Wild Drop, But Remain Among Elite in This Week’s ESPN NHL Power Rankings

The Minnesota Wild have lost five in a row, and seven of their last eight -- but ESPN hasn't given up on them. They've dropped a few spots, but remain among the NHL elite in this week's ESPN Power Rankings. See where they landed as well as where the other 29 teams stack up this week.

ESPN's 2016 NHL Power Rankings: Week of March 20th

1. Chicago Blackhawks
2. Washington Capitals
3. Pittsburgh Penguins
4. Columbus Blue Jackets
5. Minnesota Wild
6. San Jose Sharks
7. New York Rangers
8. Montreal Canadiens
9. Calgary Flames
10. Ottawa Senators
11. Boston Bruins
12. Anaheim Ducks
13. Edmonton Oilers
14. St. Louis Blues
15. Nashville Predators
16. Toronto Maple Leafs
17. Tampa Bay Lightning
18. Los Angeles Kings
19. New York Islanders
    
20. Winnipeg Jets
21. Philadelphia Flyers
22. Florida Panthers
23. Carolina Hurricanes
24. Buffalo Sabres
25. Detroit Red Wings
26. Vancouver Canucks
27. Dallas Stars
28. New Jersey Devils
29. Arizona Coyotes
30. Colorado Avalanche

ESPN comments:

Forward Eric Staal has been important for the Wild both on and off the ice during his first season in Minnesota. The veteran -- who has found new life with the Wild and has 24 goals and 30 assists for 54 points in 71 games -- recently played in his 1,000th NHL game.

The biggest risers of the week are the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames, each jumping four spots. The biggest drop of the week belongs to the Nashville Predators, plunging six spots from #8 to #14.

The Wild host the San Jose Sharks tonight (3/21) at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.  

Let's Go Wild!