Super 16: Golden Knights continue to climb rankings; Bruins still No. 1

The Vegas Golden Knights keep climbing in the NHL.com Super 16 rankings.

Vegas is No. 4 this week, one spot up from last week and four from two weeks ago. The Golden Knights have won four consecutive games and seven of eight.
The New York Rangers, 4-0-1 in their past five, are back in the top eight, No. 7 this week after falling to No. 10 last week.
The Tampa Bay Lightning fell the furthest, down four spots to No. 10.
All 16 teams ranked this week are currently in position to be in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, which will begin April 17. As they fight for position, some for first place and others for wild card spots, the one thing they're all worried about is injuries.

The Carolina Hurricanes, No. 2, felt the sting of the injury bug this week with forward Andrei Svechnikov out for the rest of the regular season and playoffs because he needs surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.
The Colorado Avalanche, No. 11, also felt it with the injury to forward Artturi Lehkonen, who's out at least 4-6 weeks following surgery for a broken finger.
Each is a major blow to teams that believe they can contend for the Stanley Cup. The theme for the Super 16 this week is the one under-the-radar player each ranked team can ill afford to lose down the stretch of the regular season or in the playoffs.
It's obvious the Edmonton Oilers would be crushed if they lost captain Connor McDavid and the Pittsburgh Penguins would feel the same effect if they lost their captain, Sidney Crosby, but there are so many players who aren't of the superstar variety that if they were to be out of the lineup their respective teams would be in quite the pickle.
That's what each of the 13 participating staff members who contribute to the Super 16 touched on this week.
As a reminder, to come up with the Super 16 each week, the 13 voters put together their own version of what they think the rankings should look like. A point total assigned to each with the team selected first is given 16 points, second 15, third 14, and so on down the line.
Here it is:

1. Boston Bruins (51-11-5)

Total points: 208Last week: No. 1
"The Bruins have struggled with losing defensemen over the past couple of seasons, losses that have led to earlier-than-expected playoff exits. Last season, it was Hampus Lindholm and Charlie McAvoy, who each missed time in a seven-game loss to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference First Round. So, for under the radar, I'm going again with Lindholm. The defenseman has been a revelation this season, making the front office look smart for the trade that brought him to Boston before the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline and even smarter for signing him to an eight-year contract. Lindholm dealt with a foot injury over the weekend but returned with a goal and an assist Tuesday. He has 44 points (nine goals, 35 assists) this season and is crucial for the Bruins' chances." -- Amalie Benjamin, staff writer

2. Carolina Hurricanes (44-15-8)

Total points: 188Last week: No. 2
"The Hurricanes have already lost two important forwards to injuries with Svechnikov (torn ACL) and Max Pacioretty (torn Achilles) out for the season, so another injury would be devastating. But as far as under-the-radar forwards, Seth Jarvis has become a key for Carolina and will be even more important after the news this week about Svechnikov. In his second NHL season, the 21-year-old is fifth on the Hurricanes with 33 points (13 goals, 20 assists) in 67 games. Jarvis had eight points (three goals, five assists) in 14 playoff games last season and will likely play a bigger role this postseason." -- Tom Gulitti, staff writer

3. New Jersey Devils (44-17-7)

Total points: 181Last week: No. 4
"The Devils cannot afford to lose any one of the critical pieces on defense. One such player who probably isn't given enough credit and would create a huge hole if unable to play down the stretch is the steady influence of Jonas Siegenthaler. The 25-year-old has already set NHL career highs in goals (three), assists (15), points (18) and plus-minus (plus-28), but he does more than that. Siegenthaler is usually paired with Dougie Hamilton, who is having a career season himself (NHL career highs of 46 assists, 64 points and 26 power-play points), but it's the former who's usually the one doing the work in his own end while allowing Hamilton to create offense off the transition. Siegenthaler ranks third on the Devils in average ice time (20:28), first in blocked shots (127) and fourth in hits (87). He's played 157:22 short-handed, most on New Jersey, and is usually the player coach Lindy Ruff has on the ice against the opposing teams' top offensive units." -- Mike G. Morreale, staff writer

4. Vegas Golden Knights (42-21-6)

Total points: 163Last week: No. 5
"If healthy, Alec Martinez is a key, underappreciated piece for the Golden Knights. The veteran defenseman won the Stanley Cup twice with the Los Angeles Kings (2012, 2014). He leads the NHL in blocked shots with 208, 35 more than Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba. He averages 1:36 of ice time on the penalty kill, third on the Golden Knights. But unfortunately, that style takes a toll, and he has a history of injuries. What makes him valuable also creates a risk that Vegas could lose him from the lineup." -- Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist

