring pattern here?

"},{"index":9,"title":"28. San Jose Sharks","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/san_jose.png","caption":"

(29-35-5, rank last week: 26)

It will be interesting to see how things go with the Sharks next when they host a series of games in an area where large gatherings have been prohibited due to coronavirus for the next few weeks.

"},{"index":11,"title":"27. New Jersey Devils","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/new_jersey.png","caption":"

(28-29-12, rank last week: 27)

Credit the Devils that they are still playing hard while out of it and have gone 6-2-2 in their last 10 games while playing out the string.

"},{"index":13,"title":"26. Anaheim Ducks","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/anaheim.png","caption":"

(29-32-9, rank last week: 28)

David Backes and Danton Heinen have combined for five points in the month of March since being traded from the Bruins. Impressive work by both guys on their new teams.

"},{"index":15,"title":"25. Chicago Blackhawks","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/chicago.png","caption":"

(31-30-8, rank last week: 24)

Nasty, nasty game between the Blackhawks and Blues with Oskar Sundqvist getting fined for a dirty hit on Adam Boqvist. It’s good to see there’s still no love lost between those two Central Division rivals.

"},{"index":17,"title":"24. Buffalo Sabres","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/buffalo.png","caption":"

(30-31-8, rank last week: 25)

The Sabres are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games, but did snap a six-game losing streak with a big win against the Capitals. Unfortunately, that lengthy skid pretty much put a nail in Buffalo’s playoff hopes.

"},{"index":19,"title":"23. Montreal Canadiens","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston","caption":"

(31-31-9, rank last week: 23)

The Habs have lost three games in a row and are circling down the drain while missing the playoffs once again. It’s a loss for the NHL to not have the Canadiens as part of the postseason.

"},{"index":21,"title":"22. Arizona Coyotes","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/arizona.png","caption":"

(33-29-8, rank last week: 18)

Check the numbers. The Devils had a losing record with Taylor Hall and a winning record since he’s been traded. The Coyotes had a winning record before they traded for Hall and a losing record since then. I’m not saying one has directly caused the other, but it makes you wonder.

"},{"index":23,"title":"21. Minnesota Wild","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/minnesota.png","caption":"

(35-27-7, rank last week: 21)

Kevin Fiala has been red-hot for a Wild team that continues to defy those who wrote them off as dead. They probably aren’t going to make the playoffs, but they certainly aren’t dead.

"},{"index":25,"title":"20. New York Rangers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/ny_rangers.png","caption":"

(37-28-4, rank last week: 18)

The Rangers are staying within striking distance of a playoff spot toward the bottom of the Metro Division, but it’s going to take a little something extra from the Blueshirts to get there.

"},{"index":27,"title":"19. Winnipeg Jets","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/winnipeg.png","caption":"

(36-28-6, rank last week: 17)

The Jets have won three games in a row with Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor leading the way offensively and keeping Winnipeg right in the hunt for a playoff spot.

"},{"index":29,"title":"18. Florida Panthers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/florida.png","caption":"

(35-26-8, rank last week: 19)

The Panthers have won a couple of games in a row and continue to push the Maple Leafs for that third spot in the Atlantic Division. There’s been a lot of talk about how much they have underachieved, but the Panthers could still pull it off with a strong final month.

"},{"index":31,"title":"17. Vancouver Canucks ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/vancouver.png","caption":"

(36-27-6, rank last week: 15)

Brock Boeser is back from his rib injury and should give the Canucks a big shot in the arm down the stretch toward a playoff spot.

"},{"index":33,"title":"16. Nashville Predators","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/nashville.png","caption":"

(35-26-8, rank last week: 22)

The Predators have won three games in a row and took a home-and-home series against the Stars where they shut out them out two games in a row. It seems like the Preds are finally locking down with defense and goaltending.

"},{"index":35,"title":"15. Calgary Flames","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/calgary.png","caption":"

(36-27-7, rank last week: 16)

The Flames are 6-3-1 in their last 10 games, and Elias Lindholm leads them in goals, Johnny Gaudreau leads them in assists and Matthew Tkachuk leads them in points. That is pretty good diversity in offense.

"},{"index":37,"title":"14. Columbus Blue Jackets","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/columbus.png","caption":"

(33-22-15, rank last week: 14)

The Blue Jackets have lost 12 out of 15 games and continue to sag in the playoff race. There are some Metro teams just hanging for postseason life right now.

