Power Rankings: East outweighs West in this week's Rankings

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ESPN.com

Flu bugs. Injuries. Dismal power plays. All those and more contribute to another new look this week in our latest Power Rankings.

While the world wonders exactly when Martin Brodeur will return to the lineup, the New Jersey Devils just keep on winning. Four straight victories, including two shutouts from Scott Clemmensen, and the Devils extended their stranglehold on the Atlantic Division lead.

With the Sharks battling the flu bug, the Bruins searching for some power-play goals (2-for-36 skid) and the Red Wings losing a shot to catch San Jose for the Western Conference lead, the Devils, for now, return to the top of the heap.

Two teams taking a tumble: Montreal and the New York Rangers. Yes, both squads, which boast a ton of big names, are only two points better than Florida and Buffalo.

As always, weigh in here and rank your 30 teams. Until next time, puckheads.

-- By Joy Russo; posted Feb. 16

2008-2009 Power Rankings: Week 17
	RK (PV)	TEAM	REC.	COMMENT
	1 (4)	Devils	37-17-3	Take your time, Marty. The Devils have won four straight (including victories over Boston and San Jose) and have just two losses in their past 15 contests.
	2 (2)	Capitals	36-16-5	Defenseman Mike Green makes history, and Alex Ovechkin is now issuing pregame warnings to goalies that he's going to score on them (see: Tomas Vokoun). Can't wait for the playoffs.
	3 (3)	Red Wings	37-12-8	The Red Wings have dropped two games in a row after winning six straight, failing to catch the Sharks for the Western Conference lead, at least this past week.
	4 (1)	Bruins	39-10-8	The Bruins are trying to dig out of a mini-slump (they're 0-2-2 in their past four games) and are reportedly shaking up their lines a bit. David Krejci, meanwhile, has just two goals in 14 games.
	5 (5)	Sharks	37-8-9	A nasty flu bug has ripped through the roster, likely contributing to the Sharks' losing six of their past seven games. But we should point out that only two of those losses came in regulation. (That last part is for you, LeBrun.)
	6 (9)	Flames	33-18-5	Calgary ranks third in the Western Conference despite the fact that Jarome Iginla has just two goals in his past 19 games.
	7 (6)	Blackhawks	31-15-8	There's no place like home. ... There's no place like home. ... There's no place like home.
	8 (7)	Flyers	30-16-9	Is it just us, or are the Flyers under the radar right now? When Antero Niittymaki returns (there's that flu bug again), will the goalie questions resurface?
	9 (8)	Ducks	28-25-5	Chris Pronger trade rumors are out there, but we don't think this one has anything to do with whether Mrs. Pronger likes the SoCal locale.
	10 (10)	Sabres	29-22-6	Another week, and the Sabres are still holding on to the eighth playoff spot in the East. But if Buffalo puts up more games like Sunday's contest versus Carolina, the Sabres won't stay there.
	11 (17)	Canucks	27-21-8	We may learn to regret giving the Canucks the jump this week, but they've won five of their past six games, even without Roberto Luongo looking spectacular in net.
	12 (12)	Stars	27-21-7	Why did defenseman Stephane Robidas recently describe goalie Marty Turco as "Superman"? The dude has made 26 straight starts for the Stars.
	13 (14)	Hurricanes	28-24-5	How can you not feel for Justin Williams? After major knee surgery last season and a torn Achilles tendon in the preseason, the forward is now out with a fractured bone in his hand.
	14 (11)	Canadiens	30-21-6	OK, people ... Montreal has lost eight of its past nine on the road and 10 of the past 13 overall. Plus, the Habs were outscored 19-10 in their past four games out West. Can we really blame the Carey Price-Jaroslav Halak tandem at this point?
	15 (15)	Wild	28-24-3	Marian Gaborik reportedly is skating, but does that necessarily mean he'll be trade bait again? The bigger worry for Minny: The team is about to embark on a stretch that'll see it play 14 of its next 17 games on the road. Ouch.
	16 (21)	Blue Jackets	28-23-5	Even mono can't (completely) keep Steve Mason down!
	17 (13)	Rangers	30-21-6	Sean Avery? SEAN AVERY?! You don't bring back Brendan Shanahan, but you'll consider Mr. Vogue? For the record, the Rangers are paying $23.6 million to three players (Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Wade Redden) who are an average minus-10 on the ice.
	18 (18)	Oilers	28-23-4	So, which Oilers lineup will show up this week?
	19 (22)	Panthers	28-20-8	The next week could make or break Florida's playoff chances; the Panthers face New Jersey and Chicago before a home-and-home versus Boston.
	20 (19)	Kings	24-22-8	Jonathan Quick's recent success (he's from Milford, Conn.) will give the Hartford faithful here at ESPN another reason to break out the "Brass Bonanza" file. Rats.
	21 (16)	Penguins	27-25-5	A lowly weekend for Crosby & Co. They blow a 2-0 lead and allow six unanswered goals ... against Toronto. Then, the hammer falls on coach Michel Therrien.
	22 (23)	Predators	27-26-3	The Predators are 7-3-0 since the All-Star break as they continue to push for a playoff spot in the West.
	23 (20)	Coyotes	25-27-5	Two wins in their past 11 games ... it looks as though the playoffs will have to wait for another season.
	24 (24)	Lightning	19-26-11	The Tampa Tribune had an interesting rumor last week involving Martin St. Louis and the Penguins. Think that one is more believable than the Vinny-to-Montreal scuttlebutt?
	25 (26)	Maple Leafs	21-25-10	Jason Blake and Dominic Moore are both reaping the benefits of playing together. Blake has 11 goals in his past 13 games, and Moore has 13 assists in 10 contests. Did we mention Moore used to play for the Rangers?
	26 (28)	Senators	21-25-8	The Senators put together a four-game winning streak in the past 10 days, something they haven't done the entire season. Hey, it's a start.
	27 (25)	Blues	23-25-7	Oh, where oh where will Keith Tkachuk land?
	28 (27)	Avalanche	26-30-1	We're trying to remember the last time the Colorado Avalanche were last in the Western Conference.
	29 (30)	Thrashers	20-32-5	Mathieu Schneider leaves town for Montreal. Now, all eyes will again return to Ilya Kovalchuk.
	30 (29)	Islanders	16-33-6	Yes, the Isles are winless in their past five, but we can look at the bright side, even for the team that resides in "Chateau Bow Wow." Coach Scott Gordon is giving more time to young players like Josh Bailey, Blake Comeau and Frans Nielsen, names he sees as part of the Isles' future.