Helene Elliott’s NHL rankings

Through Monday’s games

Rank; Team; Record; (last week’s ranking)

1. Detroit; 13-3-2; Red Wings were 5-0-1 on their longest homestand of the season and showcased their depth. (2)

2. Philadelphia; 14-6-2; Brian Boucher emerges from shadow of rookie sensation Sergei Bobrovsky to win two straight. (3)

3. Kings; 13-7-0; Power play continues to lag and they’re losing leads with frightening frequency. They may need help, and soon. (1)

4. Washington; 14-6-2; Capitals are 6-2-2 in their last 10 but are losing some games they shouldn’t. (5)

5. Montreal; 13-7-1; Goalie Carey Price has three shutouts in seven starts. With four this season, he matched his total for his first three seasons. (6)

6. Columbus; 13-6-0; Blue Jackets complete California sweep, then come home and extend win streak to four. (16)

7. Boston; 11-6-2; Marc Savard (concussion) progressing well and could resume contact soon. (9)

8. Colorado; 12-7-1; Avalanche has won four straight. Fans seem skeptical, though, with crowds barely exceeding 12,000. (21)

9. Phoenix; 10-5-5; Coyotes have won six straight. Captain Shane Doan has returned from a lower-body injury. (17)

10. St. Louis; 11-5-3; Blues are 8-0-1 at home and 7-0 against the East. Home turnaround is especially crucial. (7)

11. Pittsburgh; 12-8-2; Sidney Crosby conquers recurring hip/groin soreness to record points in nine straight games. (11)

12. Tampa Bay; 12-7-2; Steven Stamkos scores league-leading 20th goal as Lightning defeats the Bruins. (18)

13. Vancouver 10-7-3 Canucks Coach Alain Vigneault whines that Blackhawks ran up score in 7-1 rout Saturday. Awww. (4)

14. Chicago; 11-10-2; Blackhawks were hammered in Calgary then return the favor at Vancouver. (12)

15. N.Y. Rangers; 12-9-1; Showed character to rout the Wild after being routed by the Avalanche in previous game. (13)

16. Minnesota; 10-7-2; Marian Gaborik comes back to town with the Rangers to haunt his old team. (14)

17. San Jose; 9-6-4; Sharks blow leads in Colorado and Dallas and return home to be shut out by Blue Jackets. Something is still missing there. (10)

18. Nashville; 9-7-3; Predators have had three shutout wins in their last six games, and four wins in six overall. 19)

19. Dallas; 10-8-1; Trip to Toronto revives rumors that Stars will trade Brad Richards before he becomes a free agent. (20)

20. Ottawa; 10-10-1; Senators, still reeling after death of daughter of assistant coach Luke Richardson, end three-game losing streak by rallying to beat the Kings. (8)

21. Ducks; 10-10-3; Winless in five after a six-game winning streak. (15)

22. Atlanta; 9-9-3; Goaltender Ondrej Pavelec has given up three goals in his last three games. (24)

23. Florida; 9-10-0; Panthers briefly saw the .500 mark, but it didn’t last. (23)

24. Buffalo; 8-11-3; Sabres waiting for Jason Pominville (one goal) to get going. (25)

25. Carolina; 9-9-2; Hurricanes have lost their last two games, both in shootouts. (22)

26. Toronto; 8-9-3; Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere on the sidelines because of an injured groin muscle. (28)

27. Calgary; 8-11-1; Flames have won only two of their last 11. Jarome Iginla, assured he won’t be traded, awakens from slump to score six goals in three games. (26)

28. New Jersey; 6-13-2; Devils wake up to surprise the Capitals and score five goals — none by Ilya Kovalchuk. (29)

29. Edmonton; 5-10-4; Oilers’ leading scorer is defenseman Ryan Whitney, who has no goals and 17 assists. He has resurrected his career somewhat. (27)

30. N.Y. Islanders; 4-12-4; Winless in 13 and classless in revoking the credential of blogger Chris Botta for legitimate and reasoned criticism. (30)

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