5. Toronto Maple Leafs (41-18-9)

Total points: 161Last week: No. 3
"The Maple Leafs seem to be in a comfortable position when it comes to securing a playoff berth and I'm not sure an injury to any one player would change that. But the one they need to be ready by that time is Ryan O'Reilly who, ironically, is out with a hand injury after being hit by an Auston Matthews shot in the second period of a 4-1 loss at the Vancouver Canucks on March 4. Kyle Dubas delivered the good news at the NHL general managers meetings Tuesday that the center would be back prior to the postseason. The Maple Leafs need him. Not only does he have five points (three goals, two assists) in eight games since being acquired in a trade with the St. Louis Blues, he brings the type of playoff pedigree Toronto has been lacking, a resume that includes a 2019 Stanley Cup championship and Conn Smythe Trophy voted as most valuable player of the postseason. It's a testament to how he creates space on the ice in the playoffs, when there is very little out there." -- Mike Zeisberger, staff writer

6. Dallas Stars (37-19-13)

Total points: 127Last week: No. 8
"The Stars have gotten the expected scoring from forward Jason Robertson, who leads them with 85 points (39 goals, 46 assists), and a rebound season from captain Jamie Benn, who's second with 65 points (29 goals, 36 assists). But the unsung player they can't afford to lose, in my opinion, is Roope Hintz. Speedy and talented, the center is third on Dallas with 62 points (32 goals, 30 assists), leads them with three short-handed goals and is second with four game-winning goals behind Robertson's five. He may not garner the attention that Robertson, Benn, center Tyler Seguin or forward Joe Pavelski do, but Hintz can do a little bit of everything. That's the player you love to have in the postseason." -- Tracey Myers, staff writer

7. New York Rangers (39-19-10)

Total points: 118Last week: No. 10
"Trouba is Rangers captain and an all-situations defenseman. Most important is the defenseman's presence on the ice as the one player who keeps the opposition honest. He's one of the premier hitters in the NHL and opponents know they better not skate through the middle of the ice with their head down when he's out there. That presence becomes an even bigger factor in the playoffs. Trouba's hit on Crosby in the first round last season changed that series. Trouba is also the Rangers' emotional leader and a major presence on their power play with his big shot from the point and penalty kill. He plays 5-on-5 with K'Andre Miller, and they serve as New York's shutdown pair. Losing Trouba would be a massive blow." -- Dan Rosen, senior writer

#

8. Los Angeles Kings (40-20-9)

Total points: 109Last week: No. 7
"With nine forwards reaching double-digit goals, the Kings are a versatile, well-balanced team. Sure, forward Kevin Fiala (68 points; 22 goals, 46 assists) and center Anze Kopitar (63 points; 26 goals, 37 assists) are the two biggest offensive stars. But to me, Adrian Kempe is the one whose playoff absence would be as equally devastating. Following his 35-goal breakout season of 2021-22, the 26-year-old forward looks determined to set new NHL career highs. He leads Los Angeles in even-strength goals (21), power-play goals (nine), short-handed goals (two), total goals (32), shots (208), and is second in plus-minus (plus-17). Thankfully, Kempe has not missed a game this season." -- Paul Strizhevsky, staff writer

9. Minnesota Wild (39-21-8)

Total points: 108Last week: No. 11
"If you don't watch the Wild regularly, you likely have no idea how integral defenseman Jared Spurgeon is to their success. The captain plays big minutes in all situations and is the bedrock of an underrated defensive core for the Wild, who are still in contention for the Central Division title. Spurgeon plays more than 21 minutes a game and sees extensive time on a penalty kill that is in the top-third of the NHL. He also sees time on the power play, but his true value comes during 5-on-5 play, where he can contribute offensively, but is also an elite shutdown defenseman, ranking fourth at the position with a plus-31 rating. There is an argument to be made that it would be harder to replace Spurgeon and his role that it has been to replace that of leading scorer Kirill Kaprizov (74 points; 39 goals, 35 assists), a forward out since March 8." -- Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial

10. Tampa Bay Lightning (41-22-6)

Total points: 107Last week: No. 6
"To me, the answer has been Anthony Cirelli for a while. Though the center doesn't get the offensive numbers like some of his teammates -- he has 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 46 games -- in the playoffs and the run-up to the playoffs his signature defense that helps Tampa Bay contain offensively-minded teams. He has come up big in the postseason, smothering opponents and ending up on the postgame podium as a crucial player. The assumption is that the big names will put up the numbers, but as much as the Lightning need center Steven Stamkos, forward Nikita Kucherov and defenseman Victor Hedman, they need Cirelli." -- Benjamin

