Chicago now sitting 7 points up on the Sharks for 1^st in the west (like I predicted).  Florida did have a comeback week but only good enough for 2^nd in the league while the Ducks did not pull away from the rest of the west (yet). 

Week 3 Power Rankings:

1. Philadelphia Flyers
2. San Jose Sharks
3. Chicago Blackhawks
4. Florida Panthers
5. Pittsburgh Penguins
6. Ottawa Senators
7. Buffalo Sabres
8. Anaheim Ducks
9. Dallas Stars
10.  Calgary Flames
11. Colorado Avalanche
12. Tampa Bay Lightning

Week 4 Power Rankings:

1.  Chicago Blackhawks (+2) 9-0
2.  Florida Panthers (+2) 6-3
3.  Pittsburgh Penguins (+2) 7-1-1
4.  Philadelphia Flyers (-3) 5-3-1
5.  San Jose Sharks (-3) 5-3-1
6.  Ottawa Senators (-) 4-5
7.  Buffalo Sabres (-) 5-4-1
8.  Anaheim Ducks (-) 3-4-2
9.  Calgary Flames (+1) 5-2-2
10.  Dallas Stars (-1) 3-5-1
11.  Colorado Avalanche (-) 1-7-1
12.  Tampa Bay Lightning (-) 1-8

Sitting pretty with a 6-point gap on 2^nd place in the league is the Chicago Blackhawks, a perfect 9-0 week 4 and 14 game win streak earns them this top spot.  After a 0-3 Monday night, the Panthers woke up and won 6 games in a row which is good enough for a 1 point lead on 2^nd in the East.  Penguins had an amazing week going 7-1-1 and are only 1 point behind the Panthers in the standings.  The Flyers cooled off a bit with a 5-3-1 week which is good enough for 4^th in PR and 3^rd in the East. 

The middle 4 stays exactly the same except for the Sharks who fell 3 spots after going 5-3-1 week 4 and losing the top spot in the west.  Ottawa, Buffalo and Anaheim stay put after yet another mediocre week for all these teams. 

The bottom 4 also stays pretty similar other than Calgary leap frogging the Stars for number 9 in the PR and 4^th place in the west.  The Flames had a great week going 5-2-2 getting 14/18 possible points.  Stars fall out of a playoff spot but are in striking distance while the Avs and Lightning are preparing for the offseason putting together only 1 win each. 

Who’s Hot

Chicago Blackhawks:

9-0 Week 4, 14 wins in a row, enough said that the Hawks are the real deal.  Another solid week should secure these guys 1^st place in the west and a president’s trophy.  Hawks on top baby!

Pittsburgh Penguins:

It is safe to say that SP should no longer sleep on the Penguins in the East.  A couple deadline moves from rookie secures this roster as clear contenders in the East and the league.  With 9 games left, if the Penguins can secure another week just like week 4, they can easily take first in the East which would be HUGE. 

Calgary Flames: 

Speaking of teams who had great trade deadline, Cuban’s squad did just that.  For the 2^nd week in a row this team goes above .500 and finally moves into the final playoff spot in the west.  With Dallas and Anaheim poised to have great weeks also, this team needs to remain hot or else they’ll be golfing come next Monday. 

Who’s Cold

Philadelphia Flyers: 

With playoffs around the corner, will the shuffling of roster for Peacekeeper’s team bite him in the butt? A down week of 5-3-1 moved these guys into 3^rd in the stacked East.  Playing Florida in round 1 would be a huge disappointment for this roster so they need to have bounce back week and retake that #1 spot or else they could easily be outed round 1. 

San Jose Sharks: 

A 0-3 Friday night pretty much threw a wrench in their hopes of 1^st place in the West however, they still have 9 more games to try and recover.  Playing the Ducks or Flames in round 1 could be the difference between a first-round exit or a deeper playoff run for this squad.  I do expect a bounce back week for Randy and the boys, look out for at least 6 wins from them. 

Bold Predictions:

1. Blackhawks secure that Presidents Trophy: I really don’t see the Hawks choking this 6-point lead, the team hasn’t lost more than 3 games in a week this season and have been playing their best hockey of the season. 
2. Panthers vs Senators, Flyers vs Penguins:  It will be an insane battle for the standings in the East. Ultimately, I think the Panthers who’ve won 6 games in a row maintain the top spot while the Battle of Pennsylvania will be probably the best 1^st round matchup in the league. 
3. Stars have a great week but miss playoffs by 1 point: I really like the way Devon retooled his team yet again at the deadline.  However, the Flames and Ducks are both hungry teams and will have great weeks as well.  I believe the difference between 3^rd and 5^th in the West will be separated by 2-3 points. 

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! I love constructive feedback and discussing things I might’ve missed, my dms are open! If you hated it, then too bad go write your own article!

Good luck week 5 SP!

Don’t forget to vote on your All-stars!

• Tammygoat Boy Wonder