Penguins hang on, but Blue Jackets take a brutal plunge

Biggest climb: Vancouver Canucks (11 from 20)

Biggest drop: Columbus Blue Jackets (19 from 5)

A reminder: these rankings are based on many factors, but none are based in science. They're heavily influenced by recent play, taking into account expectations versus achievement, quality of opponents, injuries, streaks, lucky bounces, bad breaks, and my uncannily intuitive gut calls on how each team stacks up against the rest of the Original 30. Please note that I, unlike most referees, do not have it in for your team. Also, stats and records are through Sunday, so Monday night's action isn't part of the equation.

Want to send me a comment about the rankings? Scroll to the bottom of this page for my Mailbag. I read 'em all and if you're halfway civil -- or at least clever in your skewering of my decisions -- I'll try to get back to you.

NHL Power Rankings