Helene Elliott’s NHL rankings

Through Monday’s games

Rank Team Record Comment Previous rank

1. Vancouver 47-17-9 The Canucks clinched the Northwest Division last week and have a soft schedule left. Only three of their remaining nine games are against teams in playoff positions. (1)

2. Washington 42-21-10 The Capitals have won 10 of 11, including seven of eight on the road. They’re at Philadelphia on Tuesday and trail the Flyers by two points for No. 1 in the East. (2)

3. San Jose 42-23-8 Apparent leg injury suffered by standout rookie Logan Couture (27 goals, 48 points) is worrisome for Sharks, who have won three straight. (4)

4. Detroit 43-21-9 The Red Wings are settling in for a five-game homestand starting this week — but they haven’t been dominant at the Joe this season, with a record of 19-11-5. (6)

5. Philadelphia 44-19-8 Unlike last season, the Flyers didn’t leave anything until the last minute: They clinched a playoff berth last Saturday. (7)

6. Montreal 40-26-7 P.K. Subban’s hat trick led Canadiens to an 8-1 rout of Minnesota on Sunday and put them one behind Boston for Northeast lead. Bruins have two games in hand. (9)

7. Phoenix 39-24-11 Coyotes opened a six-game homestand Sunday with a 2-1 loss to the Blackhawks on a late power-play goal, ending their five-game winning streak. (11)

8. Chicago 39-25-8 Patrick Sharp left the Hawks’ game Sunday at Phoenix with an apparent knee injury. He leads them in goals with 34. (3)

9. Kings 41-26-6 Clutch shootout victory over Calgary on Monday ended a four-game home winless streak. (8)

10. Boston 39-22-10 The Bruins have won only one of their last seven and four of their last 10. They play six of their next seven at home, but they’re only 16-12-5 at the TD Garden. (5)

11. Nashville 38-25-10 Plucky Predators enjoyed a big weekend, beating Detroit and rallying to win at Buffalo to extend their winning streak to three. (16)

12. Pittsburgh 42-23-8 Sidney Crosby (concussion) has been practicing regularly but he isn’t ready to return yet. Let’s hope he returns before Matt Cooke does. (10)

13. Ducks 40-27-5 Career-best season by Corey Perry (39 goals, 77 points) and ageless Teemu Selanne — on pace for 78 points at age 40 — keep them in the playoff hunt. (17)

14. Dallas 38-25-9 Stars play next six games against teams that are in top eight in the West but finish with four against non-contenders. (12)

15. N.Y. Rangers 39-30-4 They’ve won a season-high four straight, and six of seven. But best news for them was Henrik Lundqvist overcoming sore neck to beat Penguins on Sunday. (19)

16. Tampa Bay 39-22-11 Lightning has only two wins in its last 10 and ended a 1-0-3 trip with an overtime loss to Ottawa. Not the optimal way to prepare for the playoffs. (14)

17. New Jersey 34-34-4 The Devils’ unlikely playoff drive stalled a bit with two losses last week, but a 3-0 win at Columbus on Sunday left them seven points behind Buffalo with 10 to go. (13)

18. Calgary 37-27-11 After facing Kings on Monday, Flames have only seven games left, four against non-playoff teams. (15)

19. Buffalo 35-28-9 Sabres were stunned by Predators on Sunday, losing in overtime after leading by two with 2:30 to play. Gotta hold those leads, especially at home. (18)

20. Carolina 33-29-10 The Hurricanes have too much talent to miss the playoffs but that’s what’s in store if they can’t do better than recent 4-5-1 slump. (22)

21. Toronto 32-31-10 Goalie James Reimer has been a gem (2.59 goals-against average, .922 save percentage) while facing an average of more than 30 shots per game. (24)

22. Minnesota 35-30-8 Wild’s 8-1 loss to the Canadiens on Sunday was the worst in franchise history and extended winless streak to 0-5-1. Playoff hopes are just about quashed. (20)

23. Atlanta 30-30-12 An 8-2 loss to Buffalo on Saturday could have been a fatal blow for Thrashers’ playoff chances. (23)

24. Columbus 33-29-10 After being shut out twice in a row at home, the Blue Jackets are just about done. (21)

25. St. Louis 32-31-9 Surprising that no one has started a Blues-to-Winnipeg rumor following last week’s announcement that team and arena lease are for sale. (26)

26. Ottawa 27-36-9 A disappointing season for defenseman Sergei Gonchar might end because of the concussion he suffered Saturday. He signed a three-year, $16.5-million contract last summer. (27)

27. Florida 29-33-10 The Panthers can be spoilers during upcoming trip to face the Rangers, Blackhawks, Sabres, Penguins and Blue Jackets. (25)

28. N.Y. Islanders 28-33-12 Rick DiPietro won a shootout Saturday in his return from facial fractures he suffered in a Feb. 2 goalie fight. (28)

29. Colorado 27-36-8 Avalanche’s victory over Edmonton on Saturday was only its second in its last 22 games. Ouch. (30)

30. Edmonton 23-39-10 Edmonton Journal called Oilers-Avalanche game the Toilet Bowl. Oilers got flushed in the shootout. (29)