11. Colorado Avalanche (39-22-6)

Total points: 90Last week: No. 9
"Colorado has been ravaged with injuries all season. Among them, forward
Gabriel Landeskog
has yet to play, center Darren Helm has been limited to two games and defenseman Cale Makar also missed time. Now, forward Artturi Lehkonen will be out 4-6 weeks with a broken finger. Lehkonen isn't among the stars but has set NHL career highs in goals (20), assists (29) and points (49) and does it all for Colorado. 'He's an all-situation guy, power play, penalty kill, 5-on-5, he's playing on our top line or top two lines every night,' coach Jared Bednar said Tuesday. 'When it comes to the competitiveness and the passion he plays with, he sets the bar for our team.' The Avalanche are going to miss Lehkonen." -- David Satriano, staff writer

12. Edmonton Oilers (38-23-8)

Total points: 67Last week: No. 13
"Accustomed to playing in the shadow of McDavid and center Leon Draisaitl for a while, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has finally shined on his own this season. The 29-year-old center is having, by far, his best NHL season with 83 points (31 goals, 52 assists). For that reason, his loss down the stretch would be a blow for the Oilers. Nugent-Hopkins is a big contributor to the most productive power play in the NHL (31.5 percent) with 44 points (12 goals, 32 assists) -- third-most in the League behind McDavid (60) and Draisaitl (51)." -- Robert Laflamme, LNH.com senior writer

13. Seattle Kraken (38-23-7)

Total points: 49Last week: No. 12
"The Kraken have incredible depth; they lead the NHL with 13 players with at least 10 goals. Although Vince Dunn has an NHL career-high 56 points (13 goals, 43 assists) and is plus-21, it's his defense partner, Adam Larsson, who Seattle can ill afford to lose. Larsson leads the Kraken in ice time per game (23:53) and plus-minus (plus-24). He also leads them in short-handed ice time per game (2:52), hits (181) and blocked shots (144). He's a big reason Seattle is on the verge of making the playoffs in its second NHL season."-- Satriano

14. Pittsburgh Penguins (34-24-10)

Total points: 41Last week: No. 15
"Bryan Rust never seems to get a lot of attention when you talk about the Penguins, but he always seems to be involved in the biggest moments. The forward does the grunt work on the top line with Crosby and Jake Guentzel, digging out pucks on the walls and at the front of the net to help create scoring opportunities and gets key minutes on the power play (2:11 per game) and penalty kill (1:25 per game). Though an injury to Rust wouldn't garner as much attention as it would if Crosby, center Evgeni Malkin or defenseman Kris Letang were forced out of the lineup, removing all of what Rust does for the Penguins would definitely be a big setback in their quest for another Stanley Cup title." -- Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor

15. Winnipeg Jets (38-28-3)

Total points: 20Last week: No. 14
"Adam Lowry never gets enough credit for his impact on the Jets. He's a third-line center who doesn't put up big numbers (28 points; eight goals, 20 assists in 69 games), but it's all the little things that he does that add up to make him valuable, a player Winnipeg can ill afford to lose if it wants to simply get into the playoffs, let alone worry about doing damage in the postseason. Lowry is the first option to take a defensive zone face-off; he's taken 468 this season and has won 43.8 percent of them and can defend well when he loses them. He typically will be matched up against the opponent's top forwards at even strength, a role he can handle. Lowry is a top penalty killer, leading Jets forwards with 2:19 of short-handed ice time per game and has four short-handed points (two goals, two assists). The Jets rank third in the NHL on the penalty kill (83.2 percent), and Lowry is a huge part of that. He creates chaos for the opponent when he's on the ice." -- Rosen

16. New York Islanders (35-27-8)

Total points: 16Last week: No. 16
"Ryan Pulock should probably have more points at this stage of the season than his 22 (three goals, 19 assists) in 70 games, but the defenseman is essential to any success the Islanders may have should they qualify for the postseason. Pulock is a steady presence on the back end and has a booming shot at his disposal when he wants to use it. He's an integral part of New York's core." -- Brian Compton, managing editor
Others receiving points: Nashville Predators 14, Buffalo Sabres 1
Dropped out:None

