Power Rankings: Rankings become Pacific Division duel

Week: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25

ESPN.com

We know the Dallas Stars lead the Pacific Division. We know they picked up one of the big trade-deadline acquisitions in Brad Richards. Even so, we still believe the Anaheim Ducks are the league's hottest team -- at least for this week.

The Ducks have gone 9-1-0 over their past 10 games, and a big reason is Jean-Sebastien Giguere. In his past 11 starts, the goalie has gone 9-1-1 with a 1.26 goals-against average and .950 save percentage. Not that Dallas is shabby or anything, but we're just sayin'.

Meanwhile, the New York Rangers make a move back into the Top 10, while the Ottawa Senators drop out.

As always, you can weigh in and rank your 30 teams here.

Until next time, enjoy, puckheads!

-- Posted on Wednesday, March 5

2007-2008 Power Rankings: Week 21
	RK (PV)	TEAM	REC.	COMMENT
	1 (1)	Ducks	38-23-7	Though we know the Stars beat the Ducks in their most recent meeting (Feb. 15), we still think Anaheim is the hottest team in the league right now. J.S. Giguere is a big reason -- he's 9-1-1 in his last 11 starts with a 1.26 GAA and .950 save percentage over that span.
	2 (1)	Stars	41-23-5	The Stars lead the Pacific and have won 13 of their past 16 games. But a letdown against the Preds moves them to No. 2 this week.
	3 (2)	Penguins	38-23-7	Sidney Crosby is back in the lineup ... and thankfully coach Michel Therrien kept his Ryan Malone-Evgeni Malkin-Petr Sykora line together.
	4 (7)	Sharks	37-21-8	The other team in the Pacific Division putting pressure on the Dallas Stars.
	5 (5)	Canadiens	36-22-9	Montreal lost 6-4 to San Jose as the Habs kicked off a four-game swing out west. Hmm. A sign of things to come for the East in the Cup finals?
	6 (3)	Devils	38-23-6	The Devils snapped a three-game losing skid, thanks in part to Brian Gionta's recent streak (he has three goals in his past four games). But, as we saw last postseason, New Jersey will need more "O."
	7 (4)	Red Wings	43-18-6	Injuries continue to haunt the once-mighty Red Wings. The good news: Brian Rafalski and Nicklas Lidstrom are expected back within the next week. The bad news: Dan Cleary is out until the end of the month, and Chris Chelios told local reporters he's "not close."
	8 (10)	Flames	35-23-9	The Flames are 6-3-1 over their past 10 games, they're pushing for the Northwest lead ... and coach Mike Keenan actually paid one of his goalies (Miikka Kiprusoff) a compliment.
	9 (16)	Rangers	34-24-9	Our Wacky Mover of the Week! It might be too generous, but ... over their past 10 games, the Blueshirts are 7-0-3 and are the only team in the league not to drop a contest in regulation over that span heading into Wednesday's action.
	10 (11)	Wild	37-25-5	The other team in the Northwest vying for the crown, Minny needs to beat teams that have an above-.500 record.
	11 (14)	Avalanche	35-26-6	The Avalanche has won five of its past six, and Peter Forsberg is now in the lineup. He'll help make up for the absences of Ryan Smyth and Marek Svatos.
	12 (12)	Predators	34-25-8	In the middle of a six-game road trip, the Predators are 2-1-0 so far with games vs. Vancouver, Calgary and Detroit on the docket.
	13 (13)	Bruins	35-24-7	If it wasn't for that 10-2 loss to Washington ... but that game does expose a slower defense on Boston's part.
	14 (9)	Canucks	32-24-10	Four straight losses since the Feb. 26 trade deadline. Canucks fans are hoping GM Dave Nonis' failure to land a deal doesn't come back to haunt them come April.
	15 (8)	Senators	37-24-6	GM Bryan Murray is back behind the bench, but will it matter at this point?
	16 (18)	Hurricanes	34-29-5	Winners of four of their past five games, Carolina is eyeing the crown of the wacky South-least. Hey, whatever gets you into the playoffs.
	17 (15)	Coyotes	33-28-5	An up-and-down week is putting a playoff spot more out of reach.
	18 (20)	Capitals	31-28-8	A shutout for newly acquired Cristobal Huet, another 50-goal season for Alexander Ovechkin, and the Caps are eyeing the Hurricanes.
	19 (19)	Sabres	32-26-9	The Sabres stay put this week after decided losses to Montreal and Detroit, but a postseason berth is still in reach. One more tidbit for you: Ryan Miller hasn't had a night off since Feb. 1. Start working on his new deal NOW!
	20 (17)	Flyers	33-26-8	How many more injuries can this team endure?! The latest: Daniel Briere is "day-to-day" with a shoulder sprain.
	21 (24)	Blackhawks	32-28-6	Coach Denis Savard is telling his team to believe in a postseason spot. After a 7-3-0 run, the Hawks can dream; but the next three games vs. Anaheim, San Jose and Edmonton will tell us more.
	22 (21)	Islanders	32-29-7	The Islanders salvaged their week with a shootout win over the rival Rangers, but the scheduling gods will work against them over the homestretch: Seven of their next 11 games are on the road.
	23 (23)	Blue Jackets	30-28-10	After finishing up a brutal road stretch (the Jackets played eight of their past nine on the road), Columbus looks forward to coming home.
	24 (22)	Blues	29-27-10	Continuing the warped scheduling theme: Even if the Blues were remotely close to a playoff spot, their last-month schedule is rough. Their next nine games are on the road, topped off with a home-and-home vs. Detroit. Oy.
	25 (27)	Maple Leafs	29-29-10	Leafs coach Paul Maurice cited the Giants' Super Bowl win over the Pats as proof that anything can happen in sports. Um, there's dreaming, and then there's just math.
	26 (25)	Panthers	30-31-8	Note to Power Rankings self: Craig Anderson is now the go-to guy in net for the Panthers.
	27 (28)	Oilers	31-31-5	The team that just won't go away: The Oil has won four of its past five games.
	28 (26)	Thrashers	29-31-7	And the free fall continues ...
	29 (29)	Lightning	26-33-7	And the free fall continues ...
	30 (30)	Kings	26-37-5	There's no falling here, but there is something to be said for consistency.