2021 Prezidential NHL Power Rankings: Week 9

NHL Power Ratings

The National Hockey League enters Week 9 of the 2021 NHL season, which signifies the halfway point of the ’21 campaign, dependent on the team’s schedule. This week’s Prezidential Power Rankings offer a quick betting snippet on Prez’s top-15 teams, complete with a list of all NHL teams from No. 1 to 31.

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1. Tampa Bay Lightning
This Tampa Bay team is No. 1 in goal scoring, averaging 3.75 goals a game and No. 3 in defense, allowing teams only to score 2.27 goals per game. They are also tight in points in the league and still have a game or two in-hand against the other teams sitting atop the league.
Upcoming Schedule: At DAL (March 16)

2. Las Vegas Golden Knights
This is the 8th best O team and the #2nd best D team in the league, and although they don’t have the most points, they have 3-4 games still in hand over most. I can see Toronto and Vegas swapping spots soon.
Upcoming Schedule: vs. SJ (March 15)

3. New York Islanders
This Islander team might be the hardest team in the league to play against. They are #1 in D allowing. Only 2.1 goals per game, and regardless of how few goals they score, they always seem to score 1 more than the other team. They are also on an 8-game win streak.
Upcoming Schedule: At WSH (March 16)

4. Carolina Hurricanes
Like the Islanders, this is a tough team to play against. They are hard-hitting and fast, can hold opponents from scoring, and can score with any league team. They also boast the best PP in hockey right now.
Upcoming Schedule: At DET (March 16)

5. Toronto Maple Leafs
It’s really close between the next 4 teams, but I give the leafs the edge, as they are #3 in the offense, #7 in d, and have the 2nd best PP in the league.
Upcoming Schedule: vs. Calgary (March 19)

6. Florida Panthers
There is no reason this Panther team can’t keep moving up in this Power Poll. They are so well-balanced. I would like to see their D play better for them to enter the top 5.
Upcoming Schedule: vs. CHI (March 15)

7. Washington Capitals
I did not think this Caps team would be this good this season, but they are, and they keep winning games. They are the 4th highest-scoring team, and if they can turn their D around could be a top 5 team in this league.
Upcoming Schedule: At BUF (March 15); vs. NYI (March 16)

8. Minnesota Wild
This is a surprise team in the Top 10 and also maybe the most under-rated team in hockey. I need to see them consistently beat teams like Vegas to get any higher, but this team’s speed is incredible, and they can score with anyone.
Upcoming Schedule: vs. ARI (March 16)

9. Winnipeg Jets
The Jets might have the best goalie and the best top 6 forwards in hockey. This is a deep, well-coached team that keeps winning. They need to shore up their D to move up in this ranking.
Upcoming Schedule: vs. MTL (March 15)

10. Boston Bruins
It will be interesting to see where this team ends up at the end of the year as they still have one of the best top lines in hockey and the 4th best D. I need more consistency out of them.
Upcoming Schedule : At PIT (March 15, 16)

11. Colorado Avalanche
The Avs should be much higher in this poll and might be by the end of the year. Their issue is they don’t have any depth upfront and come and go with their top line. They have also been wildly inconsistent.
Upcoming Schedule: vs. ANA (March 16)

12. Edmonton Oilers
Best line in hockey, period, with the best player in hockey and an excellent coach. If they can find depth in their scoring, this Edmonton team can beat any team in the league.
Upcoming Schedule: At CGY (March 15)

13. Pittsburgh Penguins
This Pens team has surprised me as they keep winning and have played great against Wash and the NYI. I actually think they might be a selling team moving forward.
Upcoming Schedule: vs. BOS (March 15, 16)

14. St. Louis Blues
This Blues team has confused me as they win when I expect them to lose and visa-versa. They are a middle-tier team in goal scoring and, strangely, a bottom-feeding team on D., But they have had many injuries this year, and I expect them to move up the ranking.
Upcoming Schedule: At LA (March 15)

15. Philadelphia Flyers
The Flyers should be a top-5 team when it is said and done. They are deep at forward and have an outstanding goalie. They are in the bottom 10 in D right now, and this is what they need to fix moving forward.
Upcoming Schedule: At NYR (March 15)

Here are 2 free #NHL bets for tonight’s games and also I am on a 10-1 NHL run and have 2 bets for tonight including a big 5% main event. Thx for all the amazing support and it’s $9 mondays. Get my plays at https://t.co/DxsrPG1SgG ⁦@WagerTalk⁩ pic.twitter.com/FXSudigPXb

— Lawrence Prezman (@PrezWagerTalk) March 15, 2021

16. Vancouver Canucks
Upcoming Schedule: At OTT (March 15)

17. Montreal Canadiens
Upcoming Schedule: At WPG (March 15)

18. Arizona Coyotes
Upcoming Schedule: At MIN (March 16)

19. Columbus Blue Jackets
Upcoming Schedule: At Carolina (March 18)

20. Calgary Flames
Upcoming Schedule: vs. EDM (March 15)

21. Dallas Stars
Upcoming Schedule : At TB (March 16)

22. Chicago Blackhawks
Upcoming Schedule: At FLA (March 15)

23. Los Angeles Kings
Upcoming Schedule: vs. STL (March 15)

24. New York Rangers
Upcoming Schedule: vs. PHI (March 15)

25. Nashville Predators
Upcoming Schedule: At TB (March 15)

26. San Jose Sharks
Upcoming Schedule: At VGS (March 15)

27. New Jersey Devils
Upcoming Schedule: vs. BUF (March 16)

28. Anaheim Ducks
Upcoming Schedule: At COL (March 16)

29. Ottawa Senators
Upcoming Schedule: vs. VAN (March 15)

30. Detroit Red Wings
Upcoming Schedule: vs. CAR (March 16)

31. Buffalo Sabres
Upcoming Schedule: vs. WSH (March 15); At NJ (March 16)

Puck Time

Tune into Puck Time on WagerTalk TV Monday through Friday during the regular season for free NHL picks and predictions. Andrew McInnis, Carmine Bianco and a rotating panel of expert hockey handicappers go over the NHL card from a betting perspective and handicap the action on the ice.

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