"},{"index":39,"title":"13. Toronto Maple Leafs","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/toronto.png","caption":"

(36-25-9, rank last week: 12)

The Leafs dropped all three games on the California road swing and then they arrived home to beat Tampa Bay in a tight 2-1 game. This is an increasingly difficult hockey team to peg.

"},{"index":41,"title":"12. New York Islanders ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/ny_islanders.png","caption":"

(35-23-10, rank last week: 11)

The Islanders have lost seven in a row and are in a freefall in the Metro Division. That has allowed a team like the Flyers to rise and it could cost the Islanders a playoff spot if they don’t pull out of their tailspin.

"},{"index":43,"title":"11. Carolina Hurricanes ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/carolina.png","caption":"

(38-25-5, rank last week: 11)

The Hurricanes have won three games in a row and Justin Williams is doing his Mr. Game 7 thing for a Carolina team that’s fortifying its playoff position in the East.

"},{"index":45,"title":"10. Dallas Stars ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/dallas.png","caption":"

(37-24-8, rank last week: 16)

The Stars have dropped six games in a row and aren’t hitting on all cylinders with the playoffs dead ahead. Dallas needs to pull it together.

"},{"index":47,"title":"9. Vegas Golden Knights","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/vegas.png","caption":"

(39-24-8, rank last week: 8)

The Golden Knights have won two in a row, eight of their last 10 games and are finally living up to their potential. Back-to-back wins over the Oilers and Flames on the road are pretty impressive.

"},{"index":49,"title":"8. Edmonton Oilers ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/edmonton.png","caption":"

(37-24-9, rank last week: 10)

The Oilers have shot toward the top of the Pacific Division and should have other teams’ attention in the West based on their explosive scoring ability. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid could do some damage in the postseason.

Ranking the NHL's Top 10 centers: Oilers with a 1-2 punch

"},{"index":51,"title":"7. Pittsburgh Penguins ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/pittsburgh.png","caption":"

(40-23-6, rank last week: 7)

The Penguins have lost eight of their last 11 games and are sliding down in the Metro. This kind of swoon was bound to happen with a team that’s fought the good fight through all kinds of injuries this season.

"},{"index":53,"title":"6. Philadelphia Flyers","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/philadelphia.png","caption":"

(41-21-7, rank last week: 6)

The Flyers had their nine-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday night by the Bruins, but they have put themselves in a spot to vie for a Metro divisional crown.

Gritty trolls Bruins' Brad Marchand with hilarious dig

"},{"index":55,"title":"5. Colorado Avalanche","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/colorado.png","caption":"

(41-20-8, rank last week: 5)

The Avs are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and Gabriel Landeskog has been the star with three goals and nine points in five games during the month of March to lead the way.

"},{"index":57,"title":"4. Tampa Bay Lightning","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/tampa_bay.png","caption":"

(43-21-6, rank last week: 3)

The Bolts are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games and have dropped two in a row while falling back in the pack in the Atlantic Division. They’ve punched their playoff ticket, but they aren’t going to catch the Bruins without Steven Stamkos.

"},{"index":59,"title":"3. Washington Capitals","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/washington.png","caption":"

(41-20-8, rank last week: 4)

Big statement win over the Penguins last weekend where the Capitals dropped five goals on Pittsburgh. Perhaps a little parting shot prior to the playoffs and to show that the Caps are still the top dog in the Metro.

"},{"index":61,"title":"2. St. Louis Blues ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/st_louis.png","caption":"

(41-19-10, rank last week: 2)

The eight-game winning streak is over, but the Blues look like the team to beat in the West with Vladimir Tarasenko’s return still on the horizon as well.

"},{"index":63,"title":"1. Boston Bruins","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/archive/assets_media_gallery/boston/2020/03/11/boston.png","caption":"

(44-14-12, rank last week: 1)

The first team to 100 points and the NHL’s best goal differential with a plus-53 on the season really underscores just how good the Bruins have been this season. The Presidents' Trophy seems like a foregone conclusion at this point.

Haggerty: Birthday boy Rask steals one in Philly

"}]}

Ranking the NHL's Top 10 centers: Oilers with a 1-2 punch

Gritty trolls Bruins' Brad Marchand with hilarious dig

Haggerty: Birthday boy Rask steals one in Philly

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