Week 17 Power Poll

One of the best things about sports is when your favorite team plays a team you just can't stand.

It may be a division rival, a conference foe you just can't beat in the playoffs or a team whose players and personnel just manage to rub you the wrong way. No matter who it is or what the circumstances are you want to beat that team and you want to beat them bad.

That was the case for my favorite NHL team as the Detroit Red Wings hosted the Philadelphia Flyers last night in the Motor City.

While these two teams aren't traditional rivals they are constantly in the mix for the Stanley Cup each season and they do share a bit of playoff history as Detroit swept Philadelphia in 1997 to win their first Stanley Cup in 42 years.

But last night's contest took on another historical meaning as the Red Wings were trying to tie the NHL record for consecutive home wins, going for their 20th straight win at Joe Louis Arena.

It was a back and forth contest for the entire game before Detroit took the lead for good on a Johan Franzen tip-in.

 

With the win Detroit ties the record for most home victories that is currently shared by the 1929-30 Boston Bruins & the 1975-76 Philadelphia Flyers. They can set a new record with a win over Dallas on Tuesday night. 

With the way they have been playing you have to like the Red Wings chances to set the record. And if they don't, at least they beat Philadelphia.

Here is the Power Poll for Week 17: 

1.    Detroit                 38-17-2     78 points 
Anytime the Red Wings beat the Flyers they are deserving of the top ranking in the Power Poll.

2.    N.Y. Rangers            36-13-5     77 points 
Nice weekend for the Rangers as they win three games in four days.

3.    Boston                  34-17-2     70 points 
Eastern Conference showdown looming with the Rangers on Tuesday night.

4.    Vancouver               34-15-6     74 points
After watching him on Thursday night it looks like the ankle injury isn't bothering Henrik Sedin.

5.    St. Louis                 34-14-7     75 points 
The return of Andy McDonald from a concussion should make a good Blues team even better.

6.    Pittsburgh                32-19-5     69 points 
Evgeni Malkin has scored a goal in eight straight games for the Penguins. Named 2nd star of the week.

7.    Nashville                 32-18-6     70 points 
Predators have allowed 17 goals in it's last 5 games.

8.    Philadelphia              31-18-7     69 points 
Flyers have only won once in Detroit since 1988.

9.    New Jersey            31-20-4     66 points 
Good news for the Devils as Travis Zajac may resume skating within the next week.

10.    San Jose                30-17-6     66 points 
Congrats to Owen Nolan on a wonderful NHL career.

11.    Chicago                   29-20-7     65 points 
3-0 loss to Phoenix on Saturday was the 6th time this season the Blackhawks have been shut out.

12.    Washington               28-22-5     61 points 
One reason for the Capitals struggles, they have won seven of their last twenty-five road games. (7-15-3)

13.    Toronto                   28-22-6     62 points 
With the Maple Leafs honoring Mats Sundin last Saturday here is what I think of when I hear his name.

14.    Ottawa                    28-22-8     64 points 
Chris Phillips played in his 1,000 NHL on Thursday and scored two goals in the process.

15.    Dallas                    28-24-3     59 points 
Alex Goligoski has points in each of his last three games, and seven of the last nine.

16.    Colorado                  28-25-4     60 points 
The Avalanche lead the NHL with 18 one goal wins on the season.

17.    Los Angeles               27-19-11     65 points 
Congrats to Dwight King & Jordan Nolan on their first NHL goals both of which help the Kings with a big victory over Dallas on Saturday.

18.    Florida                 27-17-11     65 points 
Panthers have won three straight since being shut out by Washington last Tuesday.

19.    Phoenix                   27-21-8     62 points 
Mike Smith (4-0, 0.74 GAA & .975 save percentage) named 1st star of the week.

20.    Winnipeg                  26-25-6     58 points 
Anyone who says there is no scoring in the NHL didn't see Winnipeg's game against Pittsburgh on Saturday.

21.    Calgary                   26-22-8     60 points 
Congrats to Miikka Kiprusoff on win number 300 in net.

22.    Minnesota                 25-22-8     58 points 
The Wild has only won five games in the last two months. That will cause any team to fall fast. 

23.    Tampa Bay                24-25-6     54 points
Lightning ahead of Sabres due to victory over Buffalo Saturday night.

24.    Buffalo                   24-25-6     54 points 
See above.

25.    Montreal                  23-24-9     55 points 
Canadiens have won four in a row and think they have a chance in the East. Win all three games this week and we'll see where you stand.

26.    N.Y. Islanders        23-24-8     54 points 
Islanders have alternated wins and losses over the last eight games. It's hard to make up ground when you keep doing that.

27.    Anaheim                   22-24-9     53 points 
Ducks are 5-1-2 on the road since dropping their previous 13 contests away from Honda Center.

28.    Edmonton                  22-28-5     49 points 
Oilers sign Andy Sutton to a one year extension thus taking him off the trade market.

29.    Carolina                  20-25-11     51 points 
This could be the week whether we find out if Tuomo Ruutu stays or leaves Raleigh.

30.    Columbus                  16-34-6     38 points
And to the surprise of no one the Blue Jackets are the first team eliminated from post-season contention with loss to Anaheim on Sunday night.