They entered Thusday having won 10 straight games and are No. 2 in the Super 16 power rankings. They debuted at No. 6 two weeks ago, got to No. 4 last week and are suddenly a notch below the top-ranked Boston Bruins, the only team in the Eastern Conference with more wins (14) and points (28) than the Devils (13 and 26).
The Vegas Golden Knights, No. 1 last week, dropped to No. 3, one voting point behind the Devils on the heels of back-to-back losses.
The Los Angeles Kings (No. 12) are in the Super 16 for the first time this season. The Calgary Flames (No. 16) are back in after dropping out last 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 is the Super 16, with those thoughts from the staff members, whose individual rankings are below: