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As we cross the midway point of the season, we’ve graded all 32 teams, doled out midseason awards and made bold predictions for the second half. For this edition of the Power Rankings, let’s identify the best addition that every team made for 2022-23 — be it player or coach — based on what has transpired thus far.
How we rank: A panel of ESPN hockey commentators, analysts, reporters and editors rates teams against one another — taking into account game results, injuries and upcoming schedule — and those results are tabulated to produce the list featured here.
Note: Previous ranking for each team refers to the most recent edition, published Jan. 6. Points percentages are through Thursday’s games.
Previous ranking: 1
Points percentage: 82.93%
Next seven days: vs. TOR (Jan. 14), vs. PHI (Jan. 16), @ NYI (Jan. 18), @ NYR (Jan. 19)
Boston might have the redemption story of this season in coach Jim Montgomery. The Jack Adams favorite and first-year Bruins’ bench boss was fired by the Stars in December 2019 for “unprofessional conduct inconsistent with the core values and beliefs of the Dallas Stars and the National Hockey League.” In January 2020, Montgomery announced that he was checking into rehab for alcohol abuse. He was hired as an assistant with the Blues ahead of the 2020 season before working his way back into a head role with the Bruins. In Boston, he’s been pushing the right buttons — and being a coach guys love to play for — while turning the B’s into a juggernaut.
Previous ranking: 3
Points percentage: 68.60%
Next seven days: @ BOS (Jan. 14), vs. FLA (Jan. 17), vs. WPG (Jan. 19)
Toronto took a chance by trading for Matt Murray. That risk is paying off. Murray has been excellent playing in tandem with another offseason addition — Ilya Samsonov — to give the Leafs a desperately needed one-two punch in net. Murray’s not without flaws, but a .919 SV% and 2.48 GAA is pretty topflight.
Previous ranking: 2
Points percentage: 70.24%
Next seven days:…
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