#

HERE'S HOW WE RANKED 'EM

AMALIE BENJAMIN
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Colorado Avalanche; 9. Los Angeles Kings; 10. Minnesota Wild; 11. Tampa Bay Lightning; 12. Seattle Kraken; 13. Pittsburgh Penguins; 14. Edmonton Oilers; 15. Nashville Predators; 16. Winnipeg Jets
BRIAN COMPTON
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Vegas Golden Knights; 5. Toronto Maple Leafs; 6. Los Angeles Kings; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Minnesota Wild; 9. New York Rangers; 10. Tampa Bay Lightning; 11. Edmonton Oilers; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. Seattle Kraken; 14. Nashville Predators; 15. Pittsburgh Penguins; 16. New York Islanders
NICHOLAS J. COTSONIKA
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Vegas Golden Knights; 5. Toronto Maple Leafs; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. Los Angeles Kings; 9. Tampa Bay Lightning; 10. Minnesota Wild; 11. Colorado Avalanche; 12. Seattle Kraken; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Pittsburgh Penguins; 15. Winnipeg Jets; 16. Nashville Predators
TOM GULITTI
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Vegas Golden Knights; 6. New York Rangers; 7. Los Angeles Kings; 8. Dallas Stars; 9. Tampa Bay Lightning; 10. Minnesota Wild; 11. Colorado Avalanche; 12. Seattle Kraken; 13. Edmonton Oilers; 14. Pittsburgh Penguins; 15. Winnipeg Jets; 16. Nashville Predators
ADAM KIMELMAN
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Toronto Maple Leafs; 4. New Jersey Devils; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. New York Rangers; 9. Colorado Avalanche; 10. Minnesota Wild; 11. Edmonton Oilers; 12. Winnipeg Jets; 13. New York Islanders; 14. Pittsburgh Penguins; 15. Los Angeles Kings; 16. Seattle Kraken
ROBERT LAFLAMME
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Vegas Golden Knights; 5. Toronto Maple Leafs; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Los Angeles Kings; 8. Tampa Bay Lightning; 9. New York Rangers; 10. Minnesota Wild; 11. Colorado Avalanche; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. Seattle Kraken; 14. Winnipeg Jets; 15. Pittsburgh Penguins; 16. Nashville Predators
MIKE G. MORREALE
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. Vegas Golden Knights; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Tampa Bay Lightning; 6. New Jersey Devils; 7. Los Angeles Kings; 8. Minnesota Wild; 9. Dallas Stars; 10. Colorado Avalanche; 11. New York Rangers; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. Seattle Kraken; 14. Pittsburgh Penguins; 15. Winnipeg Jets; 16. New York Islanders
TRACEY MYERS
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Vegas Golden Knights; 5. Toronto Maple Leafs; 6. Dallas Stars; 7. Los Angeles Kings; 8. Minnesota Wild; 9. New York Rangers; 10. Tampa Bay Lightning; 11. Colorado Avalanche; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. Seattle Kraken; 14. Pittsburgh Penguins; 15. New York Islanders; 16. Nashville Predators
SHAWN P. ROARKE
1. Boston Bruins; 2. New Jersey Devils; 3. Vegas Golden Knights; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Toronto Maple Leafs; 6. Colorado Avalanche; 7. Minnesota Wild; 8. Dallas Stars; 9. Edmonton Oilers; 10. Tampa Bay Lightning; 11. New York Rangers; 12. Seattle Kraken; 13. Los Angeles Kings; 14. Pittsburgh Penguins; 15. Winnipeg Jets; 16. Buffalo Sabres
DAN ROSEN
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Vegas Golden Knights; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Minnesota Wild; 6. Toronto Maple Leafs; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. New York Rangers; 9. Los Angeles Kings; 10. Tampa Bay Lightning; 11. Edmonton Oilers; 12. Colorado Avalanche; 13. Pittsburgh Penguins; 14. Nashville Predators; 15. New York Islanders; 16. Seattle Kraken
DAVID SATRIANO
1. Boston Bruins; 2. New Jersey Devils; 3. Carolina Hurricanes; 4. Toronto Maple Leafs; 5. Dallas Stars; 6. Minnesota Wild; 7. Vegas Golden Knights; 8. Los Angeles Kings; 9. New York Rangers; 10. Tampa Bay Lightning; 11. Colorado Avalanche; 12. Seattle Kraken; 13. Pittsburgh Penguins; 14. New York Islanders; 15. Edmonton Oilers; 16. Winnipeg Jets
PAUL STRIZHEVSKY
1. Boston Bruins; 2. Carolina Hurricanes; 3. New Jersey Devils; 4. Vegas Golden Knights; 5. Toronto Maple Leafs; 6. Los Angeles Kings; 7. Dallas Stars; 8. New York Rangers; 9. Minnesota Wild; 10. Tampa Bay Lightning; 11. Colorado Avalanche; 12. Edmonton Oilers; 13. Seattle Kraken; 14. Pittsburgh Penguins; 15. Nashville Predators; 16. Winnipeg Jets
MIKE ZEISBERGER
1. Boston Bruins; 2. New Jersey Devils; 3. New York Rangers; 4. Carolina Hurricanes; 5. Toronto Maple Leafs; 6. Vegas Golden Knights; 7. Tampa Bay Lightning; 8. Colorado Avalanche; 9. Edmonton Oilers; 10. Los Angeles Kings; 11. Dallas Stars; 12. Minnesota Wild; 13. Pittsburgh Penguins; 14. New York Islanders; 15. Seattle Kraken; 16. Winnipeg Jets
---
Listen: New episode of NHL @TheRink