NHL Team Power Rankings for the 2011-2012 Regular Season –Week 12 Part 4
Washington Capitals (19)
Washington probably gave everyone the biggest surprise after they fired their head coach, Bruce Boudreau, who kept them at the top of the Eastern Conference for the last two seasons, but looking at them now, it is easy to see why they had to do what they
did.
Despite having one of the best line-ups in terms of offensive and defensive power in the National Hockey League (NHL), Washington stands at a disappointing 11th place in the Eastern Conference, below a team like the Ottawa Senators, who have struggled
now and in the past, with 33 points.
In week 12 of the 2011-2012 NHL regular season, Washington has won only one of three contests, that too, over the rookie Winnipeg Jets team along with an embarrassing 5-1 loss against the Philadelphia Flyers and a 2-1 defeat by the Colorado Avalanche.
Washington will have to straighten up their act if they hope to get anything productive done this season as they stand at number 19 on our power rankings this time.
Buffalo Sabres (18)
Buffalo is an example of one of those teams that tried hard over the offseason to change themselves around with a totally new ownership pumping huge amounts of money into the club in order to improve in all aspects. It worked in the star but now it seems
if the Buffalo Sabres are begging to slump yet again.
In the past three matchups this week, Buffalo has lost two by the Ottawa Senators in overtime and a huge loss against the injury-riddled Pittsburgh Penguins club, 8-3. Buffalo barely managed to edge the Toronto Maple Leafs, 5-4, for their third win in December
out of a total of eight contests.
Buffalo currently stands at number seven in the Eastern Conference with a 16-13-3 record and is on the brink of falling way down in the rankings. The Sabres stand at number 18 this week.
Phoenix Coyotes (17)
Phoenix is not only struggling with management/ownership issues but also in the season as well. Just when it looked like the Coyotes were back in action with three straight wins to kick off December, Phoenix went on to lose the next four out of five contests.
Captain Shane Doan has also not been able to impress over the past few weeks and without him taking the lead and setting examples, Phoenix will continue to struggle.
Due to some good runs early in the season and some up until now, Phoenix stands at number nine in the Western Conference and can easily move up if they just try.
The Coyotes stand at number 17 this week.
Ottawa Senators (16)
Ottawa is a team that no one can clearly say anything about. At some moments, they seem as if they are going to make a run for the Stanley Cup championship this time around and at others, the Senators play so poorly as if they are a minor league team in
the majors.
They had some success in this week after facing three straight losses by winning their past two of three, including a huge 6-4 win over the ailing Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Senators certainly have the capabilities to win but using them is something they will have to do on their own.
Ottawa stands at number 10 in the Eastern Conference with 34 points, tied with the Winnipeg Jets and a record of 15-14-4. The Senators are number 16 on our rankings this time around.
To be continued in Part 5....
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
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