Updated NHL Betting Power Rankings

The midpoint of the 2015-16 NHL betting season is arriving swiftly. Let’s take a look at how the 30 teams in the league stack up with one another. Dallas and Washington are battling atop the rankings, but there are some big shifts coming further down the ranks as well.

Updated NHL Betting Power Rankings

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# 30 Columbus Blue Jackets (13-22-3)

The Jackets did win a pair but then dropped three in a row, including a 3-2 decision to the Florida Panthers.

# 29 Winnipeg Jets (16-17-2)

Connor Hellebuyck is a new bright spot for the Jets, shutting out the Penguins 1-0 Sunday with a 30-save shutout. However, the Jets are still in the basement in the Central.

# 28 Edmonton Oilers (15-19-3)

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins tallied two assists against Calgary to stop a four-game pointless streak. However, the Oilers still followed up a six-game winning with a 1-4-1 slide in the next six.

# 27 Anaheim Ducks (13-15-6)

The Ducks went into the Christmas break losing two in a row and had a 1-2-1 road trip with just six goals.

# 26 Toronto Maple Leafs (13-14-7)

The Maple Leafs are 5-1-2 in their last eight, showing that Michael Babcock’s tutelage is paying off. Michael Grabner tallied his 100th career goal in the streak.

# 25 Vancouver Canucks (14-14-9)

Vancouver has points in four straight games, including an overtime win over Edmonton coming out of the Christmas break.

# 24 Pittsburgh Penguins (17-15-3)

Sidney Crosby is finally back from his lower-body injury and has a goal and four helpers in the last three games.

# 23 Buffalo Sabres (15-16-4)

Saturday saw the Sabres roar back with five goals in the third period to beat the Bruins 6-3. Jack Eichel continues a hot rookie season with two goals and two helpers in that dramatic win.

# 22 Arizona Coyotes (17-15-3)

The Coyotes are 4-1-2 in their last seven contests and have climbed up into third place in the Pacific Division.

# 21 Montreal Canadiens (20-14-3)

Not only did the Habs lose Carey Price, but their offense has disappeared too. They have six goals in the last six contests and are 1-10-0 in their last eleven games.

# 20 San Jose Sharks (17-15-2)

The Sharks are only six points behind the L.A. Kings in the Pacific Division, thanks in part to Joe Pavelski’s team-leading 18 goals.

# 19 New Jersey Devils (17-14-5)

The Devils are playing well but inconsistently. They don’t have consecutive wins since November 12 and 14.

# 18 Nashville Predators (17-2-6)

The blue line pairing of Roman Josi and Shea Weber has given the team 27 points in December.

# 17 Philadelphia Flyers (15-13-7)

The Flyers went 16 days without regulation losses, from the 11th to the 27th of December.

# 16 New York Islanders (19-12-5)

The Isles had gone on an 8-0-2 streak — but then dropped four out of five.

# 15 Colorado Avalanche (17-17-2)

Jarome Iginla is on the verge of becoming the NHL’s 19th player to score 600 goals, having talled #599 on Sunday. However, the Avalanche have lost two in a row after a five-game win streak.

# 14 Calgary Flames (17-16-2)

Johnny Gaudreau tallied his second December hat trick in a 4-1 win over Winnipeg Tuesday. He has six points in three games.

# 13 New York Rangers (20-12-4)

Before the Christmas break, the Rangers had only won four of 15. However, they beat the Ducks in overtime on Tuesday, which could propel them nicely.

# 12 Boston Bruins (19-12-4)

The B’s have now dropped three straight after getting near the top of the power rankings.

# 11 Minnesota Wild (18-10-6)

Darcy Kuemper is 3-0-2 in his last five starts between the pipes for Minnesota, permitting only five goals in those games.

# 10 Carolina Hurricanes (15-16-5)

In their last 11 games, Carolina is 7-3-1. Justin Faulk is #2 in the NHL with 14 goals on the season.

# 9 Ottawa Senators (18-12-6)

Craig Anderson stood on his head to make 38 saves against Boston on Sunday night. He is 3-0-1 in his last four starts, making 141 saves on 148 shots during that stretch.

# 8 Tampa Bay Lightning (18-15-3)

In their last six games, the Lightning are 4-2-0, and they routed the Blue Jackets 5-2 on Saturday.

# 7 Detroit Red Wings (18-10-7)

In December, the Wings are 6-2-3, and they have gained 10 points in the Atlantic Division just in this month.

# 6 Florida Panthers (20-12-4)

The Panthers sit in first place in the Atlantic after a six-game winning streak, their best since 2008.

# 5 Chicago Blackhawks (20-13-4)

The Blackhawks still are looking for consistency, falling 2-1 at home on Sunday to the Carolina Hurricanes.

# 4 Los Angeles Kings (21-11-2)

In their last 14 games, the Kings have gone 9-3-2. Anze Kopitar has 10 goals on the season — three of them overtime game-winners.

# 3 St. Louis Blues (22-12-4)

Vladimir Tarasenko has points in eight straight games (six goals and six assists). On the season, he has 39 points in 36 games.

# 2 Washington Capitals (26-6-2)

A seven winning streak has the Capitals humming atop the East. Braden Holtby leads the NHL with 22 victories and a 1.92 GAA.

# 1 Dallas Stars (27-7-3)

Jamie Benn leads the NHL with 23 goals and has 49 points. The Stars have gone 4-0-1 in their last five contests.