Rangers are still riding high

Don't know bout y'all, but my TV set is going to be ready when the New York Rangers and Boston Bruins -- our 1-2 teams in the Power Rankings for the second straight week -- do battle on Saturday afternoon, January 21. Then let's see who's best, at least for now. In the meantime, the Blueshirts retain the top spot thanks to more solid play at home and on the road.

A DISCLAIMER (of sorts): These rankings are based not just on each team's record at the moment, but an empirically tested formula that includes a) realistic near-term future expectations; b) consensus talent level and payroll considerations and; c) whatever the Magic 8-Ball I've had since I was seven years old tells me will happen. One more thing: Rest assured, I don't have it in for your team. OK, so I once hated the Philadelphia Flyers with a passion bordering on the psychotic, but that was 30-something years ago and Dave Schultz has long since retired. I welcome your emails to the link attached to my name above, and I always respond -- even to the ones that start with "Dear Idiot."

Without further ado, your 1-30 rankings for the week ending Jan. 9:

NHL Power Rankings