Atlantic Division Power Ranking: Buffalo Sabres break even in Week 20

The Buffalo Sabres looked as though they could plummet in the power rankings, but a big win over Tampa on Saturday redeemed them.

The Buffalo Sabres had a rough week, losing in embarrassing fashion to the Columbus Blue Jackets and the NHL’s leading Boston Bruins. But once again, they clashed with Tampa and emerged as the winner.

This kept the Sabres from freefalling this week, as they have done a couple of times in these rankings. But while the Blue and Gold held their spot, there was a lot of movement in the rest of the Atlantic. Check it out below.

8 – Detroit Red Wings/28-26-9 (65 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 5

Talk about getting really bad at the wrong time, the Detroit Red Wings have dropped six straight. And while they aren’t the worst overall in the Atlantic, the fact opponents have outscored them 27-9 over that six-game stretch has landed them firmly in the basement.

7 – Montreal Canadiens/26-33-4 (56 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 8

Like Detroit, the Montreal Canadiens are also struggling, having dropped three straight. The upside? At least they lost all three games by one goal, and somewhat recently, they’ve even scored some blowout wins on the road.

6 – Florida Panthers/31-27-6 (68 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 7

The Panthers have still seen their struggles, but this team has also scored big wins over the likes of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning. If they can string together a couple of W’s in a row, Florida could make a late-season push.

5 – Tampa Bay Lightning/37-21-5 (79 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 3

When you lose five straight, you’re going to freefall, and that’s exactly what the Tampa Bay Lightning did. One of those losses came against your Buffalo Sabres, and during the streak, Buffalo and the rest of Tampa’s opponents outscored them 27-11.

4 – Buffalo Sabres/32-25-4 (68 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 4

The Buffalo Sabres would have dropped had they not beaten Tampa. With a gauntlet looming this week though, they need to learn how to play smart, consistent hockey for every minute of every game. Win, and they just may move up.

3 – Ottawa Senators/32-26-4 (68 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 6

The Ottawa Senators are your biggest movers this week, jumping from sixth to third. They’ve won five straight, and have outscored opponents 27-10 in that stretch. If Ottawa keeps this up, then Buffalo is in trouble.

2 – Toronto Maple Leafs/38-17-8 (84 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 2

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been inconsistent toiling through three-goal losses to the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers, with a 2-1 win over the Calgary Flames sandwiched in there. As it stands, they did just enough to hold onto the #2 spot.

1 – Boston Bruins/49-8-5 (103 points)

Last Week’s Ranking: 1

There is literally nothing to say here, except that the Boston Bruins are like that team you stack in EA’s NHL Hockey during Franchise Mode with the salary cap turned off. Except in the real world, salary caps exist and fantasy drafts don’t. Yet somehow, they have 103 points and could wind up as the best one-year regular season team in league history.

Overall, the Buffalo Sabres didn’t do enough to move up this week. But they also did just enough to hold onto the #4 spot. Losing to the Blue Jackets didn’t help, and right now, no one’s beating Boston, so they got a reprieve there. If they can score a few upsets in this week’s gauntlet, they may pass Ottawa.

(Information provided by ESPN.com)