Week 24 Power Poll

Before we get to this week's Power Poll The field for the NCAA Frozen Four in St. Paul was set this weekend.

Minnesota Duluth clinched the 1st Frozen Four berth on Saturday defeating the top overall seed in the tournament, Yale by a score of 5-3. It is the 1st Frozen Four berth for the Bulldogs since 2004 & the fourth in school history. Being only 151 miles away from home I'm guessing that UMD will have a great fan following in St. Paul as they try to win their first NCAA Championship.

The 2nd team to punch their ticket to St. Paul were the Michigan Wolverines thanks to a 2-1 over Colorado College. It is the 22nd all-time appearance for the Wolverines & their 1st appearance since 2008. Michigan is looking to win their 10th National Championship, 1st since 1998.

Standing in their way is the Fighting Sioux of North Dakota who defeated Denver 6-1 in Green Bay on Sunday. With Yale eliminated the Sioux are the overwhelming favorite to win their first title since 2000 when they defeated Boston College. Duluth may be closer but I'm guessing there will be more North Dakota fans in attendance than any other team as they look to win their 8th NCAA title.

The final team to reach the Frozen Four is Notre Dame after beating New Hampshire 2-1. It is the 2nd Frozen Four appearance for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame's last trip to the Frozen four was back in 2008 when they lost in the championship game to Boston College 4-1.

The Frozen Four begins on April 7th with Notre Dame playing Minnesota-Duluth followed by Michigan & North Dakota with the Championship game taking place on April 9th. While Gophers fans cringe over the thought of North Dakota & Minnesota Duluth playing for the national championship all they need to do is think back to what happened nine years ago when the Frozen Four was last held in St. Paul.

Here is the Power Poll for Week 24: 

1. Vancouver             50 17  9 109 Points
Another key injury: Canucks lose defenseman Dan Hamhuis with a concussion.

2. Philadelphia        45 20 10 100 Points
Flyers battle the Penguins tonight with 1st place at stake in the Atlantic Division. 

3. Washington        44 22 10  98 Points
4-2 record on six game road trip clinches 4th straight playoff berth for the Capitals.
 
4. Pittsburgh              45 23  8  98 Points
Crosby still skating, closer to returning to Penguins. 

5. Detroit                44 22  10  98 Points
I have a bad feeling about this team come playoff time. 

6. San Jose              44 23  9  97 Points
Win over Phoenix on Saturday gives Sharks control of Pacific Division at this moment. 

7. Boston            42 23 10  94 Points
Marc Savard suffering from memory loss due to concussions. Not good. 

8. Phoenix                41 25 11  93 Points
Will have two more cracks at the Sharks to win Pacific Division. 

9. Los Angeles           43 26  6  92 Points
Anze Kopitar out for the season with a broken ankle. Huge loss for the Kings & their post-season chances. 

10. Nashville               41 25 10  92 Points
I feel sorry for the team that draws them in the 1st round. 

11. Tampa Bay       40 24 11  91 Points
Ended 4 game winless streak with win over Carolina on Saturday but still may be too late to win Southeast Division. 

12. Anaheim              43 28  5  91 Points
Corey Perry leads the NHL with 44 goals, entering the discussion for the Hart Trophy. 

13. Chicago               41 26  8  90 Points
Game winning goal by Marian Hossa 1st goal against Detroit since 1/15/08. 

14. Montreal              40 29  7  87 Points
Habs haven't scored a goal in three games since scoring eight against Minnesota. 

15. N.Y. Rangers       41 30  5  87 Points
Henrik Lundqvist allows one goal in last three games. Named 3rd star of the week.
 
16. Calgary                38 28 11  87 Points
Plays Anaheim on Wednesday in a game that may determine their playoff chances. 

17. Dallas                  38 26 10  86 Points
Stars are still optimistic about playoff chances despite currently being on the outside looking in. 

18. Buffalo                  38 28  9  85 Points
Ryan Miller 4-0-1 in his last five starts with a pair of shutouts. 

19. Carolina               35 30 10  80 Points
Hurricanes looking to beat Capitals for the 1st time this season (0-5) 

20. Toronto               34 32 10  78 Points
Need to beat Buffalo tonight to keep their playoff chances alive. 

21. Minnesota            35 32  8  78 Points
I like Todd Richards but I have my doubts whether he survives the season. 

22. St. Louis               34 32  9  77 Points
Outshot the Wild 47-16 in 6-3 win Saturday night. 

23. Columbus             33 31 11  77 Points
R.J. Umberger has three goals in his last three games for the Blue Jackets. 

24. Atlanta                 32 31 12  76 Points
5 game road trip for the Thrashers should be the final nail in the coffin for their playoff hope. 

25. New Jersey          34 36  5  73 Points
Nice charge to get back in the playoff race but it looks like they will miss for the 1st time since 1996. 

26. N.Y. Islanders       29 35 12  70 Points
Take away their poor start to the season & the Islanders have player pretty well. 

27. Florida                 29 36 11  69 Points


28. Ottawa                  29 37 10  68 Points
Daniel Alfredsson close to returning from a lower back ailment. 

29. Colorado               28 39  8  64 Points
Joe Sakic joining the front office a bright spot in a dim season for the Avalanche.

30. Edmonton            23 41 11  57 Points
Right now the favorite to have the 1st pick overall.